Top 5 places to visit in Australia

From lush, tropical rain forests to breath-taking monoliths in the desert, Australia’s landscape features some of the most iconic visitor attractions in the world. If you’re planning a visit to the land down under or if you’re looking for a local holiday, here’s five place you just have to include on your list! 

Great Barrier Reef 

Situated off the north Queensland coast, the world’s largest coral reef is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. Filled with a plethora of sea life, the reef sees thousands of visitors every year scuba dive and snorkel in its crystal clear waters. Visitors usually stay in either Cairns or the beautiful Whitsunday Islands with easy access to the reef and surrounding areas. Although the reef is a world heritage site, pollution and rising ocean temperatures are affecting the health of the coral so be sure to take this into account when visiting and be aware of any impact you might have. 

Uluru 

Rising out of the red dessert in the centre of Australia, Uluru is one of the most breath-taking sights in the world. An iconic image of outback Australia, the great standstone rock is sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe, the Pitjantjatjara people. Also known as Ayres Rock, it is situated near Alice Springs in the northern territory. Although you can still climb the rock, local Aboriginal tribes request that visitors do not climb because of its sacred significance.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge 

Sydney’s famed attractions, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge frame Australia’s largest city to perfection, providing the ultimate photo op for tourists. While it’s not Australia’s capital city (although most people assume this) Sydney is certainly its most recognizable city, thanks to its iconic attractions. Brave visitors can choose to climb the bridge and see the city laid out before them but those wanting to keep their feet firmly on the ground cause choose to simply walk across the bridge. Tickets for performances at the Opera House are expensive but it’s certainly worth the money if you want to admire that the most famous performance space in the world, from the inside. 

Kakadu 

Largely overlooked by outside visitors to Australia but a firm favorite with locals, Kakadu National Park in the Northern territory is almost half the size of Switzerland and features a diverse assortment of wildlife. Known for its wealth of Aboriginal sites of cultural significance, including cave paintings and sacred land, Kakadu is a truly amazing example of the rain forests which used to cover large parts of the country. Waterfalls and rivers contribute to the lush surrounds (although there’s strictly no swimming as many waterholes house dangerous crocodiles!) and visitors can usually be found bush walking or exploring caves and gorges in the park. A world heritage site, Kakadu is certainly worth a visit if you want to experience the true beauty of Australia’s landscape. 

The Twelve Apostles 

This group of limestone stacks on along the Great Ocean Road in the state of Victoria was originally referred to as The Apostles for tourism purposes, before being changed to The Twelve Apostles(despite consisting of only nine stacks). Created due to erosion along the coast, there are currently only eight stacks left standing after one fell into the ocean in 2005. Many visitors come across The Twelve Apostles on their journey along The Great Ocean road, Australia’s famed, world heritage, stretch of motorway along the Victorian coast. They may not be one of the most exciting sights along the Australian coast but their iconic status in Australia makes them a must see attraction to cross off your list. 

Australia features some of the world’s most beautiful places to visit and although this list has only showcased the top five, there’s still a host of others to discover! Wherever you travel, in Australia or elsewhere in the world, be sure to research your destination first so you can get the most out of your holiday. Happy travels! 

This post was written by the experts at Area Vibes, Helping you find the best places to live and visit in the US.

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Alofi, Niue - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Alofi is the capital city and also the largest city of Niue. Alofi is readily served by a nearby airport and travelling into the city is always easy as most accommodation centers are situated near or in Alofi. Hitching is not just easy but also very safe and you can be picked up by almost anyone. Actually, the city is quite small in size and within few minutes, you will have walked across the entire city. Most tourists also prefer enjoying a city tour while riding in bicycles and there are many bicycle rentals in Alofi. Nevertheless, if you would really want to properly capture scenic areas in the city, it is highly preferred that you have a walking city tour. 

Water activities are the most exciting thing you can do to spend an enjoyable time in Alofi. The waters are pretty clear which makes it easier to see tropical fishes. Fishing is yet another enjoyable activity you can undertake. However, no fishing is allowed on Sundays and it is essential that you are aware of this. Generally, Alofi and the entire Niue country is not a famous tourism destination and the country receives quite a low number of tourists. 

Still, shopping in Alofi is not exciting as such as the range of souvenirs available is substantially low. However, there are about two big shops selling a relatively wide range of collections including magnets and t-shirts. The post office in the city allows visitors and locals to send postcards and mails overseas. 

Weaving in Alofi is a popular activity and you can buy many items of this nature as a gift to your friends. Most of the major eating centers in the country are in Alofi. As such, you can expect to find a huge selection of food especially chips and fish. Indian food is also very common as well as pizza and paninis. The Tavana Café is perhaps the major eating place in Alofi located at the city centre and you can get affordable foods being served here.

If you want to catch an early breakfast, consider getting it from Crazy Uga Café. You can choose between ‘Big Uga’ and ‘Little Uga’ for breakfast which is quite common. Fruit smoothies and coffee can also be a great treat for you as well. All in all, there are so many other places serving affordable meals in Alofi as well. 

The Customs & Bonds Store is one of the most famous drinking spot in Alofi where visitors can buy several bottles of spirits and wine. You can go for shopping at Double M Butchery where a wide range of products are available including cheeses and meats. You will also find spices and vanilla beans at the butchery as well. Another good eatery spot worthy a visit in the city is Jenna’s. Sleeping in Alofi is offered in a wide range of accommodation centers. The popular Niue BackPackers is perhaps the most popular and offers top notch accommodation and restaurant services.

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Algiers, Algeria - Travel Guide and Travel Info

The French called Algiers ‘la blanche’, translated to mean the white one. The capital city and economic hub of Algeria, the whitewashed city of Algiers is a big and bustling city with Mediterranean set at its front and rich farmland and hills at the behind. Known as Ei-Ajazair by Arabs, Algiers is one of the most exciting destinations you can travel to in Algeria and acts as a gateway to the interior of the country. Of the various Barbary pirate regions, Algiers becomes the most successful base around 16th century. 

Since Algeria became independent in 1962 from the French, Algiers has been the economic, political, cultural and tourism centre. The city is also geographically diverse, has a port and various tourism resources as well. Even as the city transforms to a modernized urban centre, the city has managed to preserve its old mystique which gives the dazzlingly white city an identity. 

While Algiers has a lot to be admired for, the city has suffered years of civil that has made it less attractive to tourists in the recent past. Nevertheless, while the country has made a remarkable progress, occasional attacks are still present especially on government buildings. In addition, bombings, kidnappings, falsified roadblocks as well as ambushes are also common including episodes of civil unrest. 

For the past decade, the city has really been struggling to keep abreast with the rapid and the ever increasing population has lowered the living cost significantly. With the civil unrest, a large proportion of the population is extremely poor. Much of the beautiful touristic sites in the city has been destroyed and completely ruined by the civil war. 

While the city seemed to have finally come to an end of the war, recent bombings in Algiers has frustrated effort to revive the city as a travel destination. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups have been blamed for such bombings that have continued to devastate the city. Residents in Algiers mainly speak French, Arabic and Berber. Basically, Algiers is not a hot spot for tourism and travel to the area for touristic purpose is rare. In fact, most of the governments especially US have been warning their citizens against travelling to the country let alone in Algiers. 

Nevertheless, if you would still wish to travel to Algiers on a holiday vacation, most of the attractive and interesting tourism sights can be found in Medina or Casbah alongside other older parts in the city. Actually, tourists who have traveled to this city have been very impressed and thankful for the hospitability and friendliness of the locals. The city has great food especially along seafront and old French buildings have remained to be very attractive even to date. 

On your visit to Algiers, you will see the Monument of Martyrs located at the city centre and La Grande Poste. Another attractive area is Aquafortland which is also the monument des martyrs. Algiers is also a religious/ worship centre and you should consider visiting Ketchaoua mosque and El Djedid mosque. 

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Travel Guide

Ethiopia is a famous country thanks to its top rated marathon runners. Likewise, Addis Ababa, the major city in the country is experiencing a fast paced development. Even though the city is not well off as such, the mere fact that the government anticipates the economic growth to be growing at a rate of 5% or more in 2013 gives you a confidence feeling when organizing a trip to the city. Addis Ababa is an Amharic word, translated to mean the ‘New Flower’ and the over a century old city is Africa’s diplomatic capital and a city rich in many multifaceted assets. 

Strategically sitting on Abyssinian plateau, the city enjoys a ‘tropical highland’ climate which gives you all the reasons to pay it a visit. Addis Ababa has numerous museums and is a culturally stimulating city as highlighted by the Ethnological Museum. Addis Ababa is set right at the place where the former palace of Emperor Haile Selasie used to be and it is endowed with a rich cultural background. The country’s National Museum is another touristic highlight in Addis Ababa. One of oldest hominid, Lucy, was also found here in Addis Ababa which is also a star attraction. The city also has a lively nightlife and restaurants are just awesome. It has fancy bars, clubs eateries and galleries and has lots of other surprises in store. 

The Red Hall houses the UN Economic Commission for Africa and it is still the place where African Union offices are located. The clock tower on Parliament building is another key attraction. The Shengo Hall used to be the biggest pre-fabricated world building and it is used for holding large conventions and meetings. Addis Ababa is also home to the world’s second biggest church, Medhane Alem and the beautifully decorated St. George’s Cathedral is also located here. Other religious buildings include the Anwar Mosque and Roman Catholic Cathedral of Nativity. The National Palace in Addis Ababa is resided by Ethiopia president and other attractions include the Ethiopian National Library, Addis Ababa Museum, Ethiopian National History Museum and National Postal Museum. 

Another attraction site in Addis Ababa in the Gola St. Michael Church which is quite interesting and you will enjoy seeing the old churches and old paintings. There is a museum as well which displays church articles which were given by notable personalities like Emperor Haile Selassie. The Mercati Market is also another attraction jewel in the city which you can visit as you explore the nearby suburbs. Food in Addis Ababa is quite cheap and injera is the national cuisine which you should not miss tasting. Cafes are many in Addis Ababa are a great place to visit especially by budget tourists where you can get some cakes and coffee. Fruit juices are also served and you can as well drink them, simply known as ‘machiatto’. Tej is Ethiopia’s national drink and is brewed using honey. Tela is the national beer in the country and is prepared traditionally.

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Travel Info

Jeddah has served as a convergence spot for traders and pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for many centuries. In fact, Jeddah has been regarded to be the major cultural centre in the world. The city has tremendously been influenced by foreigners reflected by the inhabitants, shops and restaurants that mostly serve foreign dishes. Saudis have mixed feelings about Jeddah and while some refer to it as the kingdom’s most developed cosmopolitan city, others not only see it as a rather dangerous place but also highly degenerated and wild. However, the city is slowly relaxing including its culture in which seeing girls dressed in bikinis on the beaches and in an Arab country is not a surprise. 

Jeddah is the undisputed economical commercial hub of the country and it is also the best shopping city in Saudi Arabia. The most beautiful part in Jeddah is Al-Balad district where its cute architecture makes the city a welcoming place to be. Al- Balad is Jeddah’s old town and is the first place to see upon landing in the city. The wall that used to surround the city has over time torn down and there are several ancient historical buildings within. Jeddah is very famous for the Coral houses but since coal isn’t a durable material when used for building, most of these houses appear beaten up. However, wandering in this old city is a great way to spend your time in a quality way. Souaq al-Alawis is found at the centre of the city and it’s a great spot for photography. Naseef House was once occupied by trading families in Jeddah and has now been converted to a museum. 

To get spectacular views to Red Sea, you can try looking it at Jeddah Corniche and you will spot some interesting wares along the street. The King Fahd Fountain has been recognized as the world’s tallest and largest water fountain. Scuba diving is a common activity in Jeddah. Due to the close proximity of the city to the Red Sea, ocean flora and fauna is common along the shores especially the beautiful corals. There are also various attractive sites for exploration such as the famous Chicken Wreck. During winter, The Red Sea can be quite chilly and you need to be well advised before going for scuba diving. 

Water parks are also great attraction sites in Jeddah especially at the Sail Island and have various recreation facilities including a pool. A major amusement park in Jeddah is the Antallah Happy Land Park which is packed with many attractions and offers some of the best outdoor activities like shopping, dining, bowling and ice skating as well as live shows. Then there is the Al-Shalala Theme Park that you might also think of visiting especially when looking for entertainment facilities. Shopping malls are quite many in Jeddah like the Hera’a Mall, Red Sea Mall, Tahlia Center and Jeddah Mall among others. Restaurants in Jeddah serve almost any kind of meal you can imagine and you can try most of the local cuisines.

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Casablanca, Morocco - Travel Guide

It is sad that most travelers tend to pass through Casablanca or when they are taking a connection flight to another destination or catching a train. However, this sprawling city deserves to be given much more time as it has more to offer than catch the eye. It is true that it could be less exotic compared to other city in Morocco but the truth is that it is the cultural, economical and administrative capital of the country. As such, it represents morocco in every possible way. This is the city where Moroccan money is made; it is the home to some of the most renowned fashion designers; has some of the best art galleries and it is a major industrial centre. As such, the old city of Morocco that used to be a pirate’s capital has made notable achievements and has a lot of wealth to show off. 

During the era of French protectorate, Morocco experienced a tremendous growth and has been the destination spot for most rural poor people in the country chasing their dream of a better life. Casablanca is home to some of the wealthiest people in the country but at the same time, the city also has a shanty area curved off from it showing that life in the city is not a bed of roses for all people. Casablanca is highly cosmopolitan and the city is more exposed to western living styles compared to other cities in the country. Western influence on Casablanca is is showcased by their form of dressing as well as people hanging out together and having a good time in bars, restaurants, hip clubs and beaches. However, life in Casablanca has not only been inspired by the western life as the country has a fascinating and interesting history that has impacted on the livelihoods of its inhabitants. 

Most travelers have concluded that Casablanca is a city of many contradictions. Traffic jam in the city is simply suffocating, social problems are just simmering while a bigger part comprises of shanty towns. On the other hand, Casablanca is a city that you will find some of the well kept and maintained public parks and fountains as well as a striking and inviting colonial architecture. The major attraction is the Hassan II mosque and the incredibly ornate and enormous structure is regarded as the city’s landmark. 

The Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman is another site worthy exploration in the city and the beautiful walls gives a great view of the city as you take a stroll along the beach. Other key attractions are such as Mahkama du Pacha and near a century old Central Post Office depicting excellent mosaics and a lovely architecture. While Casablanca is known to have the biggest artificial port in the world, the unfortunate thing is that there are no ferry services yet. Nevertheless, it is still the hottest tourism destination city in Morocco thanks to its progressive and liberal nature. However, with the city suffering from high levels of unemployment, high crime rates, prostitution and drug use makes it a less favorable travel destination.

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Abuja, Nigeria - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Abuja is set in scenic, attractive scenery and established in 1976, the city initially served as the capital for the new federal territory in Nigeria. However, construction of the modern day Abuja didn’t start until 1980s when the city was methodically laid down. The main reason why this site was specifically chosen for setting up the city was because it is the central spot in Nigeria, has notably hospitable and good climatic conditions as well as its rather small population. As such, Abuja is the official capital of Nigeria after Lagos was stripped off of its status as the national capital in 1991. Thanks to this, Abuja has enjoyed tremendous growth as far as development and increased number of people is concerned. 

Unfortunately, even though Nigeria is one of the most attractive destinations in the world, civil wars that have characterized the region have made it less attractive to tourists. Abuja hasn’t been spared either and with the recent religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians, it remains one of the most dangerous places in Africa to travel. Nevertheless, the city’s tourism potential is one of the best. For instance Zuma rock is one of the key attractions here. The huge rock has over time been recognized as one of the notable landmarks in Nigeria. It is quite enormous and gigantic and has a length of over 1 km. In 1991, Ladi Kwali Pottery was established mainly started to preserve and promote traditional pottery or motifs. As a result, pottery centre has led to the increased demand for Abuja pottery both locally and internationally especially in the United Kingdom. 

Commissioned in the year 2004, the Abuja Millennium Park was opened by Queen Elizabeth and the new park features some nice walkways with lights and fountains. It is one of the best places where you can go for an enjoyable picnic or dog walking. The Abuja Jabi Lake is something that you shouldn't leave the city without seeing. This mysterious lake is amazingly small but its water stays at a constant level all year round. It houses various types of reptiles especially crocodiles and plans are underway to change it to one of the best resorts in the world. 

The National Aboretum is right at the heart of the city and offers a good natural environment to relax in. It has a wide variety of bird species and it’s the best spot for bird watching. The Abuja Zoological Garden is a good destination point for the birdwatchers and also has different animals to see. Julie Useni Park is home to various domestic and wild animals as well as reptile species like alligators and turtles. Tourists mostly visit the park to see rabbits, antelopes and Jackals and numerous bird varieties including swans, ducks and parrots. The Ecumenical Centre or the National Christian Centre displays excellent craftsmanship and a remarkable architecture. Other attractions in Abuja are such as the National Mosque, Wonderland Park and Garara Falls. If it were not for the insecurity concerns, Abuja is undoubtedly one of the most tourism rich cities in Africa to travel for a holiday vacation.

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Accra, Ghana - Travel Guide and Travel Info

With a population of 2 million, Accra is the administrative capital of Ghana. It is the most developed and populous city in the country and has enjoyed its capital status since 1877 during the colonial time. Prior to this, the city was just a collection of small Ga villages dating back in 17th century. The city features a combination of shanty towns, modern buildings, lively markets and occasional castle. It is also home to Kokota International Airport, embassies and some classic hotels and restaurants. 

The increasing growth rate of Accra as a major tourism destination is based on the fact that it is one of the safest cities in Africa. Getting around the city is easy thanks to its well developed transportation system and presence of private taxis to ferry people in, around and out of town. However, with the city experiencing a hot and humid climate during most times of the year, it is essential that you remain hydrated especially when taking a city tour. Nevertheless, water baggies and coconut stands are readily available. However, even though the city is largely secure, it is important that you are careful at night especially when walking along the beach in which case you shouldn’t be alone. Considering the rather hot climatic conditions here, it is advisable that you travel between the months of November and April as you will enjoy your holiday due to the average climatic conditions. When it comes to festivals and events in Accra, every weekend feels like a festive time with streets full of people in partying mood. 

The Makola Market is a must visit place but considering its rather hectic nature, it is advisable that you leave your valuables behind. However, it is the biggest shopping market in the country with so many things to buy. The Labachi Beach is the most popular and the best place to have some delicious fish during your vacation. The Oxford Street is lined up with some of the best shops, bars and restaurants in the country. However, you need to be very careful when shopping here as the stalls usually sell pirated CDs and Rolex watches that are fake. The National Museum in the country is in Accra where Ghana’s culture is displayed as well as historical art facts of the Ashanti kingdom and slave trade. The Artists Alliance Gallery is the best place to get contemporary art and fine crafts. The 3 storey treasure building has big metal sculptures, furniture, Asafo flags and beautiful marks that you can home. 

The La Raceway is one of the best places where you can go for refreshments and has a Sport bar with the best entertainment facilities. Swimming pools in Accra are also available in some of the big hotels just incase you prefer to spend your afternoon in water. Hotels in Accra are many and offer standardized accommodation facilities catering for all travel budgets. Restaurants serve some of the best local, Indian and international foods including seafood. Live music is also available in the bars where you can spend a great evening.

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