Just 12 minutes across the Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay is the Sydney’s amazing Taronga Zoo. Open every day throughout the year, this is a must see attraction for visitors to Sydney. For those that choose to drive, the parking lot is off of Bradleys Head Road and costs $15 AUD.

One of the largest zoos of its type in the world, the Sydney Taronga Zoo has more than 2600 animals representing over 340 species. This spectacular city zoo was established in 1916 and is spread out over 21 ha on the Sydney Harbour shore. When you enter the zoo, you step into an amazing world of animals.

The Turonga Zoo has amazing creature encounter programs that allow you to interact with a variety of creatures like koalas, seals, giraffes, and more. Each animal encounter has a fee and its specific rules and limitations. To avoid disappointment, make sure that your group will meet the rules in place before you promise the kids they will have a specific encounter as you are planning your visit.

Like the Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, the Taronga Zoo in Sydney has a Roar & Snore program. You get to camp out in the park overlooking the incredible Sydney Harbour. The fee for this program includes a delectable supper, animal encounters, a night safari, and a behind the scenes morning walk after breakfast. Where else can you see the city spread out below on one side of you and hear the roar of big cats on the other?

This jewel of a zoo celebrates the aboriginal heritage through its programs, including putting a priority on hiring aboriginal students. The programs include a journey through about 8,000 years of ancient Australia and its aboriginal people and an exploration of the Cammeraigal peoples. Through the aboriginal programs, the zoo celebrates the contribution that aboriginals have made in the conservation of the Australian wildlife.

The public brings injured wildlife to the zoo on a daily basis and these animals are cared for by the wildlife hospital. The goal of is to rehabilitate those creatures and return them to the wild if possible. When injuries prevent a successful release, the animal is provided a home at the zoo. If the animal’s temperament is appropriate, it may be integrated into the educational programs.

Exploring the zoo is an experience that you will not soon forget.

Sitting on the edge of Darling Harbour, one of the world’s largest aquariums opened to the public in 1988. With more than 650 species represented in the Sydney Aquarium, this fascinating aquatic world has fast captured the imagination of more than half of the visitors to Sydney. The tunnels of acrylic glass give you the feeling of being below the ocean. Watching the sharks glide by overhead can make you feel vulnerable to these perfect predators even though you know that you are safe.

Through the five habitats of the Sydney Aquarium, you can explore the marine life in the waters of Australia without setting foot outside. From the southern Murray Darling Rivers to the rivers in the north, the northern and southern oceans, and the adorable dugongs; there is no lack of amazing aquatic life to learn about and watch. Almost all of Australia’s vast waterways and marine life is represented.

The Southern Rivers Habitat is home to a recreation of the natural habitat of the Murray cod, the largest freshwater fish in Australia, and the adorable egg laying platypus. The exhibit also houses all manner of fish, reptiles and crustaceans from the Murray Darling River System, a system that drains a seventh of Australia’s land mass.

With its saltwater crocodiles and Asian Bass, or Barramundi, the Northern Rivers Habitat recreates the rivers of the north seasonal habitat. Affected by floods and droughts, the creatures of the northern rivers adapt to the water’s salinity. Salt water penetrates as far as 100km inland during the dry season.

Fairy Penguins, Grey Nurse Sharks, Leafy Sea Dragons, giant jellyfish, and the Pineapple Fish all populate the Southern Oceans Habitat. The amazing diversity of these exhibits is astounding. The Sydney Harbour exhibit is particularly interesting.

Recreation of the vibrant and colorful Great Barrier Reef makes the Northern Oceans Habitat a dazzling display that will hold you in its spell. The Reef Theatre, with its window into the oceanarium, will further captivate you.

Mermaid Lagoon is home to two of the very few captive dugongs in the world, Pig and Wuru. Known as sea cows or mermaids of the sea, the dugong is a strange looking creature that related to the manatee. Their jaw is on the bottom of their head to facilitate their grazing of sea grasses. It is often thought that the dugong is the mermaid of legends.

If you are looking for watery adventures but prefer to stay on dry land, the Sydney Aquarium is the place to go. With its incredible habitats replicating natural environs of each area, you could easily spend a full day enjoying the creatures that live throughout the waters of Australia.

Inland from Sydney at Dubbo and set on over 300 ha, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo will capture your heart with its incredible displays of creatures in their natural habitat areas. With a myriad of native creatures; as well as creatures from Africa, Asia, and South America; this zoo will entrance you.

A wide variety of educational programs are offered by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to enhance the experience of visitors and to encourage conservation. One of the best programs, in my view, is the Twilight Safari. For a very reasonable fee, they offer students a unique way to learn more about the creatures of the night. After an evening BBQ, there is a guided tour of the zoo.

Visitors can explore the zoo by foot, car or bicycle on the 7km of roadways and 6km of walking trails. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the areas set up to picnic in with their amazing views. Plan to visit anytime since the zoo is open all year from 9am to 5pm.

To add to the enchantment of this wilderness zoo, the Zoofari Lodge offers the opportunity to sleep over in luxurious safari tents near the African Savannah area. You get to fall asleep listening to the sound of animal nightlife. There is a main house that offers a relaxing bar, a veranda that offers a great view, delectable meals, and a saltwater pool to enjoy an early morning swim in. Everything is included in the price you are quoted except for alcoholic drinks. To top it off, you have an amazing private area from which to view the Savannah exhibit. An absolute must for those that may never get to Africa to be able to watch an incredible sunrise on the savannah. A sleepover in a setting that has a hint of romance and a touch of adventure all wrapped up in one amazing evening.

Like the Sydney Taronga Zoo, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a Roar and Snore program. Camp overnight in the zoo and get a guided night “safari”. This delightful program allows you to interact with some of the friendlier animals before you are fed a wonderful outback meal. An educator will take you on a trek through the zoo so that you can catch glimpses of the nocturnal creatures. In the morning, you are treated to another walk after breakfast but this time it is behind the scenes. Through this program you get a terrific adventure while staying perfectly safe.

About 300 kms north of Brisbane lays Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. This island enjoys the company of such notable sites as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru National Park (the former Ayers Rock), Shark Bay, Kakadu National Park, the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, Wet Tropics of Queensland, Heard and McDonald Islands, and Macquarie Island as a World Heritage listed site. Fraser Island is indeed a gem among gems.

Before you set off to Fraser Island, you will have to do some planning. How are you getting there? If driving any vehicle other than a 4WD, how will you get around the island? Are you going to camp there? If so, plan your camping so that you are booked into the campsites in the areas that you want to visit. Would a commercial tour better suit you?

Easily accessible by vehicle barge, the island has much to explore and experience. Be forewarned, vehicle access to Fraser Island is restricted to 4WD vehicles that must have a vehicle access permit displayed on the windshield prior to on the island. The permits must be bought in advance and are good for one year from the date of purchase. The barge does accommodate foot traffic. If you want, you can rent a vehicle when you arrive but book it ahead.

If you decide that you want to camp on the island, you must have a camping permit. For easy access, the permits are available at a number of outlets as well as online. There are specific areas where you are allowed to camp so make sure that you know where you will be camping and how to get there. Formal campsites have water and toilets, as well as cooking areas. Informal campsites have no amenities. Camps known as walkers’ camps are small areas for walk-ins that are along the fascinating Fraser Island Great Walk. All camping must be in designated camping zones and all campers must have a permit.

The rules for camping are enforced because this is a very sensitive island. Booking your stay in advance is a must otherwise you may find that you have no where to stay. If you intend to have a fire, you must bring your own firewood and it must be milled off-cuts so that there is no introduction of pests or disease onto Fraser Island. Gathering twigs and deadfall on Fraser Island is illegal. If you prefer better amenities than camping can provide, there are a few commercial establishments.

To ensure that you and your family will get the most enjoyment from your visit to Fraser Island, make sure that you have researched it and planned accordingly. Make sure that you take first aid supplies and plenty of drinking water. Neither is available on the island.

Ahh, close your eyes for a moment and imagine with me. Magnificent southern beaches, sun baked scopes, lush natural beauty, opaque tropical rainforest, the list goes on and on as to the many things one can explore and discover if they travel to Australia. Although the “best” may mean one to you and something entirely different to someone else, Australia still holds the title as being possibly one of the “best” places in the world to visit. Two common names come to mind for most. That is “The Great Barrier Reef” and the amazing “Sydney Opera House”. This man made marvel and natural wonder are no doubt what puts Australia on the map.

Australia’s natural beauty is one of its greatest attractions. One of a kind wildlife only to be seen in the land of glorious beaches, magnificent sceneries and one of the oldest rainforest provide a panoramic view each and every time you visit Australia. The experiences here are uniquely different than a visit anywhere else.

The immensity and assorted population of both animals and humans attribute to much of Australia’s character. Despite that fact that this county is the sixth biggest in the world, it is scarcely covered by humans. We humans only take up two per square kilometer. Don’t’ let the number of native humans in Australia scare you. Australia offers visitors from all over the world astounding sites only to be seen here.

With its kind flora and fauna like nowhere else on the planet, this country is a fascinating contrast of amazement to visitors. You’ll find that coral reefs stretch from the north to south and east to west inviting you to discover all many fascinating things the hold. You have many choices when you visit Australia. You can engage in water rafting, visit deserts, climb rugged mountain tops or sail the clear blue sea. Whichever activity you choose, an adventure of a lifetime is promised.

All that natural beauty making you sleepy? Don’t close your eyes just yet. When the sun sets on this beautiful country, it buzzes with nightclubs and fresco café’s, as well as live jazz and rock pubs on just about every corner. You can virtually feel the excitement in the air and like most, you’ll be lured to join in on the fun. The cities here hold a unique combination of passion for art and cuisine as well as the relaxed adoration of outdoor sports similar to Europe. Australia accommodates families and small groups as well as singles and romantic couples when staying at some the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts located here. Each hotel and resort caters to every visitors taste, ensuring that all your needs are met.

Simply said, there is nothing quite like a trip to Australia. With such diversity between the excitement of the cities and the relaxation that only the finest of rainforest can offer, you are sure to have an adventure you won’t soon forget. Being the largest island in the world, the climate is generally agreeable to most visitors making anytime is a great time to make your travel plans.

Ugg boot is footwear that was first developed by the early Australians as a way to protect their feet from the cold of the winter and the heat of the summer. Before they were produced commercially, ugg boots got their name because many Australians thought they were plain ugly.

In recent years, ugg boots have become a fad. They have evolved from a simple boot to more sophisticated footwear. The material used to make uggs was originally sheepskin, but with the increased demand for new styles and materials, many ugg boots are made with more than just sheepskin. These days many ugg boots and sandals are made with a combination of materials. However, sheepskin remains the main material used to make uggs.

The maker of the famous ugg boots, Ugg Australia, has an extensive line of footwear. It has products for men women and children. One of the most popular boots, the men’s Ultra Short Ugg, is crafted for convenience, durability, and eye-catching design and color. The soles of the boots can be replaced when the seasons change to give wearer maximum performance. The most desired of all the ugg boots is probably their Classic Short. It is made of double-layered sheepskin to give that your feet superior comfort and protection.

Women can also join in on the fun. The ladies can choose from many different styles of boots and sandals. As with the men, women can’t seem to get enough of the durable, yet elegant, Classic Short model. Part of its appeal is its performance in extreme weather conditions; no matter how cold your feet stay warm. Another ugg boot that Australian women love to wear is the Uptown II. It is designed specifically for women with active lifestyles.

Even kids are wearing Ugg Australia boots. Boys and girls are learning to enjoy the comfort and versatility ugg boots provide. Kids can play, run, jump, or walk all without hurting their feet. Incredibly, there is even a shoe designed for babies, the Erin model. These boots are meant to protect the delicate feet of babies. The Kid’s Ultra model is made with sewn sheepskin material just like the adult version.
Ugg Australia is the name to look for when you want long-lasting, tough and fashionable ugg boots. They are known throughout Australia as a national symbol of comfort and unbeatable quality in footwear. If you want a real ugg is must come from Ugg Australia.

Exciting, lively, accessible, and replete with breathtaking natural beauty, Sydney is a magnificent city. Situated on a harbor, Sydney has many beautiful beaches only fifteen minutes out of the city. Surfing is certainly one of the most popular sports in Sydney, and no surprise that some of the world’s most famous surfing competitions are held here.

Surfing in Sydney Australia is a challenging and unforgettable experience. Deep low pressure paths from the bottom of the ocean produce huge waves that run along the entire coastline. For those looking for great surfing sites, you can’t go wrong with Sydney.

On of the most popular surfing spots in all of Sydney is Cronulla Beach, which provides an amazing range of surfing breaks for both the veteran and the beginner. The beach spans several kilometers from the center of the city to Voodoo Reef Break. The southern end of the beach has a number of reef breaks such as the famous Shark Island and Cronulla Point.

Local surfing companies offer lessons, and visitors can rent surf boards and wetsuits. Water temperatures at Cronulla rarely drop lower than 14 degrees centigrade, even during winters. So with a wetsuit you should be comfortable. Surfing in the summer in Sydney is always fun. Be sure to dress casual or in as little as possible.

Throughout the summer months, Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club ensures the safety of both swimmers and surfers. The also patrol the waters and maintain the beeches. Visitors may enjoy watching on of the many surfing events at Cronulla Beach. These include: The Billabong Pro Junior or the Human Shark Island Challenge in July, or the Quicksilver Airshow in December. The Cronulla Beach Surf Club also hold local, state and country wide competitions in the summer.

Another great spot for surfing in Australia is Manly Beach. The beach is the first of the 18 northern beaches of Sydney, and is an expanse of golden sand that stretches a mile long. The best, most exciting surfing is most often between the months of April and October when the winds come to town. Quality surfing on Manly beach is depends on the shape of the banks, if the banks are good waves of up to ten feet are not uncommon.

Surfing in Sydney Australia is all about choice. With dozens of the world’s best beaches, you will have no problem paddling out and catching some of the greatest waves of your life. So pack your bags and wax up your board…surf’s up!