More Specialist Holidays and Outdoor Activities

Australia is a wonderful place to go for a holiday. It is the perfect relaxing or adventure filled trip and with the help of a travel agent you can find the best things for you to do when you get there.

Golf: There are nearly 2000 golf courses in Australia and the golf clubs often have overseas affiliation with clubs overseas and offer reciprocal membership rights, so members should check with their own club before leaving home. There are also public municipal golf courses in many towns. Australian courses are of a high standard; Melbourne is home to two of the top fifty courses in the world. Queensland offers wonderful courses with the added benefit of its ideal weather conditions. Many top resorts have their own courses too so check this before you book your accommodation. You can always hire clubs and shoes so it is not necessary to travel with your own clubs unless you want to.

Fishing: Australia has around four million fishing enthusiasts and given the countrys natural advantages, its not difficult to see why: vast oceans, a 12,000 km shoreline and a large inland river system all combined with a terrific climate make Australia a haven for local and visiting anglers alike. Fishing for Barramundi in Queensland and game fishing off the tropical coastline for species such as black marlin and yellow fin tuna are among the worlds best fishing experiences. You will need to join a charter as these activities require a great deal of local expertise. Most operators will provide equipment. Small boats are available for hire and fishing tackle can be purchased and occasionally hired at most popular destinations across the country. Each state has a government department with a special fisheries section. Staffs provide excellent information on locations, restrictions and safety issues. Always check the weather forecast and heed warnings about dangerous spots, particularly rock platforms.

Ecotourism: this relatively new tourism concept has its roots in activities as old as bird watching and wildflower identification. It differentiates itself by its emphasis on issues concerning the appreciation and conservation of the natural heritage. Given Australias enormous natural bounty it is hardly surprising that the market is now flooded with operators offering an astonishing range of nature-based activities. These encompass wildlife watching (including whales, dolphins and birds), nature walks and trekking and rafting expeditions to remote wilderness areas. Visitors can stay at resorts which are operated along strictly greenguidelines.These are eco-friendly and are usually located within some of the environmentally valuable regions in the country. The Ecotourism Association of Australia can provide information on tour operators and publications.

Watersports: This is one of the most popular activities. People love water sports. There is great weather in Australia and you can dive (The Great Barrier Reef), kayaking (which is a great workout), canoeing or even just take a boat trip or tour with your family and friends on the water.