Australia – Roaming free – tales of wanderlustbykelley

5 Reasons to Visit Hamilton Island This Year

One of the most spectacular parts of Australia is without a doubt, the Whitsundays, home to the breathtaking Hamilton Island. With year round sunshine, incredible sea life and the friendliest locals, there are so many reasons why you should visit this year. Whether you’ve been trying to decide on the right country to visit this year, or you’ve made your mind up already, there are so many reasons to settle on Australia. Soaking in the sunshine and feeling the sea salt in your hair will always be an unforgettable experience, especially if you choose Hamilton Island as your go-to place!

Transportation is Smooth and Simple

With its very own domestic airport, Hamilton Island couldn’t be easier to get to; there are also a number of direct flights from the other major Australian cities. Traveling from the airport to your accommodation is easy with complimentary buses or pre-organized transfers. If you’re looking for yacht villas hamilton island you could be dropped off right by the beautiful marina. Staying in a water-front villa with the most breathtaking views of the island will add that extra touch of luxury to your stay, especially as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

The Weather is Warm All Year Round

As expected, when you choose to visit Hamilton Island you can expect sunshine for most of the year. Their summers are extremely hot and their winters are still warm, so there really is no “right” time of year to visit; you’ll experience beautiful weather no matter when you choose to visit Hamilton Island in Australia.

You’ll Get Up Close and Personal With the Local Wildlife

Whether you’re a nature lover or not, you can’t escape the beauty of the local wildlife when you visit Hamilton Island. Grabbing your snorkel and experiencing the colorful array of tropical fish in the Great Barrier Reef is an experience everyone should try when visiting the Whitsundays. On a similar note, you may also want to be aware of the local cockatoos! These adorable, but cheeky birds are known to get close to people and even take a bite out of your food if you’re not careful. If you’re staying somewhere with a balcony, you may want to keep the door closed as you never know when one of these over-friendly birds could pop in and say “hello!”

The Hiking Trails

One of the best places to absorb the exquisite views are some of the most popular Hiking Trails on Hamilton Island. Hill Inlet is always an unforgettable hot-spot to take your hiking boots for a whirl, especially if you want to catch a view of sandbars swirling all around the ocean – truly magical!

Off Road Exploring

Hamilton Island is one of the best places to hop in a golf buggy and explore the Island in a completely different light. This authentic and unique way of traveling around Hamilton Island is simple and enjoyable from the very moment you start your adventure. Cool off with a refreshing swim at Catseye Beach half way through your golf buggy experience!

There are so many reasons why a trip to Hamilton Island should be at the top of your travel bucket list this year. Whether you’re hiking or snorkeling, every experience will be an unforgettable one!

Image from Pexels – CC0 Licence

3 Ways To Be Kinder To Your Country

If you want to show your patriotism or simply be a better citizen, finding ways to be kinder to your country is a surefire way to help you to do that. Below, we have 3 ways you can be kinder to your country – take a look and see what you can do today.

Buy From Small and Local Business

Make sure you buy from small and local business rather than chains owned by corporate giants. Small and local businesses are better because you’re putting money back into the economy, as well as directly contributing to somebody’s livelihood. You should also make sure that your purchases support your values. If you want to reduce plastic usage, don’t buy items with a lot of plastic packaging. Make sure your purchases reflect what you believe in. You ‘vote’ with your money, so make sure you’re voting for the important things, like less plastic, organic food, and cosmetics that are cruelty free. You do have more power than you think when it comes to spending your money.

2. Don’t Litter

Littering is something you should never do. You should wait until you find a bin, even if it means putting the litter in your bag or car somewhere. Make sure you use the correct bins to dispose of litter so that the right materials go to recycling, too.

3. Get Involved In Important Causes

Spread the word about various causes in the community and get involved. You could even volunteer at a local polling station.

Many people wonder if there’s anything they can do about the country’s infrastructure – the infographic below can help.

credit to Norwich University

How To Plan Your First Visit To Perth

Perth is a great city that captures everything that’s great about Australia but it isn’t always top of people’s bucket list when they’re visiting the country. People tend to go for Sydney or Melbourne, which is a real shame because Perth is a vibrant city that has seen a lot of growth in the last few decades and more and more locals are moving there from the bigger cities on the east coast. While it might not be as big as those cities, the west coast area and Perth, in particular, still have lots of great things to see and do so it’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been before. If you’re planning a trip to Perth, here are some great tips to help you make the most of your visit to this incredible city.

Pixabay

Where To Stay

Perth is an expensive city so if you’re trying to plan a budget trip, you’ll need to look around a bit to find somewhere to stay. That doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find a cheap place to stay but you’ll have to avoid the hotels, especially those near the city center. If you want somewhere affordable to stay, hostels are your best bet. If you don’t mind staying in basic accommodation, you can get a fairly reasonable hostel and you’ll save yourself quite a bit of money if you look further outside of the city center, however, a private room is still going to cost you around $60 a night.

Airbnb is another option that is going to be cheaper than the hotels. Shared rooms are only around $26 or you can get your own apartment from about $85, which isn’t too expensive if you’re splitting the cost between a few people.

You’ll save money by staying further out of the city but if you’re doing that, it’s a good idea to hire a car so you can get around easily. You can book your Perth airport car hire today and get a good price, which means you don’t have to worry about an airport transfer and you’ll have a car while you’re there. It also gives you a bit more freedom to explore the surrounding area.

What To Eat

Food is expensive as well and you can easily pay $15 a meal at a normal restaurant, the fancy ones will be even pricier. Fast food places aren’t that cheap either and can sometimes be as expensive as the normal restaurants. However, you can get some great quality food at a reasonable price if you avoid the local cuisine and eat at the ethnic restaurants instead.

What To Do

There are plenty of things to suit every taste while you’re in Perth. If you’re looking for culture, you should head over to the cultural center where you’ll find lots of art galleries and museums or visit the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which is completely free to get into.

In the evenings, you’ll find plenty of great nightlife in the Northbridge area which is packed full of great restaurants and bars.

If you want to experience the beautiful landscapes, you can hike along the Bibbulmun track. You could do a single day or even a week if you feel like it and there are cabins along the way to stay in.

These are just a few of the amazing things that you’ll find in Perth. If you follow these simple tips, your first trip to the city will be a success.

Top Destinations To See In The New Year

What does your typical New Year’s look like? If you’re tired of the same old thing, why not experience New Year somewhere incredible instead? Many countries around the world are known for their New Year’s Eve celebrations, giving you the perfect excuse to jet off and do some traveling. Get the inspiration you need with this list of top destinations to see in the New Year.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Sydney

Sydney is one of the first major cities to see in the New Year, which is why it gets so much attention on the news. If you want to be a part of that excitement and magic, then a visit to Sydney is a must. Watch the fireworks from Sydney Harbor and you’ll be a part of an experience you’ll remember forever. After the party’s over, you’ll be able to experience all of the other wonderful elements that draw travelers to Sydney each year.

Bangkok

With its amazing nightlife and bustling crowds, a New Year’s spent in Bangkok is one you won’t forget. CentralWorld Plaza is the place to be on New Year’s Eve to join the crowds and enjoy the countdown. Grab cheap flights to Bangkok and enjoy seeing in the New Year in the world’s most popular place to visit. An excellent way to begin a Thai adventure, your New Year’s Eve will be one night in Bangkok you won’t forget.

Edinburgh

In Scotland, Hogmanay (the last day of the year) is celebrated, and what celebrations they are in lovely Edinburgh! The city is a hive of excitement on New Year’s Eve and there’s plenty of dancing and song to help you feel at home and ready to end the year on a high. Pack your warm clothes and visit Edinburgh – it won’t disappoint!

Dubai

The opulent and stylish Dubai makes a great destination for some New Year’s celebrations. You can guarantee excellent New Year’s Eve parties in Dubai that will make for a fun and entertaining evening. Head to the Burj Khalifa and watch those fireworks dazzle the night sky.

Rio de Janeiro

Where can you go for New Year’s that will be warm, buzzing and ready for a big party? Rio of course! Rio sees millions of people join together for one big party to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, celebrate on the beach and the streets and welcome the New Year in style. Copacabana Beach is the place to be, so be sure to get there early to grab a good spot.

New York

Last but not least is, of course, the city that never sleeps. A New Year’s Eve spent in Times Square is something that everyone should do in their lifetime and be part of some wonderful celebrations. All eyes look to Times Square on December 31st, you can be there to watch the ball drop and enjoy plenty of amazing entertainment too.

With so many wonderful destinations to choose from, you’ll want to spend New Year somewhere new every year. Where will you spend your New Year’s Eve? Pick a travel destination and try something different this year.