Come WalkAbout

Thinking about a trip Down Under? Tourism Australia has created a new website to help you explore before you go!

Click on the link below to help get ideas and have an interactive exploration of 16 epic Australian adventures. View photos, maps and download pdf files with information on tours and then give me a call to let me know what catches your interest and we can custom build an itinerary for your trip of a lifetime!

Explore Australia

The BEST Job in the World

Are you adventurous - love to swim, snorkel, try new things? Would you like to earn over $120,000 (AUD $150,000) in 6 months? If so - you MUST check out this new job posting by Tourism Queensland where you will be paid to spend 6 months exploring over 600 islands along the Queensland Coast in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Your job - to blog, do videos and share you experiences with the world on what the amazing islands are like and have to offer. Unbelieveable isn't it! I think it really is the best job in the world.

For more details and to apply visit http://www.islandreefjob.com/ The website is getting so many hits though it is hard to get through so be persistent - it could pay off in a big way!

Click on this link to view the CBC Story with my brief interview on The National:

Watch News Story

Life in the Outback of Australia

Life in the Outback of Australia can be lonely and harsh in this region often referred to by Aussies as the 'back of beyond'.

With so much of the country being desert, more than 90% of the country's population live in the urban centres along the coasts. Much of the dry, barren land is used for massive cattle and sheep farms. It takes a special type of person to be able to spend their life in the isolation of the Outback but the country has adapted somewhat with special services like The Flying Doctors Service and the School of the Air.

What is it like to live in the Outback? If you like the big screen, head off to the theatre to see Baz Luhrmann's Australia The Movie. It is only getting mediocre reviews, but the scenery and filming is inspiring people to travel to the Outback to see more of this incredible and unique landscape.

The other great option is to pick up a copy of Thorn Birds - the 1977 best selling novel written by Colleen McCullough set on a fictional sheep station in the Australian Outback. The novel was a best seller, then turned into a TV Mini-Series and became the United State's second highest rated mini-series after Roots.

It has just been announced that Thorn Birds is now going to be turned into a theatrical musical production - but we will see if they can actually capture the essence of the Outback on stage as it was done in the novel and on TV.

To read more about Thorn Birds the Musical - Click Here

If you are really interested in seeing what life is like on a cattle or sheep station you can incorporate a visit on a trip to Australia. Choose from something as short as an afternoon tour with lunch or plan a bit of a working holiday to get your dirty and properly involved in the operation.

Below is a short video depicting a little bit about what life is like on a Cattle Farm and then the second video is all about the incredible Royal Flying Doctors Service

More Flight Options to Austalia

Watch for better prices on flights to the Land Down Under! The traditional routing for Canadians and Americans heading to Australia is to connect through Los Angeles. With direct flights currently being offered by United Airlines and Qantas, Qantas has long been known as the dominate carrier on this route.

That may all change as Delta Airlines have announced starting in July they are going to begin direct, non-stop service between LA and Sydney. Additionally, British billionaire Richard Branson is starting up a new airline to service the routing as well called V-Australia. V-Australia, a sister airline to Virgin Atlantic, is slated to begin service this coming February.

We also have options to fly using Air Canada through Vancouver giving Canadian a host of options when heading to Australia.

With the new flight options coming online, watch for some very competitive pricing as the airlines battle it out for market share on this long haul routing!

Travel Tips for Sydney

TEN TRAVEL TIPS FOR SYDNEY

Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world. No matter who you are, there is so much to do and see you should spend a minimum of 3 full days there and much more if you enjoy big cities and have the time. A few of the major sites of interest include the world famous Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Queen Victoria Building, Pitt St. Mall and of course there are so many incredible beaches to visit if you are there in their summer months. Extra time can be spent doing day trips to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley.

Here are 10 travel tips to help you enjoy this great city!

1. Sydney is a world class city offering pretty much anything and everything a traveller could want - great culture, nice beaches, beautiful parks, excellent dining, plenty of shopping and a wide range of accommodations to fit anyone's budget. If you love city vacations this is a place for you and don't cut your time too short as there is always something new to explore in Sydney.


2. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. This is an excellent way to get out in the harbour and take in the views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. As well, the ferry takes you to the gorgeous Manly area with a beautiful beach, great ocean sidewalks, cafes, restaurants and shops.


3. For a beautiful walk start at Coogee Beach and follow the path along the coast to Bondi Beach or vice versa. If it is the right time of year, you can enjoy the beaches at both ends and in the middle of the walk as well as taking in the beautiful views and ocean breeze.


4. No visit to Sydney would be complete without a trip to the unique, world-renowned Opera House. Book tickets in advance if you are interested in actually seeing a show at the Opera House. However, for most tourist just walking up to the Opera House, sitting on the steps and strolling around the outside of it with its unique roofline is magnificent enough. If you are interested, you can also book a tour of the inside of the Opera House.


5. For the adrenalin inclined tourist, you can climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge giving you great city views. For the less adventurous, who are still looking for views of the city, you can pay to head to the top of Centre Point Tower located in the middle of the Central Business District which also gives great panoramic views of the city and harbour.


6. If you love nature and the outdoors, take a stroll through some of Sydney's great parks. There is an abundance of green space to be enjoyed such as the popular Hyde Park and Botanical Gardens. Most suburbs also have great parks so find the green on a map, take a blanket and picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.


7. Spend some time enjoying Darling Harbour with its numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. There is also a nice park and of course being located on the harbour, some beautiful water views to take in.


8. The Rocks is a historical area of Sydney where the British set up the first penal colony upon their arrival in Australia. Today, it is a gorgeous little tourist area to wander around and explore. The Rocks make a great place to head to for a nice lunch or dinner or cold Australian Lager.


9. If you are staying in Sydney for a long duration try to book accommodations with kitchen facilities to make your stay more comfortable. It can also really help you save some money if you are on a budget.


10. Finally, plan your time according to what you enjoy. Sydney has so much to offer there is something for everyone. A world-class zoo, architectural walks, the Blue Mountains, the Aquarium, night clubs, museums, galleries and the list goes on. Do some research before arriving so you can maximize your time in this great city and do as much, or as little, as you would like to do.

Love to Cruise? Love the Land Down Under?

If you love to cruise then don't forget that Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific have some great cruise itineraries. Cruising has been such a growing success in the North American market and we are now starting to see it take off in popularity in other parts of the world such as Europe, Australia and New Zealand.


In fact, due to the growing passion that Aussies have for cruising, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) who owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises have just announced they are going to be opening an office in Sydney Australia to support their Aussie clients.

Let's see what happens in the future years, but hopefully we see some new ships in the region adding to some of their already interesting itineraries.

The Rhapsody of the Seas is now in its 3rd season sailing the South Pacific and has some amazing itineraries. I have travelled a lot through the South Pacific and when I saw this itinerary, I truly think it is a dream itinerary for a North American heading down to the South Pacific:








How many North Americans ever thought they would visit remote Pacific Countries like New Caledonia, and Vanuatu?!? They are paradise and now easily accessible! A great add-on to any Australian trip!

Welcome to Travel Talk South Pacific

Welcome to my second travel blog - Travel Talk South Pacific. This one is all about the wonderful South Pacific! All my life I have been intrigued by Australia and the South Pacific. Now, I can say that I have spent more time travelling the South Pacific than I have the Caribbean and Mexico that are on my door step.

Nothing excites me more than roaming the beautiful beaches and cities of the South Pacific. I hope in this blog I will be able to help others learn more about the great travel opportunities and get you excited about these regions as I am!

Cheers,
Carl