/countries/show/australia/1.rss en-us To see any city skyline at its best, you have to get up high. In Sydney, there's an exciting and invigorating way to do this—the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. The experience gives you the chance to drink in the best possible view of the famous Opera House, and get a panoramic view of the whole downtown area too. Once off limits in 1998, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb has since celebrated over ten years of operation and organizers say that so far more than 2.2 million people have scaled the famous Aussie arch. More than 2,000 marriage proposals have been made at the Bridge's highest point; and a British couple even got married up there in 2008. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is about a 2.5-hour climb and descent involving scaling the upper span of the Bridge's arch using mostly catwalks and a few ladders. It's less daunting than it sounds when you realize climbers are harnessed to rails on the solid steel catwalks the whole way along. It takes about one hour to get to the summit of this iconic symbol which stands 134 metres high. The gradual incline of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb only adds to the experience as it gives you a chance to appreciate the amplifying views. At the midway point, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb takes you back down the other side of the arch. This is the best time to take in the view from all angles without having to crane your neck! Guides are present throughout the 1.75 km Climb to give running commentary on the history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and of the Bridge itself. The guides are also there to take photos of all the climbers from several different angles (this can be either a great chance for a breather or an irritating delay depending on your perspective). The photos they take are offered for sale at the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. You do get a free group photo of all the people you climbed with—which is likely to include plenty of complete strangers—but bear in mind that you cannot take your own photographs . If you still have more energy by the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, another route on offer is called "The Discovery Climb," and this will take you inside the workings of the Bridge. Have the world at your feet and the wind at your back, as you enjoy the exhilarating experience of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb! Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:46:27 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/sydney-harbour-bridge-climb http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/sydney-harbour-bridge-climb Driving from Singleton in New South Wales towards the town of Pokolbin, the winter sun warmed the inside of the car. My husband and I were on our way to the Hunter Valley Wineries to spend the day sampling some of the most delicious wines on offer there. As Australia’s oldest wine producing region (the first vineyard opened its doors in 1828) and one of the most scenic, a day spent in the Hunter Valley is a delight for the senses. As we set out on our Hunter Valley wineries adventure, we passed a few closed wineries before happening upon IronBark Hill Vineyard. Travelling down the long driveway we were surrounded by barren grape vines, backed up by mighty gum trees. Upon entering the tasting room—an airy, softly lit, earthy coloured room—we were greeted with a friendly "hello" from the unassuming lady behind the counter. With this the wine started to flow. First up, was a delightful tangy Semillon: the signature grape variety of the Hunter Valley. We learned that Semillon is best drunk within the first few years, but if your plan is to age it then ensure it’s left for six years or longer. Between three to six years old, Semillon goes through a flat period. After that, it is more mature and loses its youthful zest; but it is still beautiful to drink. If only wine ever lasted this long in my house to test this theory! Continuing through the scenic Hunter Valley, we hopped across the road from IronBark to Piggs Peake winery. Here, the greeting wasn’t quite as friendly and the wine banter was forced, but we sunk our teeth into a Marsanne, Verdelho, Shiraz and Vintage Port. The owner explained that not many places make Vintage Port anymore, but here they use an aged brandy and Shiraz grapes. The result is a Vintage Port that given a year or two will taste delightful. Happily quenched we continued our Hunter Valley wine tour with a stop at Tempus Two. Here we enjoyed the view across green hills, billabongs, grape vines and gum trees; this was complemented by the gurgling fountains and bright sunshine. The wines on offer at Tempus Two are unique. In the white category they offer an Arneis and a sparkling blush; in the reds: a light Tempranillo and Grenache, along with the weightier Shiraz. Tempranillo is a grape that the Tempus Two foresees as one that will take off in Australian vineyards over the next few years. Our day in Hunter Valley had worn on at this point and I certainly wouldn't call myself sober. Luckily my lovely husband was the driver, so abstemious I need not be! Our next stop was Draytons Family Wines. The guy working there was by far the friendliest of the folks serving wine, but I wasn't mad about the wines. The exception was the 1999 Joseph Shiraz; now that is a nice drop of wine! Of course at A$70 a bottle it was a bit out of my price range. It's interesting to note that as red wines mature they lose some of that bright burgundy colour and become a more earthy red. From Draytons we walked to Mount Pleasant Estate where we tried a couple of beautiful Chardonnay and Shiraz wines. What a perfect day we had! Chatting, drinking wine, learning about it and all against the backdrop of the beautiful Hunter Valley. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:22:02 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hunter-valley http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hunter-valley Ayers Rock or to many Australians simply The Rock, is now more commonly known as Uluru, a name that has endured with aboriginals since before the ice ages and beyond antiquity. Rising above the desert plains 348m high and encapsulating approximately 9.4 km in circumference, Uluru is locally revered as a spiritual symbol. This vast sandstone is held sacred by local aboriginal people, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, offering visitors an ample mix of mythology and magnificent scenery. Uluru provides many terrains to see and explore such as springs, crevices, canyons, caves, waterholes, and ancient paintings. It is discouraged by local people to climb to the summit of Uluru as it was once a traditional route taken by ancestors during the creation of time, used to evoke the spirits for blessings and communicate with during a Dreamtime. Uluru is widely admired for it's dramatic and stark colour contrasts that befall it during sunset or sunrise. Uluru appears to glow with a deep red rust like hue that appears to have remained from its original time of creation thousands of years ago. This colour is derived from oxidation which during sunrise and sunset, sets off a glowing effect due to the arkosic proporties of the rock composition, containing reflective minerals that change colour according to the suns position in the sky. Located in the Uluru-KataTjuta National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia this experience is one that is sure to stir some spiritual reflection and entice Dreamlike frames of mind. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:55:07 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/uluru http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/uluru Experience underwater enchantment diving the Great Barrier Reef, and submerge your senses into a plethora of reef life and mesmerizing coral reef ecosystems. This coral formation located off the South Pacific coast of Queensland in Australia is truly an undeniable best of the world’s natural wonders. With close to 3,000 individual reefs and some 900 islands, the diversity of the Great Barrier Reef is truly stunning. It houses close to 1,500 species of fish and thousands of other forms of life such as clams, corals, snails, crustaceans and echinoderms (like starfish). Some of the species found here are believed to be found nowhere else in the world, and the Great Barrier Reef is the breeding ground for some of the more well-know sea creatures, such as humpback whales, dolphins and turtles. Built by millions and millions of tiny organisms called coral polyps, the Great Barrier Reef spans more then 344,400 square kilometers. In 1981 it was selected as a World Heritage Site, and has since become the icon of Queensland, Australia. Diving the Great Barrier Reef is an enriching travel experience and helps to keep an industry focus on marine preservation. The Great Barrier Reef Queensland is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem, and contains many protected species of animals and plants. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) works to protect those marine animal species that are threatened or at risk of extinction. Tourists can report stranded, sick or dead marine animals by directly contacting the GBRMPA on their hotline: 1300 130 372. Protected species include: helmet and triton shells, and tridacnid clams; seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, and potato cod; Queensland grouper, barramundi cod, Maori wrasse. Leaflets are available from the GBRMPA (or visit their website) which help tourists identify these species. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:07:31 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/great-barrier-reef-diving http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/great-barrier-reef-diving