Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

As Australia’s oldest German settlement, Hahndorf is a unique tourist destination.

Hahndorf is nestled in the Adelaide Hills just 20 minutes’ drive from the Adelaide City CBD. German influences are the key to Hahndorf’s charm – architecture, stores, bakeries, restaurants and wineries all owe their style to the German heritage of the town.

The first residents of Hahndorf arrived in Adelaide in 1838 – the name of the town coming from the captain of the ship on which they arrived. When war broke out in 1914, the South Australian Government at the time decided to change the very German name of the town. Hahndorf became Ambleside until the late 1930s, when the name was reverted to its original German.

For visitors, Hahndorf offers the experience of Europe just outside an Australian metropolis. Day-trippers can indulge in tours of the local wineries which produce some of the world’s finest cold weather wines, eat at gourmet restaurants that use local produce to recreate German cuisine, or spend the day berry picking at Beerenberg.

Art and boutique shops add to Hahndorf’s charm. The Cedars is the former home of renowned landscape artist Hans Heysen, and open to the public – displaying a range of his paintings, his studio, and some of his simpler sketches. The Hahndorf Academy showcases more contemporary art by local artists.

German bakeries and boutique cellar doors are perfect for lunch and an afternoon drink, and the two local pubs or one of the many restaurants offer a variety of cuisines if you’re in town for dinner.

What the Haruru Falls lack in height, they more than make up for in beauty, especially when floodlit at night. The falls are wide but relatively low at 16.5 feet (five meters), which makes for particularly good swimming and kayaking at the base. The falls are surrounded by holiday parks and recreation areas, making the most of the lovely riverside setting.

When most people think of chocolate they think European. Belgium, Switzerland—these are nations known for creating smooth and creamy pure cocoa treats. But Aussies know some of the most decadent chocolate pleasures are made at their very own Haigh’s Chocolates. Since 1915 this fourth generation, family owned company has been churning out candies that are worth the trip. From classic dark chocolates to new salted caramels, travelers can find a taste of Australia at one of the company’s 14 retail stores across the country—including six in Adelaide.

An eco-adventure for all ages, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures gives you the chance to get up close to those smiling crocodiles. It’s an informative and educational day where you will learn about many species native to Australia.

Take a cruise on the lagoon and see the crocodiles in surroundings that mimic their natural habitat, they’ll be lazing in the sun, building nests and swimming in the water alongside you. There is also a commercial crocodile farm where you can find out about the sustainable practices of cultivating crocs.

There are also areas where you a free to explore and discover the native wildlife of the wetlands for yourself; bright birds, tremulous turtles and lounging lizards are all part of the crocodile’s world.

The Gondwana Gateway gives you an insight into the evolution of Australia’s unique wildlife while the Snake Show at 2pm introduces you to some of her less friendly inhabitants. Another highlight is watching the cassowaries feed and finding out about these rainforest birds and how they have evolved throughout the millennia.

The Great Sandy National Park is a coastal national park and encompasses both part of mainland Queensland and Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.

On the mainland. the river stretches from Rainbow Beach to Noosa Heads, its eastern border one long unbroken tropical beach paradise. Noosa Heads in the south is a popular holiday destination for Australians and hotels get busy during the peak season. Inland if you’re looking for a more nature-based holiday the Cooloola Wilderness Trail has opportunities for real bush camping at the Neebs and Wandi waterholes.

The Fraser Island section is separated from the mainland by a shallow sand reef which can be crossed by barge. The island has an incredible stretch of white beach running unbroken down its eastern coast while the interior is home to unlikely rainforests, sublime freshwater lakes and remarkable dunes.

Everyone wants a gift from vacation, and the Harbour Town Outlets are a practical place for finding a really good deal. Here on the city’s bustling Docklands just outside of West Melbourne, visitors might find that special gift at one of the 90 outlets. Start the adventure with coffee or tea from one of the cafés on site, and peruse the sprawling retail maze in search of the perfect fit. If visiting Melbourne from overseas, swing by the center’s Tourism Lounge for a second round of deals, since tourists often receive bonus discounts not available to other shoppers. Additional features include a Ferris wheel and occasional outdoor ice rink, and Harbour Town can be a family outing—not just another shop.

There’s no doubting that New Zealand is one of the world’s most desirable destinations. After all, this is the land of Middle Earth—where the landscape is carved of mountain and sea and reality and fantasy are one. Despite the nation’s popularity, however, the eastern cape of New Zealand’s North Island largely goes unnoticed. Much of this has to do with the fact there’s no international airport, but for those who endure the winding journey to the land surrounding Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets is waiting out on the coast. The main towns of Napier and Hastings are awash in art deco architecture, and the region is rapidly making a name for its numerous award-winning wines. The Maori culture here in Hawke’s Bay is some of New Zealand’s strongest, and the Matariki Maori New Year is celebrated here more heavily and fully than anywhere else in the country. Take a stroll on Cape Kidnappers past thousands of nesting seabirds, or visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand on Napier’s Marine Parade. This is the world’s first spot to experience dawn and a land of empty shorelines—and New Zealand travelers would rave about it more if only they knew it was here.