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 : Xenophobe's Guide to Kiwis (Xenophobe's Guide S.)
Author : Christine Cole Catley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Nostalgia and Laughs!

As a critical kiwi I thought this was a fantastic book, was a a real treasure! I had no idea there was so many mannerisms and thoughts I have that are so particular to the kiwi way of life! Felt very nostalgic at times and felt homesick, but laughed just as much! Could not put it down, will make sure my English friends and family read it so they understand me better!

Title : Aboriginal Art (World of Art S.)
Author : Wally Caruana
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : An essential primer

I bought a copy of this last year to read before a trip to Australia. I knew very little about Aborigine art but this is an excellent introduction to this fascinating culture with such a vast and powerful art history.

Coverage is given to the various regions of Australia, pointing out differing cultures, environments, subject matter, styles and techniques. I was also pleased to discover it gave coverage not just to the traditional arts but also to more contemporary works, pointing out both the continuations and differences.

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

for those people wanting to work and live in Oz. If you pack one thing in your rucksack, make sure it's this! Seriously, it's a must-have, the information is spot on, helpful and easy to use...finding jobs in Oz was made significantly easier with this book as a point of reference. I'd like one for South America now please!

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 : Australia (DK Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Author :
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A beautiful, informative guide to Australia

This guide is one of the best travel information books I have come across. It follows a slightly different line to the likes of the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet series, as it contains hundreds (if not thousands) of colour photographs, yet still manages to provide detailed information. If it's in-depth information you're looking for as you set out on your travels, you'd be better taking one of the previously mentioned travel guides, but the Eyewitness slogan 'The guides that show you what others only tell you' is spot on.

The book begins with an overview and map of world heritage areas of Australia, as well as full pages of information on Aboriginal culture, Australian artists and writers, wines and beach culture. Another useful section involves a month-by-month guide to Australian entertainment (for example, October includes the Melbourne Marathon, Writers Festival and Carnival of Flowers), as well as information on climate: temperatures, hours of sunshine and rainfall in major cities for each month of the year. There is a fifteen-page summary of Australian history, with photographs, a timeline, artwork, maps, vintage posters and museum pieces.

The section covering Sydney is an impressive one hundred pages in length, with key segments including maps and many superb photographs regarding Sydney's best museums and galleries, best architecture, best architecture and reserves. Key streets, such as 'The Rocks' and places of interest there (includes admission prices, opening times and contact information where applicable). There is even a room-by-room guide to the prestigious Powerhouse museum. Also included are a mini- shopping directory, and guide to where the best stores can be found, as well as a beach guide (listing Sydney's top thirty beaches, and points are awarded for amenities such as windsurfing, scuba diving, barbeque facilities and restaurants). The chapter ends with six pages of detailed colour maps depicting Sydney's main streets. The other main chapters cover key cities and states of Australia in a similarly impressive fashion.

There are pages at the back of the book with a twenty-five-page guide to the best hotels in Australia, a section of the same length describing the best places to eat (both parts providing contact information, and a list of facilities.) One of my favourite pages was the guide to Australian delicacies such as Yum Cha (a mini Chinese feast), Char-grilled Kangaroo Fillet and Baked Ricotta Cake (including rosella buds). A photograph accompanies each explanation of the dish. Practical information, such as what different bank notes look like, how the public phones work and public transport information can be found on the final pages. All in all, the DK Eyewitness guide is indispensable; although my only criticism is that it is rather heavy, so not really suitable for those hoping to travel light.

Title : Diving Australia: A Guide to the Best Diving Down Under
Author : Neville Coleman
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : great dive guide

For a diver looking to visit Australia there is so much more than the Great BArrier Reef.

This guide details dive sites all over the Australian coast, from reefs to wrecks. It gives information on the best time of year to dive, what you will expect to see, depth, level of difficulty etc.

This is a must for anyone interested in diving in Oz.

Last Minute Hotel Australia and Australia online resources.