Glow

Posts Tagged ‘Queensland’

When it comes to naturally stunning destinations worlwide, Australia’s Mount Tamborine area ranks very highly and for good reason.

Located around 60 kilometres south of the state of Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau set within Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

The area is the result of an outpouring of lava from nearby Mount Warning and this geological phenomenon created a plateau approximately 8 km long by 5 km wide that now sits 600 metres above sea level.

The many attractions of the Mount Tamborine area include beautiful views that can be enjoyed on both sides of the range and the many craft and antique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants which attract thousands of tourists every season.

Tamborine Mountain is famous for its National Parks. The Tamborine National Park covers eleven square kilometres of the mountain’s plateau and foothills and its oldest section, the Witches Falls, was first declared in 1908, making it Queensland’s oldest National Park. Over the years, additional reserves have been declared and today Tamborine National Park comprises 13 sections of land.

So why should you – literally – ‘take a hike’? Well, first of all, the Tamborine National Park overall has much to offer walkers including sundappled picnic areas (many with BBQs), breath-taking lookouts and waterfalls, cliffs and gorges, sparkling rock pools and shady woodlands. The Park is also home to an astounding 85 percent of all fauna species and 65 percent of all flora species in the Gold Coast City area.

Now that they are part of Tamborine’s National Parks, these rainforest areas with Piccabeen palm groves, wet Eucalypt forests, sky scraping flooded gums and open areas of bracken and ferns, are all protected. This protection extends to cover its interesting fauna too, including the rare Albert’s Lyrebird & one of the world’s largest skinks; the glossy, black and very generously proportioned Land Mullet.Richmond Birdwing Butterflies, whose males are a brilliant iridescent green and Noisy Pittas, birds that hop on the rainforest floor in search of leeches and snails, both migrate eachs eason to the park, making this a significant area in terms of conservation.

Many believe that the Witches Falls section of Tamborine’s National Park is one of the most captivating to walk. Its 3.1 km circuit begins from the picnic area on Main Western Road. This lawned rest area has electric barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and is surrounded by soaring eucalypts.

The Witches Falls Circuit snakes down a steep incline through closed-in forest into a rainforest area that features cycad groves. Cycads are the single most ancient plants on earth that still exist today and are known, through fossil findings, to have been present in the Permian era – over 200 million years ago – even before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Although once abundant across the planet, cycads are greatly reduced now in both numbers and distribution and much international attention is being drawn to protect these plants that are believed to be nearing extinction.

While en route to the waterfalls you will come across shimmering lagoons, palm groves and enormous strangler figs. After heavy rain, the lagoons fill with water and thrive with many species of frogs and insects. The Witches Falls waterfalls only flow after recent rain and can be viewed by taking a short 200m detour from the circuit to a lookout platform. The track then returns through the rainforest and ends behind the local cemetery.

For your own safety, walk only in daylight hours and wear sturdy shoes, a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen. Take along a mobile phone and drinking water as creek water may contain organisms that can cause illness. At a usual walking pace, you can expect 3km to take about an hour. If you are walking with young children however or if plan to take photographs or bird watch along the way, do allow extra time.

When it comes to Mount Tamborine accommodation, the most spellbinding place to stay is at the Witches Falls Cottages , a retreat that consist of many private cottages tucked away in one of the Mountain’s most secluded and peaceful locations and just a few steps away from the Witches Falls’ circuit’s start point.

Sydney is one of the world’s favorite cities. Set on a stunning harbor the shopping and dining variety are superb and you are within easy access of the great outdoors. Sydney was voted by the readers of Conde Naste in 2008. Sydney is a gay friendly city and its wide range of attractions encourages gay travel to this part of Australia.

The highlight of the gay and lesbian calendar is the famous Sydney Mardi Gras held in February each year. This event is popular with the non-homosexual population as well. People from all walks of life stand along the parade route and it is televised on commercial TV. During this time of year accommodation is tight, so do book early if you want to stay.

Beaches are everywhere around Sydney. A short ride across the harbor is the Manly area with it’s surf beach and laid back way of Life. There are a wide choice of beaches that are good for swimming and surfing or just lying back and improving your tan. If you want to find naturalist beaches there are four in the area just to the North of Sydney.

Food is a passion here and eating alongside the harbor or the beach is a wonderful way to pass a sunny lunch hour or a balmy evening. If you are invited to a hotel for a drink, just remember the Aussies often call their pubs “hotels”.

Oxford Street has been termed Sydney’s Pink strip and has a long established history. This is where the parade goes and where you will find shops, clubs and bars for the gay community.

Gay travel to Sydney, Australia should be on your list of travel destinations. Whether you want to attend the Mardi Gras, or sample some of the food or beaches the options are endless. Sydney is also a great starting place to explore the rest of the vast continent of Australia.

Or you might consider a very different destination in the Southern hemisphere: Gay travel to Brazil is gaining popularity, as well.

When on gay vacation it is great to be in a friendly place, with like minded people. Australia is a great destination to visit and it is made better by a number of top class gay friendly and gay resorts. Four of the best on the Queensland coast are detailed below.

Turtle Cove Resort: This is situated in North Queensland between the towns of Port Douglas and Cairns. There are 30 rooms and day visitors are allowed. This is an optional clothing resort with the privacy of its own beach. This resort has over fifteen years of experience and won the international Out Traveller peoples choice awards in 2005.

Skinny Dips Resort: This resort is located just outside Cairns and clothing optional. There is a spa and chill out centre offering spas, treatments, exercise room and a leisure lounge. The resort offers a number of packages including arranging tours to the local attractions, snorkelling, Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests.

Pink Flamingo Resort: This is an intimate resort with 10 one bedroomed villas plus two garden studios. It is located in Port Douglas and has easy access to the Four Mile beach of Port Douglas. The resort has a massage room and enticing outdoor bath, wonderful for bathing under the stars. Children under eighteen are not allowed so you will be in adult company only.

Mai Tai Resort: This is a luxurious Balinese mountain retreat located near Port Douglas. Set in ten acres of rain forest there are views towards the Daintree forest and the Coral coast but only ten minutes from the town centre itself. There will only ever be a maximum of 12 guests here at any one time, and no children under eighteen years of age. Clothing is optional around the pool area and all suites are completely screened.

Sidney as a gay destination is well known, but be sure to include other parts of Australia on your itinerary.

For fun in the sun, you should have no shortage of opportunities at one of these gay resorts in Australia.