{"id":2908,"date":"2017-03-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wotif-blog-staging-lb-1978096533.ap-southeast-2.elb.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/tips\/why-i-prefer-a-holiday-in-australia\/"},"modified":"2020-04-02T05:33:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T19:33:26","slug":"why-i-prefer-a-holiday-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/real-travel-stories\/australia\/why-i-prefer-a-holiday-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I’d rather holiday in Australia than overseas"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sophia Auld<\/em><\/p>\n

By the age of 15, I had visited at least 12 countries. From New Caledonia<\/a> to the Netherlands<\/a>, I\u2019d set foot on three continents and been to iconic destinations that many people only dream of. Don\u2019t hate me! Having a Dad that worked for Qantas meant we got ultra-cheap airfares, so the whole family could travel for less than the cost of a single fare.<\/p>\n

Those early experiences inspired a love for travel that has never waned. As much\u00a0as I love overseas destinations, I haven\u2019t departed from an international airport for more than 15 years. Instead, I\u2019ve been exploring the wonders of my native land. Here\u2019s why I\u2019d rather holiday in Australia<\/a> than overseas.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0An enviable destination
\n<\/strong>People from all over the world dream of visiting Australia. I\u2019m lucky enough to live here. No need for expensive and exhausting international flights\u2014I can travel by road, rail, and short domestic flights to innumerable new destinations within my own country.<\/p>\n

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2.\u00a0Incredible variety
\n<\/strong>As an active, outdoorsy person, Australia provides endless choice for me and my family. We have trekked around Dove Lake in Tasmania<\/a>, climbed Mt Kosciuszko<\/a> with our kids in backpacks, and swum the beaches of Yamba<\/a>. We\u2019ve hiked through snow-tipped eucalypt forests in Victoria, and along kilometres of New South Wales coastline. We\u2019ve trawled through rock pools on the Sunshine Coast<\/a>, and watched the sunset over Sydney Harbour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My kids have hand-fed pademelons on a rainy beach in northern Tasmania<\/a>, and spotted koalas in Noosa National Park<\/a>. We\u2019ve watched whales frolicking off the Coast at Victor Harbour<\/a>, and the Fairy Penguin parade at Phillip Island<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From postcard perfect islands to snow-encrusted mountains, Australia has it all. Why would I need to go anywhere else?<\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0Supporting local jobs
\n<\/strong>When people comment on how frequently we travel locally, my husband always quips that we are supporting domestic tourism. While I used to write this off as a corny \u201cDad joke\u201d, I\u2019ve realised it\u2019s true. Whenever we interrupt a road trip for lunch at a beachside cafe, or fly into a regional airport, we\u2019re bringing our tourist dollars into a community of Aussies. I feel good that we\u2019re helping provide jobs for the young person at the rental car counter and the farmer who supplied the local produce.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Meet amazing people
\n<\/strong>Aussies are a diverse and fascinating bunch. Our history of immigration means you\u2019ll meet people from all around the world right here. With them has come a wonderful array of cultures and cuisines. From moussaka to massaman curry, you\u2019ll find it here. Yum!<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Language and currency
\n<\/strong>With Aussie holidays, there\u2019s no need for translation devices. No awkward moments when I accidentally ask my hostess about her bladder habits instead of where the toilets are. And I don\u2019t have to strain my brain working out exchange rates.<\/p>\n

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These things add up to amazing holidays the whole family will always remember.<\/p>\n

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