The famous town plaque…

The idyllic Queensland city of Toowoomba is once again preparing for its nationally famous Carnival of Flowers. For locals and visitors from abroad, the festival is one of the highlights of the year. With private and public garden exhibits, floricultural workshops and the Grand Central Floral Parade, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is an event like no other!

From Friday the 18th to Sunday the 27th of September, Toowoomba comes alive as thousands of tourists flock to the quaint city. Located just outside of Brisbane, Toowoomba is a short trip by car or by bus. For 66 years, the festival has attracted lovers of gardening and floriculture, as well as other locals and tourists who happen to be in the region. Each year, more than 50,000 participants line Toowoomba’s streets to see the famous parade march through the downtown area. This year, celebrations are expected to be bigger and better than ever.

At this year’s Australian Tourism Awards, the festival was awarded the Gold medal for the Festivals & Events category. For those who’ve been, it’s easy to understand why: the city comes alive with hundreds of parks and thousands of blooms coming into season, colouring the small city in an inimitable way. Visiting the famous Ergon Energy Flower, or ambling through the crowds at the Food & Wine Festival, one gets a sense for old-world Australia and its many serene charms.

There will be plenty of family-friendly events, free live music, organised tours and delectable eating options, along with street artists, live theatrical performances and community events designed to engage with the locals. All in all, it’s a wonderful event brimming with life and Australian character – so be sure not to miss out!

What: The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
When: Friday the 18th to Sunday the 27th of September, 2015.
Where: Toowoomba, 125km west of Brisbane, Queensland.

For more information visit http://www.tcof.com.au. There you’ll find detailed maps, visitor’s guides and a program of the major events on offer.

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The world famous reef

Though it is only draft decision, the UN has lambasted both state and fedearl authorities for their lack of oversight and for the grim future posed by other regional developments. Accordingly, another review process will take place in 2017 in order to determine whether any headway has been made.

Published online, the draft decision delineated the decision making process used by UNESCO.

“It is recommended that the World Heritage Committee request that [Australia] submit an update on [the progress of the Long Term Sustainability Plan] progress for review by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN and that if the anticipated progress is not being made this should also be reviewed by the Committee at its session in 2017,” the draft read. “It is essential that the [Long Term Sustainability Plan] delivers its anticipated results in order to confirm that the property does not face ascertained or potential danger to its [Outstanding Universal Values].

“It is recommended the World Heritage Committee welcome the progress achieved by [Australia] towards a [significant] response. Measures that represent significant progress in responding to key World Heritage Committee requests include commitments toward restoring water quality … restricting major port development in and adjoining the GBR World Heritage Area … [Australia reversing] its original decision to dump capital dredge material from Abbot Point inside the property and a permanent ban on dumping of dredged material from all capital dredging projects within the property.”

Queensland’s Environment Minister Steven Miles noted that his government’s plan for the area was given an implicit tick of approval. “The really good news here is that the scientists at the World Heritage Committee, the scientists at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) have looked at our plan and said this will protect and improve the Great Barrier Reef,” he explained.

Meanwhile, conservation groups have been more measured in their response to the news. WWF’s Richard Leck said that the decision did not bode well for the future of the reef.

“It puts Australia on probation to say if you do not do what you’ve said and adequately fund what you’ve promised, then you’ll have to come back before the committee and the reef is most likely going to be listed “in danger” at that point,” he told the ABC.

Similarly, Greenpeace Australia CEO David Ritter says that the decision only delays what many see as inevitable.

“UNESCO has very clearly signalled that our beautiful Great Barrier Reef continues to be in deep trouble,” Mr. Ritter said. “They’ve clearly signalled that it’s not safe in Tony Abbott’s hands, and they’ve put the government really on probation.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has redoubled its lobbying efforts to ensure that international member states of the UN committee eventually sign-off on the safety of the Great Barrier Reef.

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Groovin’ The Moo in action…

According to visitors attending the ‘Groovin the Moo’ music festival, several homes were falsely advertised as rental accommodation. Without the owners’ knowledge or permission, operators sought to defraud guests and cash in on the popular holiday destination.

Local residents whose homes had been swept up in the scam were eager to clarify the situation. Kerry Gelmi, whose family home was advertised online, discussed the strange situation with the ABC.

“We were just so shocked,” Ms. Gelmi said. “We had no idea up until that point that our house had been advertised.”

According to the police, groups from Perth paid hundreds of dollars for what they thought was accommodation close to the festival. After effecting a wire transfer, those stung by the scheme found that the recipients were reticent to respond to email and other forms of contact. Once the police were contacted, it appeared as though the advertisements disappeared entirely.

“It’s just such as invasion, we had no idea that people could do that – and so successfully,” Ms. Gelmi continued. “We got out air mattresses and swags and all that kind of thing, we just didn’t know what to do. They would have been angry and it’s not like there was anywhere else for them to stay, Bunbury was booked out.”

Local police have insinuated that the trans-national nature of the scam made enforcement all them ore difficult. “The problem is once it’s only via email, it could be coming from the middle of Nigeria,” Bunbury Sergeant Laurie Seton noted. “The only lead we have in this case is the bank account details.”

For those who’ve been caught up in the fraudulent scheme, police have recommended seeking recourse through banks and financial institutions. But in terms of stopping the trade in false-accommodation, there’s very little that can be done. Consumer protection groups have urged caution on the part of digital purchasers, advising a careful and deliberate purchasing process.

WA Consumer Protection south-west coordinator Debbie Butler gave her best advice to the state’s weary consumers: “It used to be ticket scalping and now it’s accommodation scalping. Try and verify they are who they say they are, and that the property actually exists and that it’s available,” she explained.

So remember to keep this in mind when planning your next festival adventure.

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The best in show…

The New South Wales North Coast Agricultural Show Circuit has officially kicked off, with over twenty diverse agricultural shows taking place along the north coast of the state’s border! From Bulahdelah to the Queensland border, twenty three shows will dazzle and delight rural Aussies and travellers alike, so be sure to make it along to these truly iconic country events!

Traditionally, the agricultural show circuit is a great way to get to know Australia’s local customs. With everything from dagwood dogs (a special type of show food) to cattle bellowing, country shows are about as Australian as it gets! Every year, agricultural shows offer guests the best in regional food, entertainment and agricultural competitions. In short, there’s something for everyone, so be sure to take a look at the different shows online.

This year, the first show of the social calendar year will take place in Camden Haven near the town of Kendall. The Port Macquarie area show is often one of the year’s best, boasting outstanding events and a portal into the agricultural life of yesteryear. The region’s oldest show is the Grafton Show in the Clarence Valley, and this year the event celebrates its milestone one hundred and fiftieth year! Similarly, the Wingham and Lismore events are also celebrating significant social achievements across a hundred and thirty time period.

The last show on the calendar will be held in Dorrigo in late November, so there really isn’t any excuse to miss out on the festivities and attractions. For those who have yet to consider visiting country NSW, the circuit is a great way to investigate the region and get acquainted with idiosyncratic local customs and ways of life.

For more information, visit the online sites of the various festivals, such as Camden Haven Show or Dorrigo Show. There, you’ll find valuable information about events and travelling. So get out there and enjoy the 2015 New South Wales North Coast Agricultural Show Circuit!

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An Aussie icon…

One of Australia’s biggest tourism drawcards is the world renowned Great Barrier Reef. Every year, thousands of travellers make their way to the wondrous site, bringing in millions of dollars worth of revenues and bolstering the nation’s reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the world. But it might all go the way of the dinosaur, if the Australian Federal Government has anything to do with it…

It seems that the Government is desperately searching for quick solutions after it was revealed that the Great Barrier Reef would likely be added to the United Nations World Heritage Committee’s list of sites currently “in danger”. Environment Minister Greg Hunt has begun lobbying delegates and fellow ministers from countries that have seats on the UNWHC, asking them to refrain from voting for the measure.

At a Senate Estimates Hearing earlier in the year, the secretary of the department of foreign affairs, Peter Varghese, described the state of relations:

“We are running a major campaign to prevent a listing of the Great Barrier Reef as being in danger. There have been a number of assertions made about the management of the Great Barrier Reef and about its vulnerability that are not grounded in fact and which need to be rebutted. We have tasked several of our heads of mission … to make that clear to the investment community.”

Since then, the minister and his staff have spent over forty thousand dollars on lobbying and various travel related expenses. The intense efforts have resulted in several high profile meetings, but very little in the way of proper environmental outcomes. Critics (within Australia and the international community) have been quick to point out this glaring lack of consistency. It’s almost as though the Federal Government just wants the whole matter ‘dead, buried and cremated’.

Last year, the UNWHC decided to defer a decision until June of this year. At that time, member states of the UN raised serious concerns about the future of the reef ecosystem. Bravely, the Jamaican delegation took the Government to task.

“We acknowledge with concerns the range of threats facing this exceptional example of [Outstanding Universal Value]. Based purely on the evidence referenced by the experts, it is clear that the integrity of the site is at risk. We would wish to encourage the State Party [Australia] to urgently review its recent decisions regarding development projects.”

What’s sad is that many concerned Australians feel the same way…

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The famous Whitsundays…

Australia’s top beach was up there with the world’s best. But which beach was it?
The top honour went to the Baia do Sancho in Brazil. The secluded locale has topped the list for the second time in a row, offering visitors a truly amazing and unique experience. Australia’s own Whitehaven Beach was ranked as the ninth best in the world, with no other Australian beaches appearing inside the top ten.

The famous Whitsunday’s surf was ranked as the South Pacific’s top beach and also as the nation’s best sea-side location. Jeff Aquilina, the director of Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited (WMDL), told news.com.au that the listing and attention was appreciated by the local community.

“It is a tribute to the stunning natural beauty of the Whitsundays and our local tourism operators who allow visitors to experience the exceptional beauty and magic of Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands whilst keeping it clean and preserving this natural wonder at the same time,” he explained.

Australia has long held a reputation as one of the best places for pristine, high-quality beaches. For the tourism industry, it’s a vital part of the country’s appeal and general success. So it’s heartening to see our humble beaches referred to as being among the best in the world!
The complete list of winners can be seen below…

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Beaches Around The World:

1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
2. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
3. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
4. Playa Paraiso Beach, Cayo Largo, Cuba
5. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain
6. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
7. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
8. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico
9. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
10. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece

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On Tuesday, North Queensland Bulk Ports, GVK Hancock and the Adani Group announced that they would reconfigure their plans so as to achieve better environmental outcomes. The companies stated that they would submit a new proposal to the Environment Minister Greg Hunt, an advocate of the initial dredging plans.

Opposition to the development has been vocal and global. The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Area, a designation which confers a kind of special status. It is a much-loved and renowned representation of Australian natural life. Annually, millions of visitors flock to Queensland to soak in the summer and explore the colourful coral formations living beneath the surface. For the State of Queensland, the landmark has acted as a kind of totem pole around which the rest of the industry dances. In short, it brings much-needed revenues into the State.

As you might imagine, local opposition has been vigorous, with Whitsundays MP George Christensen yielding to overwhelming public sentiment. Over the weekend, the besieged MP ordered several prominent advertisements in local papers. “I didn’t foresee the angst the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef marine park would cause to tourism operators and to residents in the Whitsundays,” he admitted before laying out his claim for a more detailed investigative process.

Talk of a land-based option has had locals wondering about the next proposed dumping site, but (for now) it seems local activists have managed to save one of the “Crown Jewels” of Australian tourism.

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Teeming with charming local life and Australiana, Brisbane has become a cultural hotspot for good food, hip living and fun culture. The museum and gallery scene is as vibrant as its residents, and there are literally dozens of knock-out cafes within a small district. The nightlife is also pretty wild, offering revellers a host of hip and happening hot-spots. All in all, Brisbane is an up and coming cosmopolitan destination.

Outside of the city, there’s plenty of natural beauty on offer. As the city features a river in its landscape, it’s the best jumping off point for a heap of really memorable day trips. At Kangaroo Point, there are plenty of rock climbing and abseiling challenges, as well as an incredibly scenic bike route. But for the less outwardly active, there’s also the possibility of simply paddling downstream as the cityscape passes you by.

The picturesque Moreton Island!

And then there’s the Moreton Bay and Islands area. This vast Eden offers tourists the opportunity to get active and throw themselves headlong into an adventure. Locals can often be found around this area snorkelling, diving, parasailing and generally living the good life. For interested travellers, it’s the perfect opportunity to try something completely different and embrace a whole new kind of outdoor activity.

So if tropical weather and balmy beaches sound good to you, then Queensland might be the perfect holiday destination! Remember to check out our website for further information and even more discussion of Australia’s many great cultural highlights.

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For several months she has been applying for guide positions with various Australian tour groups. One after another she has submitted her resume, one after another the companies have said no. Often the jobs went to people less well qualified, with less experience, and certainly with less personality.

To her credit, with each knock-back Lonnie asked what she did wrong, or how she could improve. Curiously, each time the tour companies were reluctant to provide details. For Lonnie it was incredibly frustrating – she knew she would be ideal as a tour operator, but her attempts to break into the industry were always met with firm but polite rejections.

Quite by chance Lonnie stumbled upon the National Crime Check. This is a service that, for a small fee, will provide you with a police background check on yourself. Her parents had told Lonnie they had had some problems when immigrating to Australia. But these problems, they told her had all been solved.

Lonnie decided to check. She filled out a Police Check application form and submitted it online. Within forty eight hours she received a full criminal background history check.

What she found surprised her and solved the riddle of her job application rejections. When Lonnie and her family immigrated to Australia they breached one minor federal law in their paperwork. It was nothing more than a submission gone to the wrong department; but it set off red flags within the Federal Police.

Of course the Federal Police have far more important things to do than chase up the paperwork of law abiding, tax paying citizens. They have real criminals to bring to justice. And so Lonnie’s red flag remained in the system ignored by everyone.

Everyone, that is, except potential employers. For the position of Australian tour guide very competitive. Tour companies have the right – one might almost say the obligation – to choose the best. When there are so many people applying for so few positions anything, even missing paperwork, can count against you.

And so it was in Lonnie’s case.

With the information provided by National Crime Check Lonnie was able to clear up the discrepancy and have her red flag removed. She now works as a tour guide in the gorgeous Whitsundays.

Most of Australia’s cities and towns are situated  within a few kilometres of the ocean, which means 85% of Australia’s population lives within one hour’s drive of the coastline, it comes as no surprise then that an Australian beach culture thrives.

We’ve collated a list of 10 of Australia’s top beaches that you should definitely include in your next trip to Australia.

Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

Whitehaven Beach is known for its white sands, which can be attributed to the fact it contains 98% pure silica which gives it a bright white color. Interestingly, local rocks do not contain silica so it has been suggested that the sands were brought to the beach via prevailing sea currents over millions of years. Unlike regular sand, the sand on Whitehaven Beach does not retain heat making it comfortable to walk barefoot on a hot day. Voted one of the best beaches in the world, Whitehaven beach is a must-see when visiting Australia.

Turquoise Bay, Exmouth

Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park has one of the most beautiful, perfect beaches in Western Australia, and some pretty amazing snorkelling too.The reef encloses a lagoon of crystal-clear water of the most brilliant shade of Turquoise, and beneath the surface, the shallow lagoon is teeming with tropical fish.

Cable Beach, Broome

Western Australia’s most famous beach is one of the most beautiful in the world, with turquoise waters and impeccable white sand.

Burleigh Heads Beach, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is directly in-between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise offering a wonderful National Park where you can get to see some fabulous scenery and a range of wildlife. There are amazing views of the surrounding coastline from Burleigh Heads and a patrolled beach.

Byron Bay Beach, Byron Bay

Byron Bay’s beaches are dotted with lighthouses and surrounded by bottlenose dolphins, rays, whales and sea turtles. Theformer New South Wales whaling station turned tourist town is still strongly influenced by its recent bohemian past, where a hippie culture thrived. Visit to see the beautiful natural marine life or to unwind thanks to the relaxed vibe of the main town.

Coolangatta Beach, Coolangatta

The beaches of Coolangatta have some of the Gold Coast’s best surfing conditions and most picturesque scenery. Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay are the Gold Coast’s only North facing beaches providing sheltered conditions for swimming. A walk around the point to Snapper Rocks improves your chances of seeing the whales on their annual migration throughout the cooler parts of the year.

Manly Beach, Manly

Manly is alive with screeching seagulls, long sandy beaches, small coves, inlets, swaying Norfolk Pines, bikinis and cold icy beer.  Manly features a National Trust Oceanfront Promenade and is easily accessible by ferry or jetcat operating from Circular Quay (city) to Manly Wharf. The short walk up the Corso leads to the ocean beach.

Surrounded by the ocean and harbour on three sides, Manly is unique with its 18 small cove harbour and ocean beaches. It lays peacefully as a peninsula with stunning and breathtaking views. Now a major tourist beach resort  it has become one of Sydney’s most popular beaches and an international destination for overseas travellers.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach is situated approximately 40km from Sydney CBD and is Sydney’s most northerly beach positioned on the Pacific Ocean foreshores; it has the magnificent waterways of Pittwater nestled behind, which is an inlet of Broken Bay. Palm Beach is famous for not only for its natural beauty but it’s also the setting of  the popular TV series “Home and Away”.

Palm Beach is 3km long with a superb surfing beach; it also has a delightful 50 metre ocean swimming pool where many of the locals head for  their morning swim. Palm Beach is well worth a day trip to experience this tranquil peaceful and casual beachside village, or a relaxed weekend away.

Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas

Four Mile Beach (Port Douglas) is one of the best known and most popular beaches of northern Australia. What was a sleepy coastal town in the 1970’s became an international tourist destination by the late 1980’s.

The northern end of the beach, just 1 km from the town centre, is the most accessible and most popular. It is also the site of the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1984, that patrols the beach as well as maintaining a stinger enclosure. Down the beach is the large Mirage Resort which provides three beach access tracks. Further access tracks are available through the residential development along the southern half of the beach, including one at the sailing club.

Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Cottesloe Beach is one of the most popular of all Western Australia’s city beaches. It is located midway between the Perth central business district and the port of Fremantle in Perth’s western suburbs, only 15 minutes from the city centre. Cottesloe is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and has been a popular seaside holiday destination for Perth locals for more than 100 years. Its village atmosphere and rich maritime heritage is sure to entice you to explore beyond its golden sands. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.The wide grassy Cottesloe Esplanade, shaded by giant Norfolk Pines, offers lovely spots for family picnics, beach and cricket.