Australia celebrated its 224th birthday today and across the country people took to the streets, to the beaches and to the parks for parties, barbecues and fireworks displays in one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the year.

Here are some of the best things that went on all over Australia today.

Brisbane

Although citizenship ceremonies to welcome new Australians took place across the country, the biggest citizenship ceremony in the country took place in Brisbaine when 3,850 people from 114 countries pledged themselves to Australia at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Across town, a slightly less civilised but infinitely more fun affair got underway with the first annual Bellyflop Competition at the Moorooka Bowls Club took place.

Perth

An unexpected rain storm attempted to dampen the spirits in Perth but didn't succeed as locals took to the streets to watch a magical fireworks display which combined with sheet lightning to create a dramatic display unlike anywhere else.

Melbourne

Fireworks displays are part and parcel of the proceedings on Australia Day at the Australian Open but this year the flashing lights and loud bangs in the sky could do nothing to deter spectators' attentions from the firework display going down on the court as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer went to head to head once again in one of sport's greatest ever rivalries.

Nadal had to produce his best tennis to beat the Swiss Maestro and come from a set down as he battled to win 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-4. He goes through to await either current world number one and reigning champion Novak Djokovic or Britain's Andy Murray.

Over in the women's draw, the show was no less spectacular as tennis's number one star Maria Sharapova fought past a resilient Petra Kvitova in three sets to reach the final while Belarussian Victoria Azarenka reached her first Grand Slam final after winning a nail biting contest against reigning champion Kim Clijsters.

Sydney

In Sydney Australians gathered at Sydney Harbour, the country's most iconic tourist location, citizens gathered to watch the Australia Day Ferry Race while the Australian Army's 7th Field Regiment provided the soundtrack with a 21 gun-salute at Farm Cove

While the weather may not have been the blazing sunshine many would normally expect in the height of summer, thousands of people still gathered on Bondi Beach to barbecue, drink beers and maybe even take part in the Australian Day thong challenge which isn't nearly as rude as it suggests, especially for a beach famed the world over for its beautiful people and skimpy swimwear.

Instead, hundreds upon of hundreds of people took to the water on giant inflatable thongs (the sandal) in an attempt to break the previous year's record of over 2,000 people.

Adelaide

Over in Adelaide, they also took part in the thong challenge, although with only 500 people they remained sadly some way behind their Sydney rivals.

The reason for their failure however, might simply have been that most people were watching the cricket, too busy engrossed in the nation's favourite sport to venture down the beach with a blow up shoe.

It was worth it too as Australia continued to flatten India in the fourth and final Test match of the series with the tourists not managing to get anywhere near Australia's massive 604-7.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

While you may be too late to enjoy the incredible fireworks on show in Sydney Harbour, if you're in Australia in January don't worry because as the temperature begins to climb in the Australian summer, so too does the amount of things to do.

The average January temperature in Sydney is a balmy 26 degrees C but with the climate able to scale heights as high as a whopping 45 degrees C, make sure to keep cool if you plan to enjoy the delights of the Sydney Festival 2012.

The Sydney Festival is an almost month long celebration of the arts and culture which involves theatres, music, dancing and art exhibitions.

Particular highlights of the festival include famed DJ Norman Jay who will be parking his double decker bus in Hyde Park on 7th January to kick off a marathon eight hour dance session while on the 13th of January, Clairy Brown and the Bangin' Rackettes will be tearing up the stage to bring a raucous end to the first Friday of the festival.

Aside from music there are more than 20 individual theatrical performances spread over the duration of the festival and if your Sydney Festival experience is aimed toward the end of the month, stick around for the 26th when the whole city comes together to throw a giant party to celebrate the national holiday Australia Day.

Aside from the festival, one of sport's most popular events gets underway in Melbourne in the third week of January with the Australian Open. While the men's game continues to get ever more competitive with Novak Djokovic attempting to solidify his position at the pinnacle of the game and Andy Murray tries to keep up, the women's game remains as unpredictable as ever, although with Sam Stosur becoming Australia's first female Grand Slam champion in decades with her win at last year's US Open, Australian tennis fans have something to look forward since the decline of Lleyton Hewitt.

What would spending the summer in one of the world's hottest and most beautiful locations be if you didn't spend at least most of your waking hours on the beach? While you may not be quite energetic enough to take part, the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman & Ironwoman Series which takes place in Queensland and New South Wales, just the chance to see 36 of Australia's toughest and strongest lifeguards take to the waves might be just the thing to make you relax, even if the athletes don't as they battle the tide and the heat with swims, runs and paddles.

 - Dominic Ladden-Powell is Online Editor with the Australian Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to Australia.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Get your party on in Perth, enjoy a Christmas carnival in Alice Springs and see in the New Year at Sydney Harbour!

Harry Potter: The Exhibition - SYDNEY
Throughout December
Admission: Various
w: www.powerhousemuseum.com/harrypotter
Offers fans a first-hand look inside the famous wizard’s magical world. Includes hundreds of authentic film artefacts.

2112: Imagining the future ex - MELBOURNE
2 December - 28 January
Admission: FREE
w: www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=33119
What will the world look like 100 years from today?  Featuring NOW and WHEN Australian Urbanism, courtesy of the Australian Institute of Architects; digital stereoscopic images and animation.

Sunsmart Ironman Western Australia Triathlon - BUSSELTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
4 December
Admission: FREE
w: http://www.onmanwesternaustralia.com/
Allows spectators to watch from a multitude of viewing stations as elite Ironman competitors trudge through a 3.8 kilometre swim adjacent to Western Australia's iconic Busselton Jetty; 180 kilometre bike course and a 42.2 kilometre run

Alice Springs Town Council Christmas Carnival - ALICE SPRINGS
9 December
Admission: FREE
w: http://www.malaysiafest.com.au/
The Alice Springs Council Christmas Carnival is jammed packed with activities and live entertainment for people of all ages. The carnival starts at 5pm, finishing at 9pm

BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market - BRISBANE
10 December
Admission: FREE
w: www.bris-style.com/page/indie-twilight-market
Meander through the stalls of over 100 emerging and established local artisans who specialise in producing soulful and stylish handmade wares with a unique Queensland twist.

2011 WORLDS FULL MOON BEACH PARTY - PERTH
11 December
Admission: $10
w: www.onthebeach.net.au/event/worlds-full-moon-beach-party
A festival of Live Music, Perth’s best DJ’s, Latin drums and performers. Adults only.

Christmas Proms - ADELAIDE
16 - 17 December
Admission: VARIOUS
w: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/?cat=3355&id=183385
Celebrate the festive season in this spectacular concert for all ages. There will be popular Christmas songs mixed with traditional carols and plenty of laughs along the way.

World famous fireworks at the Harbour - SYDNEY
31 December
Admission: FREE
w: http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/
With pre-show entertainment from 6pm, Sydney Harbour is THE destination to bring in 2012. Include the world famous firework display at midnight!

 - The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to Australia.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Once the Melbourne Cup hangover wears off there's plenty going on in Australia this November, kicking off with Steve Irwin Day on Tuesday November 15, where Australia and the world pays tribute to the Crocodile Hunter and his conservation work.

The main festivities will take place at Irwin's old stomping ground at the Australia Zoo at Beermah near Brisbane, Queensland. The day starts with an authentic Aussie sausage sizzle which is included in the admission price.

The freebies continue if you wear khakis Irwin-style. You'll get 10% off the gate entry price and an unspecified gift, so embrace your inner Indiana Jones for a good cause - all proceeds go to the Australian Wildlife Hospital and other conservation projects the Croc Hunter was involved with.

Guests will also be treated to a live performance by iconic Aussie bluesman Xavier Rudd in the Crocoseum. If you've never seen Xavier you're in for a treat, mixing blues, roots, folk and traditional Aboriginal music to create a big sound that is uniquely Australian.

Keeping with the khaki theme, any budding adventure junkies should pencil in the Adventurists Afternoon Tea on Saturday 12 November at the Justice & Police Museum in Sydney's Circular Quay. Afternoon tea is a tradition for adventurists, offering a peaceful break from epic journeying and world record breaking where they can relax with a cuppa and swap stories.

The Sydney Afternoon Tea will feature a talk from Jon Muir, Australia's most famous adventurer and the first man to walk solo and unaided across the Australian continent, as well as make the first sherpa-less ascent of Everest from the South.

If you're partial to drinks a little stronger than tea, never fear! The Adventurists Afternoon Tea is sponsored by Hendrick's Gin and lashings of the spirit will be on offer.

But if an excuse to drink and plan more adventures is the last thing you need on your Aussie holiday, perhaps take a minute for some spiritual healing. The Buddhist Spring Festival kicks off on the 5th of November at the Tibetan Buddhist Temple just outside Melbourne. A number of talks and seminars on Buddhist teachings as well as guided tours of the gardens are available. On the Saturday join in the Ceremony for World Peace and rack up some karma credit points!

 - Aleks Vickovich is Online Editor with the Australian Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to Australia.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

While Halloween is traditionally an American holiday, Australians are getting in touch with their dark side this October as well, with a series of 'zombie walks' across the country. These events - started in the US ten years ago - see large congregations of people dressed as zombies marching through urban areas, often with the aim of raising charitable funds or promoting an issue or cause.

Adelaide will host its fifth annual zombie walk on Saturday 8 October. "After a cold winter in Adelaide, it seems the city streets will run warm with the tides of blood soaked zombies!" the Adelaide Zombie Walk website says.

"Expect to see characters and creatures groan and stumble down Grenfell Street & Currie Street, from Rymill Park to Light Square".

The Adelaide zombies are raising funds for the Adelaide food bank, with participants urged to donate a cold coin (AUD $1 or $2) or can of food.

The sunshine state will follow with a zombie walk in Brisbane to take place on Sunday 23 October, starting at Wickham Park and ambling its way through to Centenary Place in Fortitude Valley.  This year organisers are hoping that the Brisbane Zombie Walk wins the Guiness World Record for largest gathering of zombies. Last year, Brisbane's zombies raised $13,000 for the Brain Foundation of Australia and are hoping to raise a similar amount this year.

Brisbane will also host an all-ages zombie walk after-party called ROTT N ROLL at the Tempo Hotel featuring burlesque acts and live music.

If parading around town dressed like a corpse isn't your thing, there are plenty of other events going down in Oz over October.

It is Spring Carnival season in Melbourne, with some of the world's best horse racing events taking place throughout October in the lead-up to the famous Melbourne Cup. Don't forget your fancy hat (or chequebook!).

Australia's largest spring flower show - Floriade - will run from 17 September to 16 October in Commonwealth Park in Canberra, showing off more than 1 million blooms. And once the sun goes down and hides the flowers, Floriade NightFest takes over with cocktails, night markets, DJs and wine bars.

For an authentic taste of rural Australia head to Ararat in country Victoria for the annual Ararat Show. Attractions include rides, pet shows, floral and agricultural displays and arts and crafts.

 - Aleks Vickovich is Online Editor with the Australian Visa Bureau, an independent consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to Australia.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Christmas in July?! That's Australia for you! Whether you love it or hate it, you'd better learn to deal with it because it's the best thing going! Check it out, as well as some other top events in Australia in July.

Yulefest at Jenolan Caves - NSW
02 July - 30 July
w: www.jenolancaves.org.au/index.php?pr=july_2011
Along with frost and flurries of snow, an annual Blue Mountains tradition is here again - Yulefest (Christmas in July). During Yulefest, Christmas-style festivities are offered by all the best Blue Mountains establishments, including Caves House, where guests can enjoy log fires, huge Christmas tree and Christmas-style menu.

Lasseters Camel Cup – ALICE SPRINGS
09 July
Admission: $17
w: www.camelcup.com.au
The quirky, annual Lasseters Camel Cup attracts visitors to Alice Springs from all over the world. While camels may have a reputation as dedicated 'ships of the desert', these magnificent beasts are certainly not short on personality. Racing them can prove a nightmare for riders and handlers but fantastic viewing for spectators. Entertainment is assured, with nine unique races scheduled around the dusty outback track throughout the day.

Revelation Perth International Film Festival - PERTH
14 July – 24 July
Admission: From $13
w: www.revelationfilmfest.org
A unique annual film event, based around a prestigious and boutique screening program of new and premiere films drawn directly from the international festival scene, often unseen in Australia.

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta - DARWIN
10 July
Admission: Entrance is by a gold coin donation
w: www.camelcup.com.au
A regatta like no other, with boats primarily built entirely from aluminium beer cans. This annual event is a spectacle for all who line Mindil Beach and cheer on the home-made boats of cans, plastic soft drink bottles and cartons, as they flounder and sink in the shallows.

Queensland Music Festival - BRISBANE
15 July - 31 July
Admission: Dependent on event, some free
w: www.qmf.org.au
Queensland Music Festival is a state-wide celebration of music. Over 17 days, the best of local, national and international talent perform every conceivable style of music to Queenslanders from all walks of life, in Brisbane, and in regional and remote centres from Thursday Island to the Gold Coast.

Melbourne International Film Festival – MELBOURNE
21 July - 07 August
Admission: FREE
W: http://miff.com.au/
The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is an iconic Melbourne event. MIFF hosts a feast of cinematic delicacies from over 50 countries for some 17 days each winter, heavily garnished with a range of parties and special events that envelop the CBD.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Forget April showers, it's time for good times and great memories with some great events in Australia!

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships - KURRAWA BEACH, GOLD COAST
2 April – 10 April
Admission: FREE.
W: http://www.sls.com.au/
Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast will again play host to the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. The Championships, or "The Aussies" as they are known among surf clubs around the country, bring together over 8,000 of the finest surf lifesavers from Australia and around the world, showcasing surf lifesaving at its absolute best. Competitors of all ages from under 15s to Opens and Masters compete in the surf and on the sand across more than 300 exhilarating Surf Life Saving events during a week of action-packed competition.

Targa Tasmania - TASMANIA
4 April – 9 April
W: http://www.targa.org.au/
Over six days of Targa Tasmania, the world's best touring, sports and GT cars compete in competitive stages on the Island's toughest roads. They travel more than 2000 kilometres (1200 miles) to challenge the best in their category. Each year up to 300 of the world's finest cars and drivers compete on Tasmania's scenic routes and mountain passes. It's your chance to get close to the best from Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bmw, Mercedes Benz, Lotus, Ford, Holden, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan and Toyota.

Melbourne Latin Festival - MELBOURNE
8 April - 10 April
Admission: From $35
W: http://www.melbournelatinfestival.com.au/
This Festival brings to you 3 nights of parties, 2 days of workshops, 150 dancers, 50 workshops and 60 hours of absolute FUN!! Melbourne Latin Festival (MLF) 2011 bringing you an exciting and entertainment filled weekend where more than 150 Latin dancers, some of the best Latin DJs and live Latin bands will gather in Melbourne.

Sydney Comedy Festival - SYDNEY
11 April – 8 May
W: http://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/
Sydney's annual comedy festival with over 300 shows across 15 venues in three weeks. A feast of entertainment show-casing the brightest comic heroes from across Australia coupled with the best international gems on offer, the Festival plies its trade on Australia's most famous stages including the landmark Sydney Opera House and the iconic Enmore Theatre. The line up so far features Cracker Night, RocKwiz Live, Danny Bhoy (Sco), Tommy Tiernan (Ire), Stephen K Amos (UK), Jason Byrne (Ire), Nina Conti (UK), Greg Proops (US), Ardal O'Hanlon (Ire) and Gabriel Iglesias (US).

Sydney Royal Easter Show - SYDNEY
14 April – 27 April
Admission: $34
W: http://www.eastershow.com.au/
The Sydney Royal Easter Show is jam-packed with family entertainment bringing the best of the country to the city. Come along and get amongst Australia’s greatest – see the animals, meet our Australian farmers and be entertained like never before. Come and see the famous Dairy Farmers Farmyard Animal Nursery where you will be able to feed, pat and hold all of the baby animals. Join an ‘Ask a Farmer’ Shed Tour and go ‘behind-the-scenes’ in the cattle pavilion.

Sydney Vintage Clothing Jewellery and Textiles Show - SYDNEY
15 April – 17 April
Admission: $14
W: http://www.lovevintage.com.au/
If you love vintage and antique clothing and accessories then this is the fair for you. More than 60 exhibitors will be selling vintage and antique clothing and accessories, antique and vintage jewellery, linen, lace and textiles, small collectables such as magazines, posters, fashion plates, sewing patterns, tools and parasols. Other entertainment includes demonstration of vintage style makeup techniques and hairstyles, presentation of vintage fashions, guest speakers and competition for Best Dressed in Vintage on Friday evening, Swing Dance demonstration, Lucky Door and Best Dressed in Vintage prizes over the whole weekend.

Bluesfest Byron Bay - TYAGARAH, NSW
21 April – 26 April
Admission: $159
W: http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
Australia’s premier blues and roots festival, with six stages and more than 200 performances of the best blues, roots, folk, soul and world artists. In addition to the six performance stages, four licensed bars, two undercover food halls, an undercover sit down area is a new addition. Headlining this years event will be Ben Harper and Relentless7, Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, BB King, Grace Jones, Elvis Costello, Leon Russell and George Clinton.

Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race - BRISBANE
22 April – 24 April
W: http://www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au/
This is an opportunity to see some of Australia's top offshore racing yachts start Queensland's premier offshore passage race, the 62nd Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. Around 300 private and commercial craft gather around the start line and an estimated 60,000 spectators flock to Moreton Bay foreshores each year to see the race start and attend associated events including the Sandgate Bluewater Festival. Many more greet the yacht in Gladstone and attend the Gladstone Harbour Festival.

Ulladulla Blessing of the Fleet Festival - ULLADULLA, NSW
24 April
Admission: FREE
W: http://www.blessingofthefleet.info/
There are a myriad of colourful and exciting events held throughout the Festival over the Easter weekend and beyond, including the Blessing of the Fleet main street parade and day of entertainment on Easter Sunday. The most significant element will be the actual Blessing of the Fleet, on the morning of Easter Sunday. The festivities will conclude with a magnificent fireworks display over Ulladulla Harbour on Easter Sunday. There is also the Harbour Markets on Easter Monday.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The city of Bendigo in Victoria was completely changed when it became the epicentre of the gold rush of the 1850s attracting thousands of prospectors looking for their fortune. It was seventh richest gold field in the world, producing more than nine billion dollars worth of gold between 1850 and 1900.

Bendigo is only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne so it is easy to get to, either on a tour or by driving there yourself. Gold transformed Bendigo into a grand 19th century city with wide streets, stately Victorian sandstone buildings and beautiful gardens.

You can travel beneath the surface at The Central Deborah Gold Mine on a Mine Experience tour, taking the 61-metre elevator trip down to follow a 400-metre circuit. For an even more hands-on experience, take the Underground Adventure tour to 85 metres, dressing in boots, overalls, miner's hat and lamp to climb ladders, work a mine drill and search for gold yourself.

Back on the surface, take a scenic tour on Bendigo's Vintage ‘Talking’ Trams with their one commentary which you can hop on and off to take a closer look at attractions or stop for a coffee break or lunch. Trams are such a feature here that you can even have lunch on board one! Bendigo ninesevensix is a converted 1952 Melbourne tram that combines tours with a four-course menu.

There are also self-drive and walking tours in the area with maps and guides as well as Podtours and films showcasing Bendigo, Castlemaine and the Maldon region with MP3 players for hire at Visitor Information Centres.

Bendigo’s Chinese legacy from the gold rush time can be seen in the Joss House Temple, the Golden Dragon Museum and the Chinese Gardens. The Chinese population alone in 1857 was said to be 26,000.

- Search for gold or find golden beaches with an Australian working holiday!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The sun is shining, the golden sands are glistening and your surfboard is waxed and ready. The cool, blue waves are breaking just offshore in an enticing crash of foam. Surf’s up in Australia!

If you want to learn to surf, or you are just keen to spend as much time as possible on the board, you can’t go wrong heading for Australia. You can take surf lessons across the country, from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Perth’s Scarborough Beach.

You also get a free surf lesson with the guys from Manly Surf thanks to your Visa Bureau Platinum Card, check out the deets here.

But perhaps you were thinking something more like an adventure of epic proportions? Why not try a surfing safari?

Several companies offer multi-day trips that let you combine travel and surfing, even if you are more of a beginner, with the most popular area being the run north from Sydney to beachside Byron Bay.

Sydney to Byron Bay safaris

One of the major surfing operators on this route is MojoSurf which runs a series of surf camps, surf adventures, surf stays, and advanced training courses. Their most popular trip is the five-day Great Aussie Surf Adventure, which starts off at Sydney and ends in Byron Bay. In the opposite direction, the trip leaves from either Brisbane or Byron Bay.

From Sydney, the first stop is their remote Crescent Head camp, where you stay for three days and two nights in a modern four-star, hostel-rated surf hut just a few steps from the sand. From Crescent Head the coach heads north to Camp X, located in a secret spot somewhere north of Coffs Harbour and south of Byron Bay, where you spend two nights. There are seven surf lessons in all, each lasting between two and three hours, and most people are standing on their board and catching waves by the end of the trip.

Also following the route up to Byron Bay is Surfaris, with a popular five-day adventure that takes in up to 12 beaches, each with their own character.
They surf at places depending on the wind, tides and swell and actively search out the best conditions, and because they surf off national park beaches you get to see plenty of wildlife. You could spot dolphins in the waters, or even catch the same waves as one.

Another company that runs surf trips on this route is Waves Surf School, based in Byron Bay, which offers a five-day Sydney to Byron Bay trip, along with four-day and seven-day trips. You can travel the NSW North Coast living the surfer’s dream of freedom, travel, good waves and good times with Travel Aust too. This company also runs tours from Sydney to Byron Bay, and vice versa.

Queensland surf

Over the border in Queensland, Ride On Tours offers several great surfing adventures, including trips around the leafy North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane, and to the iconic Surfers Paradise.

Beach Bum Australia offers surf safaris lasting up to three days between Noosa, Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay.

Last but not least

In Victoria, Great Ocean Road Surf Tours offer multi-day trips to Torquay, the home of Australian Surf Culture and the birthplace of iconic surf brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver.

For South Australia, Surf Culture Australia does surf safaris to the Yorke, and Surf and Sun run three, four and five-day surf camps on the Fleurieu Peninsula, leaving from Adelaide.

In Western Australia, Discover West offers a South West Surfing Safari Tour. The four-day trip starts off with a bus journey from Perth to Albany, before heading back via some of the best surf beaches along the beautiful coastal route.

- Go gnarly bro with an Australian working holiday!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Over 70 per cent of the world’s opal is chipped out of the ground in Coober Pedy, so if you are keen to have a go at finding your own gem (and it’s easy!) head out to South Australia.

Opal was discovered in 1915 but it wasn’t until the 1960s that hundreds of enthusiastic young men from Europe headed to Coober Pedy to mine small parcels of land with the hope of striking it rich.

One miner certainly did! The largest opal in the world was found in the town in 1956.  

The “Olympic Australis” weighs 17,000 carats (3450 grams and is valued at AUD$2,500,000! It is housed in a special security safe at Altmann & Cherny’s showroom, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, and you can see it during showroom hours.

After decades of mining the opal fields are covered with mounds of debris from prospecting shafts and the hills are a warren of underground dwellings – it looks a little bit like the surface of the moon.

Over half of the town’s 4,000 or so residents live underground with homes that range from one-room hand-dug bedsits to rambling subterranean mansions with swimming pools and fancy fixtures.

In summer, when outside temperatures can reach a sizzling 50˚C, these underground homes keep cool (around 22-26˚C), while in winter the homes are warm without the need for artificial heating. You can even stay at an underground hostel in Coober Pedy.

Opal mining is pretty good fun, and you can try your hand at it by taking the Down ‘n Dirty Opal Tour. On the tour visitors are given hard hats, torches and hand picks and a chance to hack at the walls of the Quest Mine to find opal.

And when you do find it, the rivers of light are unmistakable.

- Australian working holiday visa will allow you to work and travel your way around Oz!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.