A World Heritage site, this perfect island getaway is just a two hour flight away from Sydney. With unparalleled natural beauty, clean and spacious white sand beaches, and all the comforts of a resort town, Lord Howe Island makes a fantastic trip for vacationers from all walks of life.
The island is ideal for marine recreation and offers many fishing tours. The lagoon that provides such beautiful, unspoiled beaches also is home to an outstanding coral reef with over five hundred species of fish. You can virtually see the fish right through the water, however Scuba tours can also be taken further offshore. Bird watching is also popular on the island, as it is home to over one hundred thirty species, including fourteen species of seabirds that use the island as breeding grounds. Many walking trails cover the island, from leisurely and easy to more strenuous and advanced. The Mount Gower hike is a world renowned, eight hour trek that is not for the faint at heart but does provide spectacular scenery.
After a strenuous day trip up the mountain, what better way to soothe tired muscles than a luxurious spa treatment? The island is home to two luxury spas where you can unwind and relax. Fine dining and shopping abound, and the island also is home to recreational opportunities such as golf, lawn bowling, and tennis.
Only four hundred visitors are allowed on the island at one time, so be sure to book your hotel accommodations well ahead of time. Camping is not permitted on the island, and you will require proof of accommodation in order to take your flight. About three hundred fifty people live on the island permanently, and all accommodations are owned and operated by native islanders. There are few cars on the island, and they travel at a leisurely twenty-five miles per hour. Walking and cycling is the preferred mode of transportation, making this a very safe destination for families.
Established in 1846 by Lieutenant Governor Charles La Trobe, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne are truly a remarkable example of botanical art. For visiting green thumbs, it is a sight and experience not to be missed. The gardens are home to thousands of different plant species from across Australia and the world. The first director of the gardens, Ferdinand von Mueller, helped to establish this collection, and also the scientific centre located on the property. His successor, William Guilfoyle, created the Gardens’ celebrated landscape style with its scenic lawns, lakes, and viewpoints.
The Gardens’ massive collection of plants is organized in multiple collections located around the property. Don’t miss the classic Australian Forest Walk, highlighting rainforest fauna from across Australia, or the Eucalypt Lawn where native Australian wildflowers can also be seen. Fern Gully recreates an Australian sub-tropical rainforest that visitors can explore. In addition to such innovative exhibits, the Gardens are also home to traditional collections such as the Rose Garden, the Perennial Border, and the Chinese Gardens.
No matter the season, there is always something to see in the Gardens. In winter visit the over three hundred Camellias that bloom every year. Spring and summer bring a riot of color to the Gardens, particularly in the Perennial Border, the Rose Garden, and the California Garden. Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit the massive oak trees as their leaves turn dramatic shades of red and gold.
A great place for families, the Gardens also feature an interactive children’s garden where younger visitors can explore various areas including an old ruin, a bamboo forest, and a wetland. Although there are two cafés available on-site, picnicking is also encouraged, although barbecues are not permitted. Visitors can join guided tours and take home souvenirs from the shop. The Gardens are wheelchair accessible.
Dingoes are Australia’s wild dogs, and it’s just as hard to imagine the native Australian bush lacking these tawny canines as it is to imagine it without koala bears or kangaroos. A medium-sized dog, the dingo belongs to a primitive variety of canines that breed only once a year. Puppies are born in the spring, usually in litters of three to five. You’ll rarely hear a dingo bark, but they do make many different kinds of vocalizations. In some ways they are more like cats than dogs in that they are extremely agile, enjoy viewing their surroundings from a high vantage point, and will use their paws almost like hands. Although primarily carnivorous, dingoes will also eat insects and plants when the need arises.
A great place to view these magical creatures is at the Dingo Sanctuary at Bargo, just outside of Sydney. Run by the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society, this sanctuary is home to over forty dingoes. The Society works to protect the dingo in the wild and is also working on a DNA test to help distinguish true dingoes from similar looking mix breeds and hybrids.
The facility welcomes visitors, but does require that you contact them ahead of time to arrange a guided tour. Helpful tour guides show you around the property, introduce you to the dingoes, answer any questions you might have, and can also arrange a video presentation as well. The grounds are a beautiful example of natural Australian fauna, and provide a lovely, natural home for the dogs. All trails are flat and easily accessible for those with limited mobility. A shop is available for souvenirs and cold drinks, and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch – gas barbecues are provided.
For those that would like to take a dingo home with them, the Society offers dingo sponsorships where donors can sponsor a particular animal and receive regular updates on their animal’s activities.
