Buzz
For those travelers enchanted by the allure of the novel, the well-known yet mundane destinations of Sydney and Melbourne begin to pale. Nevertheless, their desire to journey to Australia endures. What is it that captivates them so?
Australia's Captivating Surreal Destinations
Australia, with its diverse landscapes and unique natural phenomena, often leaves visitors mystified and eager for a return visit.
* The William Ricketts Sanctuary in the Dandenong Ranges, roughly 30km southeast of Melbourne, presents an Australia distinct from the iconic deserts and beaches that symbolize its tourism identity.
Since the 1930s, William Ricketts dedicated more than 50 years to transforming a forest of eucalyptus and ferns into a serene sanctuary that harmonizes nature with spirituality.
Amidst the tranquility, over 90 clay sculptures embody Ricketts' philosophy, illustrating his belief in the deep connection between indigenous people and nature.
Thus, these 'indigenous figures' are scattered throughout the vast fern forests surrounding the sanctuary, symbolizing nature's gift of life to humanity.
* The Gippsland Lakes are located about 200km from Melbourne. This expansive network of lakes, marshes, and freshwater lagoons covers 600km², separated from the ocean by Ninety Mile Beach, with the largest being Lakes Wellington, Victoria, and King.
Beyond its unique geography, the mystical bioluminescence seen in the lakes and beaches at night places Gippsland among the world's most stunning nighttime scenes.
This enchanting phenomenon is caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a type of luminescent microorganism found in unusually high concentrations here.
* The Pinnacles Desert, part of Nambung National Park near the town of Cervantes and about 250km from Perth, stands as a geological marvel of Australia.
Thousands of limestone pillars rise from the desert sands, showcasing a myriad of colors, shapes, and sizes, some towering over 3 meters high, evoking images of an alien landscape.
To explore the Pinnacles, you can meander through winding trails among the rock formations. At dawn or dusk, seize the chance to capture the Pinnacles from the most stunning angles...
* Each rainy season, about 40 million red crabs on Christmas Island off the coast of Western Australia emerge from their burrows to spawn at the beach. This is followed by the migration of hundreds of millions of baby crabs across city streets to their forest homes.
During this period, island roads are draped in red. To protect the harmless red crabs, crucial for the forest's ecological balance, authorities close some roads to vehicle traffic to prevent crab fatalities.
For nearly a month, the massive red crab migration paralyzes regular island activities. In return, the local community becomes busier as tourists flock to witness these 'red waves'.
According to CNN, this migration ranks among the planet's top ten most remarkable.
* Wave Rock, a granite tsunami stands about 340km from Perth in Western Australia. Over 60 million years, wind and water erosion sculpted a 15m high and approximately 110m long granite wave, rising majestically in the desert.
Mineral deposits from different geological periods have painted the rock waves in shades of red, grey, orange, and yellow, making Wave Rock's colors shift continuously throughout the day. Visitors can easily walk or cycle along its crest...
Tourists often hail Wave Rock as a must-visit landmark near Perth.
* Lake Hillier, the world's largest pink lake, located on Middle Island, north of Cape Arid National Park, dazzles with its bright pink hue, a subject of ongoing debate. Scientists attribute the color to salt-loving bacteria and algae at the lake's bottom.
Spanning about 600m, Hillier is encircled by a dense strip of sand and eucalyptus forest, isolating it from the southern blue seas.
Being part of a strictly protected nature reserve, Lake Hillier is off-limits to visitors. However, Australian tour operators offer helicopter tours for a bird's eye view of this pink marvel.
* The Bungle Bungles sandstone range, standing at an average height of 200 – 300m and formed around 35 million years ago in Western Australia, is a UNESCO World Heritage natural wonder.
The uniqueness of the Bungle Bungles lies not only in its beehive-like rounded rock formations but also in the striking orange and black stripes resulting from the interplay of geological structures and silica minerals. The rocks' hues shift from brown to black, and orange to bright red depending on the sun's direction.
This stunning Australian landmark draws approximately 40,000 visitors each year.
Due to its challenging terrain, the best way to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of the Bungle Bungles is from a helicopter. However, those who venture by all-terrain vehicle or on foot have the unique opportunity to closely explore the mysterious gorges nestled among the rounded domes...
* One of the most intriguing and unique destinations in Victoria, only about a two-hour drive from Melbourne, is the ghost town of Walhalla.
Formerly a booming gold mining town considered to be the wealthiest in the country with over 5,000 residents, Walhalla now has more deceased than living, with fewer than 20 residents remaining to act as local guides.
In Walhalla, it feels as though time has paused 150 years ago, preserving structures from its golden era. Mines, post offices, and cemeteries serve as living museums, offering visitors a glimpse into the 19th-century gold rush life.
Visiting Walhalla allows each tourist to become a gold prospector, exploring old gold mining sites. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway takes them through stunning national parks nearby…
* In the northern part of South Australia lies one of the driest regions in Australia, far removed from major cities, Coober Pedy stands isolated in the heart of the desert. Yet, many travel the 850km southeast from Adelaide, the state capital, to discover a different Australia in the underground town of Coober Pedy.
This unique town exists beneath the earth’s surface. The harsh climate has led residents to prefer living in underground homes, where temperatures remain around 24°C. The 1960s and 1970s marked the heyday of Coober Pedy, known as the opal capital of the world.
Today, despite competition from North American fire opal, Coober Pedy still produces 80% of the world's opal supply. Thus, beyond its underground museums and stores, opal shops may remind you of Australia’s Coober Pedy!
Source: Tuoitre.vn
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourOctober 9, 2015
