Aardvark Travel Directory

Australia has the loveliest natural landscapes that produce a very wide variety of fresh food and wine. From the moment you set foot in the exotic territories of Australia, you will feel the creative freedom. Wait till you taste the food and drink the wine of this productive land. Their fresh produce makes for innovative flavors, and when prepared by experienced chefs, your taste buds will just explode with delicious sensation. Slowly sip the world-class wines in exciting settings that allow you to experience the natural beauty to the maximum. You can enjoy the beauty of food and wine destinations in Australia by joining one of the popular tours available most of the year.

Other than the organized tours, every luxury lodge in Australia offers food and wine enjoyment as part of their experience. All guests enjoy the fresh produce, quality ingredients and a long wine list at luxury lodges. In addition to the restaurant experience, they offer a hands-on experience by connecting the guests with the local people, the places the food and wine are produced at and the produce all in one for a full experience of what the guests eat. Some of these lodges exist primarily to provide this kind of experience to visitors most of which are out for the wine and food experience. Here are some of the destinations worth visiting in your tour.

Arkaba – Flinders Ranges in Southern Australia
Their food and wine are 100% produced in South Australia. This region has a great culinary story with the right soil for fresh produce. The head chef of Arkaba strictly focuses on the local produce in line with the principle adopted by Arkaba of buying local. This ensures they prepare food from the native elements with a unique interest and intrigue for a visiting palate. The wine cellar is purely South Australian selected to show the best wine the state has to offer – mainly grape varieties that are common in the South.

Cape Lodge – Margaret River in the West
It is more of a Gourmet retreat for the culinary enthusiast and those who can appreciate peaceful environments around a boutique hotel. Complete novices and experienced chefs are welcome for the retreat. The lodge also organizes weekends throughout the year where food producers, wine makers and the food and wine lovers come together for classes, wine tasting and dinners for winemakers.

Crystalbrook Lodge- Northern Outback in Queensland
This establishment offers a menu made of 100% local produce. Enjoy the fresh vegetables, grass-fed beef, tropical fruits, native nuts and the best wine Queensland has to offer. Your visit to this lodge will remain etched in your memory and taste buds for years to come.

El Questro Homestead- The Kimberley in the West
Tour the Kimberly and experience the unique flavors of the abundant produce. The chef ensures only the freshest ingredients end up in every food dish prepared. Eat your breakfast featuring the large red pawpaw and local fruits freshly picked. Match crispy skin duck with wild rosella flower chutney and other unique mouth-watering menu items you will only experience in Western Australia. They are never out of season, visit even in winter, and you will not be disappointed with their food selection. In addition to the wide food variety, you get to enjoy Australia’s wine selections unique to the West. Never be troubled how to get to this destination; just choose a reliable tour program that touches Western Australia and relax as you wait to enjoy this local food and wine destination in Australia.

The Hunter Valley
The main way Australia has been opened up to the world is through wine tours that go deep into the hearts and culture of the natives. Visits to the Hunter Valley, for instance, offer visitors a wide variety of wineries and cellars for the visitors to explore, the opportunity to direct questions to the experts and enjoy wine tasting. Tour the vineyards and wineries to experience what Australia has hidden in the countryside. You will even receive some insights into how wine is made, the ingredients and the process in the exciting tours.
Every tour has a different insight and experience. Some places focus on their local food, others on the wide selection of quality wine, whereas for some, it is the landscape, vineyards, wineries, and cellar doors. Visitors have a choice of transport options from the major cities. These include Hunter valley wine tour luxury buses from Sydney, cars, classic cars, horseback and are available for groups or individuals. But if you are after a hands-on experience, you can always find your way to any of the food and wine destinations in Australia just by using your map.

Many individuals who seek jobs in this country for a brief period of time find themselves fascinated with everything the country has to offer. As a result, they decide to stay longer and apply for permanent residency.

Aside from its booming economy, Australia is a beautiful place to explore with many cities providing unique views, adventures, and experiences. In fact, these cities have prompted other individuals to come to Australia not to work but to explore and relax.

Here are the top cities in Australia worth visiting:

1. Sydney
This capital city has a population of three million, provides an atmosphere of the beach and relaxed outdoor lifestyle, as well as of unique culture and arts.

In Bondi and Manly, you can experience beach activities like jet skiing and sailing. You can also watch operas and enjoy quality food and wine. If you are in Sydney, you should not miss the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is also the Queen Victoria Building and The Strand where designer fashion stores abound, perfect for the fashion icon in you. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for vintage fashion, you should visit Newtown.

The Centennial Parklands, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and Hyde Park are also a must-see. Sydney is also famous for Sydney Olympic Park which is a state-of-the-art sports venue.

2. Melbourne
This is the second largest city in Australia. Being the place of a number of museums, theaters, and art exhibitions, it is where you can see the city’s oldest cultural institution called the Athenaeum.

There are also European inspired cafes, as well as authentic Asian restaurants. And if you need to have Italian food, then try Lygon Street in Carlton. You can also stroll along the Yarra River or experience the gardens and parks that the city can offer.

In Port Phillip Bay, you may bask in the sun and sand or enjoy world class wines in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

3. Canberra
If you would like to know how it is to be an Australian, you should visit Canberra as it explains the country’s history, politics, national movements, and art.

In this city, you will see bush and parkland co-existing and also see various native animals and plants in Black Mountain, Red Hill, Mt Majura, and Mt Pleasant.

4. Brisbane
This is also as fascinating as the other cities of Australia. If you are here, you should visit the South Bank Parklands, Roma Street, Portside Wharf and Brisbane Forest Park.

You can also experience rock climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Stone Bridge. If you would like to go shopping, then the Queen Street Mall will bring you a kilometer of chic shops and arcades. You will also enjoy the beach in the east of Brisbane that boasts of some of the world’s largest sand islands. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are also popular surf beach destinations.

5. Adelaide
This is another city worth visiting. This place is surrounded by gardens and overlooks the banks of the River Torrens. Stunning lights will guide your way as you stroll along the boulevard and the North Terrace’s historic buildings. You can then continue to shop at the boutiques at Rundle Mall for high-end fashion. There are high quality food outlets and top restaurants.

Apart from these cities, there are other many destinations you can visit in Australia. If you wish to visit all these places in Australia or come to Australia for a short business trip, then you should apply for a visitor visa. This visa will give you multiple visits within a 12-month period for visits of up to 3 months.

You simply have to satisfy these visitor visa requirements for Australia.

1. If you are a passport holder of any of the eligible countries that are outside Australia, you may apply for an ETA or Electronic Travel Authority.

2. You should also have sufficient funds to support your trip which should be at least AU$5,000. Furthermore, you are required to have an “incentive to return” to your home country which basically means you have the intention to go home after your visa grant is over.

3. Satisfy character and health requirements.

However, take note that you are not allowed to work in Australia and that you are only allowed a maximum of three months to study.

Asia is the most diverse continent on the planet, and as such offers a vast array of tourist destinations. Whether it’s growing cities in Southeast Asia, quiet beaches in Bali or cultural festivals in China, you have plenty of choices to look forward to. So if you’re looking for the top destinations in Asia in 2017 then here are some options for you to consider.

Do You Like Sunny Beaches?

If you’re looking for someplace warm and sunny in 2017 then your first option should be Seminyak in Indonesia. Although not exactly a secret paradise get-away, Seminyak remains one of the leading resorts in Asia and offers clear beaches and great scenery. Seminyak is also one of the largest tourist destinations in Indonesia, and boasts some of the best major hotels and resorts in the country.

But what if you want something less crowded? Well, there is Havelok Island. This relatively quiet beach is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and features several inns and hotels. Here, you can enjoy the warm, sunny beaches without having to worry about large crowds.

Finally, if you want a nice balance between peace and commercial convenience, there is Nai Harn Beach in Rawai, Thailand. Nai Harn features numerous inns and hotels as well as hundreds of vacation rentals. Although not exactly a tranquil paradise, the entire area is relaxing, and whether you want to relax or have fun, Nai Harn has something for everybody.

Looking for Peace and Culture?

Maybe you’re the deep and meditative type? Well, there are certainly plenty of temples and forest reserves in Asia, but in 2017, you may want to try something a little special. Maybe you’re not interested in old temples in Bangkok and Osaka, and would prefer something more off the beaten path. Well, here are two options that you may want to consider.

For starters, there’s Ubud in Bali, which offers a good mix of tranquility and comfort. There, you can experience authentic Balinese massage, aromatherapy and reflexology without the noise of urban life. Also, Ubud features a lot of nice, quiet resorts if you’re just interested in recovering some of your energy.

Another great option is the the Terelj National Park in Nalaikh, Mongolia. This place doesn’t feature a lot of chanting monks, but it’s no less peaceful. There, you will be able to experience the wild natural wonders of Mongolia, as you stay in special luxurious yurts and ride real Mongolian horses.

What About Fine Dining?

If you’re primarily concerned about Asian cuisine then there are plenty of great places to go to in 2017. Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore, for example, are filled with the best restaurants from all over the continent. However, there are plenty of other cities that you can try if you want to try something new.

Among these is Mumbai. Not only is the city one of the most prominent cities in India, the local cuisine offers a nice blend of Mediterranean, Chinese and traditional Indian cooking, definitely something to try if you’re interested in Indian cuisine. A lot of new restaurants have sprung up in Mumbai in recent years, and they may be to your liking.

Another good dining destination for 2017 is Phuket, Thailand. Although Phuket is primarily known for its nice beaches, the economic growth of the community has attracted the attention of a lot of big restaurants. So if you like Thai food then you should give Phuket a visit.

Of course, you can’t have good food without fine wines, and there are plenty of Asian cities and towns that offer native and authentic wine shops. Singapore, for example, is well-known for its fine wines. Also, there is Hong Kong and Taipei. Bangkok also has some authentic Thai wine shops that you can try.

However, if you’d like more Western wines, you can always hop over to Australia and New Zealand once you’ve finished your Asian vacation. Both Australia and New Zealand offer plenty of great wine tours, not to mention their very own wine regions.

There is, for example, the Hunter Valley, 2 hours North of Sydney, which offers some of the best wines in Australia. On the other hand, there’s also New Zealand’s Marlborough, which happens to be one of the country’s leading wine making regions.

So if you’re planning to vacation in Asia in 2017, just remember that there are plenty of options to choose from.