Most people plan their vacations around the most alluring weather conditions, the big events, or the school holidays. But if you travel outside these peak periods, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You’ll save money on hotels and transport, you’ll dodge the crowds, and you’ll see your destination in a whole new light. In this article we suggest some great times to visit Australia’s biggest tourist towns, and they’re not what you would expect. Queensland’s Gold Coast is most popular in spring and summer, but the area actually enjoys sunshine most of the year. The temperate conditions in June are perfect for enjoying the area’s theme parks without t...

Airlie Beach is regarded as the gateway to Australia’s beautiful Whitsunday Island region, but many tourists don’t realize it’s a gorgeous vacation destination in its own right. You don’t need to go island hopping to feel pampered in far north Queensland, as this hidden mainland gem has you covered. Airlie’s main beach is located at roughly the same latitude as The Bahamas and Tahiti, which means that the swimming is perfect all year round. The water rarely dips under 20°C, although you’ll need to look out for stinging blue bottles between November and May. Days spent on the beach are the ultimate indulgence, and happily this experience is free. With plenty of...

When we think of chocolate vacations most of us think of Swiss or Belgian getaways. But Australia is determined to put itself on the map with Chocolate Espresso tours around Sydney. Tour founder Shelagh Coleman and her team take chocoholics on three-hour walking tours around Sydney’s central business district and Darlinghurst. On the way you’ll learn lots about the history of this delectable dessert, and of course have plenty of time for tasting. After burning all those calories walking, you definitely deserve it! There are a range of tours to suit all tastes, from the traditional Chocolate Shots and Teatime Treats tour to the more indulgent Espressos and Exotic Chocs experience. ...

It might be a world away from Forks, Washington, but if you want to be spooked in Australia head to Melbourne. Stephanie Meyer didn’t set her Twilight novels here, but she easily could have. After all, with more rain and clouds than any other city in Oz it’s certainly gloomy enough. Add plenty of gothic characters and a rich crime history and you’ve got a recipe for horror. Dig underneath Melbourne’s cosmopolitan surface and you’ll find a city that’s deliciously dark. You can learn more about this creepy underbelly on the following guided tours. Is there anything scarier than a ghoulish tour led by a real life vampire? Darren Sinton may be one creepy charac...

Most of the time the residents of the Australian Outback are happy to enjoy life at a slower pace. But every July the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs comes alive as it celebrates the annual Camel Cup. While horses are obliging animals, camel jockeys are faced with a much tougher task. The beasts live up to their cantankerous reputations, which can result in some interesting antics. They might sit down on the track, or leave it altogether if the whim takes them! They’re also prone to spitting and biting their rivals, which only adds to the fun. But once they get going, camels aren’t a bad way to get about. They can maintain a speed of 40 km/h for around an hour, and reach ...

Winter’s only just begun, but already Australia’s snow fields are enjoying steady falls. Taking advantage of the thick white powder can prove expensive, but there are a few ways to cut the costs of your skiing adventure. The most luxurious ski resorts often come with luxury price tags, but there are a few affordable options to be found on the snow fields. The acclaimed backpackers chain YHA has two snowy locations; one in Thredbo, New South Wales, and the other in Victoria’s Mt Buller. The Thredbo YHA is located in the center of the skiing village, a convenient stumbling distance from the restaurants and pubs. Twin rooms start from $68, but if you bring some mates you co...

It’s just 13 kilometers from the coast of South Australia, but Kangaroo Island seems a world away from the Australian mainland. The isolation of this beautiful spot has seen flora and fauna flourish away from the threats of feral animals and diseases. Its rugged environment lures tourists keen to get back to nature. It was discovered way back in 1802 by French explorer Nicholas Baudin. He found the island deserted, although historians have since found evidence of indigenous habitation dating back to 2250 years prior. The island was named for the kangaroos which roamed freely here, and for the tasty meal of Skippy meat the explorer enjoyed on his arrival. Slowly it became home to an eclec...

After sipping on the big earthy shirazes of Australia’s Barossa Valley, you might feel a little closer to God. But the wines aren’t the only heavenly aspect of a South Australian stay. The area is also home to The Kirche, a former Lutheran church now restored for weary travelers at Charles Melton Wines. The Kirche can comfortably sleep four with one queens-sized bedroom by the entrance and a king-sized one above it. Each has luxury 1000 thread count linens to ensure that perfect night’s sleep. The old church pews are gone, replaced with comfortable sofas. With winter weather upon us, sinking down in one of these plush chairs as you glory in the big wood fire is an enticing...

If you’re traveling around Australia and end up in the far north Queensland region, chances are that you’ll happen upon one of the area’s infamous cane toad races. // These wacky events are a crowd-pleasing way to deal with the infestation of these pesky amphibians. The grotesque cane toads were originally introduced into Queensland to combat the beetles which destroyed the state’s sugarcane crops. Sadly the cane toads left the beetles alone, but began to decimate the rest of the landscape. They feasted upon small wildlife, while larger creatures that saw the toads as a meal succumbed to their poisonous glands. They also bred rapidly, and spread from Queensland to ...

We all know Australians enjoy a beer, but what do they do with all those empty cans? Many of them make their way to The Outback for Darwin’s annual Beer Can Regatta. This madcap event sees its participants making boats from empty beer cans. All boats must pass tests for seaworthiness before setting sail in July or August. But this is no ordinary race. Once the crews are on the water they attempt to do away with the competition in mock battles. Some of the largest boats resemble Viking ships with their fire hoses and weapons, which are always kept under wraps until the big day. While the beer boats are an adults-only affair, children are invited to take part in their own soft drink c...