Tourism Australia’s website Australia.com offers comprehensive advice to travelers looking to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand of the land Down Under. The site helps tourists save money on flights, through deals with budget carrier V Australia.
The website also provides affordable deals on vacation packages, which combine flights, accommodation, and activities to help tourists save cash.
These travel packages are ideal for travelers who want to enjoy some of Australia’s most popular activities. However, those who want to linger in one place a little longer, or stray from the well worn tourist path, should consider the affordable accommodation that Australia’s hostels can provide.
While many are called youth hostels, these inexpensive accommodation options welcome travelers of any age and background. Similarly, many hostels in Australia are known as “backpackers.” However, guests do not need to carry their belongings in a backpack to stay there. In Australia, the term “backpacker” can simply be thought of as “budget traveler.”
Hostel accommodation tends to be basic, but it is typically clean, secure, and conveniently located close to major attractions and public transport. The cheapest rooms are shared, with guests sleeping on bunk beds in dormitory style. However, guests can pay more for the privacy of individual rooms if they prefer. These rooms often have en suite bathrooms too, although this is dependent on the hostel.
Whichever room configuration you opt for, there will be few in-room luxuries although most hostels provide access to television and high-speed Internet in common areas. They also typically have a common kitchen where guests can save cash by preparing their own meals. Perfect if you’re in town on a work or holiday visa for several months.
The most expensive hostels are located in the center of major cities, including Sydney and Melbourne. Many travelers feel it’s worth spending more for the convenience of walking to major attractions and stumbling back after a night of bar hopping. However, you can save some cash by bedding down in the city’s suburban outskirts. You will need to negotiate public transport to see the sights, but many travelers enjoy staying in these quieter neighborhoods. Both options have their advantages, so consider your tastes and budget when making your decision.
What hostels lack in luxuries they make up for in fun. Some suggest that the “s” in hostel actually stands for social! Most hostels organize regular activities designed to help guests meet fellow travelers from around the world and immerse themselves in local culture. Common activities include barbeques, pub crawls, and even crab races!
If you’re looking for things to do during the day, most Australian hostels can organize that too. Many run their own day tours or have agreements with reputable touring groups. These allow guests to see all the local area has to offer at a reduced rate.
Gone are the days of hostel curfews. Most modern hostels are open 24 hours, and those that aren’t typically allow guests to enter the building after hours using an electronic key. This gives tourists the opportunity the chance to experience Australia’s famous pub culture without worrying about being locked out of their accommodation.
While hostels primarily cater to young tourists and students, they have also become increasingly popular with elderly travelers, known in Australia as “gray nomads,” and families. Children are generally permitted to stay when supervised by a responsible adult, although parents should confirm this with the hostel before checking in.
YHA Australia is the largest hostel network in the country. It boasts hostels in all capital cities and popular regional tourist destinations. If you intend to stay in several YHA hostels, it’s worth becoming a YHA member. Membership starts from $32 a year, and entitles the holder to discounts on YHA accommodation worldwide, international travel insurance, transport, attractions, and more.
BASE has backpacker hostels located down the Australian East Coast. The chain is committed to delivering high-quality accommodation which exceeds backpackers’ expectations of safety and cleanliness. Their clean rooms and fully made-up beds are paired with legendary bars and comfortable common areas.
The affordable prices hostels offer mean they get very busy during peak periods. To avoid disappointment ensure you book your rooms well in advance. Most major hostels are happy to take booking several months before your intended date of arrival in Australia.
Australia.com has many suggestions of tourist activities in Australia, from rocking out in music festivals to catching the big waves at the country’s surf beaches. No matter where your heart, or sense of adventure, takes you there’s bound to be a hostel nearby.
New Zealand's famous food is another luxury that could end up costing you plenty. Big breakfasts at trendy inner city cafes can easily cost more than $16, while main meals at high-end restaurants start at around $30. If you hope to sample some of New Zealand’s iconic sauvignon blanc with your meal, that’s an additional expense to factor in. To cut costs consider cooking your own meals in your hotel rooms or on public barbeques, and buying your wines directly from the cellar door.
Accommodation can also add to the cost of your New Zealand trip. To save cash consider staying in fewer locations; many hotels and motels will offer discounted rates for travelers staying for extended periods. If you'd prefer to vacation on the move consider hiring a campervan or RV.
It'd be a shame to deprive yourself of all New Zealand has to offer in an attempt to save cash, but some careful planning can ensure you don't spend more than you have to.
The pool villas have their own kitchens, but if you feel like letting someone else do the work make sure you visit one of the resort's two gourmet restaurants. Local Vietnamese cuisine and international dishes are served side by side in both establishments.
You need never leave Nam Hai Villas, as there are plenty of activities to help you wile away the hours. You can work up a sweat in the gym, or soak up the sunshine on the tennis, badminton, and basketball courts. Then wind down in the Spa Center or library.
Nam Hai translates to "Heaven on Earth," and it seems a moniker befitting such a special resort.
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Foodies in China willingly risk hepatitis, typhoid, and dysentery for a taste of blood clams. The danger comes from the bacteria the clams harbor which often survives the boiling process. Sadly there's no safe way to go about trying the treats as they're banned in the country, although you can buy them on the black market. If you're brave prepare to pay exorbitant prices and risk serious illness!
The South Korean delicacy of sannakji is the tamest dish on this list, but it's certainly not for the faint hearted. It's actually raw baby octopus served up still squirming about on your plate! Seafood doesn't come much fresher than that! The danger comes from the octopus' suction caps, which can latch onto your mouth or throat and cause choking. Make sure you take small bites and chew each one thoroughly to minimize the risks.
The smooth track and aerodynamic configuration sees riders reaching speeds of up to 45 kays per hour. The bends can be bit hair-raising with angles up to 60 degrees, so you'll need to hold your nerve!
The Shweeb's seats suit riders between 1.4 and two meters tall, although smaller children can ride as passengers. The Schweeb is suitable to ride in any weather conditions, as the pods keep the rain out and a metal roof minimizes the effects of the sun. Rides cost $35 per person.
While you're at Agroventures, make sure you stop to check out some of the other wild rides. Activities include Agrojet, the fastest jet ride in the country, Freefall Xtreme, and of course, bungy jumping!
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Staying in Pretoria you will find that the best suburbs include Centurion, Arcadia, and Hatfield. Some options for your stay include the Villas Luxury Suite Hotel, Melvin Residence Guest House, Grosvenor Gardens, Pippin Lofts, Africa House, Acacia Lodge Centurion, and Dunkelly just to name a few. If you stay here for a week or so you must take advantage of the various activities and sights in the area including paintball, golf, The Barnyard Theatre, The Fried Contemporary Gallery, Hatfield Plaza, Brooklyn Mall, the South African Airforce Museum, Science and Technology Museum, and Transvaal Museum of Natural History. In close proximity to Johannesburg, Pretoria will also be an ideal place to base yourself for many of the World Cup matches taking place at Soccer City and Ellis Park.
Oak Beach in Port Douglas is a bit of a local secret, but that makes it perfect for an intimate picnic lunch. It's likely that you'll have the place to yourself, so pack a gourmet hamper and a bottle of bubbly and enjoy the serenity.
The thermal waters and waterfalls of Poppy's Pools are the stuff that romance is made of. This beautiful secluded spot is nestled in the bushland of the Northern Territory’s Cape Crawford. For the ultimate in luxury, contact the 