Friday, February 28, 2020

A GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA'S BANKNOTES

Australian Currency

Australia’s banknotes are as colourful as the country itself, with a series of mauve, blue, red, yellow and green notes filling wallets across the country. But who are the faces that adorn the AUD? Read on to find out.



History

The first Australian banknotes were issued on 14 February, 1966, when the country swapped the Australiapound for a new decimal currency. AUD originally came in denominations of $1, $2, $10 and $20 (as well as 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢ and 20¢ coins), before adding the $5 in 1967, $50 in 1973 and $100 in 1984.


Early designs

The design of those first banknotes focused on Australian flora and fauna, as well as the country’s achievements in the fields of science and architecture, in particular. Agronomist William Farrer, botanist Joseph Banks, humanitarian Caroline Chisolm, convict/architect Francis Greenway, aviator Charles Kingsford Smith, CSIRO godfather Ian Clunies Ross and Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson were a few of the faces to appear alongside native plants and animals.

An original Australian $2 banknote featuring wool pioneer John Macarthur

Polymer pioneers

Australia produced the world’s first polymer banknotes in 1988, commemorating the bicentenary of European colonisation in Australia. That groundbreaking $10 bill featured the First Fleet arriving in Sydney Cove on one side and a portrait of an Indigenous man on the other and featured a cutting-edge transparent ‘window’ depicting Captain James Cook as an anti-counterfeit security measure.

The Reserve Bank of Australia replaced $1 and $2 notes with coins in the 1980s, then phased out the original banknotes with polymer replacements between 1992 and 1996. These new plastic bills also celebrated a new set of public figures who have made a significant contribution to Australian society.
$5

The mauve-coloured fiver features Queen Elizabeth II on its front side and Canberra’s Parliament House on the reverse. A special version was produced in 2001 to mark the centenary of Australia’s federation, depicting long-serving New South Wales premier and ‘father of federation’ Henry Parkes, plus writer and suffragist Catherine Helen Spence. A new ‘Next Generation’ version with an expanded transparent window and a tactile feature for the visually impaired has been in circulation since 2016.
$10

The light blue tenner carries portraits of two giants of Australian literature, Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson and Dame Mary Gilmore. Paterson is shown alongside horses representing his iconic poem The Man from Snowy River, and Gilmore is drawn with verses from her poetry as well as motifs from her writing. A Next Generation $10 banknote was also issued in 2017.

Australian $10 banknote

$20

Affectionately known as a ‘lobster’ due to its red colour, the $20 banknote portrays convict businesswoman Mary Reibey and protestant minister John Flynn. Reibey appears alongside a sailing ship and a colonial-era building, while Flynn is accompanied by an early Qantas plane, symbolising the Royal Flying Doctor Service he founded, vastly improving the quality of medical care in outback Australia.

$50

The $50 bill — nicknamed a ‘pineapple’ because of its yellow hue — includes Indigenous polymath David Unaipon and female trailblazer Edith Cowan. Unaipon sits alongside a collection of his inventions that helped smash archaic stereotypes about Aboriginal people, and Cowan — who championed the welfare of women and children in Western Australia — is positioned in front of Western Australia’s original parliament house, where she became the first female member of any Australian parliament.

$100

The rarely spotted hundred dollar note features two giant figures in Australian history, Dame Nellie Melba and Sir John Monash. Melba — who took her stage name from her home town of Melbourne — was one of the planet’s most famous singers during the Victorian era, while Monash — considered one of World War One’s most accomplished commanders — is Australia’s most revered military figure.

Australian $100 banknotes

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Australia's Tropical Island Secret: COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS


Move aside Maldives and Mauritius, there’s another island archipelago in the Indian Ocean that will give you a run for your money. Meet the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia’s secret tropical island paradise.

Australia is known for its beautiful islands, like the Whitsundays. But what many people don’t know is there’s an isolated island chain in the Indian Ocean called the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Keep reading to learn more about this underrated Australian territory, including its history and the best things to do.



COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS' HISTORY

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located 2,750 kilometres (1,709 miles) from Perth in Western Australia. They’re strategically positioned midway between Australia and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. Their closest neighbour is Christmas Island, which is located a casual 1,000 (621 miles) kilometres away.

English Captain William Keeling first put the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on the map in 1609. This is where the name originates, which was made official by the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955. In 1814, Scottish Captain John Clunies-Ross established himself and his family on the islands, where he started a coconut plantation. Then a telegraph station was constructed in 1901, which connected Mauritius, Java and Australia.



THE WORLD WARS

Unfortunately, the instalment of the telegraph station resulted in the Battle of Cocos, one of World War I’s first naval battles in 1914. A landing party from the German cruiser, SMS Emden disabled the communications station, but then engaged in battle with troops from Australian cruiser, HMAS Sydney. The cable station was also vital for communication in World War II, when two airstrips were built on the islands.


AUSTRALIA's TAKEOVER

During this time, the Clunies-Ross family still ‘ruled’ the islands, as the original settlers. On 23 November 1955, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands were officially transferred from the United Kingdom’s Colony of Singapore to the Commonwealth of Australia. In the 1970s, Australia’s government became dissatisfied with the Clunies-Ross family’s ‘feudal-style’ of rule over the islands. So in 1978, the family was forced to sell the islands to Australia for $6.25 million. Although some members of the Clunies-Ross family still live on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the matriarch John Cecil Clunies-Ross (the V) was told to leave the island, and so now resides in Perth.



FACTS ABOUT THE COCOS (KEELING ISLANDS)

Population

The island archipelago consists of two atolls (North Keeling Island and South Keeling Islands), and 27 coral islands, but only two of them are inhabited. This is West Island, which is the capital and where the airport is located; and Home Island, which is home to the largely Cocos Malay population. The current population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is approximately 600 people. 80% of residents practise Sunni Islam, and the two main languages spoken includes a Cocos Malay dialect and English.

The Malay name for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is Pulu Kokos (Keeling). There are also sign posts located across Home and West Islands, which feature Malay translations. Together with Christmas Island, it forms the Australian Indian Ocean Territories. Although Western Australia provides public services to the islands, its House of Representative member is from the Northern Territory’s Division of Lingiari.



Climate

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands experience a tropical monsoonal climate, which means it has a wet and dry season like northern Australia. The average summer (wet season) temperature is 30°C, while the median winter temperature is 23°C. The water temperature also hovers between 26 and 29°C year-round.


Getting There and Around

To get to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, there are Virgin Australia flights that depart from Perth and go via Christmas Island. This is the perfect excuse to visit both of these underrated tropical islands in one vacation. To get around West Island, the most popular mode of transport is the bike. There are also ferries between Home and West Islands, and West and Direction Islands.



Things to do on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

It’s all about the water-based activities on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where the water is crystal clear and turquoise, and the sand is pure white. Cocos Dive is a local company that organises dive trips, where visibility is excellent and marine life is plentiful. Expect to see dolphins, reef sharks and turtles. Snorkelling is also a popular activity, as is bonefishing and kitesurfing in the winter months.

The newly-named Cossies Beach (in honour of Australia’s Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove) on Direction Island was named Australia’s Best Beach in 2017. Apparently, Charles Darwin described it as heavenly in 1836, and it remains this way over 180 years later. There are also Home Island Eco Tours, where you can learn more about the Cocos Malay culture from a local tour guide.

Friendly locals, beautiful beaches and Malay cuisine — this is what you have to look forward to on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

WELCOME TO HOBART!



Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, is a hub of culture, history, food, and natural beauty. Whatever your interests, you’ll find plenty to do in this up and coming city.



MOUNT WELLINGTON


Mount Wellington is one of the most popular attractions in Hobart, and with good reason. Rising 1270m high, snow can be often be seen covering the peaks, and the views from the summit are truly stunning. At this altitude the sky is often perfectly blue and clear, and you will have 360 degree views of surrounding Hobart and as far out as the sea. There is one road from the city centre to the top of Mount Wellington for car users, or you can catch a bus up to Fern Tree and then finish with a three hour hike to the top. Wellington Park itself is beautiful, and there are many other trails and walks in the park where you can appreciate the wildlife and the park’s natural beauty. For those looking for more thrills, there are many other ways to see the park including horse riding, biking, four wheel driving and rock climbing. Whatever way you decide to see Mount Wellington, make sure not to miss the most beautiful vistas in all of Australia.


SALAMANCA PLACE


Salamanca Place is a precinct of Hobart, home to rows of picturesque sandstone buildings. Built in the 1830s as warehouses, Salamanca Place was home to Hobart’s thriving industries. Nowadays, Salamanca Place is as busy as ever, but with tourists and locals rather than industry workers, as these old buildings have been converted into shops, boutiques, cafés, restaurants and art galleries. Find interesting and unique pieces of Tasmanian art in the galleries and shops, or enjoy a meal looking out on Salamanca’s historic waterfront. Set just behind the place is Salamanca Square, a more modern shopping experience where you can browse for high end fashion, and relax in one of the chic cafés. Be sure to come to Salamanca Place on a Saturday for the Salamanca markets, where you’ll find over 300 stalls showcasing the best of Tasmanian produce, arts and crafts, fashion, music, and more.


BATTERY POINT


Battery Point can feel like a step back in time. Most of the buildings date from the 1830s and you will find many colonial-style buildings as you wander its streets. The best way to explore Battery Point is on foot, and you will come across many quaint shops and cafés along with some of the most expensive real estate in Hobart. Battery Point is an architectural gem with highlights including St George’s Anglican Church and Arthur Circus, a collection of cottages built for officers of the garrison. If you have a keen interest in the history and architecture of the area, try a guided walking tour of the town. Battery Point is a great place to dine, ranging from some very exclusive restaurants to more reasonably priced restaurants and pubs.


MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART (MONA)


Opened in 2011, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has been said to have revitalised Hobart, and put it on the international map. Described by founder David Walsh as a ‘subversive adult Disneyland’, MONA blends both old and new art and will impress and surprise even the most modern art cynic. MONA is not for the faint hearted though, as many exhibits on display are quite controversial, and include scenes of nudity and/or violence. Take Shanabrook ‘On the Road to Heaven the Highway to Hell’ , or Delvoye’s ‘Cloaca machine’, both famous pieces at the MONA which caused much controversy but were both highly popular. The artwork is arranged randomly throughout the museum so visitors can wonder as they please and choose what they want to see. To reach the MONA you will have to get the ferry or the bus, as it is right on the seafront. Whilst controversial contemporary art may not have been on your list of things to do in Hobart, the popularity and importance of the MONA makes it an unmissable attraction.


PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE


Listed as a World Heritage site, the Port Arthur Historic site is made up of 30 buildings, and was a penal facility used by the British Empire to send convicts to Australia. Many of the original buildings are ruins now, but you can still see and explore the penitentiary, the Hospital, the Separate Prison and the Convict Church. If you have time, go for one of the guided tours of the Isle of the Dead Cemetery or the Point Puer Boys Prison, both located on separate islands from the main site. Port Arthur also has the longest running Ghost Tour in Australia, an after dark tour and history of paranormal experiences that have occurred on the site. Port Arthur is also famous for the 1996 massacre, which left 35 dead, and remains one of the deadliest shootings committed by one person of all time. The 1996 massacre also lead to the huge change in gun ownership laws in Australia, and lead to Australia having some of the strictest gun laws in the world. You can learn more about the massacre and reflect on the lives lost at the Memorial Garden. Port Arthur is a drive or boat ride away from Hobart, and you can enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding Tasmanian landscape as you make your way there. For an interesting day learning about the lives of convicts and Australia’s history, Port Arthur is a must.


ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS


Opened in 1818, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a 14 hectare site home to many historic and native Tasmanian plants. It has many important conservation projects and also houses the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House. The Subantarctic Plant House has been built to replicate the climate and look of Macquarie Island, and houses flora collected mainly from the island. Come to the Botanical Gardens to discover and enjoy plants and flora native to Tasmania, and spend a relaxing day admiring your surroundings. The gardens are located on the Queens Domain, and is an easy 25 minute walk from the centre of Hobart.


CASCADE BREWERY


The Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest brewery, built in 1832 and still in use today. The building itself stands rather imposingly against its backdrop, a beautiful example of older, colonial architecture. The Brewery runs two tours: a Brewery Tour and a Heritage Tour. On the Brewery Tour you’ll learn about the process of brewing, the most popular beers, and the history and stories of the Cascade Brewery, however visitors on the Brewery Tour must be over 16 years of age. The Heritage Tour is a good choice for those with children, and takes you on a tour of the surrounding areas of the brewery including the Woodstock gardens and the Cascade museum. Be sure to finish your visit to the Cascade Brewery with a nice cool pint, or schooner, of Cascade beer.


BONORONG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY


Just half an hour away from the centre of Hobart, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with a range of native Tasmanian animals, such as namesake Tasmanian devil, wombats, bettongs, and wallabies. This is a great trip for all animal lovers, and for kids especially. If you can, visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary at night for a night tour, where you’ll be guided around the Sanctuary in small groups and have the chance to feed many of their animals. The night tour is quite pricey, but if you’re an animal person it’s definitely a unique opportunity to learn about and meet some of Tasmania’s wildlife.


TRUGANINI TRACK


The Truganini Track is an uphill walk from Hobart with gorgeous views of Hobart and the surrounding area once you reach the Mount Nelson Signal Station. The track takes around 2 hours and starts from Sandy Bay Road. From here you follow the Cartwright Creek, before passing through for rest where you can see native Tasmanian flora and plants. Just before you reach the summit, make sure to stop off at the Truganini Memorial, dedicated to the Aborigine population of Tasmania and their descendants. With gorgeous panoramas of Storm Bay, the Truganini Track is a free and beautiful treat for the eyes.


MACHINE LAUNDRY CAFE


With so many different cafés to choose from, it can be hard to pick where to go in Hobart. If you can, stop off at the Machine Laundry Cafe. As you can guess from the name, it is an interesting mix of both a café and a laundry. You’ll find locals doing their laundry mixed in with others looking for a cup of coffee and a good breakfast. The café has a friendly and very retro vibe, with views of Salamanca Square. There is no set big breakfast, but you can create your own breakfast from a list of sides. Try the ricotta hotcakes for something a bit different: a stack of ricotta pancakes with chocolate fudge, raspberries, candied pistachio crumbs and clotted cream, perfect for a sunny day in Hobart. The café is always busy however, so arrive early if you can.


Tuesday, February 25, 2020

48 Hours in Cairns.....

Cairns sunset
Cairns is one of the most visited cities in Australia every year. With 48 hours in Cairns, visitors can explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sample authentic Australian cuisine, and visit the city’s best neighbouring towns. Here’s our itinerary for the best two days in Cairns, from morning to evening.



DAY 1
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Morning

The Lillipad Cafe
Cafe, Australian, Mexican, Turkish

Eggs Benedict
Start your morning in Cairns at The Lillipad Cafe, which has been serving Cairns locals and tourists since 2003. Known for its international flavours and big portions, Lillipad Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its extensive breakfast menu includes dishes such as a breakfast burrito, shakshuka, a Turkish breakfast, eggs Benedict, omelettes, and French toast. There are also vegetarian items, cakes and treats baked daily, and a kids’ menu that includes breakfast meals.


Afternoon

Salt House
Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Australian, Seafood

Brunch at Salt House
While on the waterfront, head to Salt House for lunch, with its mountain, ocean, and Trinity Inlet views. The ‘designer’s dream’ is a restaurant, bar, and pizzeria with an Argentinian wood-fired grill. Salt House restaurant has daily lunch specials, which include a choice of one of five dishes and a drink for $20. Items on the lunch menu include Atlantic salmon, kangaroo carpaccio, a seafood tasting plate, and kingfish ceviche. Its pizzeria serves tapas and a variety of pizzas for lunch as well.

An alternative afternoon trip from Cairns is to its northern suburb, Palm Cove. Located 30 minutes from the city, Palm Cove is known for its beautiful beach, luxury resorts, and boutique shopping strip. If that isn’t enough, another 30 minutes from Palm Cove is Port Douglas. A similar tropical town, Port Douglas is home to award-winning restaurants, excellent independent shopping on Macrossan Street, and Four Mile Beach.

Port Douglas

Evening

In the evening, enjoy Cairns’ tropical climate on a sunset cruise. Big Cat Green Island sunset cruise includes a welcome drink and savoury nibbles on arrival. There’s also a combination ticket option, which includes dinner at Dundee’s Restaurant following the cruise. Otherwise, Spirit of Cairns does both sunset and dinner cruises. The dinner cruise includes entertainment and a three-course buffet menu, which features dishes made with the best regional produce.

Cairns sunset
Another nighttime option in Cairns is to visit the Night Market, which is open 365 days a year. There are stalls selling souvenirs, handmade jewellery, clothing, and more. The Night Market is also home to massage and beauty services, and a large international food court. Here you can sample Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, French and Italian cuisine.



DAY 2
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Morning

JaffleHead
Cafe, Australian

Try a jaffle at JaffleHead
JaffleHead is the only speciality jaffle shop in Cairns. Jaffle is an Australian term for a toasted sandwich, which is cooked using a jaffle maker. Jaffle can be filled with an assortment of meats and vegetables, but cheese is mandatory. At JaffleHead, some of their classic jaffles that are perfect for breakfast include Good Morning (poached egg, bacon, spinach, cheese, and hollandaise), and Don Juan (poached egg, chorizo, mushrooms, cheese, and dijonnaise). Their basic jaffles include combinations like tinned spaghetti and cheese, and vegemite and cheese.


Afternoon

Beautiful Fitzroy Island
If you’d rather stay on dry land, head on an adventurous day trip to Kuranda instead. Reach Kuranda via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and return on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which is considered one of Australia’s most unique train journeys. While in Kuranda, visit attractions like the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld Kuranda, or Kuranda Koala Gardens.


Evening

Night Fire at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Park, History Museum

Traditional corroboree
Night Fire is held nightly at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. The evening begins with a didgeridoo welcome and introduction to the Bama, the local indigenous rainforest people, who offer traditional face painting. Then there’s a dance performance and a lakeside firemaking ceremony. A buffet dinner is served at Flame Tree Bar & Grill, which includes a salad bar, dessert, and the best Australian meats and seafood seasoned with indigenous flavours.