The Sydney Opera House - an Australian Icon

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most distinctive architectural marvels of the 20th Century. It is located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour adjacent to Sydney's botanical gardens and just a short stroll from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. To some, the spherical-sectioned shells look like pieces of orange peels (albeit white), while others see a flotilla of sailboats; a common sight on Sydney Harbour.

Designed by a Dane, built over three decades!

In 1955, a Danish architect's design for the Sydney Opera House was selected from 233 entries. That architect was Jørn Utzon and his name would forever be associated with the project. The controversial and oft-delayed construction of the Opera House began in March of 1959, was finally completed in 1973.

Operas, concerts and fine dining!

The Opera House is the home of Opera Australia and in addition to opera productions, hosts many concerts, theatre plays, ballets, musicals and a host of other events. There's even a fine dining restaurant, Guillaume at Bennelong and the ever popular Opera Bar.

However, the Sydney Opera House is first and foremost a tourist attraction. Guided tours of the Opera House run every day.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, alias the Coathanger, links the North Sydney business district and Northern Beaches to Sydney's Central Business District. It is the widest long-span bridge in the world and is the largest steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour.

The Harbour Bridge overlooks the Sydney Opera House, greater harbour and Sydney downtown core and as such is a popular tourist hangout.

The Harbour Bridge - a ray of hope during the great depression

Construction of the bridge itself began in 1928 and was completed in 1932. At the time it was considered quite an achievement as it had been built at the height of a deep economic recession and its symbolism of 'better times ahead' stayed with the Sydneysiders and Australians alike.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is more than a great lookout point, it is also a highly successful tourist attraction in its own right as it can be climbed. Yes, that's right for many years now the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb has been a popular activity with countless visitors donning the one-piece grey overalls and attaching themselves to an ingenious tether apparatus for several hours of heart pounding guided tour fun!

Explore Australia's Great Ocean Road

Discover Australia's Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic roads through the breath-taking Victorian coastline. Take in the dramatic scenery and striking contrasts of this truly great coast road. Enjoy the region's powerful seas and superb surfing spots, golden sandy beaches, peaceful townships, giant cliffs and lush forests.
See the world-famous Twelve Apostles, the Otways rainforest and Bells Beach. Relax at Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay resort towns or take a trip down memory lane at the historic villages of Queenscliff, Port Campbell, Port Fairy and Portland.

The Twelve Apostles

More than rocks by the sea

At first glance the Twelve Apostles may not appear to be 12 apostles. Due to erosion over countless years there are approximately seven left.From the lookout, you can only see a number of the famous rocks. The others are located behind the rocky headlands that line the Victoria coastline.
Formed by erosion of the original coastline, the Twelve Apostles were chiseled out of the rockface by the constant action of the sea on the limestone, gradually leaving individual rocks. As the cliffs are being eroded at a rate of about 2cm a year, more 'Apostles' will likely disappear from the Victorian coastline... and reappear as more may eventually be carved out of the cliff face.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, so large in fact it can be seen from outer space and is often referred to as the largest organism in the world. (It is in fact made of millions of coral polyps). The Reef is composed of approximately 3,000 reefs and 900 islands. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland in north east Australia. A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Great Barrier Reef is as a World Heritage Site and is the state icon of Queensland.

Snorkel and Dive - explore a world heritage wonder

Introductory and certified dives are run in conjunction with snorkeling day trips. The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in just under two hours by high speed vessels from Port Douglas and Cairns. Night cruises and extended reef stays are available for those seeking to explore the Great Barrier Reef for just a little longer.

Phillip Island penguins

It may not be worthy of 'world wonder status', but seeing the world's smallest penguins waddle up a beach at dusk is positively enchanting. If you happen to be traveling to Melbourne, save a day to visit Phillip Island's fairy penguins.

Board a tour bus on Melbourne's Swanston Street and get ready for a day of close encounters with Australia's wildlife. Pass through fashionable St. Kilda, one of Melbourne's trendiest suburbs and then travel through farm and cattle country before making a short visit to Maru Koala and Fauna Park. This koala park reserve contains woodland paths and viewing platforms where you can observe koalas feeding and sleeping in eucalyptus trees.

The bus continues onward to Cowes, a lovely seaside town for a quick dinner stop. From Cowes, there is a short drive to Nobby Point where you can observe a colony of sea lions. As twilight looms, you drive from Nobby Point to Port Phillip Island Nature Park where you join the thousands of people pouring out of tour buses to make their way to the grandstands.

Boardwalks are built over the dunes and burrow areas of the penguins so if you are worried about seeing the little fairy penguins at the grandstands, do not fret as there will be ample opportunity to see them make their way next to and under the boardwalk to their burrows.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Uluru - Behold the red centre's majesty

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is listed as a World Heritage Site and is one of Australia's most well-known tourist sites. It is a large sandstone rock formation in Central Australia's Northern Territory located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 440 km southwest of Alice Springs. Uluru is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. Its name has no particular meaning but is a Aboriginal family name of the area.

Kata Tjuta - many heads

Located 25 km from Uluru are Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, large rock formations meaning 'many heads' in the aboriginal language of the area. These rock formations are a remarkable group of domes made from an unusual mixture of granite, basalt and mudstone.

Tour these marvels of nature

Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners. Visitors to the area have the opportunity to take walking tours of both natural attractions and learn about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and aboriginal dreamtime stories of the area.

Experience a sunset like never before

Delight in the spectacular panoramic view of sacred Kata Tjuta. Walk into mystical Olga Gorge a natural evolutionary wonder millions of years in the making. Be inspired by the sheer scale of the cliff walls around you. View a sunset the likes of which you've never experienced before as the blue sky darkens and the great domes of the Olgas flush red at sunset. Sit back, relax and marvel at Australia's Red Centre beneath a star light sky.

The Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park)

Declared a World Heritage site in 2003, the Bungle Bungles consist of a group of rounded beehive-shaped domes of sandstone, alternately striped in orange and black, located within the Purnululu National Park, in the Kimberley region of north eastern Western Australia.

A popular destination for adventurous hikers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts

Access to the park by road is via Spring Creek Track, a 53 km long stretch of rough terrain usable only in the dry season (about 1 April to 31 December), and only by four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles. Safely navigating it takes approximately 3 hours.

You can also access the Bungle Bungles by air. Helicopter flights are available, from Turkey Creek Roadhouse at Warmun, 187km south of Kununurra, and light aircraft, from Kununurra.

Motels

Turkey Creek Roadhouse
Great Northern Hwy
Turkey Creek WA 6740
Telephone: (08) 9168 7882

Camping and Other

Turkey Creek Roadhouse
Great Northern Hwy
Turkey Creek WA 6740
Telephone: (08) 9168 7882