7 great Australian destinations

GS AUSTRALIA SPECIAL - In association with IDP Education

Whether you fancy strolling through picturesque bushland areas or surfing the southern oceans, there are some places in Australia that you should definitely put on your itinerary. Grab your travel journal and find out what's hot... By Rebecca Stuart 

1. Thredbo: pretend for an hour or two that you are the Man From Snowy River, riding on horseback through Australia's premier Alpine region. If horse riding is not your thing, then jump on a mountain bike or hike up Mt Kosciusko in summer, stopping only to take in the view from the highest point in the land. In winter months Thredbo is buzzing as locals make way for hordes of skiers and snowboarders keen to carve up the pure snow. Thredbo is nestled into the NSW Snowy Mountains.
   
2. Fraser Island: Dip into the cool crystal blue water of Lake McKenzie before swimming with freshwater turtles at Basin Lake. Take a scenic flight over the island of Fraser, named after a convict who escaped a penal colony. From above you can see the amazingly large sand dunes snaking their way up the 75 mile beach. Dodge the dingoes on the world heritage listed island, or have a few drinks in the Dingo Bar. Fraser Island is a short ferry ride from Hervey Bay in Queensland.
   
3. Great Ocean Road: Drive or cycle along one of Australia's most scenic roads as the locals celebrate 75 years of its existence this year. Contemplate the lives of the soldiers returning from World War I who were put to work building the road in the 1920s as the road twists around the rugged coast. Stop for an ice cream at Apollo Bay, catch a live band at Lorne, or surf the big waves at Bells Beach as you make your way along the coast to the Twelve Apostles
   
4. Sydney: Discover the true beauty of Sydney Harbour when you take a ride on the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly at sunset, or choose to discover the ships under the water when you take a wreck dive in the depths below. Find a bargain at The Rocks market on weekends or move further afield and explore Paddington Market (Saturday) or Bondi Market (Sunday). Enjoy Sydney's pub culture in Crown St, Surry Hills or through the trendy old drinking holes in Balmain. Immerse yourself in art and culture as you check out the latest exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the New South Wales Art Gallery, stopping in between at the Royal Botanic Gardens for a casual stroll or a cup of tea.
   
5. Tasmania: Hire a car with friends and drive around the friendly southern state. Make a point to stop and explore Freycinet National Park and feed the wallabies at Wineglass Bay. Quench your thirst at a Tasmanian brewery (Cascade in Hobart, Boags in Launceston), or continue driving north to the Tamar Valley, home of Australia's greatest pinot noir and sparkling wines. Make sure your walking boots and winter woollies are packed for the journey to Cradle Mountain. Enjoy the magnificent views from the summit before making your way down to the cosy fire in Cradle Lodge. Keep your eyes open for Danish royalty in Hobart and taste Tasmania's finest produce as you meander around Salamanca Market on a Saturday.
   
6. Gold Coast: Surf like Kelly Slater on the super bank from Kirra Point, or be dazzled by the skill of local surfers as you lap up the sunshine on the white sand beaches. Rent an apartment with friends and drop by the local surf clubs for a budget meal overlooking the waves. Stay on the southern Gold Coast beaches for a chilled out atmosphere, or make your way north to Surfers Paradise for the casino and night clubs. Try a mocktail at the top of Q1 and enjoy the view from the mountains to the sea. Scare yourself silly on the rides at Dream World and Movie World, be amazed by the dolphin tricks at Sea World, or visit the birds at Currumbin. Make your way to the Gold Coast by flying into Coolangatta Airport or catching the train from Brisbane Central.
   
7. Wine regions: Regardless of which state or territory you happen to be residing in, the year won't be complete without comparing a couple of Australian wine regions. Hot spot for 2007 is the Barossa Valley in South Australia, one of the most famous and certainly the friendliest. Time the journey with a visit to Adelaide for the Adelaide Festival in February for the ultimate in fun. Alternatively head south of Perth for a taste of the delicious Margaret River region wines and produce, stopping at stunning beaches and spectacular caves along the way. In spring take note of the amazing wildflowers, the world class surf waves and the historic landmark of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. A visit to NSW wouldn't be complete without a round trip to the Hunter Valley, although the town of Mudgee is this year's town to watch. Take a day trip from Sydney and drive west through the Blue Mountains, or stay overnight for the real Australian experience of a local pub in Mudgee.
   Residents and visitors of the Australian Capital Territory are fortunate to have world class Rieslings on their doorstep. Driving north from Canberra the vineyards around Murrumbateman and Lake George provide the traditional cellar door style. The Yarra Valley in Victoria and the Tamar Valley in Tasmania are indulgent enough to make you want to become a wine grower and sip your way slowly through the supply of wine. They say that Champagne is the water of life, and sparkling wine from the southern states is certainly worth cleansing one's palate with!  Plus there are, of course, plenty of other wine regions throughout Australia to discover this year.

Rebecca Stuart is a freelance writer, who regularly contributes articles to IDP Education Pty Ltd publications.

IDP Education offers the most popular enrolment service used by international students who study in Australia. IDP has been operating since 1969. It was set up to channel Australian assistance to universities in South East Asia and was previously called the International Development Program. Today, besides advising and enrolling international students in Australian courses, IDP continues its aid work and also owns a share of the IELTS English test