As the gateway to Australia’s Sunshine Coast and only an hour’s drive from Brisbane, this town is an excellent getaway for travelers. Families will love the close proximity to the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, as well as the Big Kart Track, Australia’s largest go-kart track. Also a family favorite is Aussie World, a diverse theme park where you can ride the second largest ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere. The park is also home to the Ettamogah Pub, a recreation of the pub from the Ken Maynard cartoon series. Visitors are drawn to the pub’s caricature architectural style. Aussie World also boasts the Sunshine Coast’s largest collection of Aboriginal art and artifacts. Another excellent stop is the Queensland Air Museum, where guests can explore the history of aircraft back to World War II.
Caloundra is also an wonderful place to enjoy Australia’s beautiful great outdoors. Pumicestone Passage Marine Park is full of mangroves and sea grasses, and is home to more than 350 species of birds. Local tour guides offer boat cruises in the area, or you can kayak or even walk along the coastal beach trail. The Glass House Mountains are also nearby, and can be enjoyed by taking a scenic tourist drive. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a forty hectare area of protected land that is home to many different species of wildlife. Guided tours are available and it is also a popular picnic and barbecue spot.
Dining is an experience in Caloundra and there is cuisine to suit everyone’s taste. The Velvet Waters restaurant is similar to a Hard Rock Café, and also is home to the Walk of Stars, a tribute to Australian musicians. The walk extends to the top of the hill and includes commemorative plaques.
A rugged but beautiful park, Barrington Tops is a great destination for visitors interested in exploring recreational activities during their Australian vacation. Made up of an ancient volcano and extending down to sea level, the park encompasses a wide variety of environments from subtropical rainforests to windy mountain peaks. The highest point in the park is 1586 meters, making it the second highest point Australia. Although beautiful at any time of year, if you are planning a winter visit be prepared for snowy conditions. Hikers should also be aware that mountain weather can change rapidly at any time of the year, and should be prepared for all possibilities.
Walking tracks range from the easy, wheelchair accessible Devils Hole Lookout Walk to the ten hour, very challenging Corker trail that takes hikers to the summit of the Barrington Tops Plateau. The majority of the day use areas have free barbecues available, and three in particular are wheelchair accessible. The Gloucester River day use area is a great place to view local wildlife. Bicycles are not allowed on walking tracks, but several trails are open to cyclists. Additionally, the fifteen kilometer Barrington Trail is a popular four wheel drive track. Fishing is also popular in the park, but be sure to obtain a current fishing license if you plan on doing any angling. Swimming is not recommended as streams are cold and swift flowing, however if you do decide to swim be aware of rocky shores and submerged logs.
There are several routes into the park, however be prepared for unpaved roads in all areas of the park. Most are accessible by two wheel drive (except Barrington Trail), however heavy rain can cause some areas to flood or wash out. Camping is located throughout the park.
A hiker’s paradise, Blue Mountains National Park is located just an hour and a half outside Sydney. The park covers almost 250,000 hectares, and has a large variety of trails ranging from easy to difficult, with some even wheelchair accessible. Of particular note is the Grand Canyon Track, a medium difficulty hike that takes you right into the canyon, offering spectacular views. The Blue Pool Track takes visitors on an easy stroll to a beautiful swimming hole, and the Red Hands Cave Track explores an ancient cave with Aboriginal hand paintings. Guided tours are also available, including night time spotlight tours.
Although not permitted on the walking trails, bicycles are also a good way to explore the park. Additionally, four wheel drive and trail bike tours are available, and the park is home to horse trails as well. Canoeing and rock climbing are also favorite activities. The adventurous might want to check out the Katoomba Scenic Skyway, where visitors ride a cable car suspended three hundred and five meters above the valley floor. Tours can be taken to the Jenolan Caves, and visitors can also explore the ghost town of Hartley with its historic buildings. Katoomba has a six storey movie cinema that shows film footage of the Blue Mountains area.
How long to stay in the Blue Mountains depends upon how much you intend on doing there. A leisurely car trip can be undertaken, round trip from Sydney, in a day, and includes the tour through the park. However, if you plan on enjoying recreational opportunities, you’ll probably want to find local accommodations. There are several campgrounds and trailer sites in the park, or you can stay at one of the many private hotels located throughout the park.
