Dwars door het indrukwekkende Australië

About the destination: Located on Port Phillip Bay, astride the Yarra River, Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. With a trendy and lively atmosphere, it is considered the cultural, gastronomic, sporting, fashion and shopping capital of Australia. There're lots of beautiful examples of architecture throughout the city such as its modern and vibrant skyline. Some of Melbourne’s main attractions are the stunning Botanical Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the magnificent Anglican cathedral of Saint Paul's and one of Melbourne’s most famous landmarks, the Shrine of Remembrance. St Kilda is Melbourne's bohemian neighborhood. Here you’ll find sunny beaches and a great restaurant, bars and nightlife scene. Just outside of Melbourne, we have the spectacular Twelve Apostles, a unique rock formations by the shore. Dynamic and cosmopolitan, Melbourne is Australia’s proud cultural capital. Considered one of the world's most livable cities, the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria is a pleasant visit and a perfect base to explore the surrounding region.

About the destination: Apollo Bay is located between Wye River and Cape Otway on Victoria's scenic coastal route, the Great Ocean Road. As a popular tourist destination, Apollo Bay offers both swimming and surf beaches, as well as a large boat harbour and marina which is home to a major fishing fleet. The town's commercial centre, which features a good selection of restaurants and cafes, is situated along one side of the Great Ocean Road, overlooking a wide, grassy foreshore which fronts the main swimming beach. Another popular beach is located at the mouth of the Barham River in Mounts Bay. Overlooking Apollo Bay are rolling green hills, which create quite a scenic backdrop when viewed from the beach, foreshore and shops. Panoramic views can be enjoyed from the Marriners Lookout, located at the northern end of town off Marriners Lookout Road. It's a short walk from the car park along a scenic mountainside pathway to the lookout where there are views of Apollo Bay's town centre, the harbour and beaches up and down the coast. Under certain weather conditions the silhouette of the SS Casino, a steamship which sank in 1932 while trying to dock at Apollo Bay, can be seen in the waters close to the shore when looking eastwards over the caravan park. A couple of museums are worth exploring in Apollo Bay. There is the Bass Strait Shell Museum, at the golf course end of town, offering a good collection of local and overseas shells, coral and preserved sea life specimens. The Old Cable Station Museum, on the Great Ocean Road at the northern edge of Apollo Bay, features collections of local memorabilia housed in the former cable station which was used for communications between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. A popular scenic drive is along the Barham River Road which follows the Barham River inland from the coast through the lush rainforest of the Barham Valley, eventually ending up at the Marriners Falls. The small seaside community of Marengo is located just south of Apollo Bay on the other side of the Barham River and it offers quiet, sandy beaches. A 5 kilometre drive north of Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road takes you to Skenes Creek, which is another small and scenic seaside community. Fantastic views of the coast can be enjoyed at Evans Lookout, a couple of kilometres inland from Skenes Creek on the main road to Forrest and Colac. The rugged and bushy Great Otway National Park, which includes a lighthouse at Cape Otway, is easily accessible, making Apollo Bay a great place to enjoy the coast and the bushy hinterland of the Otway Ranges.

About the destination: The word Warrnambool originates from the local Indigenous Australian name for a nearby volcanic cone. It is interpreted to mean many things including land between two rivers, two swamps or ample water. A popular legend is that the first Europeans to discover Warrnambool were Cristóvão de Mendonça and his crew who surveyed the coastline nearby and were marooned near the site of the present town as early as the 16th century, based on the unverified reports of local whalers' discovery of the wreck of a mahogany ship. The ship's provenance has been variously attributed to France, China, Spain and Portugal. There is no physical evidence to suggest that it ever existed. The first documented European discovery of Warrnambool occurred under Lieutenant James Grant, a Scottish explorer who sailed the Lady Nelson along the coast in December 1800 and named several features. This exploration was followed by that of the English navigator Matthew Flinders in the Investigator, and the French explorer Nicholas Baudin, who recorded coastal landmarks, in 1802. The area was frequented by whalers early in the 19th century. The first settlers arrived in the 1840s in the Lady Bay area, which was a natural harbour. The town was surveyed in 1846 and established soon after, the Post Office opening on 1 January 1849. During the Victorian Gold Rush, Warrnambool became an important port and grew quickly in the 1850s, benefiting from the private ownership of nearby Port Fairy. It was gazetted as a municipality in 1855, and became a borough in 1863. Warrnambool was declared a town in 1883, and a city in 1918. Post Offices opened at Warrnambool South in 1937 (closed 1973), Warrnambool East in 1946, and Warrnambool North in 1947 (closed 1975).

About the destination: Halls Gap is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is located on Grampians Road, adjacent to the Grampians National Park, in the Shire of Northern Grampians local government area. The town is set in the Fyans Valley at the foot of the Wonderland and Mount William ranges. At the 2016 census Halls Gap had a population of 430. The approximate driving time from Melbourne is 3 hours.

About the destination: Mount Gambier is the second most populated city in South Australia with an estimated urban population of 29,639. The city is located on the slopes of Mount Gambier, a volcano in the south east of the state, about 450 kilometres (280 mi) south-east of the capital Adelaide and just 17 kilometres (11 mi) from the Victorian border. The traditional owners of the area are the Bungandidj people. Mount Gambier is the most important settlement in the Limestone Coast region and the seat of government for both the City of Mount Gambier and the District Council of Grant. The city is well known for its geographical features, particularly its volcanic and limestone features, most notably its Blue Lake, parks, gardens, caves and sinkholes.

About the destination: Robe is a town and fishing port located in the Limestone Coast of South Australia. The town's distinctive combination of historical buildings, ocean, fishing fleets, lakes and dense bush is widely appreciated. Robe lies on the southern shore of Guichen Bay, just off the Princes Highway. At the 2016 census, Robe had a population of 998. Robe is the main town in the District Council of Robe local government area. It is in the state electorate of MacKillop and the federal Division of Barker.

About the destination: The Barossa Valley (Barossa German: Barossa Tal) is a valley in South Australia located 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Adelaide city centre. The valley is formed by the North Para River. It is notable as a major wine-producing region and tourist destination.

About the destination: "Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia, in Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Glenelg, the historic beachside suburb of Glenelg has a jetty, the Grand hotel and many restaurants and cafes. • Adelaide Oval. The rebirth of the state-of-the-art Adelaide Oval has been a major success story for a footy mad city which has seen a multi-million dollar makeover in recent years, the oval is a famous historic ground usually hosting cricket matches throughout the Australian summer. • Montefiore Hill, in North Adelaide provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night. • Adelaide Hills. There is a moderately priced restaurant at the Mt. Lofty summit and a souvenir shop which offers tourist information. • Windy Point • Hahndorf • North Terrace, will take your pass the Casino, Parliament House, Government House, the State Library, Museum and Migration Museum, Art Gallery, Adelaide University, University of South Australia, Ayers House (former home of Henry Ayers), Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Botanic Gardens. It is an attractive tree lined boulevard in a South Australian colonial tradition. • Catch an O-Bahn bus out to the North East suburban shopping centre of Tea Tree Plaza. • Rundle Lantern light display. • Port Adelaide, Adelaide's historic harbour town with many historical buildings, pubs, boat cruises and dolphin watching."

About the destination: Alice Springs is the third largest town in the Northern Territory, Australia. The site is known as Mparntwe to its original inhabitants, the Arrernte, who have lived in the Central Australian desert in and around what is now Alice Springs for thousands of years. Alice Springs is nearly equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Anzac Hill. Anzac Hill Rd. Low hill with great view on the city and the MacDonnell Ranges. • Stargazing. Alice Springs is in the middle of the largest land area without lights on earth, so the view of the Milky Way is unmatched unless you're on a dark boat in the middle of the ocean. • Alice Springs Desert Park lThey give a number of interesting lectures, such as aboriginal use of local plants for food. The nocturnal exhibit is excellent, a very low-light building with offset day and night schedule to induce the nocturnal critters to come out during the day so people can see them. • Reptile Centre. Examples of the local reptiles and one NT croc specially imported, on display by the guy the locals call when something with fangs is in the kitchen. • Olive Pink Botanical Garden. A desert botanical garden.

About the destination: Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - Uluru. - Kata Tjuta - The Cultural Centre

About the destination: The walls of Kings Canyon are over 100 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from leaving the walking tracks. Three walks exist at Kings Canyon. The two km (return) and approximately one-hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above. The six km (loop) Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon and takes three to four hours to complete. A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, which locals call "Heartbreak Hill" (or "Heart Attack Hill", due to its steepness), takes visitors up to the top, with views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point. The loop can also be done in reverse (anti-clockwise), but the National Park Rangers encourage visitors to walk in one direction. Access to the walk may be restricted during hot weather. The 22 km Giles Track connects Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs and is popular with more adventurous hikers. Birds that can be seen on the Kings Canyon Rim walk include spinifex pigeon, zebra finch, grey-headed honeyeater, dusky grasswren, black-breasted buzzard and peregrine falcon. Kings Canyon Solar Power Station was a photovoltaic power station in the Northern Territory, with a generating capacity of 225 kWp and electricity production of 372,000 kWh of electricity per annum. It was the largest single installation of its kind in Australia and began operation in December 2003. It has been shut down since December 2015 due to the local tourist resort installing its own generators.

About the destination: Alice Springs is the third largest town in the Northern Territory, Australia. The site is known as Mparntwe to its original inhabitants, the Arrernte, who have lived in the Central Australian desert in and around what is now Alice Springs for thousands of years. Alice Springs is nearly equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Anzac Hill. Anzac Hill Rd. Low hill with great view on the city and the MacDonnell Ranges. • Stargazing. Alice Springs is in the middle of the largest land area without lights on earth, so the view of the Milky Way is unmatched unless you're on a dark boat in the middle of the ocean. • Alice Springs Desert Park lThey give a number of interesting lectures, such as aboriginal use of local plants for food. The nocturnal exhibit is excellent, a very low-light building with offset day and night schedule to induce the nocturnal critters to come out during the day so people can see them. • Reptile Centre. Examples of the local reptiles and one NT croc specially imported, on display by the guy the locals call when something with fangs is in the kitchen. • Olive Pink Botanical Garden. A desert botanical garden.

About the destination: "Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory. It is the smallest and most northerly of the Australian capital cities, and acts as the Top End's regional centre. Darwin's proximity to South East Asia makes it an important Australian gateway to countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. The Stuart Highway begins in Darwin, ending at Port Augusta in South Australia. The city itself is built on a low bluff overlooking the harbour. Past Berrimah, the Stuart Highway goes on to Darwin's satellite city, Palmerston, and its suburbs. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Darwin Wharf Precinct. • Fannie Bay Gaol. The building’s grim and oppressive history can be felt as you walk through • Burnett House at Myilly Point. Burnett designed homes adapted to the climatic conditions of the Top End, which included the use of lightweight materials and natural ventilation. • Browns Mart is a stone building that was opened in 1885 as the store ‘Solomon’s Emporium’. • Bicentennial Park. This scenic stretch of parkland along The Esplanade overlooks Darwin Harbour. • George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. A stone’s throw from the city centre are 42 hectares of gardens that showcase local flora and that of other tropical habitats around the world. • Lake Alexander. An ideal spot for swimming all year round, is popular for picnics and barbecues. • Casuarina Coastal Reserve. The Reserve encompasses 1500 hectares, including 8 km of sandy beaches bordered by dramatic cliffs. • Charles Darwin National Park."

About the destination: Kakadu National Park is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia, 171 km southeast of Darwin. The park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory. It covers an area of 19,804 km2 (7,646 sq mi), extending nearly 200 kilometres from north to south and over 100 kilometres from east to west. It is the size of Slovenia, about one-third the size of Tasmania, and nearly half the size of Switzerland. The Ranger Uranium Mine, one of the most productive uranium mines in the world, is surrounded by the park.

About the destination: Katherine and its surroundings are the ideal place to take a holiday in the hinterland of Australia and enjoy indigenous experiences. The Katherine region of the Northern Territory extends from Dunmarra in the south to the Daly River region in the north. In total, it covers an incredible area of 480 000 square kilometers. From east to west, it touches the borders of Queensland and Western Australia. Katherine and its surroundings are the ideal place to take a holiday in the hinterland of Australia and enjoy indigenous experiences. The town of Katherine is the center of the region and offers museums, art galleries and historical sites. It is a good place to buy authentic Aboriginal artefacts and art or to create your own original dots painting to take home. The Katherine Museum offers wonderful samples of photographs of the history of the region. Just out of town is Springvale Homestead, the oldest original hacienda in the Northern Territory. The fascinating Cutta Cutta caves, located nearby, are a series of gleaming caves and crystalline limestone pillars dating back 500 million years.

About the destination: "Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory. It is the smallest and most northerly of the Australian capital cities, and acts as the Top End's regional centre. Darwin's proximity to South East Asia makes it an important Australian gateway to countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. The Stuart Highway begins in Darwin, ending at Port Augusta in South Australia. The city itself is built on a low bluff overlooking the harbour. Past Berrimah, the Stuart Highway goes on to Darwin's satellite city, Palmerston, and its suburbs. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Darwin Wharf Precinct. • Fannie Bay Gaol. The building’s grim and oppressive history can be felt as you walk through • Burnett House at Myilly Point. Burnett designed homes adapted to the climatic conditions of the Top End, which included the use of lightweight materials and natural ventilation. • Browns Mart is a stone building that was opened in 1885 as the store ‘Solomon’s Emporium’. • Bicentennial Park. This scenic stretch of parkland along The Esplanade overlooks Darwin Harbour. • George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. A stone’s throw from the city centre are 42 hectares of gardens that showcase local flora and that of other tropical habitats around the world. • Lake Alexander. An ideal spot for swimming all year round, is popular for picnics and barbecues. • Casuarina Coastal Reserve. The Reserve encompasses 1500 hectares, including 8 km of sandy beaches bordered by dramatic cliffs. • Charles Darwin National Park."