Online sources of Australia Flight Student information
Let's face it...that long haul flight is certainly worth it.
Not only that, any Australian will gladly tell you that there is so much more to see and do than what you just see in the brochure!
That's why it's so important to get your travel plans sorted out properly - whether it's Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or even the Great Barrier Reef - Australia has it all!
Title : Down Under Author : Bill Bryson Rating : 4 Stars out of 5. Summary : Very informative, telling you many things no ordinary travel book does
Bill Bryson is best known for writing very humorous travel books, and "Down Under" is indeed a funny account of his travels in Australia. Those who love Bill Bryson's books for their humor won't be disappointed.
But unlike most people, I like Bill Bryson best when he's NOT trying to be funny, and my appreciation of this book is mostly due to the great amount of very interesting information presented.
Bill Bryson amazes you with loads of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. The many dangers: poisonous snakes, poisonous insects, poisonous jellyfish, crocodiles, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like.
The book goes into detail about many aspects of Australian life that are fairly unknown, including the discovery (and re-discovery) of Australia, the settlement by British prisoners, the early expeditions to explore the interior, the gold rushes, the outlaws, and the devastation caused by rabbits and other imported animals and plants. Bill Bryson talks about the many unusual animal species found only in Australia, including giant earthworms that grow up to 1 meter (and can be stretched to 4 meters) and the platypus, a cross between a reptile and a mammal. He talks about Australians and the Australian society, and the situation regarding the native people, the aboriginals.
Bill Bryson doesn't cover all of Australia from the geographical point of view, and the parts he does cover are somewhat random. But that doesn't matter because he captures the spirit of the whole country based on the parts he does visit and the general information he includes.
A very positive aspect is that Bill Bryson makes it clear that he loves Australia. The feeling is infectious, and it makes you want to pack your bags and head "down under" for a long leisurely trip so you can do your own exploring.
If I were to mention two things I was less happy about, it would be the occasional excessive attempts to be funny and the lack of contact with Australians. One of the best parts of the book is about his traveling together with an Australian couple for 3-4 days, but other than this passage Bill Bryson is mostly playing the typical tourist, with little or no contact with Australians. And despite a fairly long discussion about the aboriginal situation he does not ever get into contact with any aboriginals. Why not?
A final note regarding the unabridged audio version of the book, read by Bill Bryson himself: Most authors are poor readers, but Mr. Bryson does a very good job here, almost on a par with a professional reader. Recommended.
Rennie Petersen
PS. "Down Under" has also been published under the title "In a Sunburned Country". It is exactly the same book.
Title : The Rough Guide to Australia (Rough Guide Travel Guides S.) Author : Margo Daly Rating : 2 Stars out of 5. Summary : A brief outline...
This book gives a brief insight into many areas but, tries to do too much and fails miserably. The content is generally ok but in some cases outdated. You will not find the information that you need to plan your itinerary in this guide
Title : Sydney (Eyewitness Travel Guides S.) Author : Rating : 5 Stars out of 5. Summary : An excellent guide. Don't visit Sydney without it
I've just returned from a stay in Sydney (April 2006). I took this little book with me. It was a tremendous help. It is very colourful and nicely arranged. The places that any tourist will definitely want to visit are explained using full colour maps and 3D illustrations that you really can't go wrong with. My only criticism of it is that it doesn't give many prices. Some places are expensive to enter, so knowing the price beforehand, even if it is out of date, gives an indication of its value for money. That said, it is hard to fault this book.
Title : Living and Working in Australia: A City by City Guide Author : Roberta Duman Rating : 5 Stars out of 5. Summary : Can't do without it...
this is really useful and a must have for anyone planning a trip out down under for a substantial length of time - it includes all the small things you would never think about but you should know about - truly indispensable..
Title : Down Under Author : Bill Bryson Rating : 2 Stars out of 5. Summary : Not his best
Bill Bryson concludes 'Down Under' by emphasising (for about the fiftieth time) that Australia is an interesting country. It is, undoubtedly. However, you wouldn't know it from reading this book.
Remarkably, in a country that is packed with things to do (try scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, try Croc watching in Darwin, try partying in Sydney, watching Aussie rules in Melbourne) Bryson spends most of his time pottering around on his own - his inability or unwilling to actually talk to people is quite unrivalled in a travel journalist - and peering at exhibits in out of the way museums. Each day on his travels seems to have the same shape: rise with a hangover, drive a long way on his own, look around another museum and arrive at a hotel to drink quietly on his own. Is this interesting? Is this giving us an insight in life 'Down Under'?
There are so many examples of Bryson coming across as a rather introverted ninny it's hard to pick one, but here goes. On the Great Barrier Reef, where he musters the courage to take a pleasure cruise (after about a chapter of fretting at the dangers of sharks, jelly-fish, groupers (!) etc...) After finally taking the plunge, he decides to extract himself from the water without actually seeing anything because he mask continually fills with water and he feels uncomfortable. Perhaps even more unbelievably, he goes to Adelaide and stumbles upon (yes, stumbles upon ... does he do any research?) an Ashes Test Match. Rather than actually go, by begging, borrowing or stealing tickets he decides instead to sit on his own in a bar and ponder what might be happening.
Put this lack of content together with his infuriatingly limited vocabularly which covers the full gamut of adjectives from 'delightful' to enlightening' and back again and you have the makings of a thoroughly dull read. One wonders whether this was a project foisted upon him by his over-eager publishers as it is striking how weak his pool of historical anecdote-cum-factoids are (which is his usual forte). Did we really have to hear about the Aussie Prime-Minister that managed to drown himself in every chapter?
In summary, it might be an exciting read if you like the Daily Mail.
Title : Aboriginal Art (World of Art S.) Author : Wally Caruana Rating : 5 Stars out of 5. Summary : Lovely little paper back book about Australian Art
I bought this book for my son as a reference guide for his GCSE Art. The original at school had been knicked as it was so popular.
He produced a Brilliant piece of work inspired by it's content and pictures. He used ther inspiration from the art to produce a map from his home to school in the style of the Aboriginees on a massive pot from BQ.
If you want a great little book on the subject then buy this.
3. Student Flights UK | Cheap Flights to Australia Student Flights has great deals on flights to Australia, most come with a stop ... What's more Student Flights originate from Australia and you'll see our shops on ...
4. Last minute flights to Australia with Opodo Looking for a low cost, last minute flight to Australia? ... Cheap and discount airline tickets to australia. Cheap and discount flights to australia ...
7. Flights to Australia | Student Flights SA For Australia flights, check out great deals from the experts in Student and Backpacker travel - Student Flights. ... Student Flights originate from Australia ...
8. Compare Flights to Melbourne | Flight Comparison Compare flights to Melbourne. An easy to use comparison web site, specialising in flights. ... Cheap Flights to Melbourne, Australia from All Airports, UK ...
9. Flight Centre UK | Cheap Flights to Australia Flight Centre offers cheap flights and discount airfares ... Student Flights. Flight Centre Cruise. Australia. Canada. New Zealand. South Africa. United States ...
10. Flight Centre Australia Specialises in the sale of discount international airfares, holiday packages and domestic travel in Australia.
11. Cheap Flights to Australia, USA, Thailand, and Europe! Book cheap flights to Australia, USA, Thailand, and Europe online for less ... Find Flights Online, you can save money and book cheap flights to Australia, USA, ...
14. International Student Volunteers, Inc. Option# 1 / ISV Group Flight - Fly to Australia on Qantas Airways ... Option# 2 / Arrange Your Own Flight to Australia (Standard 4-Week Only) ...
15. BUNAC Work Australia BUNAC offers a range of work holidays including a summer camp counselling programme in the USA, and volunteering placements for full-time and gap year students and ...
16. Student Visa | Australia Visa | Pure Australia Pure Australia's online guide to Australian student visas. ... do not book your flight until you have been granted your Australian Student visa. ...
18. Cheap Australia Flights | Cheap Australia Airfare ... for cheap airfare. Log on today to find a cheap flight to the Australia! ... all types of traveller, from businessmen and women to students and backpackers. ...
19. Cheap flights to Australia by Just the Flight Cheap flights to Australia via the secure Just the Flight online reservations system ... scene making it a particularly popular destination for travelling students. ...
23. Cheap flights to Australia - Flight guide ... cheap flights to Australia? Use our flight guide & compare flight tickets to ... national parks and Crown lands; students eager to explore education in another ...
24. STA Travel Australia STA Travel Australia offer cheap flights, discount cheap accommodation, cheap ... Teacher flights. Gap year - Big Year Off. Student & youth deals. ...
28. Australianow.org ... To Australia. Airfares Flights. Australia Travel. Australian ... Student Airfares. Tickets To Australia. Flights To Australia. Cheap Flights To Australia ...
31. Australian Student Visa - Visas For Australia Australian visas, Australia tourist visas and Australian working ... We strongly advise that you do not book your flights until your visa has been confirmed. ...
33. Dynamic Flight, Australia's leading hang gliding school Dynamic Flight is one of Australia's oldest and most respected hang gliding schools. In the past three years we have taught more students to fly than any other ...
34. International Student Volunteers, Inc. All ISV group flights to Australia will originate from London Heathrow (LHR) ... Option# 3 / Arrange Your Own Flight to Australia (Standard 4-Week Only) ...
