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 : Ashes 2005: The Full Story of the Test Series
Author : Gideon Haigh
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Very Disappointing Ashes Book

Gideon Haigh the writer of this book tells us that he has English parents but was born and raised in Australia. He claims to support England during the Ashes but by his constant mocking of the England cause one suspects that this claim is more to satisfy his English readers. The articles in this book are those written throughout the Ashes for the Guardian and Cricinfo. They are well written, though somewhat awkward to read at times, and are of a much higher standard than most sports writing. You get the sense that Mr Haigh does not view English cricket with very much respect and indeed at times he obviously finds English cricket laughable.

The fact that on page 51 of this book it claims that Australia won the second test at Edgbaston shows that somebody didn't do their job. This is terribly wrong as millions of people in this country and around the world will testify. How this has gone unnoticed by the publisher is staggering and should surely result in the proof reader facing the sack and reprints being rushed out to sooth the dismay of their shocked customers. On the other hand, given the constant mocking of the England team, maybe Gideon Haigh wanted to stir things up by putting this score, because as a closet Aussie fan this is a result that would have surely warmed his heart.

Though Gideon Haigh claims to support England this really is the grudging Aussie point of view at the end of the day. Don't buy this book if you want beautiful images of the Ashes because there are many other books with far superior images. But if you want to read intelligent articles about the Ashes from a man who knows his stuff then this book is for you. Gideon Haigh may be the most annoying writer on the planet, because of his awkward style, but at least he has something intelligent to tell us.

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

I had no idea about coping with life in Australia when I first went out there but taking this book along with me helped me no end - it had everything I needed, from Brit tips on surviving abroad to dealing with TV repairmen who don't want to help you! I would recommend this book to anyone who is moving to Oz, even if they're only going for a short amount of time - it will be worth 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 : Australia (Lonely Planet Country Guide S.)
Author : Paul Smitz
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Starting Point

No single guide to an entire continent could ever be comprehensive, but the Lonely Planet guide has a good stab at it.

The guide is well presented and well organised, being divided up by state. City and Town sections are presented in the standard Lonely Planet way, with an introduction, maps, lists of places to sleep, shop, eat, drink etc. For me the standout feature is that the guide supplies a web address (where there is one) for every listed establishment, museum, tour company etc. This provides a great starting point to find out if what they suggest might really be for you or not, and to plan your trip. Crucially all of the information that I have relied on is up to date.

Having also looked at the Lonely Planet East Coast, Queensland and Sydney guidebooks I would say that there is enough information in the Australia guide book to preclude purchasing a more specific one.

The only major problem, as I believe with all Lonely Planet books, are the awful town and city maps. While they are just suitable for establishing if a bar you're interested in is anywhere near your hostel, they don't really provide a means of getting you there with much chance of success. The tiny versions of the public transport networks for Sydney and Melbourne are a nice idea, but not practical unless you were to go to the effort of making an enlarged photocopy version. In contrast however, the larger scale maps are quite deceent and fairly useful.

In conculsion I was extremely pleased with this guide, which made an excellent starting point for deciding what to see do and experience in Australia.

Title : The Rough Guide to Australia (Rough Guide Travel Guides S.)
Author : Margo Daly
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : an exceptional read

this book gives all the details anybody would need who is traveling to australia plenty of advice to everywhere worth visiting. the book apeals more to the indpendant traveller rather than families.it has advice on where to stay eat and party it is an essential guide if you are travelling to oz i give this book a big thumbs up.

Working Visa Australia Application and Australia online resources.