Victoria |
| Wednesday, 12 December 2007 17:11 |
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Victoria may be the smallest state on the Australian mainland but has more to offer than what seem on first sight. From the never sleeping metropolis Melbourne to the picturesque, world renown Great Ocean Road with its rock formations The Twelve Apostles – there are many unique sights and different things to do and see in Victoria.Melbourne’s flair is probably closest to a European city. There are many beautiful old buildings. But there is also more to see: a delightful 360 degree view over Victoria’s capital from the top of the Rialto Towers. 253 meters above ground you can use the “Zoom City” cameras to watch the people on the ground. The Immigration Museum tells many stories about the achievements, fate and fortune of the Australian immigrants. Gourmets however should visit the Queen Victoria Market in the north of the city to try some extraordinary goodies. China Town should not be missed either. At the Chinese Museum you can see the Dai Loong (big dragon). This mythical creature is entitled to its name as the Dai Loong is the largest imperial dragon in the world. The Fitzroy Gardens were founded in 1848 and offer an oasis of tranquillity where you can relax and recover from the hectic metropolitan life. The adjacent, colourful Conservatory Greenhouse also invites you to a wander, or simply stroll along the beautiful Yarra River. But there are even more sights to see in southern Australia. With your rental car you can pick and choose yourself where to stop and what to see. You could, for example, visit one of the many wineries in the Yarra Valley where you can learn about the production, taste and storage of wine. One of the most beautiful and impressing coastal roads in the world is surely the Great Ocean Road. It starts in Geelong and stretches for 250 kilometres along the Victorian coast all the way to the little surfer’s town of Warrnambool. Along this road you can enjoy breathtaking views such as the gigantic rock formations Twelve Apostels. Despite its name it only ever consisted of nine rocks. In 2005 however one of them collapsed into the ocean and therefore there are only eight limestone formations left nowadays. Only a few kilometres further to the west you will find Loch Ard Gorge. The park surrounding the canyon invites to walks to Thunder Cave and to the Blowhole. Over the centuries many ship disaster happened off the Australian shore because of the numerous reefs. For this reason this part of the coast is also called the Shipwreck coast. The most famous of over 80 sunken ships is the Loch Ard. It sank in 1878 off shore and only two passenger survived. You should also plan stop in Torquay and on the Bass Strait Apollo Bay. The holiday town of Torquay offers excellent surfing conditions on the famous Bells Beach. In Apollo Bay with its beautiful beaches and green hills you can go on an organized kayaking tour to visit seal colonies. Recommend is also the Otway National Park where you can experience the rainforest and observe koalas eating eucalyptus in their natural habitat. The Grampians National Park offers hiking paths, nature and Koori stone-paintings. The Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre introduces the history of the Koori. An absolute highlight of the park is also the MacKenzie waterfalls. Before starting a tour of the national parks however you should always seek advice from the information centre. A beautiful tour for example is the Wonderland Loop where you will pass the Venus Baths and the Splitter Falls – and this is just one of the many possibilities. Enjoy Victoria!
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