Destination Reviews

South Hams, Devon

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South Hams coastline

The South Hams is renowned for its gorgeous countryside and pretty coastline. We spent a few days in the area and loved the narrow hedge-lined roads, the charming villages and small seaside coves.

The South Hams is known as ‘An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in the UK and is well worth a visit. It is located in the south-eastern part of Devon, just over 3 hours drive from London’s Heathrow Airport, via the M4 and M5 motorways.

Here are some recommendations on what to see and do. (more…)

By |2019-06-03T15:50:02+10:00June 27th, 2013|Categories: United Kingdom (Great Britain), UK, South Hams, Devon|0 Comments

Day Trip from Melbourne to Geelong, Barwon Heads and Queenscliff

A very pleasant day trip from Melbourne is through to Geelong, Barwon Heads and Queenscliff. 

Geelong_DSCN5917_200

Geelong

Geelong is about one hour’s drive from Melbourne and is the second largest city in Victoria.

We loved the Geelong Waterfront and in particular the Baywalk Bollards track along the shores of Port Phillip Bay. We did part of the walk from Steampacket Gardens to the Art Deco Eastern Beach sea baths, however, if you have time, we recommend doing the whole walk starting from Geelong Botanic Gardens to Ripppleside Park which takes about 1.5 – 2 hours.

Artist Jan Mitchell has created over 100 colourful painted, wooden bollards along the Baywalk track, depicting characters and events from throughout Geelong’s history. Try to spot the rabbits painted on many of the sculptures – they represent rabbits introduced to Australia by an early English settler in the bay in the mid-1800s.

If time permits, the National Wool Museum and Geelong Art Gallery are also worth a visit.

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By |2024-01-23T17:23:46+11:00January 12th, 2013|Categories: Barwon Heads, Geelong, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia|0 Comments

Day trip from Melbourne to Daylesford Spa Country

Wombat Hill House Cafe

Wombat Hill House Cafe

On a recent trip to Melbourne, friends took us to the villages and countryside around Daylesford – an easy day’s drive.

Even in the height of summer, when temperatures soar and the landscape is a little parched, this is a beautiful trip.

This region is a gourmet’s delight and a large part of our day seemed to be spent sampling local produce.

On the way to Daylesford we bought buckets of delicious cherries. We left money in a roadside box for a bag of red-ripe cherry tomatoes near Hanging Rock. We enjoyed the view from Mount Macedon Memorial Cross. We stopped for coffee at Newham General Store. In Trentham we bought delicious pastries and bread at the Red Beard bakery and took a stroll around this charming country village. In Daylesford we wandered along the main street taking in the shops. We strolled around the grounds of beautiful Lake House.

A highlight was our trip up to Wombat Gardens and the Wombat Hill House Café where we enjoyed delicious pizzas, salads, coffee and cake. Don’t miss it if you are visiting Daylesford!

The drive home took us through Hepburn Springs and Kyneton – and we all resolved to come back soon – and to stay longer!

AccommodationGuru.com
January 2013

By |2024-01-23T17:25:12+11:00January 10th, 2013|Categories: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia|0 Comments

A Weekend in Canberra

View over Canberra from Mount Ainslie Lookout

View over Canberra from Mount Ainslie Lookout

Canberra is the national capital of Australia and an ideal weekend-away destination from Sydney – especially for overseas visitors.

The city has many wonderful museums, galleries and monuments that will give visitors to Australia an insight into our history, culture and society.

By car, Canberra is an easy 3.5 hour drive from Sydney. It is impossible to see all the sights of Canberra in one weekend but here are a few recommendations to choose from.

Canberra & Region Visitors Centre

Firstly, it’s a good idea to stop at the Canberra & Region Visitors Centre on 330 Northbourne Ave, Dickson (1300 554 114) – you will pass it on the way into Canberra from Sydney. Pick up copies of brochures and maps to help you find your way around.

Parliament House Canberra - House of Representatives

Parliament House Canberra – House of Representatives

Parliament House

We recommend taking a tour of Parliament House. There is a free tour that takes approximately 30-45 minutes. The tour includes the Marble Hall entrance, the Great Hall, the Senate, the House of Representatives – with an interesting and informative guide.

Visit the top of Parliament House for excellent views over the city.

For more details on tours see – www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Tours (more…)

By |2024-01-23T16:28:36+11:00November 30th, 2012|Categories: ACT - Canberra, Australia|0 Comments

Sydney to Port Macquarie – June Long Weekend 2012

Seal Rocks NSW

Seal Rocks

For those who enjoy driving holidays, this is a good route to explore the NSW coastline between Bulahdelah and Coffs Harbour and get a glimpse of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

You will see some of the best waterways, the best beaches and national parks in NSW.

During winter, the area is far less crowded than in summer, the days are sunny but not too hot and the air is crisp and clean.

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Route 62 – South Africa

Knysna – Oudtshoorn – Calitzdorp – Ladismith – Barrydale – Montagu – Robertson – Worcester – Paarl – Cape Town

Outeniqua Mountains near Oudtshoorn

Outeniqua Mountains near Oudtshoorn

Take a photo tour of Route 62, South Africa

On a recent trip to South Africa, we travelled one of South Africa’s most scenic drives – Route 62.

While based in Knysna we planned to spend a few days in Cape Town. The direct route from Knysna to Cape Town is just over 5 hours driving time, or 480kms, on the N2 – the coastal road. However we love to travel inland – along Route 62 – a much more scenic trip with majestic mountains, country landscapes and charming towns along the way.

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By |2024-01-23T15:56:10+11:00May 22nd, 2012|Categories: Route 62, South Africa|0 Comments

Blue Mountains – A Day Trip from Sydney

The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains

If you are visiting Sydney, we can recommend a day trip to the Blue Mountains.

Anytime of year is good however it is a bonus if you can see the mountains in autumn or spring.

If you have the time, we suggest doing a circular route – driving out of Sydney along the M4 onto the Great Western Highway through Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath. When you reach Mount Victoria we recommend returning to Sydney via the Bells Line of Road.

It is a big day out but you will certainly see a lot.

Driving time to Katoomba is about two hours from Sydney. (more…)

By |2024-01-23T16:45:23+11:00July 13th, 2011|Categories: Blue Mountains, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia|0 Comments

Jindabyne

View over Lake Jindabyne

View over Lake Jindabyne

Jindabyne is the gateway to the snowfields of the southern Kosciuszko National Park – Perisher, Charlotte’s Pass, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Thredbo.

We arrived in Jindabyne the week before the official opening of the 2011 ski season. In previous years we had passed through Jindabyne on the way to the snowfields without giving it much thought. However, after staying a few days we discovered that it is a very pleasant town.

At this time of year there is an influx of young people looking for jobs for the ski season. Everyone we come across is incredibly friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. (more…)

By |2024-01-23T16:50:04+11:00July 6th, 2011|Categories: Jindabyne, New South Wales, Australia|0 Comments

Sydney to Broken Hill via the Murray River

Sydney – Goulburn – Crookwell  Cootamundra – Echuca – Swan Hill  Mildura – Wentworth  Broken Hill  Silverton – Dubbo – Sydney

Line of Lode Miners Memorial & Restaurant, Broken Hill

Line of Lode Miners Memorial & Restaurant, Broken Hill

An area of NSW that we didn’t know well was the Murray River and Broken Hill region so we did a driving trip along the Murray River, out to Broken Hill, returning to Sydney via Dubbo.

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Day Trip from Sydney to Wollongong via Royal National Park and the Seacliff Bridge

One of our favourite day trips from Sydney is the drive south via the Royal National Park, through the towns of Stanwell Park, Austinmer and Thirroul to North Wollongong. A highlight of the trip is the Sea Cliff Bridge and the spectacular coastal views.

Leaving Sydney we drive out past the airport, following the signs to Rockdale/Wollongong. Just beyond the airport, there are good views over Botany Bay from along the Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands. The foreshore of Botany Bay has been landscaped in recent years to provide a walking/cycling track and grassed areas for picnicking.

Royal National Park

Once through the southern suburbs of Sydney take the turnoff to the Royal National Park. Established in 1879, it is Australia’s oldest national park and covers an area of 132 sq kms. The Royal National Park was the second national park to be established in the world, after Yellowstone in USA.

The Royal National Park is the beginning of what is known as the Grand Pacific Drive – from Sydney to Wollongong and beyond.

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By |2024-01-23T17:07:45+11:00July 1st, 2011|Categories: New South Wales, Wollongong, Australia|0 Comments
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