In Australia, the Aboriginals share a unique tradition called going “walkabout”, meaning a return to the bush for spiritual replenishment.
When you “walkabout” Australia, you discover modern, vibrant cities in beautiful settings, abundant and unique wildlife in the countryside, world-class restaurants offering superb food, outstanding wines, and above all you meet friendly people.

Canadian are lucky, As of June 1 2009, Emirates Airlines, one of the best airlines in the world, will be flying to Dubai (non-stop) with a convenient connection At the ultramodern international Dubai airport to several Australian cities. The airline is known for its unsurpassed service, quality of food and wines, and its comfort of seats.

Australia was discovered by Dutch captains at the beginning of the 17th century but was not settled. It was Captain Cook, who in 1770, landed in what is today Sydney, and the first settlers arrived in 1788. When the English arrived in the area, aboriginals were already living there for more than 40 000 years.

Sydney is the largest and most cosmopolitan Australian city in a sublime setting, with glamorous beaches and an appetite for the fine things in life, with a population well over 4.4 million.

The city has many sites of interest including the Sydney Opera House, Lord Howe Island, Mango National, Gondwana Rain Forests, and the Greater Blue Mountains.

Several tour companies offer a range of sightseeing excursions.
While in Sydney, rent a car (they drive left “Downunder”) and drive for a day or two to the Hunter Valley to taste some serious wines.

Back in Sydney you book a spectacular luxury train ride (Southern Spirit) to travel in luxury to Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and end up at Uluru the sacred “mountain” of aboriginals.

Melbourne is Victoria’s largest city and noted for its shopping, nightlife, food festivals, musical extravaganzas, and exhibitions.
More than 3000 restaurants offer food of 75 ethnic cuisines.
This modern city, located on the banks of the Yarra River offers good public transportation.

The world famous Yarra Valey is “heaven” for wine buffs who like fine chardonnays and pinot noirs. Several wineries offer tastings and operate restaurants. It is a30 – 40-minute ride from Melbourne.

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has population of 1.2 million, and was founded in 1836 as a planned city. The climate is Mediterranean and the city is vibrant with many industries.

The Barossa Valley, originally settled by Silesian Germans is close by, as are Eden Vale, Adelaide Hills and Coonawara, all well known for their outstanding wines.
From Adelaide the train travels to Alice Springs and Uluru (The Ayers Rock) which is a World heritage Site, and sacred to aboriginals who incorporate it into their rich cultural heritage, art, dance and song. You can even camel ride in the area or seek to meet colourful outback characters.

From Alice Springs, you may want fly to Darwin, capital of Northern Territory with a population of 121 000, of which 10 per cent are aboriginals. This small city offers spectacular, unpolluted beaches, a lot of parks and garden, entertainment, and art centres. Main industries of Darwin are mining and tourism.

The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is a World heritage Site, and world’s largest, offering unsurpassed opportunities to scuba divers and snorklers.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, some 300 Km. From Sydney is a planned city built around an artificial lake. For those interested in modern architecture, a visit is highly recommended.

Back in Adelaide travellers can decide to embark on another luxury train (The Ghan) and ride all the way to Perth a city of 1.6 million souls, and trade centre with several banks.

The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate and provides opportunities to visit several wineries located south. Some of the most intriguing wines of Australia originate in Western Australia, the country’s largest state.

Back in Adelaide, a short flight will take you to Hobart in Tasmania. The city as originally a penal colony, but today is thriving city with 200 000 with a huge harbour catering to needs of researchers in Antarctica.
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It is located on a huge island and is sparsely populated.

Travelling in Australia requires flying, long-distance driving in the east, or using trains.
Australians are friendly, fun-loving who love life outdoors, bbq, wine and everything worth dong to enjoy life.
Why don’t you join them at least for a few weeks, may be even longer to see and experience this incredibly beautiful land?

Guest Writer – Hrayr Berberoglu E-mail or interested in his books?.

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Tags: Australia, Walkabout

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