If you’re looking for a unique way to explore the Australian Outback, how about visiting a commercial opal field and staying overnight in an underground hotel? This might sound like a trip not for the faint of heart, but in reality the White Cliffs area can be enjoyed by just about everyone. Although it is considered the Outback, White Cliffs and the neighboring Broken Hill are only about a day’s drive from both Sydney and Melbourne, making it relatively easy to visit. If you prefer traveling by air, helicopter flights to the area are also available.
The tourist appeal of White Cliffs comes mainly from the fact that the majority of the town’s residents live underground in houses carved out of the sandstone rock so prevalent in the area. Called ‘dugouts,’ these homes require no heating or air conditioning and maintain a very comfortable twenty-two degrees Celsius through summer and winter. Residents dig their homes into the rock using a jackhammer and a wheelbarrow to remove the debris. Once hollowed out they are normally sealed and painted white. There are two accommodations where visitors can stay underground, at the Underground Motel or PJs Underground Bed and Breakfast. The Underground Motel includes an underground restaurant and bar.
White Cliffs was Australia’s first commercial opal mine. Opals are a unique gemstone that have become Australia’s trademark. A visit to White Cliffs should include a mine tour where visitors can even try their hand at finding opal remnants in the mine’s tailings. Several local shops sell quality Australian opals, and there are also several artists in the area who sell beautiful jewelry, photographs, and paintings. Far away from the city lights, the stars here are clearly visible in the wide open skies, so bring a constellation map along for your stay.
The former home of one of the wealthiest pioneer couples in Melbourne, Como House is a beautiful example of colonial Australian architecture. A visit to the house and gardens is an excellent introduction into colonial life in Australia, especially amongst the upper classes.
Built in 1847 by Edward Eyre Williams for his new wife Jessie Gibbon, the house changed hands several times during its early history. The third owners, John and Helen Brown, developed the beautiful gardens that can now be seen today. When the Armytage family purchased the house in 1864 the property moved into a period of stability that lasted almost one hundred years. Charles and Caroline Armytage raised their ten children at the house, and in 1906 their daughter, Constance, was married there in what was then coined as the “social event of the year.” In 1959 the Armytage family gave the house to the National Trust so that it could be forever preserved as a heritage site. The house remains fully decorated with Artymage family heirlooms, and is known for its collection of antique furniture. The gardens have been meticulously restored, right down the vegetable gardens that once fed the household. A popular place for both casual picnics and upscale weddings, the gardens are a beautiful spot not to be missed.
Visits to the house and gardens are by guided tour only, so be sure to call ahead. The house is a convenient seven minute walk from the South Yarra train station. Onsite is the well-regarded Bursaria Café where visitors can get a bite to eat or simply enjoy a cup of coffee as they look out onto the gardens. The Café is family friendly, and even allows dogs. Entrance into the house and gardens is free when visiting the café.
As the shopping mecca of Australia, Melbourne is a must see city for any serious shoppers traveling through the area. With countless pedestrian malls and lanes each with its own personality and distinctive shops, Melbourne is a true joy to explore.
If you enjoy outdoor markets, be sure to visit the Sunday Market at the Arts Center on Southgate Road. Many talented artists and craftsmen gather here to sell their wares, but the market is diverse enough that you can also find inexpensive souvenirs. The Queen Victoria Markets are the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere, and with over one thousand merchants selling their products there truly is something for everyone. Melbourne is home to many shopping arcades, some with true historical significance. The Royal Arcade is the oldest of them all, having been built in 1869, and contains the famous Gaunt clock and its statues of Gog and Magog. The Block Arcade is even more elegant, with murals on the ceilings and mosaics on the floor. Built in 1891, this continues to be Melbourne’s premier shopping arcade and a popular place for tourists.
Bourke Street is another popular shopping destination since it is home to both the Bourke Street Mall as well as Melbourne’s Chinatown district. Melbourne’s major department stores are located on Burke Street, and if that wasn’t enough to draw in visitors, the area abounds in street entertainment and buskers. Finally, the Southgate area is another prime shopping and leisure area. The neighborhood underwent a revitalization project and reopened in 1992, and has been popular ever since. Southgate has a fantastic food court located right on the river, and is home to many unique stores, restaurants and bars. As a popular walking place, visitors can also enjoy the many street performers that liven up the area.
