What do the Australian War Memorial, Kings Canyon, Walhalla – a Victorian town with population 20, and Sydney Harbour have in common? They are four of the must-visit destinations listed in “Australia’s Top 100 Places to Go. The Ultimate Bucket List”. Brought to you by Jennifer Adams and Clint Bizzell the producers and hosts of the “Places We Go” television series the “Australia’s Top 100 Places to Go” was compiled with input from the Australian public.
“Australia’s Top 100 Places to go” is organized by state or Territory with each destination accompanied by exquisite photography. Jennifer and Clint set off on a four and a half month road trip around Australia when their daughter Charli was 2 years and descriptions of each destination are augmented by personal anecdotes from their trip, and family photos. Despite Chali’s presence on the trip this is not a book targeted at traveling families. Rather it acts as an inspirational snapshot for travelers of all ages and ethnicities exploring the Great Southland. If anything, as a mum to three young kids I would loved to have heard some more about how they found exploring these destinations with a toddler. The authors are a couple that took their four month old daughter on an exploration of the remote Cape York Peninsula after all!
Readers with young kids shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that all of the destinations are suitable to visit with their own little ones. Jennifer and Clint traveled the country with some extra help – both their mothers (if only I had that kind of input from grandparents!) and I am sure Charli was safe and sound back at the accommodation when some of the destinations, such as a snowy peak of Mount Feathertop were visited.
I loved a few aspects of this book. Firstly, although the destinations that make the top 100 are an eclectic mix, Australia’s great outdoors feature heavily. I have visited every state and territory and lived or worked in four and there were no glaring omissions – the best of each locale I know well was included. The list also includes plenty of hidden gems and inspiration, places that most tourists don’t think about visiting.
The authors are also sensitive to an often overlooked aspect of Australian travel – the Indigenous history of a locale. I loved that the traditional owners of many of the destinations were mentioned in the text and that less visited destinations such as Thursday Island were included.
“Australia’s Top 100 Places to go. The Ultimate bucket List” is not however a comprehensive guide to each destination. Most destinations are accompanied by a couple of tips on what to do there, but that is it. This is a book that is best used to get your travel juices pumping, to use as a resource when you are visiting a particular state or Territory, and to open and browse on soggy, cold days when you just wish you were somewhere fabulous.
“Australia’s Top 100 Places to go. The Ultimate Bucket List” is published by Explore Australia Publishing.
Bubs on the Move provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including attraction and accommodation reviews. You can join us on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates to your news feed.
You can purchase “Australia’s Top 100 Places to go. The Ultimate Bucket List” here.
Disclaimer: I was supplied with a free copy of this book to review.
The book looks to be very interesting. The above-mentioned details look very promising. Even living in the country, there might be many places that we have missed especially local attractions. All we hear is about big places or famous places that people visit often. I am surely going to go for the book and make sure I travel. I just love it… thank you for such books… way to go..
Yes there are so many places in Australia we would love to visit. In particular we are hoping to fully explore WA one day.
Cute couple, great idea. Might take a peak. xo
I know Myer stocks the book. A good present for the right person.
I really look forward to more travel within this gorgeous country of ours. This book looks like a great place to start planning. When I was a child my cousins were pulled out of school and home schooled while their parents took them travelling around Australia for a year. I would so love to do the same with my son!
Hi and thanks for stopping by. Yes, there is just so much to explore in Australia. We have explored much of the country but WA is a whole void for us. I don’t think I am up to being a homeschooling parent but 6 or so weeks to explore would be great.