WCIM 2010 Melbourne in conjunction with Physicians Week

Black Mountain Tower – For a spectacular view of Canberra and surrounds visit Black Mountain Tower which stands 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain. It is open both day and night and offers a restaurant for dining.

Parliament House – Australia’s Parliament House houses the Australian Government and is the place where all important decisions are made. This building was opened in 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is located on a 32-hectare site on Capital Hill, the focal point of Canberra. Visit Parliament House for a tour of the house, as well as an insight into Australia’s history.

Old Parliament House – Old Parliament House was opened in 1927 and served as Australia’s working parliament for 60 years. Today Old Parliament House is significant in historical and social value to the Australian people.

Royal Australian Mint – The Royal Australian Mint was the first mint in Australia not to be a branch of the Royal Mint of London, opening in 1965. Today the mint produces more than 600 million coins each year. Visit the Mint and mint your own $1 coin and watch money being made from the viewing gallery.

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Sydney Harbour – Sydney Harbour offers picturesque views of Sydney at its best. Located in the harbour is the iconic Sydney Opera House. With tours running regularly as well as amazing performances, this is one place to visit on your trip to Sydney. Across the harbour from the Sydney Opera House is the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a climbing tour across the top of the Bridge to see the spectacular views of Sydney.

Bondi Beach – Located in East Sydney, this is Australia’s most famous beach. Take the time to soak up the last of Australia’s summer sun during your time in Australia.

Blue Mountains – Located a few hours drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer a range of experiences for tourists. There is an abundance of scenic bushland to be explored along with picturesque little towns scattered along the mountainside.

Hunter Valley Wine Country – The Hunter Valley is home to some of Australia’s best wines. Located a 3-4 hour drive from Sydney, this area offers some of Australia’s best produce and scenic vineyards. Take some time to explore this fun-filled region.

Byron Bay – Being the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, Byron Bay offers some of the best beaches and surfing areas in Australia. Coupled with a fun nightlife and enjoyable atmosphere, Byron Bay is one place not to be missed.

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Uluru – Located in the heart of the Australian outback is this World Heritage Listed site. This historic Aboriginal site has become one of the icons of Australia and is worth the visit to awe at its wonder.

Kakadu National Park – The largest National Park in Australia, this park covers an area of 110,000 square-kilometres. This area is well known for its diverse landscapes as well as its abundance of Australian wildlife.

Darwin – Darwin is the most northerly of the Australian capital cities. Located on the northern tip of Australia this regional centre is a gateway to Asia and is steeped in rich history. Visit Darwin for an insight into its history and the people that live there.

Katherine – Located on the banks of the Katherine River, the township of Katherine combines some of the Northern Territory’s best nature and culture experiences. Katherine is the perfect base for exploring the Gulf region, the southern area of Kakadu National Park, the Victoria River region as well as the Nitmiluk National Park which encompasses the famous Katherine Gorge.

Alice Springs – Alice Springs is known as the heart of Central Australia and is comprised of cavernous gorges, boundless desert landscapes, remote Aboriginal communities and a charming pioneering history. The Alice Springs area is also home to the Simpson Desert and the incredible MacDonnell Ranges.

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Great Barrier Reef – The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and can be seen from space. The beauty and wonder of this area is well documented. Experience the best of tropical Australia and see some of the amazing sea life amongst the coral reef.

The Gold Coast – The Gold Coast encompasses an area in the south-east of Queensland. This area is a family friendly area that has several theme parks including Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World, Dreamworld and Warner Bros Movie World, as well as a wide range of beaches. At the heart  of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, a tourist friendly area that is packed full of fun.

The Daintree Rainforest – The Daintree Rainforest is a World Heritage Site that homes one of Australia’s most incredible rainforests and Australian native animals. There are several different types of tours that are offered around this 140 million year old wonder.

The Whitsunday Islands – The Whitsundays are the epitome of luxury and paradise. With 74 islands in the area there is no shortage of places to visit. The idyllic scenery of this area makes it the perfect place to relax.

The Sunshine Coast – Located just north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast offers a relaxed lifestyle. Encompassing the coastline from Caloundra to Rainbow Beach and the lush countryside of the hinterland, the beauty of this region will captivate you. With many things to see and do you will be hard-pressed to see it all. An attraction worth noting is the world-famous Australia Zoo.

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Kangaroo Island – Kangaroo Island is located only 15 kilometres from the South Australian mainland and can be reached by either plane or ferry. This spectacular island is bursting with native forests and natural wildlife.

Barossa Valley – The Barossa Valley is the wine capital of Australia and provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy a glass of wine and fine food. The Barossa provides a friendly and relaxing area in which to enjoy the countryside.

Flinders Ranges – Explore the Australian outback in the Flinders Ranges. This area offers spectacular scenery, wildlife and Aboriginal culture. This area is rich in colour and places to explore.

Murray River – The Murray River is an Australian icon and offers high-energy watersports like waterskiing or jetboating, as well as the more leisurely activities of fishing or a houseboat holiday. Take a ride on the historic paddle steamers up this scenic river.

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Cradle Mountain – The jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain are the most recognisable images of Tasmania. Take a walk through the ever-changing vegetation of the area and explore a silence you only hear in the most peaceful of places.

Port Arthur – Port Arthur is an area steeped in history. You will be transported back to 19th Century Tasmania as you experience the prison which was once feared and reviled.

Hobart – Hobart is Australia’s smallest capital city and by far the easiest to explore. The city which was established 1804, lies between the Derwent River and Mount Wellington and showcases the beauty of Tasmania.

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Phillip Island – Phillip Island is most known for its famous Penguin Parade which takes place at dusk. Not so well known is the fact that this island is a haven for many species of wildlife, including a Koala Conservation Centre.

Twelve Apostles – The Twelve Apostles are rock stacks that are remnants from erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland that began 10-20 million years ago. They rise grandly from the Southern Ocean and can be well viewed from the Port Campbell National Park along the Great Ocean Road.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – With more than 40 wineries open for cellar door sales, the Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world’s greatest wine growing areas. The area is well known for its excellent local produce which is well used in local restaurants.

Great Ocean Road – The Great Ocean Road is an area which starts in Geelong and makes its way around the contours of Australia’s south west coast. This is one of Australia’s most spectacular drives.

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Rottnest Island – Offshore from Perth is Rottnest Island, which offers white-sand beaches, snorkelling in turquoise waters and fishing. This area is teeming with wildlife and is waiting to be explored.

Monkey Mia – Monkey Mia is located in the area of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and is world-renowned for its loveable dolphins.

Ningaloo Reef – The unspoilt Ningaloo Reef is home to hundreds of tropical fish, colourful coral and the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark. Snorkelling or diving is a must in this area.

The Bungle Bungle Ranges – The orange and black striped beehive like mounds of the Bungle Bungle Ranges are an impressive sight. As you sweep across the range, a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed. This is best viewed from the air, and is a fascinating flight.

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Auckland
Auckland city inspires both her inhabitants and her visitors with a staggering location, mild climate and wealth of things to see and do. If cramming cultural activities, extreme sports, business opportunities, multi-cultural dining and a vibrant music scene into day and night are your thing, then Auckland is your kind of place. If relacing and enjoying the natural beauty of one of the world’s best-located harbour cities (with numerous great beaches) and plenty of walks in nearby parks appeal, then all this is possible too. Auckland makes it easy to enjoy all that’s on offer, and deserves her reputation as the ‘true’ capital of the country.

Bay of Islands
Long famed for its stunning coastal scenery, the Bay of Islands is one of NZ’s most worthy attractions, punctuated by dozens of coves and filled with clear waters ranging in hue from turquoise to deep blue. This area also has huge historical significance to New Zealand, being the first permanent English settlement, it is the birthplace of European colonisation.

Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula juts out into the South Pacific Ocean, bordered on the west by the Hauraki Gulf. It boasts some of the North Island’s best beaches and coastal scenery and attracts alternative life stylers wanting to escape from the city rate race.
Thames and Coromandel Town on the west coast are quaint, historical towns, and there are tiny settlements and rugged coastline further north. The best beaches are on the east coast, which also has the main holiday resorts.
The peninsula is compact, but the narrow and winding roads mean that travel speeds are low. It’s best to take your time when touring the Coromandel, and cyclists should be prepared for some narrow roads and a fair bit of heart-pounding hill climbing.

Waikato & King Country
Postcard-perfect rural New Zealand comes to life in this lush, well-hydrated and verdant region, where pastoral landscapes of grazing cattle, sheep, deer and horses greet you in every bend in the road. It’s a pretty and bucolic vision of what could be yesteryear, or indeed another world, so it’s no surprise that Peter Jackson chose a farm here as the site to re-create the rustic paradise of Hobbiton village in his Lord of the Rings trilogy. The area’s prosperity is the gift of the mighty 420km Waikato River, which flows from lake Taupo to Port Waikato on the west coast.

Taranaki
The knuckle of land on the North Island’s west coast, halfway between Auckland and Wellington, was known to the Maroi as Taranaki (Peaks Without Vegetation). The large volcano that gives the locale its name define the region with an ever-visable cone and rich soil making the area a dairy heartland. Mt Taranaki’s resemblance to Mt Fuji made it perfect for a star turn in The Last Samurai (2003). My Taranaki shrugged off the Mt Egmont title that Captain Cook had given it in an attempt to ingratiate himself with the Earl of Egmont, though you will still hear the older name.

Wanganui and Palmerston North
The Wanganui and Manawatu districts form a hefty chunk of the North Island’s southwest, running south from Tongariro National Park down towards Wellington. This is mellow, unrushed pastoral country, dappled with curvaceous green hills, gently bent roads, socially significant cities and magical national parks, rivers and gorges.

Taupo and the Central Palteau
Plateaus are elevated flat landmasses, which may be a little dull sounding, but this central chunk of the North Island is anything but boring. Firstly, it’s hardly flat, with Tongariro National Park’s soaring peaks of Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe all at their photogenic best. Then there’s New Zealand’s largest body of water, Lake Taupo, a vast water-filled crater that’s a legacy of a volcanic blast that trashed the island and shook the world more than 26,500 years ago. And the area is still active, with Mt Ruapehu exploding in 19095. It’s all part of the geothermal thrill of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which stretches over to White Island and through Rotorua.

Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty
When Captain Cook christened a place plentiful, he wasn’t joking. Just as when Cook hove into harbour in 1769, the Bay of Plenty remains blessed with a warm and sunny climate and stunning sandy beaches. Europeans may have taken up with the many blessings of the Bay to create thriving agriculture like the famous kiwi-fruit industry relatively recently, but Maori have been enjoying the region since the 14th Century.

The East Coast
The East Coast embraces some enticingly remote rural areas and increasingly sophisticated coastal towns. East Cape’s Pacific Coast Highway sees few tourists – the locals will tell you they’re all down in Napier and Gisbourne, two cultured, affluent cities with the palpable sparkle and boom. Rich Hawkes Bay soils yield highly quaffable wines, while the primeval forests around Lake Waikremoana in Te Urewera National Park count out the centuries far less indulgently.

Wellington
Despite its diminutive size, Wellington feels like the perfect capital city. Compact and walkable, it is surprisingly scenic and full of institutions integral to the day-to-day running of the nation, but not too full of its own importance or overloaded with the bureaucratic stuffed shirts. Instead, Wellington is imbued with an easy, accessible blend of the political, the academic and the creative.

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Marlborough and Nelson
Crossing Cook Strait from the North Island to the South Island is an exciting prospect – a bit like entering a new country, but one where everyone still says ‘fush and chups’. New Zealand’s South Island is less populated than the North and runs at a slower pace; the Maori influence is also less apparent.

The West Coast
Blessed with the photo gene, the West Coast is a surf-battered stretch of craggy coastline soaring up to the summits of the Southern Alps. This is wild country, where the rain comes in sideways and the coast road is squeezed out away from the land. Caught between grinding grey ocean on one side of the highway and silent mountain whiteness on the other, you’ll be forgiven for feeling insignificant.

Christchurch and Canterbury
Don’t let the oh-so-English name of the region, or stories of its terribly Anglo main city fool you into believing this area is merely a replica of something you might see in England. Canterbury offers a quintessential slice of New Zealand life and landscape – beyond the borders of Christchurch, the main city is a living canvas of lush farmland, wildlife-rich coastline, turquoise blue lakes and breathtaking mountains.

Dunedin and Otago
Punctuated with some of the South Island’s more unusual natural wonders and its most accessible wildlife, the Dunedin and Otago area is a rolling, scenic chunk of land that’s edged by the restless Pacific Ocean.

Queenstown and Wanaka
The Queenstown and Wanaka region has been gifted with regal mountains that clamour up to the sky, lush rainforest, shimmering lakes and a popularity that has brought with it a strong tourism infrastructure. Continually outdoing itself with newer, faster and wilder adrenaline-charged activities, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s hottest destinations year-round. And neighbouring Wanaka isn’t far behind.

Fiordland and Southland
The south of the South Island is all about scenery. Mountains are covered in lush forest and snuggle up to one another like sleeping giants. Between them plunge undisturbed fiords that harbour treasure-troves of sea life. Windswept beaches stretch lazily across a coastline that snakes into countless bays.

Stewart Islands and Outer Islands
From tiny, balmy, tropical atolls to subantarctic bird-haven islets, New Zealand’s island life stretches far from the shores of its North and South landmasses. Many of the country’s extended family of islands are not easily reached and getting to them is truly half of the adventure, taking you on seafaring voyages into the frozen south or into the Pacific’s earthquake-riddled ‘ring of fire’. That said, both Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands are accessible, tourist-friendly destinations that are well worth the effort.

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