| Have you heard of the Australian Outback? Have you | | | | the lush green forests to the white sands and blue |
| always wanted to visit the Great Barrier Reef? Or | | | | water of the sea. There are many endemic species of |
| have you always wanted to see the koalas, | | | | plants and animals in Australia after the continent broke |
| kangaroos, the Tasmanian devils, and other exotic | | | | away from the Gondwana landmass. Aside from the |
| Australian endemic species in their native habitat? | | | | exotic floral and faunal collection, Australia also boasts |
| What are you waiting for? You'd better apply for an | | | | of the Great Barrier Reef which is one of the greatest |
| Australian travel visa, book a plane and your | | | | wonders of nature. Stretching a magnificent 2.3 |
| accommodations, and begin your adventures in the | | | | kilometers, the Great Barrier Reef is home to more |
| Land Down Under. | | | | than 4,000 fish species, thousands more species of |
| So what will you choose for your own Australian | | | | invertebrates and other marine organisms. And we |
| Adventure? | | | | haven't forgotten about the amazing Australian |
| Australia is a big country and there's definitely no | | | | wetlands - the home of many mammals, birds, fishes |
| shortage of things to do, places to visit, food and wine | | | | and reptiles and this certainly includes the saltwater |
| to delight in, and new adventures to start off. So here | | | | crocodiles. |
| are some suggestions of what you can do on this | | | | 3. The Overland Train Travel - So you're not really the |
| unique escapade. | | | | outdoor type of person and you'd rather enjoy the |
| 1. Australian Outback - Remember the second season | | | | sights of Australia someplace nice and comfy, then |
| of the popular TV show Survivor? Go on and give | | | | don't worry. You can take pleasure in the spectacular |
| your mental muscles some memory exercise...That's | | | | Australian landscape without the hassle of driving |
| right! It was in the Australian Outback. Are you ready | | | | hours and hours into the outback, you can simply book |
| to take on the challenge? Ideally, the outback refers to | | | | a train ride. There are three routes going through the |
| the out-of-the-way arid places in the vast Australian | | | | continent. The longest of these is the |
| continent. Awesome rock formations like the Ayers | | | | Sydney-Adelaide-Perth route covering a distance of |
| Rock (Uluru) and The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and the | | | | 4,352 kilometers and you'll spend three nights aboard. |
| occasional meet ups with the residents - kangaroos, | | | | The other route is the Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin |
| dingos (the native dog) as well as numerous species | | | | which traverses the continent from the north to the |
| of birds and reptiles. Traveling into the outback, visitors | | | | south. The shortest train ride but, surely not the least |
| and tourists can take organized guided tours or, better | | | | exciting, is the Adelaide to Melbourne itinerary. |
| yet, drive their own vehicles. No worries about the | | | | It's going to be a hard decision. These Australian |
| roads since the outback is a network of historic tracks | | | | adventures are unique and exciting. I envy you for |
| and major highways and all of these are | | | | having to choose from among them. But whatever |
| well-maintained. If you are feeling especially daring, then | | | | you decide, it's going to be one awesome adventure |
| a trip deep into the outback is a good challenge. Just | | | | indeed! |
| be sure to drive a four-wheel drive, have some spare | | | | No hurry. Make your own internet research, ask your |
| fuel and tires as well as food and water, medical kit, | | | | friends who have been to Australia, and if you must, |
| and good communication equipment such as a satellite | | | | then consult the Australian Embassy for some very |
| phone. | | | | formal travel advice. So choose your own Australian |
| 2. Nature Tripping - Australia has an interesting | | | | adventure and have fun! |
| gradation of scenery - from the red desert sand to | | | | |