Nothing is more restful than a drive through wine country no matter where it is. The vast vineyards of thick twisted vines, the usually flat or rolling hills of the countryside and the sunny weather makes for a pleasant view. All of this and the added pleasure of stopping in to taste the products of the various wineries makes touring wine country a very appealing day trip. Make sure that there is a designated driver with you as it is easy to over-indulge without realizing it or go on commercial wine tasting tours and leave the driving to someone else.

About 2 hours north of Sydney lays the fertile Hunter Valley and its abundance of world-class wineries. Those wineries are a huge tourist magnet and, in turn, have presented a great opportunity for impressive boutique wineries to easily market themselves to an international market.

The gently rolling hills and nutrient rich flats of Hunter Valley in New South Wales makes it almost perfect wine country. These two features, combined with the climate, the terrain and close proximity to Sydney Cove, led to the area being a desirable area for vineyards as early as 1831. This establishes it as Australia’s oldest wine region and makes it historically important.

Unofficially Hunter Valley is divided into two areas, Lower and Upper Hunter Valley. The largest concentration of vineyards and wineries is in the Lower Fraser Valley near Cessnock and Pokolbin. More that 70 wineries are spread through the valley and visiting them all is impossible to do in one or two days. Plan on spending a leisurely week in this beautiful area to experience all that it has to offer.

A few wineries that should be on your list to visit are:

Pepper Tree is nestled into the Brokenback Range’s foothills and has vineyards that cover roughly 39 ha. Their knowledgeable Chief Winemaker and their fine grapes combine to produce a range of wines that includes award-winning Shiraz and Chardonnay wines. They also offer specialized merchandise such as food condiments, clothing and wine accessories.

Another winery worth visiting is Ernest Hill Winery. Originally planted in the late 60’s and early 70’s, this winery has about 10 ha covered in vines and consistently produces a variety of award winning wines. Visitors can stroll around and then partake in a wine tasting with one of the Wilson family members.

Established in 1866, the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard produces some of the finest wines in Hunter Valley. Their knowledgeable Cellar Door staff is very personable, thereby making your visit quite enjoyable. In addition, a museum has been opened in the original winery. Some original winemaking equipment has been preserved and is on display for visitors to see.

No trip to Hunter Valley would be complete without stopping at the Smelly Cheese Shop. Set in the village of Pokolbin, this 4-year-old shop has grown in leaps and bounds. Without a doubt, it is a gourmands delight. The shop has quickly become a favorite of visitors and has opened a second location at Tempus Two Winery. You can’t fail to find something that pleases you among their wide range of product.

There is much to be expected if you plan to make a trip to the great Outback. You are surely bound to discover a huge array of astonishing surprises. Many of these surprises are quite hard to miss because of their size. Even from a distance these big things make an appearance.

There is a collection of ordinary objects that were built in gigantic scales making them easy to find. This collection is called The Big Things in Australia. They are usually located in quaint little towns here and there all over Australia and with their gracious size, they should be hard to miss. Here is what you can be expected to find amongst the Big Things in Australia:

When near Coffs Harbor, you can find the Big Banana. This structure serves as a highway landmark but was one of the first to be included in the Big Things in Australia collection.

You won’t be able to miss the Big Cow that is located on the left of the Eumundi Rd. north of Nambour, Queensland. Grab your camera and be careful as like you, most motorist slow down or stop to take a quick shot of this impressive structure. At one time, you were able to see the Big Egg, it used to sit on the top of the Happy Hen’s Complex when driving through Victoria. This was later removed after persistent protestors argued and won.

From Dodswell Bridge you will see an image often associated with Australia, the Big Koala. Yep, you guessed it; the figure serves as a focal point for a souvenir shop. It was a smart choice on the part of the owner because, this structure has caught the attention of both locals and tourist making business boom.

Now, on the northern entrance to Kingston in South Australia, you will find another of the earlier additions to the Big Things in Australia collection. That would be the Big Lobster. There has been a motel and café built around the structure to also draw in tourist. The Murray Cod is a local favorite in Australia. So, as you can imagine, you will find The Big Cod at Swan Hill on the northwestern side of Victoria.

The actually list of the Big Things in Australia collection is quiet long. But now that you know a few of the items, head out and see which ones you can find!

Most native Aussies will be readily able to provide you with a large number of the Big Things will little effort. The Australian population has taken quite an interest in these enormous objects. Have these structures taken anything away from Australia? Well, that is debatable amongst the locals here. Either way, the huge images demand attention and are an effective marketing tool for the small town shops that once were not so popular.

Australia, the great continent and country, has a great number of outdoor adventures just waiting for you. This is an experience you can’t resist. Take the first step and excitement will follow. You can run, hike, dive or swim. Take your pick and enchant yourself of the adventure you never thought possible. The Australian outdoors’ are calling your name.

Australian outdoor fun means surfing, scuba diving, or simply lying on the sand with your suntan lotion and a good book. Australia has plenty of beaches for both tourists and locals alike. While there you might even water ski—big waves and clear warm water makes for the perfect environment. In Sydney, the famous Bondi beach challenges visitor to conquer its gorgeous stretch of shoreline. Surfing at Bondi can be an adventure for both veterans and beginners. Bells beach in Victoria is another must see for wave lovers and scuba divers. Underwater adventures are ones you will remember forever when you explore the colorful marine life and the world famous Australian reefs. If you like to stay closer to the surface, snorkeling is good way to enjoy life at sea.

Taking a trip to the country is a great way to experience Australia. You can hike your way all the way up the mountain ridges of Australian outback. Be impressed by strange and interesting rock formations, or better still be amazed by the famous Wave Rock at Farmstay Country. Delight in the colors and smells of blossoming wildflowers a long the way, or the sight of leaping kangaroos entertaining their young. A day in the Australian outback will be a day you hope will never end, and it will keep you coming back for more. Thankfully, the outback is bigger than you could possibly imagine.

For those who love the city life, Australia will not disappoint. There are plenty of shopping centers, department stores and giant malls. And if city culture is what you want, you might explore the many city libraries and national museums. After a long day on your feet in the city of your choice, a satisfying meal may be found in any of the countless restaurants that line the streets. Australians like their meals with wine and cheese, but you can leave the beret.

An Australian vacation will be an unforgettable journey which will create lifelong memories places seen, people met and activities enjoyed. All you have to do is book the trip. Australia is waiting.