Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > Feburary 2002

THE summer storms have left Australia for this year and the war clouds that covered much of the rest of the world have missed Australia and the South Pacific, leaving the area a safe haven from the world's worries and woes.
Here you can drink the water and eat the food without worrying about disease and walk around the cities, even at night, in peace.
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands are a world of their own, untouched by troubles to the north - yet only some 24-26 hours flying time from the UK and Europe. If you want to stop the world and get off - this is the place to do it.
From now until November most of Australia has perfect weather, with cloudless sunny days, warm enough to go without a jacket and with little chance of rain. This applies especially anywhere north from around Byron Bay, in New South Wales, a massive area with thousands of things to see and do.
This year has been designated Year of the Outback in Australia and there will be hundreds of special events in all parts of this magical area, ranging from cattle drives to historical re-enactments to special dance performances by local Aborigines - special events in themselves at any time.
Both locals and visitors will be encouraged to take part in many of the events.
Although the Outback covers a vast area, sparsely populated, it is easy to reach and travel around mainly on sealed roads, by coach and car or campervan or by rail into western Queensland or up to exciting Alice Springs.
If driving around the desert is not your thing then try ski-ing in the Snowy Mountains, out from Sydney and Melbourne or down in Tasmania. New Zealand also boasts excellent ski fields, around Queenstown - the adventure capital, in the South Island, or Turoa and Whakapapa ski areas on Mt Ruapehu, in the North Island. The season in both countries lasts from May/June to September/October, depending on snow falls.
In North Queensland there's the fascinating Great Barrier Reef and the magnificent rainforests, while in Western Australia the Kimberley area is heaven made for soft adventure. And, of course, the big cities, especially Sydney and Melbourne have enough shopping and activities to keep you going your whole holiday. Just go there - and