Stay Australia Rentals, Vacation Rentals in Australia

Australia's first inhabitants, the Aboriginal people, are believed to have migrated from some unknown point in Asia to Australia between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. While Captain James Cook is credited with Australia's European discovery in 1770, a Portuguese possibly first sighted the country, while the Dutch are known to have explored the coastal regions in the 1640s. The first European settlement of Australia was in January 1788, when the First Fleet sailed into Botany Bay under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. Originally established as a penal colony, by the 1830s the number of free settlers was increasing. Transportation of convicts to the eastern colonies was abolished in 1852 and to the western colonies in 1868. Australia is a unique and diverse country in every way in culture, population, climate, geography, and history.

Australian culture is as broad and varied as the country's landscape. Australia is multicultural and multiracial and this is reflected in the country's food, lifestyle and cultural practices and experience. Australia has an important heritage from its indigenous people, which plays a defining role in the cultural landscape. This diversity of influences creates a cultural environment in Australia that is lively, energized, innovative and outward looking.

The majority of Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year. The northern states of Australia are typically warm all the time, with the southern states experiencing cool winters but rarely sub-zero temperatures. Snow falls on the higher mountains during the winter months, enabling skiing in southern New South Wales and Victorian ski resorts, as well as the smaller resorts in Australia's island state, Tasmania.

Darwin, Australia: Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, located by the Timor Sea, has approximately 40,000 residents and boasts a warm climate, averaging 60 inches of rain a year between January and March. Within Darwin, Smith Street is well known for its historic Victoria Hotel and the Galleria Arcade, as well as the Northern Territory Parliament House and Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne is Australia's second largest city, is a center for major imports, which travel through by air, land and sea routes and include iron, steel, chemicals, oil, paper and wood. Melbourne has a state-of-the-art modern arts complex, three universities, and wonderful museums and is home to the State Parliament House and the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals.

Sydney, Australia: Sydney is the first city established in Australia and is located in South Wales with a population of approximately 3,700,000 people. The Sydney Opera House is a recreational and cultural center in Sydney, entertaining ballets, drama, musicals, dancing and other fine activities year round. Sydney is known for its colonial architecture, restaurants and shopping with over 600 retail shops and boutiques to explore. The Heritage Walk is a great way to take in some of the sights of Sydney, starting at the Charles Street Wharf past historical buildings like the Old Government House. Places to stay include motels, bed and breakfasts, apartments and hotels. Accommodations are designed from luxurious to budget minded.

Cairns, Australia: Another popular destination in Australia is Cairns, located in the Northern end of Tropical North Queensland. Tourist visits Cairns to witness the breadth and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and rain forests to the north. The city also features a world class marina and wharf, which docks cruise liners, tour vessels and yachts, as well as a spectacular casino that lights up the nightlife in Cairns along with other entertainment venues including piano bars, karaoke lounges and nightclubs.

Perth, Australia: Perth is the largest city and capital of the Australian state of Western Australia, and houses the Parliament of Western Australia and its governor. In 1962, Perth earned its reputation as "City of Lights" when John Glenn orbited over in Friendship 7, and the residents of Perth greeted him by lighting their homes and streetlights. Perth is also known for its Oceanside location with clean, sandy beaches.

Australia has some of the most beautiful and lively cities and tourist attractions in the world. These sites not only play host to descending tourists and curious travelers, they also shield the raw beauty of unexplored regions and unique fests from the rest of the world. With TSI Holidays outbound tourist packages, you can explore the famous with the lesser known attractions and events on your tour to Australia and its cities. Australia offers irony and contrast beyond the disposition of its relaxed inhabitants. The spectacular Great Barrier Reef along the Queensland shore is one is kind in the world. Uluru (famous for its towering red rock projection (348 m), Barossa Valley (well known for its delicate wines), Flinders Ranges (bushwalks, salt lakes, national parks and gorges), Freycinet Peninsula, Kakadu National Park, Snowy Mountains, and The Kimberley (epitome of raw outback Australia with rivers, oasis, crocodiles etc) are the tourist attractions that TSI Holidays assures you visit on your tour to Australia.

With Christians forming the dominant religious group in Australia (75%), Christmas is celebrated with elaborate fanfare. Unlike the rest of the world, excluding the researchers camping in Antarctica, Christmas in Australia is celebrated in the summer months when almost the entire country migrates to its gorgeous beaches and sports outlets.

The Festival of Sydney lights up the city with fireworks and a host of other events (open-air concerts, street theatre etc) through the month of January. Held in March on alternate years, The Adelaide Arts Festival draws art enthusiast from the entire world. Another festival that rocks the city Adelaide during the month of March is the famous outdoor festival of world music and dance - Womadelaide. The world famous Melbourne International Festival (October), Comedy Festival (April), and Writer's Festivals (September) showcase the artistic character of Melbourne city. Stompen Ground Festival in Broome (October), and Barunga Wugularr Sports and Cultural Festival goes a long way in showcasing the art and culture depth of Australia's original inhabitants - the Aboriginal tribes. The outdoor spirit of Australia comes through its various sports events that include the world famous tournaments to the most outlandish display of sporting attitude. From the more mainstream events such as the Australian Open (tennis), Sydney to Hobart (yacht race), formula one, rugby, cricket, and volleyball tournaments, to the more bizarre Darwin's Beer Can Regatta (boat races with beer can boats), Henley-on-Todd (boat race without a river, and the Gay and Lesbian march, Australia has more than one ace up its sleeve.

Airport Link is the only transport that offers a fast, frequent & direct link between Sydney Airport and the centre of Sydney in only 13 minutes. Airport Link also offers the most economical way to reach Sydney’s suburban stations. This site provides all the information you require to plan your trip to and from Sydney Airport, including tickets and fares, Sydney maps, tourist tickets, and how to save money while you are visiting Sydney. Country Link’s rail and coach network reaches 334 destinations in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Victoria. As the name implies, the Indian Pacific gives you two oceans on one of the world’s longest and greatest train journeys. (Sydney - Adelaide - Perth). Queensland Rail provides fast, efficient, safe and cost-effective transport and logistics services to diverse customers throughout the State of Queensland and interstate.

Airport Bus Eastside: Buses that specialize in Airport Shuttle Bus services as well as Small Group Transport in Melbourne, Victoria. Firefly Express: Luxury Interstate Express Coaches. Greyhound Pioneer: Get around on a Greyhound Aussie Explorer Pass and see more of Australia your way. Choose a pre-set travel route and you can stop off as often as you like, travelling in one direction. Selected passes include free tours and transfers to destinations like Kakadu National Park and Ayers Rock. Martins Travel and Tours: Based in Albury NSW. SITA Coaches: Melbourne and Sydney based Coach Company. Skybus: Linking Melbourne airport to the city. Sunair Bus Service: Brisbane and Sunshine Coast service in Queensland. Sunbus: Bus Travel in Northern Queensland. Yarra Trams: Melbourne tram service.