Australia’s natural beauty, warm climate and growing economy make it an ideal place to establish a business, live, work or visit. Many people dream of  moving to Australia but not many of them take the plunge and actually move to Australia. If you are considering emigrating to Australia my first piece of advice would be to do as much homework on the net as possible. Then you need to travel to Australia don’t worry there are cheap flights to Australia not the £9 Easyjet ones unfortunately .Decide which part of Australia you are wanting to live in.

Holiday makers will need to obtain an electronic travel authority visa, before leaving on their holiday to Australia. Similarly, you will need to apply for a Australian working holiday visa if you are interested in travelling and working in Australia on a working holiday

Ever wondered how to go about emigrating to Australia and go about getting an Australian visa? Wondering what the various options were and how to go about the different schemes without too much red tape or expense? There are lots of ways to emigrate to Australia. This article spells it out in 9 easy stages.

1.The Australian economy has never been stronger and the Australian government are particularly looking out for skilled people with a specialization in many business and trade areas. In order to emigrate you could go the route of an expensive lawyer, or you could get the advice of specialist Australian immigration consultants to see if you qualify for Australian immigration eligibility.

2. If you are wondering about work skills needed to emigrate to Australia or qualifications needed to emigrate to Australia then it’s worth bearing in mind that there is a points system for applying for what is known as the Skilled Visa. You can fill in an online form to see if you satisfy the Australian immigration points system as set out by the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA).

3. An Australia working visa. Managers, qualified professionals and skilled trades people are especially in demand under the Skilled Visa program. Schemes are available for skilled visas on a permanent or temporary basis, and are all based on points needed to emigrate to Australia as set out by the Australian Immigration Department. With the Australian job market advertising over 150,000 jobs each week and unemployment at its lowest in 10 years, being eligible for an Australia work visa has never been more possible. There is a huge demand in the plumbing, security, printing and the building trades in particular. However, despite the huge demand across the board there was a shortage of candidates for jobs in 2004.

4. An Australia working holiday visa. These are exactly what they sound like. There are many people who dream of being able to emigrate to Western Australia or, more specifically, emigrate to Perth Australia for the amazing weather and facilities there. If you are between 18 and 30 and are looking to spend 12 months in Australia then you may qualify for one of the many Australian working holiday visas that are available every year.

5. Family Visa. If you have an Australian partner, or members of your immediate family are permanently based in Australia then you may qualify for one of several family stream visas. Your application to emigrate to Australia can be done online. The Government of Australia encourages emigration in order to bring families together. Under the Family Visa Emigration Programme, migrants considering emigration must be sponsored by a close family member or fiancé(e) living in Australia. There are 4 schemes to choose from in order to find out if you are eligible for emigration. Select the one that best describes your situation. The sponsor must be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and would usually be 18 years of age or older.

6. Visitors and tourists. All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before they travel to Australia. But now there is no need to worry about visiting the Australian Embassy or High Commission to get your visa. You can now get your visa online. If you are planning to travel to Australia as a visitor or even on a business trip then you may need either a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will allow you to spend up to 3 months in Australia and you are free to travel anywhere you like.

7. Business and investment visas. If you have had a successful business career either at a senior executive level or as an owner of your own business you may qualify for one of several visas under the Australian business visa program. Under the two-stage arrangements introduced on 1 March 2003, business migrants are granted a Business Skills (Provisional) visa for four years and, after establishing the requisite level of business presence required by the DIMIA or maintaining their minimum investment, are eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) visa.

8. If you are an employee who is headhunted or moved to your company’s Australia office then you can apply under the Australia sponsored work visa. Your employer can effectively sponsor you for this by becoming your Australia Immigration Sponsor. Under this system, if you are an established professional, you can emigrate to Australia without a degree.

9. Retirement visas. If you wish to emigrate to Australia on retirement then you may be eligible for an Australia retirement visa given each year. If you are financially secure and would like to spend some of your retirement years in the warmer climates of Australia, find out if you qualify with our free online assessment.

There has never been a better time to emigrate to Australia or to apply for an Australia Work Permit or Australia visa application.
Australia’s sunny climate

Boasting a national average annual temperature of 22.1oC – ranging from a median 12-month low of 12oC in the Tasmanian capital, Hobart, to a high of 27oC in Darwin in the Northern Territory – the appeal of Australia’s climate to Brits should come as no real surprise given that the UK’s yearly average hovers just below the 10oC mark – a key reason why Brits often think about emigrating to Australia? However, according to the Outbound survey it would seem that  it is the country’s lifestyle – the chance to kick back and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the overcrowded, cold and increasingly loutish UK – which Brits find most appealing about emigrating to Australia.

As the basis of Australia’s health care system, Medicare covers many health care costs. Private health insurance provides additional cover for some services not covered by Medicare. You can choose whether to have Medicare cover only or a combination of Medicare and private health insurance.

Public patient

Under Medicare, you can be treated as a public patient in a public hospital, at no charge, by a doctor appointed by the hospital. You can choose to be treated as a public patient, even if you are privately insured.

As a public patient, you cannot choose your own doctor and you may not have a choice about when you are admitted to hospital.

Private patient

As a private patient you have the right to choose your own doctor, and decide whether you will go to a public or a private hospital that your doctor attends. You may also have more choice as to when you are admitted to hospital.

If you choose to be treated as a private patient in a hospital (public or private), Medicare will cover you for 75% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for associated medical costs.

You will be charged for the remaining 25% of the MBS fee for doctors’ services, plus some or all the costs of:

• hospital accommodation,
  
• theatre fees,
  
• intensive care,
  
• drugs, dressings and other consumables,
  
• prostheses (surgically implanted),
  
• diagnostic tests,
  
• pharmaceuticals, and
  
• any additional doctor’s fees.

Treatment as a private patient in a private hospital can be very expensive.  Private health insurance will cover some or all of these costs.I suggest you check out the costs of this private medical insurance before you arrive in Australia

Find out if your job / profession is in demand over in Australia are they in need of your qualifications and skills here is a list of those skills that are needed to obtain a work visa from the

Skilled Independent Visa

Key requirements you need
All applicants for an Australian skilled visa must:
Be under 45 years old
Have at least vocational english language skills if not greater
Have work experience in an occupation included on the skilled occupations list
Obtain a skills assessment from the relevant authority, hold post-secondary qualifications or have relevant work experience
Be of good health and character
Pass a points test

Partner Category Visa - Family Class

Key requirements you need
You must be either the spouse, prospective spouse (fiance(é)), or in an interdependent relationship with an Australian resident, or citizen over the age of 18.
The applicant must be of good health and character.

Investor Retirement Visa

Key requirements you need
Applicants for this visa must be over 55 old
Be sponsored by the state in where they wish to live and be able to meet the following financial points:
Those who wish to settle in a regional/low growth area of the country will need to provide a minimum designated investment of Aus $500,000, while anyone wishing to live in a non-regional or non-low growth area will need Aus $750,000. also they will have to provide proof of additional transferable assets and an annual net income of either Aus $65,000 or Aus $50,000, again depending on where they wish to live.
The applicant must also be of good health and character

Business Ownership Visa

Key requirements you will need
This is a 2 stage visa which requires an applicant to set up a business in Australia. You will need to have
had a successful business career
Have in total net assets of at least Aus $250,000
Be under 55 years old
Have spent at least two of the last four years prior to your application in a management role of a business which had an annual turnover of at least Aus $300,000
Be of good health and character
Possibly have sponsorship from the state where you wish to live

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Peak Season:
Australia enjoys its summer while Europe shivers, so December to February can be a good time to visit. It can get very hot, but it’s great weather for the beach. Many airlines offer cheap flights to Australia around this time. In spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) the weather is mild and temperatures are comfortable.

Off Season:
June to August over here is winter in Australia, but skiers and snowboarders might like to go to New South Wales and Victoria for the winter sports. In the north of the country, the summer wet season is very humid and uncomfortable.

Your can find Cheap Flights to Australia. Where would you like to fly to in Australia

New South Wales
Byron Bay
Canberra
Hunter Valley
Newcastle
Port Stephens
Sydney
Northern Territory
Alice Springs
Arnhem Land
Darwin
Gulf of Carpentaria
Kakadu
Katherine Region
Litchfield National Park
Tennant Creek and the Barkly Region
Tiwi Islands
Queensland
Airlie Beach
Brisbane
Cairns
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
Fraser Island
Great Barrier Reef
Lamington National Park
Mission Beach and the Great Green Way
Noosa
Outback Queensland
Port Douglas
Surfers Paradise
Whitehaven Beach
Whitsundays Islands
South Australia
Adelaide
Barossa Valley
Coober Pedy
Flinders Ranges
Kangaroo Island
Tasmania
Cradle Mountain
Freycinet Pennisula
Hobart
Launceston
Victoria
Grampians
Melbourne
Mornington Peninsula
Phillip Island
Western Australia
Broome
Kalgoorlie
Margaret River

The ranks of Australia’s skilled workers have been boosted by almost 78,000 in the past year in an effort to solve the country’s skills shortage.

It’s the largest intake of skilled migrants since the late 1980s. Australian Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the government had responded to the shortage by bringing record numbers of skilled migrants to the country. The Australian Government has made over 97,500 Skilled Visas available for 2005-06.

In recent months over 150,000 jobs have been advertised weekly, and unemployment is at the lowest level in the last 10 years. Australian Government statistics confirm 89% of Skilled Independent Visa holders gain employment within the first six months.

A total of 18,700 migrants took advantage of the state-specific and regional migration program, with 7,100 settling in Victoria and almost 5,000 calling South Australia home – an increase of almost 140 per cent in SA on 2003-04 figures.

When it came to specific skills, the biggest increase came in the form of doctors, with 260 migrating to Australia in 2004-05 – this is a 300% increase on previous year.

A Senior Migration Agent from National Visas said that accountants, nurses and trades-people, including mechanics, electricians and builders, are among the most sought-after skills wanted by Australian employment groups.

If you plan to find work in Australia you should consider under what entry program you fall, such as academic, training, sport, family visiting, religious work, retirement, media, medical, research, business, holiday work, or employee exchange program. You are not allowed to work on a visitor or family visa. Students are allowed to work full time during the semester breaks.

They are looking for specific types of skills and limit the number of people who can obtain permanent residence. The government has a 76-page instruction manual for obtaining visas and residence allowance in the country. They prefer people under 45, fluent in English, and well qualified. UK citizens are able to get employment faster than most foreigners since many of the Australians have worked and lived in the UK before.

IT and health personnel are recruited from around the world. Although the government expects written proof of qualifications, persons working in the IT field can provide a four years employment history as an alternative to qualifications.

What is a Migration Agent?

A migration agent is anyone who uses knowledge of migration procedures to offer advice or assistance to a person wishing to obtain a visa to enter or remain in Australia.

The definition of ‘immigration assistance’ also includes giving assistance to people who are nominating or sponsoring prospective visa applicants.

An ‘agent’ includes lawyers and people who work for voluntary organisations and provide their advice free of charge. However, migration agents generally charge for their services.

Migration agents operating in Australia are required by law to be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Some migration agents operating outside Australia are also registered with the MARA

Agent Fees

In the interest of consumer protection and to encourage competition, the following information shows the range of fees charged by the majority of registered migration agents.  

All registered migration agents provide the Migration Agents Registration Authority with information on an annual basis on the average fees they charge for the services they provide.  The following information represents the range of fees charged by 70% of registered migration agents during the period from July 2007 to June 2008.  These fees include GST.

Factors influencing fees

Fees charged for work performed can vary as a result of a number of factors. 

Influences on lower fees may include:

·                     the inexperience of the registered migration agent concerned; the desire to enter a particular market

·                     the desire to assist in unusual circumstances

·                     the ease of that particular application

·                     the applicant having already partly completed the assignment

·                     the current marketplace fee levels.

Influences on higher fees may include:

·                     the use of a senior registered migration agent with many years’ experience

·                     the specific difficulties or complexities of a particular case

·                     the costs associated with running a larger business or practice

·                     the desire of the applicant for high personal levels of service

You should check with your migration agent whether there are additional charges that are not included in the quoted fees, for example; photocopying, phone calls and couriers.

Flights

Get quotes for your flights

Make sure you get increased baggage allowance in Writing usually 40kg Eastbound, 64k Westbound

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Prepare your belongings to be shipped.
Home Removals and Secure Storage

EMPLOYERS
Give formal notice to employer and make sure you get P45 and work references

BANKS/BUILDING SOCIETY

Request credit references from bank, building society or any other lending agent

Once you’ve arrived in Australia your credit profile will in effect start from scratch. Make sure you source as many credit references as possible before leaving the UK so that you can use them as evidence that we are creditworthy. Your bank, building society and any other lending agency should be able to provide a reference. You may find a reference from your mortgage company will also be helpful.

You won’t be able to get a credit card in Australia until you get employment

Request up to date statements on any endowments, pensions and investments

Ask your doctor, dentist, optician, schools to prepare hand-over files

IMMUNISATION RECORDS FOR CHILDREN

Obtain a letter from your doctor confirming your childrens immunisations are up-to-date and give dates as they may be required for school and can also be requested for family assistance.

MOVING YOUR PET:
Pet travel services and pet boarding –

Organise temporary accommodation in Australia for a couple of weeks.

Organise all birthday cards and presents for the next 3 months

RE-DIRECT POST
Arrange all post to be redirected .Royal Mail offer national and international redirection services for your mail for a variety of time periods. You can either apply in person at a Post Office or online and allow a few days for the service to be activated . You can renew online if you find that you wish to continue the service longer after the initial period ends.
It is cheaper to get mail redirected to another UK address, so if we are confident that we will need very little of our mail we could see if we have a trustworthy friend or relative who is willing to have it redirected to them and will forward on the odd piece of relevant mail.If you get the mail redirected internationally make sure that you have one address that you can access for the entire period of the forward, as you cannot change it. If you expect to be transient during this time it may be better to have the mail forwarded to an Australian friend or relative, or to set up a PO Box. The only difficulty with a PO Box is that we will need to open it once you are in Australia.

UPDATE CV

There is not a huge amount of difference between a UK CV and an Australian Résumé. The content is by and large the same but the Australian version often tends to be a bit longer.

Most CV’s will not need to be changed much to make them suitable for the market. Read through your existing CV and look for anything which is likely to cause confusion, internationalise your CV, and think of any negatives an employer may see in your CV and offer an immediate explanation to counter them.

Change the word CV to Résumé and make sure it’s spelt correctly with the accents on the e

Check for any commonly used UK acronyms, are they used in Australia?

Add a one line description of the companies in your employment history

Explain any gaps.

Give reference to your Permanent Residence

Set spell checker to Australian/English and make sure you run a check before sending the final document.

REFERENCES

It is standard in Australia to attach relevant references to your CV. Before leaving the UK it is a good idea to contact any potential referees and ask them to write a generic reference for this purpose. In the main body list referees with contact details, and attach any references to the back of the CV using a paper clip. As well as showing that you have nothing to hide, time differences may often mean that it is difficult to contact your referees during normal working hours so attaching your references offers a solution.

Inform employer and get P45 and references

Inland Revenue P85
Take these with you (for each adult), then complete and send them back to the UK within a couple of weeks of being in Oz to ensure that Revenue and Customs are aware we have left the UK and now Tax Resident in Australia. The form is designed to help you claim back any tax when we have left or about to leave the UK.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Give your change of address to:

Banks
Passport office
Pension company
Inland revenue
Insurance brokers and accountants
Shares

DVLA
The DVLA require that you have a UK address on your driving license, so it may be advisable to change the address to that of a friend or relative who could forward any necessary communications to you, before you go.

Ship your goods

Whichever option you have chosen for shipping make sure everything is clean before the shippers arrive, as customs in Australia will not accept foreign dirt.The timing that shipments leave varies with each individual case. Some choose to ship early and stay with relatives/friends/make do with things they will then dispose of, whereas others will choose to ship at the last minute and wait for their possessions to arrive at the other end.

Make sure all the files on your computer are backed up.Make a copy of everything on your computer and keep it with your important documents, preferably in a separate bag to your computer.

If you are leaving your computer behind and buying a new one when you arrive it is worth making two back ups of your files and keeping them in separate places just to be sure that they are safe.

Start packing non essential items

If you like the white snow spread all around you; if snow activities stir you up into ecstasy; and if you want a healthy and enjoyable time with your family, you must come for a snow holiday to Australia!

Victoria in Australia is worldwide popular for its own share of Alps and the many charming surrounding alpine out backs. Set amidst the picturesque National Park and thickly dotted with snow gum trees — Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek in Victoria are particularly famous for their family snow holidays at Australia.

Come for a short stay or spend some weeks here – you would find yourself doing something interesting or the other during this snow holiday in Australia. There is a wholesome range of snow sports available when you come to snow holidays in Australia.

With kids, you can just go to a safe snowfield and play all day long there. Make snow balls or a snowman or simply toboggan with them. You can enjoy your time with them as long as you want and later on retreat to your tastefully decorated alpine chalet; sit by its gas-based fireplace and spend a cosy time together with long storytelling sessions underway.

You must not forget to ski in Mount Hotham, if you wish to make the most of your snow holidays in Australia. If you somehow missed on the information, Mount Hotham is the best skiing resort of Victoria. Skiing downhill to the Dinner Plains from the high mountain ridges of Mount Hotham present you with an unforgettable taste of truly memorable snow holiday in Australia.

In Dinner Plain, everyone prefers to stay at a chalet; it is an Australian version of a classic European alpine chalet. Well-furnished, well-equipped and with a private spa – each chalet not only looks splendid, but also promises you a luxurious stay.

It has been called the ultimate in adventure travel in Australia and it’s not difficult to see why. I was almost frozen with fear and panic as a huge shark, jaws gaping, drifted towards me with the ease and grace of an Olympic Ice skater.

I was swimming in the warm waters of Ningaloo Reef off the north west coast of Australia and strangely, after the initial adrenaline rush of excitement and terror, actually enjoyed the experience.

 I was sharing the moment with one of the ocean’s rare and gentle giants. A unique experience I would remember forever.

 Why is this huge sea animal so different?

 Something special happens at Ningaloo Reef between March and June every year. It’s so special it lures people from all over the world. They come to dive and swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, more than 12m long and weighing more than 11 tonnes.

 Whale sharks are found in few parts of the world and in only one part of Australia, so swimming with them is a rare privilege shared by the fortunate few.

 To share the ocean with these gentle giants is a breathtaking experience and thankfully their diet is plankton or krill, not humans. Whale sharks have never been known to attack unsuspecting tourists!

 What is swimming with them really like? 

I felt like a minnow beside these underwater giants and we were so close we could feel the whoosh of the water as they slid gracefully by. Nothing quite prepares you for the sight of these mammoths.

 Despite assurances that they’re harmless, I couldn’t help my heart skipping a beat as one came towards me, its mouth almost a metre wide. Suddenly, I felt a little too much like bait. It swam past me without even seeming to notice my terrified presence.

 Brad Norman is a Western Australian marine conservation biologist who swims with whale sharks and has dedicated his life to saving them.

 After hundreds of sightings, his blood still thrills as the great, spotted whale shark comes into view, gliding effortlessly forward, its pale, metre wide mouth agape to scoop up thousands of litres of protein rich sea water.

 ”When they’re deep down, they resemble a star field under water,” he says. “As you swim above, the shark body seems to disappear and its white spots light up like stars in the night sky. It’s an awe inspiring sight,” says Norman.

 How can you enjoy this experience?

 It is not practical to attempt this on your own. You will need to be part of an organized diving and snorkeling day tour. These tour organizations have access to spotter aircraft to find the elusive creatures, they provide you with all the gear and take you to best sighting spots in safety and comfort. 

The tours are strictly managed to minimize interference with the whale sharks and maximize the “interaction” of humans with the fish.

 A number of operators offer day tours out of the nearest town, Exmouth on North West Cape. Tours can be arranged through the Exmouth Tourist Bureau. 

How do you get to Exmouth? 

Exmouth is about 1270 km north of Perth. It is easily accessed by car and regularly serviced by daily flights and buses from Perth. For speed and ease of access the best way to travel to Exmouth is by plane. A Skywest Airlines flight takes just under 3 hours and the company can also organize accommodation for you.

Australia’s mineral springs are mostly located in the central highlands of Victoria. The spa town here is made up of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. It is the spa centre of Australia and frequented by many tourists. Finding spa villas, B&B’s, hotels and other Accommodations in Daylesford is extremely easy. All you need to do is some research and have some basic information.

Daylesford & Hepburn Springs

Daylesford is a quaint town located in the shire of Hepburn in Victoria. This used be a gold mining town and is 100 KM from Melbourne which is only an hour and half drive from Melbourne. Both Daylesford and Hepburn Springs still remind you of miners from Switzerland and Italy. The presence of the mineral springs made it apt for settlements, way back in the day. The shire is extremely beautiful and offers inspiration to many painters and artists. This is the place to be in if you are looking for a spa holiday with the girls or romantic getaway in Victoria. For accommodation in Hepburn Springs you can consider spa villas, caravans, cottages and hotels. You will find many destination and resort spas here that are offer various therapies for detoxification, weight loss and general well being.

Clunes

Clunes is another town in the shire of Hepburn Springs. Time seems to stands still in Clunes. Its architecture, buildings and front porches will remind you of olden times. Clunes creek was where gold was discovered in the late 1800’s and led to the gold rush in Victoria. It is truly beautiful and a lovely place for a romantic holiday in Victoria. The town is not very populated and you can enjoy your couple’s time!

Trentham

Welcome to Terntham, a place which is nestled by tall, lush tress thanks to the Wombat Trees. You will find Terntham en route from Daylesford to Woodend. It is Victoria’s treasures and a must see here! You will find the state’s highest single drop waterfall. The waterfall is formed with the cooling of molten lava over 5 million years ago. The best time to visit Trentham is after the rains. Once here, do visit the Trentham Falls that cascade the basalt columns and pillars and also look for great deals in the Sunday market at the railway station. For more information on accommodation in Hepburn Springs or luxury accommodation in Victoria you can visit www.kudosvillas.com.au.

Australia is regarded as one of the most sought-after holiday destinations across the globe. Blessed with unbounded natural splendour and adorned with some of man’s best creations, this country presents an allure like none other. As a tourist, you have lot of options at your disposal when it comes to finding the right accommodation in Australia.

Australia is well-known for its pristine beaches. Almost every city has famous beaches that can compete with each other for top rankings. Finding the right accommodation at a beachside is quite easy, as there are options that suit all budget types. Some of the most visited beach holiday accommodation facilities in Australia include:

A Mollymook Beach Waterfront (New South Wales)
Located in the Mollymook area of New South Wales, this waterfront location offers guests with amazing views of the beach and ocean. All rooms have private balconies and provide easy access to the beach, golf course and local restaurants.

Strandhaus (Queensland)
Just about four minutes from the nearest beach, this property is secluded and offers a great retreat for tourists seeking solace and peace on their holiday. This accommodation option is equipped with a large pool that is nestled in a bushland setting. It has features such as high ceilings, bamboo floors and European kitchen, among others.

Aldinga Beach Reef Retreat (South Australia)
Just 50 metres from the beach, this accommodation property was constructed in the year 1955 and is the best option for families on a holiday in Australia. The entire place is based on an Aussie fibro beach shack theme that is fitted with furniture of the 50s.

9-Mile Escape (Tasmania)

The unblemished Nine Mile Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. It presents wonderful views of the Great Oyster Bay, Schouten Island and the Freycinet National Park. Adorned with the latest amenities, it is a great  accommodation option for nature lovers.  

Before you embark on your tour to  Australia, it is advisable that you shortlist the most favourable accommodation options on the basis of your budget and other requirements. TakeABreak is a leading travel portal that enlists all kinds of beach holiday accommodation in Australia.

“This is real crocodile country”, warned our guide, who could have passed for Crocodile Dundee. “You’re looking at the croc’s dining room. Swim in that river and you’re gone!” Fact is, almost all the tidal rivers and estuaries in Northern Australia are infested with these prehistoric man eaters or “salties”.

Here are 3 of the best tours, starting in Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory, to see these creatures in their natural habitat.

But be warned.  This is wild, outback wilderness country. The ultimate in adventure travel.

Don’t ever try to explore these dangerous areas on your own. These are wild creatures and even though you may not be able to see them, they can see you! There have been many cases of people camping or walking on river banks in Northern Australia and mysteriously “disappearing”.

1. Jumping Crocodile Cruise.

This cruise takes place on the Adelaide River, an hour’s drive from Darwin. The crocs are in their natural habitat and many are trained to follow the cruise boat and jump out of the water to grab pieces of chicken enticingly dangled on string.

These actions make great photos, but I found it to be a bit artificial and touristy. There are however many opportunities to see these 4 metre monsters basking on the river banks, watching us and dreaming that one of us may fall overboard.

My suggestion is to take this cruise as part of a day trip to Litchfield Park. I loved this place. It has 3 magnificent waterfalls, flowing year round and one of the falls, Florence Falls has a superb swimming area where you can actually swim under the falls. It is set in the middle of a pristine rain forest and yes it is crocodile free!

1. Kakadu National Park. Yellow Water Billabong.

You will need to allow at least 2 days to enjoy and explore this amazing wilderness area. Set in the heart of the national park, the Yellow Water Billabong is home to not only crocodiles, but a huge variety of birds, including the magnificent Jabiru.

The crocodiles here are not trained and you have to look carefully to find them. On the day I visited, we were rewarded with many sightings. Some were lying on the edge of the water and others were swimming. A few were over 5 metres long but their size is deceptive when they swim. All you see is their eyes, parts of their scaly back and slowly moving tail.

1. Arnhem Land. East Alligator River.

This is real wilderness country and quite remote. It borders on the Aboriginal controlled Arnhem Land and tours are conducted along the East Alligator River by Aboriginal guides.

The tour groups and the boats are smaller and this allows you a real wilderness experience.

 Try to combine it with a tour to view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings at Injalak Hill or Cannon Hill. Some of these art galleries are over 10 000 years old and they reflect the life and culture of people who have lived in this remote part of Australia for over 50 000 years.

It will be an experience you will never forget.

Crocodiles in Captivity.

If your stay in Darwin is short and time is limited, visit Crocosaurus Cove in the town’s main street. These animals are in cages, but you can view them at close quarters and feeding time provides many photo opportunities.

It has been called “The Ultimate Wildlife Experience in The City” and allows you to see these beasts in safety. The star of the show is Burt, a 5.1 metre giant whose portfolio includes a string of attacks on cattle and the villain in the original Crocodile Dundee movie. He was the beast who almost ate Linda, before Hoges came to the rescue.

Another great place to see crocodiles up close and personal, is Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, just a 45 minute drive north of Brisbane, Queensland.

Australia is very well known for its sandy deserts, unique wildlife and cultural activities. It is a country of awesome natural beauty and vast cultural and historical heritage. As an island continent, it has secured a significant place as a much favoured holiday destination known for its boundless hospitality.

The natural landscape of this country is very scenic and attracts visitors and researchers from all over the globe to its sandy and pristine beaches. The flora and fauna species that are native to Australia are fascinating in both nature and multitude. Around 400 unique species of birds and about 80% of marine species in the southern coast are specifically found in Australia. There are around 25,000 species of plants in the country. With such natural abundance, it is no surprise that nature enthusiasts around the world are attracted to this beautiful destination year after year.

Australia proves to be a fantastic holiday destination for many reasons. It not only offers scenic natural beauty, but also an entire spectrum of activities, sights and sounds. It guarantees to keep even the most seasoned travellers busy during the holidays. Beautiful beaches, stretches of desert and dense, forested areas make
Australia the world’s most ‘blessed’ destinations.

Here, you can find people of all races, cultures and languages. The climate is very pleasant, making it a holiday spot that can be visited throughout the year. It is a perfect place to discover the natural beauty that would entice you to come back again.

TakeABreak is a premium accommodation portal where you can find information on your favourite holiday destinations and some really amazing Australian
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