Travel guide for 4WD Tours

A recent visitor to the area referred to the town as “Pamperton” and for those who enjoy the finer things in life, like wine, art, spas, and gourmet food, a trip to Pemberton is a dream. Yet for those who prefer simple pleasures, like a walk through a forest, throwing a fishing line or swimming in a dam, Pemberton is a relaxing yet exhilarating break. Located in a region of Western Australia known as the South West, Pemberton is a delightful town close to the Margaret River. Like many towns in this region, it has gone through a series of changes, having first been settled as an agricultural town. Later, it became known for its timber, while today tourism and wine are its lifeblood.      Things to do:   Indulge:  Local spas offer relaxing treatments ... Read more

Undertaking a four month journey around Australia with two young girls requires careful planning and preparation. Our WAECO Products have made our camping life much more enjoyable. CoolFreeze CF-80 The most essential item is our CF-80 fridge/freezer. The biggest benefit of the CF-80 is the ability to combine a fridge and freezer in one unit. Having a freezer has enabled us to stock up on meat and other frozen products on special saving us a great deal of money. With the children, it has also meant we can carry food items that can be prepared quickly to satisfy hungry tummies.   The large 80 litre capacity has enabled us to carry a huge range of foods and drinks such as frozen meat, ice creams, ice cubes, juice, margarine, deli meats, left-overs, beer and wine, all at appropriate t... Read more

Expect more than ‘great ocean’ on this iconic touring route. Rightly regarded as one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world, the Great Ocean Road loops like a rollercoaster along the southern sea-cliffs of Victoria. Carved out of the mountains, the road winds its way around some 300km of rugged, exposed coastline from Geelong to Warrnambool, past cliffs, roaring seas, tranquil coves and some of Australia’s best surf beaches. Along the way it links the deliciously quaint fishing villages and seaside holiday towns of Torquay, Lorne, Anglesea, Airey’s Inlet and Apollo Bay before heading inland through the Otway Ranges. Emerging from the forest, the road then reveals a vastly different landscape as it runs behind sandstone cliffs, which face the onslaught of... Read more

Those of us who live in Australia grow up understanding the joys, dangers and safety rules that make it such a great place.  However, many visitors to our country find Australia an alien, but starkly beautiful country, and they have little or no understanding of the best way to stay safe and enjoy their time here. A few very simple rules can help to make a visit to Australia a safe and pleasurable experience, and Tourism Australia has a brochure available for download that lists safety tips in a variety of languages. Driving tips One of the first things to remember is that speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia, more so than in many countries overseas.  Generally, when driving in urban and suburban areas, the speed limit is between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour. When ... Read more

We know that our teenage children can be delightful, exasperating, funny, sullen, adventurous, shy, talkative, slothful and manic – and sometimes that is just in the space of an hour!  All these moods are magnified when it comes to travelling, be it in Australia or overseas, as teens and parents are forced into one another’s company without a ‘get out of jail free’ card, such as time with friends. Travelling overseas with teenagers tends to be a better experience for a number of reasons, such as the brilliant entertainment systems now available on most flights, menus that let them eat things they like, resorts that have activities that cater for most age groups and the “wow” factor.  So let’s concentrate on surviving travelling in Austra... Read more

Imagine beginning a dinner party conversation with, “Back when I found myself in The Jaws of Death…” You’ll certainly get everyone’s attention. If the mere thought leaves you quaking however, fear not! The Grampians’ remarkable cliffs overlooking the picturesque Lake Wartook and Victoria Valley are easily accessible and nowhere near as scary as they look. In fact, just a short walk can lead you to a view you’ll never forget, as well as the opportunity to snap photos that will impress your friends, without risking your life. (Note: These cliffs have been renamed “The Balconies”, which doesn’t sound nearly as dangerous, but don’t worry – we won’t tell your mates.) The 400 million-year-old series of four distinct ... Read more

For many, it is a dream to travel to the Land Down Under.  The Great Barrier Reef is a natural phenomenon many long to see for themselves, as is the giant Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) sitting smack in the middle of the country. Seeing kangaroos in the wild, the chance to cuddle a koala, and just experience the laid-back attitude for which Australians are famous, may seem like an impossible dream. Happily, it takes only a day to travel to this great island continent, and with flights more reasonably priced than ever, and plenty of deals available throughout the year, you could soon be chatting with the locals while marveling at the mixed-up features of a platypus. Getting there Plenty of airlines travel to Australia, including their main carrier, Qantas. How much you pay to t... Read more

If you’d like a break on an island with stunning scenery, adorable little penguins, koalas and Australia’s largest colony of fur seals; then there are plenty of reasons to visit Phillip Island. But if that isn’t enough to entice you, there is also the excitement of the motorcycle grand prix, the lure of gourmet food and fine wines, as well as romantic hideaways and family-friendly holiday accommodation all around. Discovered by George Bass in 1798, the island was first settled in Rhyll in 1826. Tourists have been enjoying the beauty of Phillip Island since the 1840s. In the late 1800s, the island was also an agricultural centre for the production of chicory (for coffee), so you will encounter many chicory kilns. The island is easy to get around by car, and as it is on... Read more

There is no such thing as “A town like Alice.” Okay, yes – there is an interesting novel of that name by Neville Shute. And there was even a movie in 1956 as well as a mini-series in 1981 – both based on and titled after the novel, A Town Like Alice. But nowhere else in the world will you actually encounter a town anything like Alice – a place where locals have such a nutty sense of humour that for decades, they have been running boat races in a completely dry river – only to cancel one year because there was actually water in it. Nowhere else will you find a lively town sitting smack in the middle of a red desert where couples dress in bride and groom attire to race camels each year. Alice Springs, usually just called “Alice”, is a town with... Read more

The coastal town of Swansea in Tasmania has won the prestigious title of Australia’s Tidiest Town for 2007.  In a clean sweep of the awards, Swansea also took out the Heritage and Culture category, sponsored by TakeABreak.com.au who, together with Keep Australia Beautiful, developed the Tidy Towns Travel initiative. Swansea is a growing holiday destination for both domestic and international visitors, with particular appeal for those who love combining holidays with history.  The town boasts a substantial number of historic homes and buildings and heritage restoration is a major priority.  It sits on the Great Oyster Bay across from the rugged mountains of the Freycinet National Park and this idyllic location, combined with the beauty of the old buildings, makes Swans... Read more