Australia

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 : Lonely Planet : Australian Phrasebook
Author : Sue Butler
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A must-have for any Aussie visitor

used this book for my 8 month trip round australia, certainly was my bible (sorry) The information is very acurate with only a couple of mistakes that left me staying in what can only be describe as an ex-mental hospital with a few left-over patients!.. apart from that, I stayed in over 100 hostels, all listed within the book and all as acurate as the descriptions!.. if your oz bound buy it!

Title : Ashes 2005: The Full Story of the Test Series
Author : Gideon Haigh
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : An intelligent read

A really intelligent read with some great character sketches and a wide-ranging take on contemporary popular culture as well as what has made cricket tick over the decades. Some of the prose can be a little dense but is well worth the effort. It's an intriguing book which one will return to with pleasure this winter when other Ashes books seem just one more photo-montage for the Christmas stocking. BUT - and it doesn't detract from the five stars - spot the howler on page 51!

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 : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Bryson's best

This is my favourite of Bill Bryson's travel books as it offers an endearing portrait of Australia and its people. It is full of hilarious observations and moments, such as Bill's attempt to outrun two dogs which are chasing him, and oddball facts like the nuclear bomb that was detonated in the Outback which nobody seemed to notice. Lastly, its very educative, and makes this reader, who has never been to Australia, want to visit the country more than watching Neighbours for 15 years has made me want to! A brilliant read!

Title : Sydney (Lonely Planet City Map S.)
Author :
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Sydney - Lonely Planet City Map

This map is a must if you're trying to negate your way around Sydney. We started of with this map at the beginning, lost it in the middle and were extremely grateful to find it again towards the end of our trip. The maps that you are given in hotels or buy in shops over there are for some reason useless! They only highlight the larger roads which aren't too bad if you're driving around, but on foot is pain when you have to retrace your blunder in the heat. As in any city that is new to you, the one way streets are difficult to tackle. This map illustrates all they one way streets clearly, has the City Rail and ferry map, and is plastic coated and light enough to fold into your bag.

Title : Living and Working in Australia: A City by City Guide
Author : Roberta Duman
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Excellent!

This book is an invaluable guide. It's packed full of useful info and tips on getting by Down Under - concise, up-to-date and beautifully put together. I have only been back from Australia a couple of weeks and quite frankly I wouldn't have survived without it!

Title : Living and Working in Australia (Living Working S.)
Author : David Hampshire
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Fantastic!

An excellent, very detailed book which gives loads of very helpful information. I have read a number of books about emigrating to Australia and this is certainly the best I have found so far.

Grace Hotel Sydney Australia and Australia online resources.