[{"command":"settings","settings":{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"travelwhiz_bootstrap","theme_token":"YUaG0qMHMISteGhbSG5ARDHsaa8wbhzDjOS4b_MZ7hU"},"bootstrap":{"anchorsFix":1,"anchorsSmoothScrolling":1,"formHasError":1,"popoverEnabled":1,"popoverOptions":{"animation":1,"html":0,"placement":"right","selector":"","trigger":"click","triggerAutoclose":1,"title":"","content":"","delay":0,"container":"body"},"tooltipEnabled":1,"tooltipOptions":{"animation":1,"html":0,"placement":"auto left","selector":"","trigger":"hover focus","delay":0,"container":"body"}}},"merge":true},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#body-64-548-0","data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022body-64-548-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the only country in the world that (arguably) qualifies as a continent, the wide expanses and low population of Australia make it a nature lovers dream. The lush forests of Tasmania, imposing cliffs of Ayers rock and grape-growing district of Barossa all offer inland splendor, but the most attractive treats are to be found nestled around Australia\u2019s lengthily, ever-popular and fun-loving coastline.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Great Barrier Reef is an obvious favorite, every bit as sensational as its animated portrayal in \u0027Finding Nemo\u0027 with an enviable underwater bio-diversity that takes in clown fish, turtles, sharks, whales and even snappy salt-water crocodiles. Scuba diving and snorkeling over the massive drop offs, or ogling the coral of the world\u2019s largest reef from your live-aboard boat is perhaps the ultimate Aussie experience. If that\u2019s not enough water for you, The Great Ocean Road, near Melbourne, follows sheer cliffs for 250kms, past empty beaches and rock formations including the proud forms of the famous Twelve Apostles. Explore outback to a place called wolf creek crater is a huge meteorite impact in Western part.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAustralia might be a nature lover\u2019s paradise, but lovers of architecture are in for a treat too. The angular shapes of Sydney Opera House are only a stone\u0027s throw away from the equally epic panoramic views from the sides of the Sydney Harbor Bridge (have a go at the breathtaking bridge walk), where New Years Eve fireworks make the sunny summer vibe even more special. \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMelbourne, meanwhile, is known for its designer boutiques, high-class restaurants and buzzing summer film festival. Australian culture is notoriously laid-back and leisurely: Christmas on the beach, non-stop energetic nightlife, and cricket by the BBQ keep the jovial natives entertained. Australian \u2018must tries\u2019 include VB \u2013 the beer Australia tries no to export \u2013 and the bitter yeast-paste flavors of Vegemite, served up on a slice of white bread. Other icons of Oz are to be found in the outback include Kangaroos, Emus, Koalas and Dingoes that hop around the rock-carved symbols of the native Aborigines, and occasionally \u2013 in the case of Kangaroos and Emus, anyway \u2013 end up on the BBQ too.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake your own intrepid walkabout through the wilds of the Australian bush, swim its teaming waters or relax and sight-see in vibrant Sydney: many backpackers stay months \u2013 or even years - down under, and wax lyrical relentlessly when they return. Go and find out why!\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe island continent of Australia has a culture that stretches back 60,000 years but has only taken its place upon the world stage in the last 200. For most of its history the country ignored and was ignored by the rest of the world, except for occasional visits by a handful of English, Dutch and Portuguese sailors. It was only after the British were chased out of America that they became interested in Terra Australis (Land of the South). \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFive years after the end of the American War of Independence, the British established a penal colony in New South Wales claiming British\u00a0sovereignty\u00a0of the country they had declared terra nullius (nobody\u2019s land) some 18 years earlier. A concept disputed by indigenous Australians whose opinion was judicially validated in the final decade of the 20th Century.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTerra Australis aka New Holland was officially named Australia 21 years after the English navigator and cartographer, Matthew Flinders\u2019 circumnavigation of the island 15 years after that first settlement. He contended that the name Australia, for the southern continent that lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans, was \u201cmore agreeable to the ear.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","settings":null}]