Don’t Forget about Earth Hour on 31st March! We can save the Planet!

Earth Hour is the largest environmental event in history, when hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support it.

Earth Hour is on 31 of March, at 8.30 pm

It all started in 2007, when WWF (World Wildlife Fund)-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate change action in the first ever Earth Hour event.

It showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, has the power to change the world they live in.

In Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

Earth Hour is on 31 of March, at 8.30 pm

One year later, in 2008, the plan was to take Earth Hour to the rest of Australia. But then the City of Toronto, Canada, signed up and it wasn’t long before 35 countries and almost 400 cities and towns were part of the event.

It said something compelling to the world: that the climate challenges facing our planet are so significant that change needs to be global.

Earth Hour is on 31 of March, at 8.30 pm

This amazing project quickly became a global event. It’s scheduled on the last Saturday of every March – closely coinciding with the equinox to ensure most cities are in darkness as it rolled out around the Earth.

In 2011, more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change.

Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come togethe for a common cause.

Paris Eiffel tower before and during Earth Hour.

This year we should break last year’s record, don’t you agree? The Earth deserves an hour of our attention and love!

Click here to learn all about Earth Hour and find out why this event is so important!

Best cities in Australia

Australia is a vast country, with a landmass roughly the same as that of Europe. However, the population definitely isn’t evenly distributed, with most people living in cities. The main cities of the country each have very different atmospheres, and it’s worth travelling around a bit to get to know them all.

To listen to our podcast on the best cities in Australia, click play or find episode 207 in iTunes:

In general, Australian people live in the suburbs, not in the city centre, so there are fewer people around at night. City centres are for working and shopping, then for partying, but not really for living in. This means that things close reasonably early, unless you’re in an area with lots of bars and restaurants.

The public transport is generally expensive and doesn’t run very frequently or very late; partly because of the low population density, and partly because most Australians have their own cars for getting around in. People will often use public transport to get to and from work, so buses and trains are busy during the commuter rush of the morning and afternoon, but they’ll use their cars in the evening.

Original post via uptake.

Perth

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and the only real city on the western seaboard. It can be expensive to get to, though not if you’re coming from Asia; flights from Singapore, KL and Hong Kong are cheap and short — it’s about a five-hour trip.

Perth is a relatively quiet town, but with a pleasant atmosphere. There’s also plenty to do nearby, such as visiting the Swan Valley for wine tasting or heading to Rottnest or Penguin Islands for some wildlife-spotting.

Adelaide

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is another small city. It’s a planned city, set out in a grid and located several kilometres from the beach. The city centre itself can be a bit boring, but the beach suburbs of Henley Beach and Glenelg are both really pleasant — good places to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand. The public transport isn’t up to much but you can use the city bikes to get around on.

There’s plenty to do in and around the city, like visiting one of the three nearby wine regions (the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley and Maclaren Vale), or heading out mountain biking with Escapegoat tours. Bookabee run really good tours about the Aborigine culture of Australia, and you can kayak with dolphins with Adventure Kayaking SA.

Melbourne

Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, is one of our favourite cities in the world. It’s a haven for coffee drinkers, with genuinely good coffee served in quirky cafes throughout the city. The restaurants and bars are also excellent, and those along the Yarra River bank being particularly pleasant.

The architecture is interesting; a mix of modern and Victorian, and the public transport is extensive and generally trustworthy. The free city circle tram is a good way to orientate yourself in the central city, as well as being a pretty good way to get around!

There’s plenty to do in and around the city: Federation Square, in addition to being home to ACMI (the Australian Centre for the Moving Image), also has free wifi — something almost unheard-of in Australia. Plus you can visit St Kilda, the Old Melbourne Gaol, or do a day tour to the Great Ocean Road.

Sydney

The name “Sydney” evokes an image for almost everyone: that of the city’s iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Of course, there’s more to Sydney than just its icons, though in fact the area around Circular Quay, where both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge are located, is a good place to start to get to know the city. From here you can visit the Botanic Gardens or wander across the Bridge, or head towards the historic Rocks area. You can also hop on a ferry to Manly or take a bus to Bondi for a day at the beach.

Sydney is also home to Taronga Zoo, which can also be reached by ferry from Circular Quay — it’s a great place to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s unique animals.

Brisbane

We only spent three or four days in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, but were pleasantly surprised by it. It isn’t flashy like Sydney, nor does it have the coffee culture of Melbourne, but it’s a relaxed, pleasant place to spend a week or so. The river is omni-present, and the public commuter ferry is a great, cheap way to see the city from the water.

Melbourne city break guide

Why go?

Birthplace of Australian Rules Football, host of the 1956 Olympic Games, home of both the Australian Open and the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne can rightly claim to be the sportiest city in a country where sport is the only true religion.

The Melbourne Cup may indeed be the horse race that “stops a nation” but the same could also be said of the traditional Boxing Day Test at the “G” (the Melbourne Cricket Ground) – or indeed, the AFL Grand Final when 100,000 fans pack the stands. Despite this obsession with sport, Melbourne is not a one-dimensional society.

Even Sydneysiders – its sternest critics – now concede that Melbourne has a superior restaurant and bar scene. The southern capital also sets the pace when it comes to fashion, theatre, design and architecture. It’s also quite funny. Remember a certain housewife superstar who hailed from Moonee Ponds?

Victoria is also Australia’s most compact state, which means the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and Phillip Island with its fairy penguins are right on the doorstep. So, after decades of playing second fiddle to Sydney, “Marvellous Melbourne” is recovering its lustre, with a thrusting city skyline, a new entertainment precinct and a pulsating Docklands area.

Stuffy? Old-fashioned? Nonsense. Caffeine-fuelled, sports-mad and outward looking, Melbourne is unquestionably Australia’s most exciting and diverse metropolis. Go now.

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When to go?

Unlike Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast, Melbourne has not given its soul to the beach. Theatre, fine food and competitive sport are really the dominant forces here – not the changing seasons.

Your visit to Melbourne is probably more likely to be dictated by an event – the Australian Open, the Comedy Festival or a new exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria – than the climate, which is notoriously changeable; locals say that Melbourne has “four seasons in the same day”. Just remember that winters here (June to August) can be bitterly cold, so wrap up.

Ten top sights

Hidden Secrets Tour

The winner of numerous tourism awards, the three-hour escorted Lanes and Arcades Tour (1) takes the visitor into the labyrinth of alleyways that make up the heart of old Melbourne. Visit obscure buildings, bespoke suppliers and groovy fashion label stores. Hidden Secrets Tours (00 61 3 9663 3358, www.hiddensecretstours.com), Suite 2, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Tours cost AU$95, including coffee.

National Sports Museum

Australia’s newest attraction, located at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (2), celebrates the national obsession with sport. Meet a hologram of Shane Warne, see Ian Thorpe’s swimming trunks and 3,500 pieces of sporting memorabilia. National Sports Musem (00 61 3 9657 8879, www.nsm.org.au), Northern Stand, MCG, 120 Brunton Avenue Jolimont. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Closed on event days. Cost: AU$15 (adult), AU$11 (child).

Queen Victoria Market

Continuously operating since 1878, these markets (3) are one of Melbourne’s marvels – and a source of constant delight. Join a tour, have a coffee, chat to a grower or providore. Queen Victoria Market (00 61 3 9320 5822, http://www.qvm.com.au), 513 Elizabeth Street, City. Closed Mon, Wed and public holidays. Admission: Free.

Old Melbourne Gaol

Send a shiver up your spine with a visit to this house (4) of torture (and death). Notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880 – you can see the trapdoor where he once stood. His death mask is here. Old Melbourne Gaol (00 61 3 8663 7228, www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au), 377 Russell Street, City. Open daily. Admission: AU$21 (adult), AU$11 (child), AU$16 (concession).

Immigration Museum

Suppress your yawns, immigration is crucial to the history of Melbourne and this museum (5) tells its story in graphic detail. Displays include a 55ft replica transport ship. Immigration Museum (00 61 3 9927 2700, www.museumvictoria.com.au), 400 Flinders Street, City. Open daily. Admission: AU$8 (adult), children and concession holders are free.

Grainger Museum

Percy Aldridge Grainger is best known as the composer of Country Gardens, but this museum (6) reveals many other sides to an eccentric Australian genius. Located at the University of Melbourne (00 61 3 8344 5270, www.grainger.unimelb.edu.au), Gate 13, Royal Parade, Parkville. Open Tue-Fri, and Sun, 1pm-4.30pm. Admission: Free.

Eureka Skydeck 88

This is the highest platform in the southern hemisphere in a futuristic glass and steel tower block (7). Visitors occupy a glass cube, which slides out from the building. Eureka Skydeck 88 (00 61 3 9693 8888, www.eurekaskydeck.com.au), on the Southbank. Open daily. Admission: AU$17.50 (adult), AU$9 (child).

Royal Botanic Gardens

Established in 1846 these gardens (8) provide a window into Melbourne’s more genteel past. The gardens, which enclose the Shrine of Remembrance, now contain some 12,000 plant species. Royal Botanic Gardens (00 61 3 9252 2300, www.rbg.vic.gov.au), Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141. Open from 7.30am to dusk every day. Admission: Free.

Cook’s Cottage

The parental home of Captain James Cook (9), the celebrated navigator, dates back to 1755 and was transported from Yorkshire and re-erected in Fitzroy Gardens in 1933 – a time when white settlement was still a source of pride. Open daily, 9am-5pm. Admission: AU$4.50 (adult), AU$2.20 (child).

Melbourne Museum

The largest museum complex (10) in the southern hemisphere is dedicated to Australia’s flora, fauna, culture and way of life. Famous exhibits include champion race horse Phar Lap and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. www.museumvictoria.com.au. Open daily, 10am to 5pm. Admission: AU$8 (adult), children and concession holders are free.

Full guide and article on The Telegrapher.

Sydney Top 10

Sydney Top Tens

Australia has always been known as a sun lovin’, free-wheelin’, beer drinkin’ country with people to match who have a love for the simple life. But one of the country’s most iconic cities has done much over the years to shed itself of this stigma, creating a refined class and sophistication to rival some of the largest international cities. Ranked as one of the best places in the world to live, Sydney’s cultural identity continues to grow as it establishes an elegance and style that has moved it towards the upper most echelons of world class cities to visit.

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There really isn’t a best season to visit Sydney, since temperatures remain rather stable throughout the entire year. Wintertime thermostats rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius, except during the evenings, and summertime mercury often reaches upwards of 30. If you do arrive during the summer months, (December through February) be sure to bring a hat, your bathing suit, and lots of sunscreen as you’ll have plenty of sunny days to soak up the plethora of stunning beaches that line the east coast.

Via the Travel Magazine.

1.The Sydney Opera House
Named as one of the 20 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of the world project, impeccable taste and original design go hand in hand when you think of the Sydney Opera House. Take a wander around this marvelous structure and enjoy the harbour views, or sip a bevy on an outside patio while soaking up the seaside ambience. Not just one of Sydney’s architectural bests, the Sydney Opera House also offers up plenty of cultural activities for the artistic at heart. It is home to the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony. Choose from ballets, concerts, opera, theater, and much, much more.

2.The Rocks
The Rocks is one of the oldest and most historic regions of Sydney. It brims with yesteryear charm and boasts many gastronomic and shopping delights. A must-do are The Rocks Markets, (George & Playfair Streets) where over 150 stalls offer up handcrafted goods and Australian delicacies such as honey-roasted macadamia nuts and homemade jams and lemonade. And you can’t go to The Rocks without enjoying a bite to eat at one of the award-winning restaurants. Entertain the kids at Pancakes on The Rocks, (4, Hickson Rd) seek out a well-hidden Italian trattoria, or soak up the marvelous views of the harbour while dining on lobster at Waterfront Restaurant, (27 Circular Quay West). Alternatively, leave your wallet at your hotel and simply enjoy a romantic stroll through the cobble streets, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of years gone by.

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge
This is a famous landmark that needs no introduction. Try climbing this well known bridge all the way to the top where you will come face to face with breathtaking views over the city and beyond the Pacific. But be warned: this activity is not for the faint at heart and if vertigo is your nemesis you may want to stick to walking across, instead of up, this Aussie masterpiece.

4. Museum of Contemporary Art
If art is your passion then be sure to add the Museum of Contemporary Art, (MCA) to the top of your must-see list. As the only Australian museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting, and collecting contemporary art from Australia and around the world, the MCA is constantly showcasing an impressive collection to satisfy even the most discerning art coinsure. Perched between Circular Quay and The Rocks, the MCA makes for the perfect pit stop on a sightseeing journey around Sydney.

5.Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is perhaps one of the most famous beaches on the east coast of Australia. Known for it’s eclectic artists, transient backpackers, and eastern suburb fashion devotees, Bondi boasts breathtaking views, talc-soft sand, shops-a-plenty, and a great diversity of restaurants to choose from. Whether it’s eating, drinking, sunbathing, or shopping Bondi has a niche to suit every personality. From high-flying celebrities like Nicole Kidman to the local bloke who enjoys dingy, beer soaked pubs, Bondi caters to every human need, want, or desire.

6. Sydney Tower
Venture into downtown Sydney and brace yourself for the vertical trip to the top of Sydney Tower. Housed inside the Sydney Tower, is Australia’s highest revolving restaurant that will have you eating in the clouds. Or brave the outside deck and conquer the Skywalk – Sydney’s highest open-air attraction which rises 260 metres above the ground. Suit up, strap in, then step out and onto a glass platform where you’ll come face to face with 360 degree views of the city. This may sound terrifying, but you’ve nothing to fear – Sydney Tower is ranked as one of the safest buildings in the world.

7. Botanic Gardens
Whether you have a green thumb or are a garden klutz, the Botanic Gardens will inspire you to plant more than your average herb. This is a lush, green oasis comprising 30 hectares of nature smack bang in the heart of the city. It boasts the title of the oldest scientific institution in Australia, (established in 1816) and if you’re interested in learning more about Australian flora lessons and personalized tours are on offer, (+61 2 9231 8134). The gardens are located in a spectacular position overlooking Farm Cove and Sydney Harbour. Bring a picnic lunch and set yourself down inside this hidden hideaway and feel the irony of peace within a bustling city. Alternatively, enjoy a bite to eat at the Botanic Garden Restaurant & Café which is surrounded by tropical rainforest and wide verandahs that overlook the Harbour.

8.Glebe Markets
Always a great spot to nab a bargain, these markets cater to the hippy artist in all of us. Located in the grounds of Glebe public school, prepare yourself for a diverse selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, food, second hand books, and other hidden gems. These are some of the most well known markets in all of Sydney with an alternative flair and inner city vibe. Come here for a true local experience. And once you’re done grab a coffee and a bite to eat on one of the many trendy cafes in the area.

9.Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Situated on the edge of the Royal Botanic Gardens, directly east of the Sydney Opera House. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – otherwise known as Lady Macquarie’s Chair – provides one of the best vantage points in the whole of Sydney. More than your average “chair” this naturalistic piece of Sydney-side furniture comes with its very own historic tale. It was carved out of a rock ledge over 150 years ago for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife – Elizabeth Macquarie. She was known to frequent the area due to its breathtaking seaside vistas.

10. Blues Point
This is a well-kept Sydney secret often used by locals as a stunning backdrop for wedding photos or a peaceful place to perch if you’re feeling contemplative. A grassy knoll at the bottom of Blues Point road in Milsons Point, you can sit here – practically underneath the Harbour Bridge itself – and watch as boats float past. This has long be a lunchtime hangout for locals who work in the area, but it seldom crowds so you may find you have this special spot all to yourself to enjoy a cool seaside breeze under an open Sydney sky.