Travel guide - Video putopisi - Australia, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a dynamic center for Australian economic activity and one of the most important cities for finance in the Asia-Pacific region. Sydney was also the host of the 2000 Olympic Games, which successfully raised the city's global profile. Though comprised of a large, sometimes sprawling population, Sydney nonetheless retains many large public spaces and lush green parklands—the city is literally surrounded by national parks, which extend even into the suburbs and the shores of the harbor.

 

Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania is famous for its merino wool which is used by Japanese companies to manufacture high quality men's suits. It is also known world-wide for the Tasmanian Tiger, a now extinct striped marsupial dog-like animal, and the nocturnal Tasmanian Devil, a small black and white marsupial whose sharp teeth and frightening growls belie the fact that it is relatively shy of humans. Tasmanian Devils are currently under threat of extinction due to a widespread facial tumour. The state government is endeavouring to detect the cause of the tumours and preserve disease-free colonies. On the whole, expect a good mix of nice natural scenery, fresh food and wines, and historic heritage.

Melbourn, Australia
The promise of Mahdia has a tendency of coming almost true. While wandering around the city, many of the elements of the city's past is spotted, but it either is too obviously restored, or too little. In the 10th century Mahdia was a very important city, but even more, it was the capital of one of the Muslim worlds most important line of rulers, the Fatimids. The first Fatimid ruler declared himself as the Mahdi, the last prophet of Islam. The Fatimids moved their centre to Egypt after conquering Cairo, and Mahdia had been the capital for just 50 years. Mahdia was chosen as the capital because of the proximity to the sea, and the promontory on which an important military settlement had been since the time of the Phoenicians. With a wall 10 metres thick, man and nature had built one of this coast's best fortresses.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are considered sacred places by the Anangu people, the Aboriginal tribes that have lived there for thousands of years. The Australian government formally returned control of the area to the Anangu in 1985 under the condition that the land be jointly managed by the Anangu and the Australian parks and management services. Visitors will notice efforts throughout the area to include and encourage respect for the Anangu perspective on the land. Much of Kata Tjuta is off-limits, for example, and climbing Uluru is strongly discouraged by sign-posts. (A few areas around the base of Uluru are intended to be off-limits for photography, although there is no problem with it throughout most of the park.) In practice, however, the daily management of the parks is handled by members of the Australian parks department.

Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland is often known as the "City of Sails" for the large number of yachts that grace the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. It could also be known as the "City of Volcanoes". Much of its natural character comes from the fact that it is built on the Auckland Volcanic Field which consists of about 48 volcanoes. All of the volcanoes are individually extinct but the volcanic field as a whole is not. Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia. For some Polynesian island nations, there are more expatriates living in Auckland than in their homeland. Auckland's rich Pacific cultural mix is celebrated at festivals and sporting matches. Auckland rates well in quality-of-life polls consistently rating in the top 5 of the major polls.

Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua. There are several other lakes nearby. Along with the geothermal wonders, there are also the more usual water activities such as fishing and boating. Tourism is a major industry in Rotorua, and for good reason, the tourism services are therefore well developed and visitors should definitely make a stop at the Tourist Information Centre on the main road, Fenton Street. Rotorua is built over a geothermal hot spot. There are numerous natural vents, hot pools and other geothermal features in and around the city. Many of these are in parks and reserves. Natural eruptions of steam, hot water and mud occasionally occur in new locations. Many places have their own private geothermal bores for heating and water for bathing although private use of naturally occurring geothermal water and steam is controlled. Unfortunately the main resort is closed at the moment (12/12/03) due to a problem with the venting. However Wai Tapu is an entertaining day out.