If you are thinking of a trip to "downunder" try not to go with a planned itinerary made up by the Tourist Companies. All they will do is make sure you only see the main commercial "touristy" areas of Australia, places like the Opera House, Taronga Zoo and the like. Instead do some study of your own and plan your own unique Aussie adventure. This way you get to see the real Australia. I myself throughout the years have done the same thing thanks to my parents and have learnt so much about this land by going off the beaten track. This same "beaten track" has introduced me to many wonderful Australians who like nothing better than to talk about their country. All you need do is smile and say "Hi" and then ask your question. Aussies will send you to places that is rich in experience that you will want to return and say thanks to them. Aussies know this country better than any travel agency so say "Hi" and see where it leads. - You best get a likin' for a cuppa cha too!!
Bathurst is Australia's oldest inland settlement it is full of history and be warned- wear comfortable shoes as the tour will take you at least an hour if not longer. Before you arrive at Bathurst take time out to visit the Blue Mountains and for this alone you should allow 3 days as you have so many places to visit, such as the Three Sisters, the Scenic Railway and Skyway, the bushwalks through beautiful rain-forests, Leura, Jenolan Caves and the list goes on. The Blue Mountains is one of the most beautiful areas of the Australian Bush.
Everyone's heard of Tamworth the capital of the Country Music Festival. There's a lot more to this place than this, spectacular views with wide spaces, so wide in fact it would hurt your eyes to find the horizon. You could walk for a day out here in the middle of Australia's huge farming areas (cattle, vineyards, crops, cotton just to name a few) and not see a soul - be warned, be prepared for this kind of trip.
Murrurundi is a small rural town at the edge of the Liverpool Range (west of Sydney) and is very worth a visit for its beauty and tranquility alone. It is steeped in colonial history, the Jewboy Gang (bushrangers) were known to frequent this area and surrounding areas and were hanged for murdering John Graham in 1801. Call in at the Council Chambers, where you will find all the information on this historical area.
Central West includes Gulgong, Ophir, Sofala, Cowra, Mudgee and Orange and they are steeped in Pioneer and Colonial History. Banjo Paterson the Australian poet was born around here and it's a must you call in at Orange were you will find information on him. While out here don't forget to include Western Plains Dubbo Zoo. Parkes is a must with its Radio Telescope and surrounding areas. Again head to one of the Tourist Information centres and plan your itinerary from there.
Gateways to the Outback
You can enter the outback practically from any State or Territory except Tasmania. From Queensland and NSW travel west from the coast. If you're in South Australia head north. In the Northern Territory it is well known to travel south from Alice Springs. Western Australia you would travel east of the coast.
Mungindi is an unusual Town that it is split between 2 states, Queensland and New South Wales. In the summer months NSW has Daylight Saving whereas Queensland does not. Reason why I mention this Town is it is one of the few places where you can step one way leave one state step the other way and be back and also be an hour ahead then lose that hour. Mungindi also is a gateway to the outback.
The above places and below I have mentioned will all lead you eventually to Queensland, Victoria, South Australia if you follow the New England Highway. Of course you will have to follow your compass by turning either north, south or west to arrive at these destinations and we do have very good sign posts that cannot be missed to let you know if you are heading the right way or not.
The Hunter Valley Wineries now house more than 100 wineries including Pokolbin, Lovedale and Rothbury to name but a few. Remember if you are going to take this tour and test your tastebuds that Australia has one of the strictest "drink-drive" laws in the world. The Hunter Valley has now branched into cheeses and olives. If heights don't bother you a Hot Air Balloon ride is a must - something I have yet to do.
Maitland would be one of the last places in Australia with many buildings left intact and unspoilt from the Colonial days, unlike Sydney's "The Rocks" and surrounding areas. Maitland when it was established was growing so fast it very nearly superseded Sydney as the capital of NSW. Maitland is well worth a visit. You can shop in the very latest emporiums and at the same time be in some of the oldest buildings in Australia.
As well as the tours, the gaol is available to hire for various functions. I myself could never do this as I have been on the tour and this place sends icy shivers down my spine. If you want your child to learn "how to stay on the straight and narrow" well send them here for a day but make sure the cell door is closed on them. I had this done and it is the most horrendous feeling. It stinks of a most unusal smell that's indescribable, you can hardly stretch your hands out to touch the other wall, the bed is so small and hard. The worst of it is the toilet your head sleeps right next to it and even being in the bunk above you couldn't get away from the smell. The biggest impact was the "showers" out in the quadrangle with no privacy they looked more like horse stalls than a bathroom. After a night in the cell you come out into a very narrow aisle and look down into the assembly area that's very dark and gloomy. I forgot the window in the cells it's way out of reach and tiny you would be driven mad looking or trying to look out at what was happening out in the world. This is an experience you will never forget even worse than being locked in the "stocks" at Parramatta historical site and another at Old Sydney Town. At least there you could see the outside world!
Richard Windeyer a young Barrister and politician (born 1906 died 1847) bought five acres of land at Tomago in Hunter Valley in 1839. He built his grand mansion of sandstone and cedar at a great cost to the family all for his alter ego to show how successful he was. The house housed three generations of the Windeyer's whose lives mainly dealt round legal and military life. Today this historical site is used for formal functions. Weddings are very popular here as it has it's own unique Chapel. My sister was marriedhere. Ohh, and take plenty of repellent with you the mosquitoes are out of this world at this place.
