The main chapters of the guide, arranged by region, provide detailed coverage of all the attractions from glamorous Sydney to the rugged grandeur of the Red Centre. Throughout there are author picks highlighting the top places to eat, drink and stay to suit every budget.
The Rough Guide to Sydney tells you all there is to know about one of Australia''s most diverse and vibrant cities. From the Royal Botanical Gardens and Taronga Zoo to the chic bars and Bondi Beach, the 28-page, full-colour section highlights all the ''Things-not-to-miss''. The guide includes up-to-date listings of the city’s top hotels and restaurants, plus information on all the best bars, shops and clubs, to suit every budget. From bushwalking in the Blue Mountains to cruising on the Hawkesbury River, this guide has all the practical advice you will need. There is an additional chapter on The Southern Highlands and more ideas for walks around the city. The guide comes complete with maps and plans for the entire city.
Australia is a vast and sparsely populated land, comparable in size to the USA but home to just over eighteen million people. This ancient continent features some of the most eroded and arid landscapes, particularly in its central and western regions. In contrast, its cities, established mainly in the mid-nineteenth century, exude a youthful energy. The Outback, with its striking geological features and unique wildlife, showcases a vivid ecology that has supported the oldest surviving human culture for over fifty thousand years. The harsh interior has led to a coastal lifestyle, with most Australians living within 20km of the ocean, particularly in a suburban arc from southern Queensland to Adelaide. Urban Australians embrace New World values of material self-improvement, often enjoying a vibrant outdoor life characterized by beach culture and backyard barbecues. While this lifestyle may seem mundane to some visitors, opportunities exist, especially in the Northern Territory, to engage with Australia's indigenous cultures through ancient art sites and tours. Many Aboriginal people in central Australia maintain traditional lifestyles, yet those in urban areas often face challenges related to "welfare colonialism," leading to cycles of poverty and ill-health. Achieving genuine equality between black and white Australians remains a significant challenge.
A collection of short stories about women "on the road". These are tales of independent travel and subversions of the macho world of the road trip. Contributors include: Bidisha; Joanna Briscoe; Louise Doughty; Catherine Ford; Bridget O'Connor; Kathy Page; Emily Perkins; and Ali Smith.