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You will find more details, about the above mentioned
destinations in the following section.
Norfolk Island
was first discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774 and is the only
place he described as a paradise. The small island is the tip of
a huge volcano, which is located on the 1770 kilometres long Norfolk
Ridge. This Ridge stretches from New Caledonia to New Zealand and
is situated about 1500 kilometres east of Sydney. The island is
only 8 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide, but offers plenty
of excellent hiking tracks to beautiful beaches and scenic lookouts
with awesome views. A restriction on the number of visitors as well
as the population of inhabitants ensures that you can experience
the hospitality and unspoilt culture of the Norfolk Islanders. Many
of the heritage buildings in the capital Kingston and its vicinity
show the history of the island as a penal colony. A Sound and Light
show set in the old jail complex will give you a lively impression
of life in prison in these days. You can take advantage of this
Tax and GST free area in more than 70 shops.
The subtropical location brings an all year pleasant climate. The
average day temperature in summer (November until March) is between
24°C and 29°C, while the temperature at night is between
19°C and
21°C.
The average day temperature in winter (June until August) is between
19°C and 21°C, while the temperature at night does not drop
below 12°C.
Activities: Hiking, Surfing, Swimming, Golf, Horse
Riding, Scuba Diving, Fishing
Christmas Island is located
about 2600 kilometres north west of Perth and has made news headlines
in recent times, with refugees arriving from Indonesia. Christmas
Island is a Tax and GST free area. More than 60% of its land area
is designated national parks, with the surrounding sea, a home for
a wide variety of colourful tropical fish.
The mainly Muslim Cocos (Keeling)
Islands are located approximately 2700 kilometres
north west of Perth. The commercial tourism has not arrived on these
islands and there are only a few organised tours available. However,
exploring the islands by bike is very easy and the surrounding Indian
Ocean offers a wide diversity of water sport activities.
The next solar eclipse can be seen
on 23rd November 2003 on the sky over the Australian Antarctica.
As there are no individual tours possible I would suggest you check
out the following websites, which will give you detailed information
and some organised tours.
http://www.holeinthesky.com/hits/antarctica2003.htm
http://astronomyvacations.com/antarctica/htm
Macquarie Island is located
about 1500 kilometres south east of Tasmania, half way between Australia
and the Antarctica. It is the only place on the globe where rocks
from the earth mantle have been pushed above sea level.
The Heard and Macdonald Islands
are situated in the Southern Ocean, approximately 4100 kilometres
south west of Perth. Both of these Sub-Antarctic islands carry active
volcanoes and have a pure ecosystem due to the absence of humans,
imported plants and animals.
The Coral See Island Territory
is located on the Western border of the Great Barrier Reef. Apart
from a weather station on Willis Island, a home to some meteorologists,
some water birds and turtles are the only living creatures on this
island.
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