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AUSTRALIA may be at the 'bottom of the world' but it's still on the travel radar screen for many thousands of people around the world and has just been voted top tourist destination on the planet. Which is pretty good when all visitors have to spend a day of their holidays just getting there. But it's obviously worth the flight, according to a world-wide survey of readers of respected magazine Conde Nast Traveller UK who have just voted Australia top of the pops for visitors. It gained a high of 96.92 per cent, beating Thailand into second place and New Zealand into a very respectable third place. Australia gained above 90 per cent in all six categories in the survey with climate being awarded 92.33 per cent; and scenery a high 93.29 per cent. Poor old culture was lagging, although there's plenty for the culture vulture, apart from incredible rock art drawings. There's also fantastic surfing right around the coast and Kirra Beach, on Queensland's Gold Coast, was named in the top six for swell waves. But there's far more than climate and scenery to attract visitors, with excellent accommodation in the major cities to the small outback towns, ranging from top flight five star hotels to family motels and backpacker hostels, all at rates that make London and Europe seem what they are - incredibly expensive. And the café society and city nightlife have come into their own in the last few years, with European-style dining precincts in all major cities and towns, opening well into the wee hours at week-ends and night clubs that never seem to close. Restaurant food is also good and reasonably priced - and the beer's cold, which is just great in those hot summer months. The Aussie dollar has come down against sterling in recent months, which makes Australia cheaper than ever and if you buy bus and rail passes abroad and some tours you will save still more money, while air fares have really plunged, both domestically and to Vanuatu and Fiji, thanks to Virgin Blue and Qantas budget carrier, Jetstar. So, all you have to do is get on that international flight and head down under. And, don't forget, summer is on the way there. The surf's up, the fish are biting, the girls are looking as good as ever - and the beer's cold. What more do you need. Just get down there. |
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