Australia Travel News 10/06/2011

When I was a child my Dad explained to me who everyone was in my family, and my Mukai taught me how to behave with them all. Knowing where you ‘fit’ is really important, as it tells you what your responsibilities are, who you can marry, and how you should talk with each other. Some relations I can’t have a direct conversation with at all.

Greyhound Australia confirmed its acquisition of Oz Experience, yesterday, and predicted that its plan for introducing bundled packages would lead to a 15% rise in passenger numbers.

Expedia.com.au is to give away $250,000 worth of holidays, in what it claims is one of the biggest Facebook travel competitions in Australian history.

Australia’s Trade Minister, Craig Emerson, has called for Australia to increase immigration levels so that the country can exploit its “sparkling future in the Asian century”.

Our October newsletter is out now with details about all the places to see migrating humpback whales on Australia’s eastern coast.

The latest episode of Two and a Half Men featuring Ashton Kutcher fell below 1 million viewers last night while the second outing for Charlie’s Angels dropped to 639,000.

After 18 months of above average rainfall, Australia’s usually bone dry ‘Red Centre’ is blossoming. Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is more lushly green than usual, even for the post-rains season.

My first impression of this hostel was not a good one, unfortunately, and it occurred before I even arrived there. Once I landed in Alice Springs, I found the Haven van that would take me to the hostel for free.

Over 21 days Phil and Christine travelled and camped across Queensland. They have done a fantastic job of writing this journal which is accompanied by amazing pictures taken by Phil of Phil Rettke Photography.