YHA’s 2010 Aussie Travel Secrets

If you’re anything like us here at YHA, travel more is high on your list of New Year’s resolutions. To help you get started, we’ve put together some of the Aussie destinations that are on our hit list for 2010.

Port Elliot, Fleurieu Peninsula South Australia
Only ninety minutes from Adelaide, Port Elliot is an historic seaside village on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. You can surf at Boomer Beach or swim in Horseshoe Bay, and when you need a break from all that surf and sun enjoy the local produce in the nearby McLaren Vale wine region.

Opening late January 2010 is the Port Elliot Beach House YHA, the latest property to join the YHA family. The building that houses the hostel began its life in 1914 as the Arcadia Guest House, and has been carefully restored into modern boutique accommodation for backpackers.

Get there before word gets out. 

The Grampians
Northwest of Melbourne is the Grampians National Park and the township of Halls Gap. In addition to exploring the walking tracks, lookouts and waterfalls, you can also visit the nearby Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre to learn about the local indigenous communities. For a peek into the land’s ancient past join a guided tour to visit the aboriginal rock art sites dotted through the park.

If you don’t have a car, a great way to explore the area is by taking The Highlights of the Grampians tour. It includes time to explore all the sites mentioned above, and starts at a bargain $49. YHA members get a 10% discount, of course!

Lancelin, Western Australia
Lancelin, on the West Australian coast ninety minutes north of Perth, is a water-lover’s playground. The small fishing town attracts local and international visitors for its abundance of water-sports including shipwreck diving, surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing. The bay is also a drawcard for marine visitors – playful sea lions and dolphins. For those that prefer their adrenaline hit on terra-firma, the sand dunes around the town are perfect for sand-boarding and dune-buggy rides. 

Lancelin is also close to the Pinnacles Desert, and Lancelin Lodge YHA can help you organise a day trip out to the bizarre limestone formations rising from rippled sand dunes.

Maroochydore, QLD
The heart of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore experiences over 100 sunny days each year. It wouldn’t be Queensland without huge areas of beach and parkland to explore, but Maroochydore also makes the perfect base for trips inland to the lava-formed Glasshouse Mountains, the Eumundi markets and Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.

Sydney, NSW
Okay, so Sydney isn’t exactly a secret destination. It’s loud and proud about being a top Aussie destination, and that’s one of the things we love about it. So what makes it extra special in 2010?

Sydney Harbour YHA, in the historic harbourside Rocks precinct opened in late 2009, and has brought budget accommodation to an area of the city that was previously only accessible to those with cash to flash. The best bit? Even if you don’t want to splurge on a room with a view, the hostel’s rooftop BBQ area is open to all guests. It makes a perfect base for checking out all the Sydney Festival and other events throughout the year have to offer.

Like your hostel a little closer to transport links? Check out Railway Square YHA, where you can get so close to public transport you’ll be literally on the platform staying in a refurbished train carriage! Don’t worry – there are regular multishare rooms, too.

Info:
YHA Australia Incorporated
PO Box A 2462
Sydney South
NSW 1235
Tel.: (61) (2) 9283 7195
Fax.: (61) (2) 9262 9800
E-mail: yha@yha.org.au
www.yha.com.au