maggie1
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Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 19,516
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Sling a tarp between trees at the beach, pitch your tent by a waterfall, bag your bunk in a bush hut or roll out your swag and sleep under the stars –there’s a world of camping experiences waiting for you in our national parks and along our coastlines. Coral Bay, Ningaloo Marine Park, WA The stunning coastal setting and pristine waters of WA's Coral Bay are a must-see for any camper. Peoples Park Caravan Village is positioned on the shore of the coral lagoon at Ningaloo Marine Park. Visitors can either pitch a tent, hire a cabin or pull up their caravan. There's the opportunity to snorkel and catch glimpses of schools of tropical fish, manta rays and even turtles, or to view migrating humpback whales. For the more daring, quad-bike treks and catamaran reef excursions are also available, hosted by Coastal Adventure Tours.
Website: http://www.peoplesparkcoralbay.com Cradle Mountain, Tasmania As part of Tasmania's World Heritage-listed area of Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair National Park is a spectacular, serene place to visit. The rugged mountain range is lined with old pines mirrored in the glacial lakes. The setting provides a stunning backdrop for enchanting bushwalks and sightseeing. Tread softly and you may catch a glimpse of an elusive platypus skimming beneath the water's surface, or hear the faint rustling of wallabies and wombats roaming through the bushland. Cradle Mountain Tourist Park and Campgrounds.
Phone: (03) 6492 1395.
Hook Island, QueenslandNot only can you enjoy the pristine azure waters that surround tiny Hook Island, but you can also do so without interruption from hoards of tourists. This picturesque isle of the Whitsundays allows for a quieter escape. It's a place where you can you can soak up the sun on white sand in peace. Trekking through and around the island is a magnificent experience. Follow the spellbinding trail which leads to Butterfly Bay, swarming with gorgeous butterflies fluttering along its shore. Whitsunday Information Centre.
Phone: (07) 4946 7022. Blue Range Recreational Area, ACT The ACT is embedded with historical places which give a nod to World War I and World War II. Some of this humbling history can be absorbed at the Blue Range Recreational Area, which is set in the remains of a World War II Italian internment camp. A few of the original buildings such as the galley, now serving as the Blue Range Hut, still remain. This place is filled with history and surrounded by native bushland and wildlife.
Phone: (02) 62072498. Fortescue Bay, TasmaniaThe secluded Fortescue Bay is nestled in the scenic Tasman National Park and serves up some amazing coastal views. Bushwalkers can enjoy the dramatic cliff-edged scenery and seaside vistas while watching the wild surf strike the many beaches. In calmer waters, fishing and snorkelling are also popular. Meanwhile, history hunters can get their leisure-fix by exploring the intriguing convict ruins.
Phone: (03) 6250 3497. Uluru and the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, NT Australia's renowned Red Centre is a must-see for anyone. Embedded with ancient culture and thriving with natural wonders such as Uluru and the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is home to breathtaking horizons and a striking panorama. Aboriginal tradition and Dreamtime stories can be absorbed while discovering the sunburnt Tanami and Simpson deserts. If taking children, be sure to also pay a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park, which showcases the remarkable habitat environments of the central outback.
Website: http://www.macrange.com.au
Iluka Nature Reserve, NSW Surrounded by World Heritage-listed parks, the Iluka Nature Reserve features the largest remains of any shoreline rainforest in New South Wales. Abundant wildlife brings the many walking tracks to life. The reserve allows visitors to encounter birds and animals in their natural habitat. Along the coast, dolphin and whale sightings are a regular occurrence, especially during the migration period. Plan a picnic at nearby Shark Bay or The Bluff lookout.
Website: http://www.anchorageholidaypark.com.au Lake Eyre's Salt Lake, SA The arid Lake Eyre in South Australia is a huge remote salt basin — one of the largest internal drainage systems in the world. The surrounding vegetation of cane grass, mulga and acacia grow in the red sand dunes, with the needlebush, samphire and native forms of willow all close by. Together, the hardy plants provide an ideal habitat for the Lake Eyre Dragon, which is accustomed to the margins of the salt lake. Many of the park's tracks are suitable for 4WD enthusiasts, who should always be well prepared when traveling in these areas.
Website: http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/lakeeyre Melville Caves, Kooyoora State Park, Vic Filled with Aboriginal culture and once used as a hideout for bushranger Captain Melville, the Melville Caves in the Kooyoora State Park are home to an intriguing campsite. These ancient caves formed from huge boulders of granite and were once inhabited by the Jaara people. The former gold mining and gold pilfering areas used by bushrangers offer stellar views, as well as plenty of native fauna and flora. For the go-getter, rock-climbing activities and guides are available. Meanwhile, those who appreciate a slower pace can sink a nice drop at the nearby Kangderaar Vineyard.
Contact: Victoria Information Centre 13 1963. Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT Kakadu National Park features the most accessible Aboriginal rock art sites in the world and is a wonderland of rugged cliffs, plateaus, plummeting gorges, cascading waterfalls and divine wetlands. The Muirella Park campsite is located near the art area, Nourlangie Rock, and is surrounded by a shady forest.
Phone: (08) 8938 1120.
http://www.travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=654104
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