Taste of Australia

Australia is home to a wonderful mix of cultures from all over the world and is in reality a multicultural melting pot. Australia cuisine has the most diverse range, quality, and inventiveness than many others in the world as it has been strongly influence by hundreds of different cultures worldwide include english, italian, greek, spanish and many other countries.


The native "Australian" Aboriginals too have influenced culinary Australia with their "Bush Tucker" which means "Australian Food" so when you're planning your Australia visit, prepare yourself for some real Australia food and taste some of the animals that some consider to be the most ultimate food. While travelling through Australia, you will find hotels, cafes, fast food restaurants, bars and fine-dining establishments in which you can enjoy a meal, but wherever you eat, don’t leave the continent without trying these 
Australian foods:                     

                                                                                   

Vegemite was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when Australian food manufacturer Fred Walker asked chemist CP Callister to create a product similar to British Marmite. The majority of Australian homes have at least one jar of Vegemite in their pantry. Vegemite is a dark brown Australian food paste made from leftover brewers' yeast extract which is salty, slightly bitter and malty, and rich in umami. It is a popular spread for sandwiches, toast, crumpets and cracker biscuits as well as a filling for pastries


Why not eat the national animal?And no, Australians don’t eat deep-fried koalas.The Aboriginal inhabitants of Australia feasted on kangaroo for centuries and it formed part of their staple diet. It is available today in various cuts and you can even buy kangaroo sausages. 

One of the best know and popular bush foods it is also one of the more elusive of bush tucker . The grub is the larva of a moth and generally only found in central Australia and is a nutty-flavoured bite that has been enjoyed by indigenous Australians for thousands of years.

Pavlova is a common and popular Australian meringue-based dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, topped with whipped cream  and sliced fresh fruit.The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. It is a dessert most identified with the summer time, but is eaten all year round in many Australian and New Zealand homes.

Lamingtons is a squarish piece of sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. There are many variations of Lamingtons; filled with strawberry jam and whipped cream. Despite its small size, the cake has a large reputation, the little Lamington was inducted into the National Trust of Queensland’s list of Heritage Icons. Since then each year on July 21, Australians celebrate "National Lamington Day."

ANZAC Biscuits are crunchy cookies that usually consist of rolled oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut. The biscuits were named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The hardy cookies were made by women during World War I and sent to the ANZACs serving overseas. 

The Meat Pie is very common (and very self-explanatory). It's a small pie (usually about 4" (9cm) in diameter) filled with ground beef, gravy and covered with "tomato sauce" (which is very similar to ketchup, but not quite as sweet). It is served at "tuckshops" (school canteens) or eaten mainly as a takeaway food.Meat Pies are very popular at sporting events and on construction sites. Generally speaking, it would be very difficult to find an Australian male who disagreed with the sentiment that Meat Pies are about as Australian as you can get.

Another popular tuck shop favourite is the Sausage Roll. It is puff pastry filled with sausage meat that has been spiced with onions and various herbs. Like the meat pie, it is also served with tomato sauce on top. These days the sausage roll is becoming more adventurous with the addition of international flavours such as Moroccan spices or Thai herbs and sauces.

Damper is an another iconic Australian dish. it is a traditional soda bread prepared by swagmen, drovers, stockmen and other travelers. It consists of a wheat flour based bread, traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire.Damper was originally developed by stockmen who travelled in remote areas for weeks or months at a time, with only basic rations of flour, sugar and tea, supplemented by whatever meat was available. Damper was eaten with dried or cooked meat or golden syrup, also known as "cocky's joy".Damper is also a popular dish with Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal women had traditionally made bush bread from seasonal grains and nuts, which they cooked in the ashes of fires.

Australian cuisine is still rapidly developing and it will be of no surprise if pretty soon we will be able to try not only the above-mentioned dishes, but also some new ones.

Discover Tasmania

Planning a holiday? Romantic getaway? Family touring adventure? The question is WHY would Aussies go overseas when Tassie has it all right on their doorstep.

The unique island state of Tasmania officially has the cleanest air in the world. The rainwater is so pure it's harvested and bottled. This, combined with the fertile soil, gives rise to world-renowned produce - yes including those apples, but much more. Locally-grown walnuts, wasabi and cool climate wines all find their way onto local menus; along with fine cheeses, crayfish, oysters and that very famous salmon.

You can travel Tassie your own way and at your own pace: a road trip, camping, cabins, cottages, motorhomes, farmstays,  and self-contained apartments through to luxury 5-star eco-retreats.

What's to see and do? How about impossibly white sandy beaches with turquoise waters, snow-capped mountain peaks, and rustic villages sprinkled throughout a scenic countryside? Then there's hiking through untouched World Heritage wilderness; guided wildlife tours and cruises; or our world-class trout fishery that's frequented by everyone from former Prime Ministers to English rock stars.

 Year-round events and festivals - there's something on almost every week - and some of Australia's best preserved historic sites and colonial heritage. You'll find arts, crafts, rare antiques, elegant vineyards, breweries - all served up in a friendly laidback atmosphere.

Some other interesting trivia:

• Tasmania named the "Best Temperate Island in the World" twice, by the International travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller
• Bay of Fires named "the second most beautiful beach in the world" by Condé Nast Traveller; and "the world's hottest travel destination" by 2009 Lonely Planet
• Tasmania was the most decorated State at the 2009 Gourmet Traveller Awards
• Pyengana Dairy in Australian Traveller's Top 10 Gourmet Experiences for 2010

Ulura a 'must see' landmark in Australia

Introducing Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

 

For many visitors, Australian and international, a visit to Uluru is high on the list of 'must-sees' and the World Heritage–listed icon has attained the status of a pilgrimage. But the park offers much more than just the multidimensional grandeur of Uluru. Along with the equally (some say more) impressive Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) the area is of deep cultural significance to the traditional owners, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara Aboriginal peoples (who refer to themselves as Anangu). The Anangu officially own the national park, which is leased to Parks Australia and jointly administered.

Although many of the 400,000 annual visitors whiz through here in 24 hours, it's recommended to spend at least the three days the entry pass allows. There's plenty to see and do: meandering walks, guided tours, desert culture and contemplating the many changing colours and moods of the great monolith itself.

Uluru from sunrise to sunset

For more travelling information please visit http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/

All photos and video are come from internet.

Gold Coast

Things to do in GOLD COAST

  

THE Gold Coast has more to offer than just sun, surf and sand. After 50 years as one of Australia's leading tourist hotspots, it's evolved into much, much more. Where else can you go on wine trails, hike rugged mountains, jet-boat and hug koalas all within 50km of one another? Here's a list of just some of the must-do activities

Fuel your adrenalin

 The Gold Coast is well on the way to calling itself Australia's adventure capital with no end of thrill-seeking activities available - think jet-boating, jet-skiing, off-road 4WD adventure drives, zorbing, surfing lessons, bungy jumping, tiger moth joy rides, helicopter tours, go-karting, Harley Davidson jaunts, WRX rally car racing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, hot air ballooning, theme parks andInfinity... to name a few.

Get a theme park thrill

Even the most conservative visitor should take a moment before snubbing this suggestion. Sure, it's a no brainer for kids, but the diversity on offer among the big five - Dreamworld, Sea World, Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild and WhiteWater World - and the string of smaller parks guarantees a good time can truly be had by all. Stroke a sting ray at Sea World's Ray Reef, experience a virtual V8 Supercar race at Dreamworld, cuddle a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or witness life on a station at the Australian Outback Spectacular.

Visit a surf club

Whether you get along for a meal or a couple of beers with some mates, surf clubs are a favourite with locals and dish up well-priced meals in comfortable surrounds. The walls of most clubs are lined with photos of lifesavers in budgie smugglers giving a good insight into the history of the club and its members. A family-friendly dinner option and a great place for a session before you hit the clubs in Surfers.

Enjoy a seafood feast

Fresh seafood is a regular on many a Gold Coast menu so diners are spoilt for choice. Splurge on one of the top end restaurants or pog out in private by buying your own fresh . Of course, there is added satisfaction to be had in catching your own but pride and hungry children may negate this option. Several operators also run chartered fishing expeditions and catch-a-crab cruises.

All photos are from Internet

Places to visit in Melbourne

Places to visit in Melbourne

Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, is Australia's second largest and oldest city，located at the head of Port Phillip Bay.

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, with Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. Its 4-million residents are both multicultural and sports-mad.

                                                                                   Reasons to visit Melbourne include to attend major sporting events, to use it as a base for exploring surrounding regions such as Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and to visit Phillip Island to view the penguin parade. 









Downtown
If you don't have a lot of time, there is a good walk to take in downtown Melbourne. Start at Flinders St. Station and find Swanston Walk, which is a pedestrian road shared with the trams. On the way you will find City Square with a statue of Burke and Wills, explorers who met a nasty end exploring the Outback. Once on Russell St. you can find the Old Melbourne Gaol and Chinatown.




Great ocean road
Experience a diverse array of things to see and do in the Great Ocean Road region from outdoor activities such as surfing, scuba diving and sea kayaking to arts, cultural and heritage attractions. Admire the stunning coastline on the Great Ocean Walk and enjoy fine dining, local winemakers and fresh produce along the way. 

Phillip Island
Explore an island where nature and wildlife abounds. Get up close to little penguins, come face-to-face with snoozing koalas and cheer on Grand Prix heroes as you savour every inch of Phillip Island, less than two hours from Melbourne.



All photos and video are from Internet

Darling Harbour, Sydney

Darling Harbour has a myriad of attractions and things to do, the perfect hotel accommodation to Uncover Darling Harbour. Discover the depths of Australia's marine life at Sydney Aquarium, learn about our sea-going past at the Australian National Maritime Museum or look into the future with a visit to the Powerhouse Museum or IMAX Darling Harbour.
Sydney Aquarium

Madame Tassauds

Madame Tassauds Sydney features an all-star cast of the world's best known personalities and heroes including A-list celebrities, sports heroes, rock legends, world leaders and an array of home grown Aussie legends

Sydney Fish Market

Celebrating 20 years as one of the country's leading cooking schools, the Sydney Seafood School offers an exciting program to celebrate their anniversary for you to enjoy cooking with leading chefs and with the latest technology.

Experience Extraordinary Western Australia !

For an extraordinary holiday, you need to go to an extraordinary destination. So if you’re looking to step into a world of awe-inspiring beauty and discover experiences found nowhere else on earth, you’ve come to the right place.Here, in the western part of Australia, you’ll find everything you need to start researching and planning your extraordinary Australian holiday...

What's on

Australasian Safari

Zest Festival

and many more exciting events....

for more information visit