The first known meeting of Europeans and Australian Aborigines happened in 1606 when Dutchman Willem Janszoon landed at the future Cape York. The next recorded European landing was in 1770 when James Cook claimed the east coast for King George III of England. European exploration and colonization continued into the 19th century, leading to bloody conflict with the Aboriginal population.

In 1859 Queensland separated from New South Wales and became a separate colony. Queen Victoria established the Federation of Australia on January 1, 1901. Brisbane became a city the following year. The University of Queensland, the oldest university in the state, opened in 1909.

Queensland has had its share of disasters, natural and man-made. In 1918 a magnitude 6 earthquake struck near Rockhampton, and June 1925 saw the Traverston Rail Disaster, Queensland’s worst railroad accident.

In World War II, Queensland became the front line in the conflict with the Japanese and a sizable US military presence existed there.

In the latter half of the 20th century, Queensland experienced rapid growth. The resulting population expansion has placed a strain on the local infrastructure, but new projects in highways, railways, water and power generation have been undertaken to alleviate the pressure.

Unfortunately, the recent history of Queensland has been dominated by the floods of 2011, which have caused widespread devastation.

National Parks of Australia

Great Barrier Reef
Another Australian marvel of nature, and can be found on the World Heritage List, the Great Barrier Reef . This reef is located on the northeast coast of Australia in Queensland. Dream of many divers to dive into this beautiful underwater world. And rightly so, because the water is crystal clear, the marine life is very special and there are plenty of good snorkeling and diving spots to find! A natural wonder …

Surfing and cycling on the west coast
Australia is a real surfers paradise . There are a number of perfect beaches to be found many a good surfer is on his mind. Just off the coast of Western Australia are countless surf spots to find surfers of all levels. Perfect waves breaking on the reefs of the coast. You can also in this part of Australia very good bikes . The paths take you through river valleys, forests and villages and carry you through the real Australia.

Admire the cliffs and valleys of the Blue Mountains
In New South Wales (southeastern Australia) Blue Mountains National Park is a must. The Blue Mountains with its steep cliffs and deep ravines a feast for the eyes. The park takes its name from the blue haze above the trees, everything is misty. This is caused by evaporation of drops of oil from the eucalyptus trees, this landscape is rich. This area offers stunning views of which boast the most impressive photos. You can also excellent hiking .

We create links between groups, support the skills development of our members and ensure they have access to ideas, resources and information.

QCAN is a network. Our members come from all over Queensland, Australia and beyond. They are individuals (artsworkers, planners, youth-workers, teachers, community activists) and organisations (community agencies, local government, tertiary institutions etc.)

Our members are from different backgrounds and have varying skills and needs. They work in different artforms and include: visual artists; performers; writers; musicians; designers. Our members are also organisers, community Elders, cultural development officers, managers, teachers, planners and activists. They work in community agencies, local government, schools, in community and across cultures.

What our members have in common is that they are creative, and they believe the world can be a better place. They believe in working together to build community. They join us because they are looking for professional skills development, solid networks, inspiration, support and opportunities.

Before English settlers moved into Australia in 1788, there were 500 different Aboriginal clans, together 700,000 people. Each community had its own language and customs. After 1788 the Aborigines were suppressed by the English, land was taken away, people were killed and the Aborigines were not regarded as people. The last forty years, people think differently, and in desert areas in the north country is again returned to the Aborigines. There also many Aborigines now live in cities, they live a Western life while the other Aborigines have a strong connection to the Dreamtime have. Meanwhile, there are only 160,000 Aborigines, which is only 1% of the population of Australia.

The Aborigines are the indigenous people of Australia and lived there long before the Western world “discovered” Australia. Australia is largely desert. A sandy plain with grass, trees and shrubs and various animals, including koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles. It is also the largest island, yet also the smallest continent in the world.

Culture
Aboriginal culture is the oldest living culture on earth.

• Music – the didgeridoo, a hollowed by termites branch of a aucalyptusboom
• Stories – old stories from the Dreamtime
• Dance – traditional dance
• Art – Aboriginal art, colorful circle patterns and vivid renderings of the sacred Dreamtime
• (Secret) Ceremonies

The Dreamtime
The Aborigines believe in the Dreamtime – the time when the world was created. At that time, the mythical ancestral land. They descended from the sea, earth and heaven. They had many different forms such as animals. The Ancestors left traces in the Australian landscape.

The Droomweb
The mythical ancestors sang during their trips through the country, all animals, humans and plants alive. The paths are called trails or dream Songlines. All paths are called the Droomweb (Dreamweb). Along these paths are many sacred sites preserved.

Aboriginal Art
Because the Aborigines moved around, they were not paintings. They had no written language. But they made drawings in the sand, on bodies, rock climbing in holy places and objects. In 1970 the Aborigines were given access to Western materials such as acrylic, canvas and paper. Since then, the paintings are well preserved and there is great demand for Aboriginal art.

- Be sure to make a contingency plan.
Just as it pays to plan ahead, it also pays to plan throughly – even if it feels excessive to make plenty of emergency plans for accommodations, tickets, and other necessary travel items, you really can not overdo it. Your contingency plan may take a little extra time to prepare, but in the event that something happens – such as a flight cancellation or an overbooking in your hotel, you will be extremely grateful you know what to do. Hopefully nothing will go wrong, but this extra planning will at least make you feel more comfortable and relaxed, which is crucial for a fantastic holiday.

- Make an effort to think outside the box.
In other words, do not spend all your time in Hawaii doing ‘tourist-y’ things! Give yourself plenty of free time to explore the area you are staying in, and try to get off the beaten path. Get away from the crowds of tourists and get to know the locals, their culture and their cuisine. Planning well for a Hawaii holiday is essential, but that doesn’t mean you should leave no room for spontaneity!

Firstly, you should decide the main purpose for which you are buying your camper trailer. You have both onroad and offload trailers. Onroad trailers is found to be ideal for two-way roads. In general, a standard 7 x 4 trailer will have accessories like a tent, a swing-out tailgate, a jockey wheel, etc. It comes with deluxe kitchens, jerry can holders, water tanks and electrics also. But, unfortunately, an onroad camper trailer can not withstand the vagaries, unshapely surfaces and the rugged conditions of the forest tracks and the inaccessible and sparsely populated roads that are otherwise known as the outback roads. Therefore, while planning to go bush camping, it is better to trust an offroad trailer that is suitable for your off-road vehicle.

Just like an off-road vehicle that is suitable for harsher road conditions, the off-road camper trailer can also withstand the severe wear and tear that may be caused by these roads. But, the trailer should have been properly designed to suit this purpose. With a heavy-duty construction, a drawbar, a good frame or chassis and heavy-duty offroad springs and axles like the 7 leaf eye-to-eye shackle springs, these offroad trailers will be more sturdy. In addition to these features, electric or hydraulic brakes are very much necessary for these trailers because only these brakes can give more control even if the conditions under which they are used happen to be challenging. These brakes are very much essential even if the weight of the trailer is above a specific limit.

Sometimes, you may require greater maneuverability in offroad conditions for which you can use specialized offroad couplings and extended drawbars. In fact, you have a variety of such specialized offroad couplings and extended drawbars. Further, tires should also be offroad and having a spare tire is always advisable. The tires of the trailer should match with the wheels and tires of your primary towing vehicle.

You have several options in offload trailers also as in the case of onload trailers. You must have a stone guard but unfortunately, it does not come as a standard equipment. The sides of the trailer will have secure and dust-proof storage spaces and the drawbar will have toolboxes on it. If you have Jerry can holders, you can carry extra fuel and water. Other features are kitchens and water storage under the trailer, a simple fold-out tailgate, a shelf for a gas stove, gas bottles and twin water tanks. A deluxe extendable swingout kitchen with pantry and plumbing may also be there. The trailer will also have 12v lighting and water pump systems. Battery chargers and inverters and 240 volt connections may also be available and are handy for camper trailer holidays.

While buying your aussie camper trailer, you should ensure to check the tent. It should have been made of good quality, treated canvas. You should remember that standard tents fold out from the top of the trailer. There should be sufficient room for a double bed mattress. The standard sizes of a tent vary between 9 ft. and 15 ft. or may be, more also. But, since in a hard floor camper, the top of the camper trailer folds over and down and becomes a platform on the ground, the size of the tent may be less.

You should consider all these features and also the costs and choose the most appropriate camping trailers for your use.

There are very few opportunities to see the entire history timeline of a country unfold in a short amount of time. However, travel & cultures really do go together, and the rich history in Australia is ready to be explored at a moment’s notice.

Having once been an outpost of the British Empire, there are numerous chapters in the history timeline of Australia that have to deal with maritime adventures. The Aarhus Historic Shipwreck preserves one of these episodes for travelers today. In 1875, the Aarhus sailing barque was constructed in Hamburg. She was set to carry cargo from New York to Brisbane, but struck Smith’s Rock in 1894. Now lying upright in the water, the Australian parliament protected her with the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Currently the MV Nautilus and Esperance Star feature dives to visit the Aarhus, though only the director of the Queensland Museum can grant permission to visit the wreck.

For those that prefer their ships to be above water, the Sydney Maritime Museum has restored the James Craig. Built as the iron-hulled barque Clan Macleod in 1874, her name was changed to James Craig in 1905. Having been sunk by fishermen in 1932, she was refloated 40 years later. She remains berthed at Darling Harbour’s Wharf 7, and goes on regular excursions. Perhaps the most interesting aspect for travelers is the real 19th century sailing culture that they can come into contact with. James Craig is sailed in authentic period style.

Even though everything might not always be available, there are numerous historic travel destinations that can be found in Australia. The maritime history in the country is vast, and there will always be something to visit if the first plan doesn’t work out. That being said, sites like the Aarhus Historic Shipwreck and the James Craig have to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

Hear the historical accounts of the Aboriginal tribes and discover the age
old wisdom of living off the land on a three hour Dreamtime and Bush Tucker
Tour.

Travellers can also take to the sky on a private charter helicopter flight
for a one day Aboriginal Art Heli-Tour to the remote art workshops of the
Ltyentye Apurte Community in Santa Teresa.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the unique role art plays in the
Aborigines connection to the land and support the local artists.

Prices start at $1,532 per person twin share for travel from April to
October.

Packages include four and a half star accommodation for three nights in
Alice Springs, all tours, light refreshments and hotel transfers for the
Heli-Tour and commentary from experienced pilots.

This offer is available until October 20, 2011, for travel dates from April
1 to October 31, 2011.

*Price is subject to change and availability at the time of booking.

Phone Travel Associates on 1800 044 066 or see
www.travel-associates.com.aufor more details.

Kakadu is a land that commands deep respect.

The name Kakadu comes from an Aboriginal floodplain language called Gagudju. Kakadu contains a rich heritage of Aboriginal art and archeological sites which UNESCO has described as “a unique archaeological and ethnological reserve.

Bininj/Mungguy (the Aboriginal people of Kakadu) have continuously inhabited this land for at least 50,000 years, one of the longest historical records of any group of people found anywhere in the world.

This World-Heritage-listed National Park is one of very few places in the world listed for  both their environmental credentials and their cultural significance. Kakadu first received World Heritage listing in 1981; again after its expansion in 1987, and again in 1992. It is proclaimed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and listed on the Register of the National Estate because of its national significance to the Australian people.

It is also a shining example of cultural tourism, representing an effective partnership between traditional owners, governments and the tourism industry.

All these factors have ensured its inclusion on the list of Australia’s National Landscapes. Currently there are nine National Landscapes chosen for their natural and cultural significance.

The sheer scale of Kakadu, which extends over an area of 20,000 square kilometres and seven distinct regions, means you should do your homework before you visit. Australia’s largest terrestrial national park is the size of Israel, about one-third the size of Tasmania, or nearly half the size of Switzerland, so a couple of days exploration will not do it justice, and any less than a week will most likely leave you wanting more.

Bininj/Mungguy recognise up to six seasons in Kakadu, each revealing its own natural wonders. The contrast of the seasons is spectacular, characterized by torrential rain at one end of the cycle and mud-cracking drought at the other.

The peak period for travel is around the middle of the year (April to August) when there are clear skies and less humidity. From mid-August to October it is hot and dry. Mid-October to December is the pre-monsoon season when nature puts on spectacular displays of lightning. The rains, when they come, are fierce but bring welcome relief from the tropical heat.

The starting point for most tours is Darwin. If you’re planning to self-drive, Kakadu is approximately 170 kilometres east of Darwin on the Arnhem Highway. The roads are sealed and generally good, although they may be closed during heavy rain. Signs will usually alert you to any danger, but it’s always best to check road conditions before venturing into unknown territory, especially during the wet season. Standard precautions like maps, spare tyres, water, fuel and a GPS or CB radio can come in handy.

Approximately seven kilometres east of the South Alligator River on the Arnhem Highway, turn south and visit the fascinating Mamukala wetlands. In the late dry season (September to October) thousands of birds congregate to feed here. The Gu-ngarre Walk, will take you on a two-hour circular trail through monsoon forest and woodlands alongside a billabong.

Further along the highway is the town of Jabiru, with a small supermarket, café, post office and health clinic.  The Bowali Visitor Centre is a helpful place to stop for advice about the region and you can sign up here for a variety of activities, including escorted tours of Arnhem Land. There is also a small airport at Jabiru which operates daily commercial flights if you want to experience Kakadu from the bird’s eye view.

Kakadu is also renowned for its Aboriginal rock art. About 5000 rock-sites have been recorded and a further 10,000 are thought to exist. Take a stroll up to the art galleries in the rock shelters of Ubirr and Nourlangie and imagine Aboriginal clans escaping the rains and gathering together to record their creation stories.  Look too for later paintings of the first Europeans, with their guns and pipes. Even more intriguing, visit Nanguluwur near Nourlangie Rock, for age-old art but then a first contact painting of a two-masted sailing ship.

At Ubirr you’ll be rewarded by stunning sunsets over the Nardab floodplain and at Nourlangie a moderately steep climb will bring you views of the spectacular Arnhem Land escarpment.

North-west off the Kakadu Highway is the Yellow Water wetlands, part of the South Alligator River floodplain. The area’s walking trails and boardwalks provide an excellent way to explore the wildlife or you can take a commercial boat cruise which will get you within a wing-beat of the prolific birdlife that breeds and feeds here.

The biological diversity of Kakadu’s flora and fauna is most certainly one of its major draw cards. There are about 60 different species of mammals and 120 species of reptiles living in the park; and ‘twitchers’ can tick more than 280 bird species, about one-third of all those found in Australia, off their list.

If seeing a crocodile is on your ‘to-do’ list – this place is most-likely your best chance as many can be found here in the dry season. However, take notice of the warning signs and do not swim in the waterholes or rivers that crocodiles call home.

For excellent information on the Aboriginal culture in Kakadu visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre – you can’t miss it – it’s built in the shape of the local pig-nosed turtle.

If you are driving in from the south, seventy kilometres from Kakadu’s southern gates you’ll find the quaint little township of Pine Creek. Steeped in pioneering, mining, and gold rush history, it is well worth the minor detour. Gold was discovered there during the construction of the Overland Telegraph line in 1871, and along with tin, is still being mined in varying amounts today.

In Kakadu’s southern stone country, one of the main attractions is Gunlom, which featured in the movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’. Climb to the top of Gunlom Falls for spectacular views of the escarpment and surrounding countryside.  Take a dip in the Maguk plunge pool – also called Barramundi Gorge – a one kilometre rocky walk from the car park. A series of interconnected walking tracks called the Yurmikmik Walks provide an excellent wet season experience.

One of the other big attractions in the area is the Jim Jim Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Northern Territory, however, you can only get there by 4WD in the dry season when it stops flowing. The best way to see the falls in all their glory is by a scenic flight in the wet season.

The major centre of Katherine is at the other end of the Kakadu Road and is a good place to rest, shop for souvenirs and sample the region’s local produce. Try the Walkabout Restaurant in the local Country Club for a famous feed of modern Australian bush tucker including camel, croc, barramundi and buffalo. Alternatively, you can take an after dark tour spotting crocodiles on the banks of the river and share your starlit dining room with the locals – hopefully whose dinnertime doesn’t coincide with yours!

While you’ll most certainly feel the spirit of adventure in this rugged landscape, the other spirit that you are likely to feel is that of the Dreamtime.

In Aboriginal legend, Kakadu was shaped by the creation ancestors, and the tracks across the country left by these ancestors are known as Dreaming tracks. The descendants of those original inhabitants still live in the region today, and one of the best ways to explore this land is on a tour with an Aboriginal guide, who will unlock its spiritual secrets and help you discover and understand what Kakadu is all about.

Author: Kris Madden on behalf of Tourism Australia.