Like Australian people, the array of Australian wines is quite fascinating. All wines, sparkling or otherwise, red, rose or white are unique to the region where it is made, and the winemaker who crafts the wine. Australian wine has come a long way from when the first wine was available for sale domestically in 1820. A wide variety of wines, sparkling reds and whites, dry and blends are produced here.

The country’s winemakers also have many awards and gold medals to their credit. In the 1873 Vienna Exhibition the French judges, tasting blind, praised some wines from Victoria, in Australia, but withdrew in protest when the origin of the wine was revealed, on the grounds that wines of that quality must clearly be French. Australian wines continued to win high honors in French competitions and still continue to dominate the wine-world in a big way.

Australian wine is a new-world wine -producing nation, whereas the European countries are considered the ‘Old world’ wine producing nations. Australia produces a wide array of wines, and is the fourth largest producer of wines in the world. Learning about Australian wine is easy and not complex as is the case with European wine. All Australian wines show the contents and origin clearly on their labels (often front and back), and the varieties used and the basic character of the wine. Many will also suggest the best foods to complement the wine, or the other way around!

Red wines have their deep colour due to the process in which the grapes are crushed along with their skins and seeds, allowing the pigmentation to enter to the juice, whereas white wines are made with the skins separated immediately after crushing. Australia produces superior red wine and this is attributed to the grape variety used.

A popular grape variety is Shiraz, which apart from giving consistent full-bodied wines with fascinating deep crimson colour, is famous for its rich ripe plum and pepper flavours. Other famous red wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, the classic red variety of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be medium to full bodied, and are always well structured and elegant with pungent typically leafy like flavours. Other red wines are Merlot that is a softer with a ‘rose petal’ like flavor, Grearche , which is highly perfumed and soft, and Pinot Noir which is one of Australia’s greatest sparkling wines.

Among Australia’s white wines, the most popular is unquestionably Chardonnay, which is also the most important white grape variety around the world. Chardonnay in Australia produces sparkling and dry white wine styles with ripe melon flavours in warmer regions, and more peach and citrus like in the cooler areas. The oak flavour greatly complements the fruit flavors of Chardonnay and drunk after a maturation of 1-3 years. The other popular white varieties are Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, which is well-known for its perfumed, and delicate light bodied flavors. Like Australia, its wines seem to say, “Just enjoy!”

Planning your luxury Australia travel itinerary, why not consider the following 10 best things to do in Sydney Australia? Australia is a vast continent where you can stroll on white sands, snorkel in blue waters, wander through green rainforest or drive across an endless red desert.

You can enjoy some of the Worlds best restaurants, wineries, galleries and shops. Or you can share Australians’ love of sport - from a round of golf on a kangaroo-covered course to a seat at a fast-paced Aussie Rules football match

Here in no particular order are our top 10 things to do in Sydney Australia …

1 - Take a thrilling scenic helicopter flight to the Blue Mountains. Stunning views of the City and Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains National Park and the spectacular Jamieson Valley all feature in this 45 minute ride before you are set down on top of the Blue Mountains to enjoy a gourmet barbeque lunch in secluded surroundings.

2 - Indulge in a City Sights Discovery tour, visiting the charming historic Rocks area, taking in Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for an unrivalled view of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Bridge. Pause briefly for morning tea in the beautiful Sydney Harbour National Park before travelling onwards to South Head. After a short stroll along the cliff tops, continue to Bondi Beach and Centennial park before returning to Circular Quay.

3 - Sail the oceans blue for a cruise around Sydney Harbour under sail for a magnificent 2 hour personalised tour around one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

4 - Visit the picturesque Hunter Valley to discover Australia’s first wine region. Join your private winemaker for a tour of the distinctive wines in a private guided tasting at the best of the region’s wineries. A gourmet lunch awaits you where you can enjoy great wines and gourmet dining in the Hunter Valley’s best restaurant.

5 - Lunch at a genuine Australian working sheep and cattle station, where your hosts provide you with an insight into life on the land, showcasing the striking Australian bush and its unique wildlife. Return to Sydney with a twilight flight over Sydney Harbour.

6 - Treat yourself to a night at the opera at the Sydney Opera House. Upcoming performances of the Swan Lake ballet, Don McClean, Edward Scissorhands, The Clarke/Duke Project and Neil Sedaka, as well as classics like Ravel’s Bolero, Stravinsky’s Firebird and Don Giovanni.

7 - Enjoy Australian and international art exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

8 - Take in the natural history at the Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Park Zoo. The aquarium is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. Journey through the rivers and oceans of Australia and be astounded by the diversity, whilst at Taronga Park Zoo find the critically endangered Booroolong Frogs, or the first Elephant pregnancy in Australasia, all within sight of Downtown Sydney. Whilst you are there, don’t miss the Sky safari!

9 - Learn to catch the waves at Manly or Bondi Beach with surfing lessons designed to make you into the hottest “chic” on the beach.

10 - Visit an ancient Aboriginal site and outstanding lookouts of the Blue Mountains National Park. Examine rock formations and the quaint little village of Leura before heading to Katoomba and the magnificent Jamieson Valley and the renown Three Sisters.

I invite you to use these ideas to make the most of your luxury Australia travel and Sydney.

The Western Australia capital of Perth offers so much to the holiday maker. There are historical monuments, great shopping and dining and nightlife all in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. But to get the most out of your Perth Holiday, you need to get out of the city and pay a visit to some of the enchanting nearby attractions. Here’s the skivvy on three of those delights: Sunset Coast, Swan Valley and Rottnest Island

One of the joys of visiting Perth is the proximity of some fine beaches to the city centre. The most luminous beach area is known as the Sunset Coast, a long strip of clean sand.

The whole area is perfect for swimming, walking and cycling, as well as al fresco dining or just relaxing in beach front cafes. As the name suggests, a special time of day to enjoy this area is sunset, when you can view the sun dipping down into the Indian Ocean in a blaze of orange. It makes for the perfect romantic moment.

Among the beaches of choice for safe swimming are Cottesloe Beach, Swanbourne Beach, which is a nudist beach, and City Beach, North Beach, and Sorrento Beach, which are popular family beaches.

Another great Perth side trip is to Swan Valley, especially for wine buffs. Just 20 minutes from downtown Perth, Swan Valley is one of Western Australia’s oldest wine producing regions and home to over 40 vineyards. Many have been in the same families for generations since the founders arrived from Europe.

Wine buffs will be particularly intrigued by the singular, fortified wines produced here. These include Muscats, Ports and some liqueur wines offered direct from the cellar door.

If beer is your tipple, you can visit the several boutique and micro breweries in the region. More than 20 locally brewed beers are on offer including ales and stout. Other than the many imbibing options, Swan Valley also offers a number of great restaurants.

Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Swan Valley’s Whiteman Park, a conservation area covering more than 4000 hectares of protected bushland and wetland. Flora in the the park includes Banksias, Melaleucas, Wattles and Grass Trees.

Another treat for nature lovers is the small island of Rottnest, accessible via a short ferry trip from Perth City, Fremantle or Hillarys. It’s home to the small marsupials known as Quokka.

Known locally as “Rotto”, Rottnest Island has a chequered history having been used as a prison colony, farm, governor’s residence and military training zone over the years. No cars are allowed on the island but it can get busy with locals especially during school holidays.

Other than relaxing and enjoying nature, Rottnest Island is also a great place for activities such as cycling, swimming, sunbathing, and especially, snorkelling and scuba diving. The waters are clean and the seabed is home to coral reefs and shipwrecks.

Making Perth your base to explore Western Australia is a smart move. For one thing it has great transport options and is packed with things to do and places to go. You’ve also got a grand choice of Perth city hotels including the The New Esplanade Hotel and the Parmelia Hilton Perth.

In Australia, wine has become the new beverage of choice for people in all walks of life. Moreover, Australia has developed an enviable reputation amongst wine drinkers and appreciators the world over. Myshopping.com.au can help you make the right selection of wine for any occasion and to suit any taste. Listed on our website, you will find some of the most celebrated labels and award winning wines and you can make a selection based on reviews, price and supplier, regardless of why you want to purchase wine.

There are essentially three reasons that we can think of why you might want to buy wine: to drink in some social occasion, to give as a gift, or as an investment with a realisable future.

Buying wine to drink

Winemaker Greg Gallagher at the Charles Sturt University, South Australia, says judging a good wine is simple. “It starts with asking, ‘do you like it?’ ” he says, “and finishes with ‘did you like it?’” When you have a list of favourite wines, all you need to do is find them on Myshopping.com.au, and you will find out where it’s sold for the best price.

But, because it’s not always easy remembering the name, style and vintage of the wine you enjoy, it’s a good idea to keep a record of wines you drink that you really like (and those that you’d prefer to avoid), for future reference.

When you’re buying wine to drink, there are a number of considerations you might like to bear in mind, the first being: what is the occasion? It stands to reason that a wine for an intimate dinner with a partner might be a different choice than one for a footy night with the boys. Sharing a wine with someone is a lot more than simply sharing the drink. It’s also sharing your taste, your values and your standards, so it pays to think carefully about the occasion and the company with whom you are sharing the wine.

A second consideration might be, what is accompanying the wine? Wine is often enjoyed with a meal, but you might like to consider also how the occasion (or meal) will develop. Matching the perfect wine with the perfect food and mood is an exhilarating experience, and is often at the heart of great memories.

You may also want to consider the ambience of the occasion. A wine for enjoying at an evening symphony concert will have a different character to that enjoyed at a beach picnic. Read the rest of this entry »

The capital of Western Australia, Perth, is a vibrant city with plenty to do. It is a place where you can look forward to excellent shopping, bustling markets, heritage architecture, beautiful parks, stunning beaches, fine wineries and relaxing river cruises. With is temperate climate, to provides you with an enjoyable holiday you will never forget and hope to go back many times. Below is a suggested 5-day easy and relax visit of this wonderful place which you can consider for your holiday.

On the first day, take a leisurely stroll and enjoy some of Perth city sights. You can explore several of Perth’s major cultural and historic buildings, such as Perth Concert Hall, Perth Town Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth Mint and Swan Bells Tower. If you like shopping, you will enjoy shopping in the city malls along the streets. The two main shopping malls in Perth are the Murray and Hay Street malls. Both of the malls are closed to traffic providing a safe walking environment and offer a wide range of specialty stores. Another venue for shopping is the shopping arcade known as London Court.

At Perth’s Cultural Centre and Northbridge, you will find the Western Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. The Art Gallery of Western Australia has one of the finest collections of Aboriginal art in Australia with superb pieces of painting and sculpture.

Kings Park, Perth’s premier tourist attraction is another place worth while to visit. It provides spectacular views of Perth City and Swan River. The Park’s Botanic garden presents a display of Western Australia’s unique flora throughout the year. You will enjoy trekking on the tree top walkway which has a glass and steel arched bridge.

On the second day, you can visit Fremantle, a short trip from Perth city centre. This is a major tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. It is situated at the mouth of the Swan River. This city port enables you to enjoy a range of cultural activities in a relaxed atmosphere. You can explore places such as Western Australia Maritime Museum, Round House, Western Australia Maritime Museum’s Shipwreck Galleries, Fremantle Prison and Fremantle Arts Centre. With its maritime history and architectural conservation, Fremantle is a place you can discover both the past and the present. The two popular markets here are the E-Shed Markets and the Fremantle Markets. The E Shed Markets has more than 80 specialty stores offering unique gifts, souvenirs and fresh produce. Fremantle Markets, which is a larger market, has more than 150 stalls selling seafood, gourmet items, clothes, jewelry, antiques, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. You can explore the city by foot or by free shuttle buses. Read the rest of this entry »

Perth is an undeniably charming town with a host of things to see and do. But one of the great things about a holiday visit to this capital of Western Australia is that it’s the perfect base for a whole range of fascinating side trips to the delights of the state. You can pop over to nearby Fremantle, visit Australia’s only Spanish monastery, relax in national parks, head out to the wine country, and even visit penguins.

Your fist sortie should be to the port city of Fremantle, located some 13 miles along the Swan River. Here you can browse the markets, visit the splendid heritage buildings, marvel at the city’s maritime past in the museums, and sprawl on the pristine beaches. The most scenic way to get to Fremantle from Perth is to take a river cruise. It’s the perfect, relaxing day out.

For a unique side trip further afield, you can visit the Benedictine monks in the Spanish Renaissance monastery town of New Norcia, the only monastic town in Australia. Located 82 miles north of Perth, New Norcia stands on the banks of the Moore River. It’s a little touch of the Mediterranean in the midst of the Australian bush. Here’s how it got there.

Long ago in 1846, a mission led by two Spanish Benedictines visited the local aborigines and in the following year, the foundation stone of the monastery was laid. The name New Norcia is from Norcia in Italy where St Benedict was born.

New Norcia is a town of unique architecture, beautiful interiors, and olive groves. It’s best experienced on a guided town tour which unlocks all the town’s charms and secrets. You can see the monk’s own chapel in the monastery, the Abbey Church and the College Chapels with their beautiful frescoes. There’s also a museum and art gallery which include gifts from the Queen of Spain.

If you’re a wine buff or just enjoy a glass or two, you’ll want to do a day trip out to the Swan Valley vineyards for a wine tasting tour. The best way to do this is as a delightful two-hour cruise along the Swan River from Perth. You then visit the vineyards to explore the region’s wine culture and partake in numerous wine tastings.

A must visit site near Perth is the famous Nambung National Park. This is located some 150 miles north of Perth on the Indian Ocean. The main feature of the park is the famous Pinnacles desert. These ‘pinnacles’ are in fact petrified limestone pillars that thrust out of the yellow desert sand. The pinnacles are formed from ancient seashells which stuck together and formed the pillars which can get up to four metres high. Passing Dutch sailors, seeing the pinnacles from the sea, thought them the ruins of an ancient city.

They are best experienced at dawn or sunset. You can walk or drive along walking or driving trails which lead to lookouts offering stunning views of the pinnacles and the blue ocean beyond. The spring when flowers are blooming is an especially picturesque time to visit.

Our last Perth side trip is a special delight for nature lovers - a visit to Penguin Island. Just 26 miles from downtown Perth, this small island is located less than 700 metres offshore in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

Other then penguins, the island is home to a range of fauna including sea lions and pelicans. The coastal and marine scenery in this area is delightful.

You can also have picnics, go snorkeling, scuba diving, or surfing, or just enjoy the natural beauty.

Another thing that makes Perth such as great base to explore Western Australia is the tremendous range of Perth city hotels that cater for every taste and budget. Two of the most outstanding are the Criterion Hotel Perth and Aarons Hotel Perth.

Many people stopping in Australia tend to forget all about the westernmost city, Perth because it’s just so far away from everything else. Yet this city, which is the most isolated city in the world geographically, provides the heart of a journey which shows the most spectacular character of Australia.

A small city with barely two million people, Perth is nevertheless a sprawling place. The Swan River divides the north from the south and it spreads far and narrow against a spectacular coast line of beaches that puts the Gold Coast to shame.

The ocean that butts against the Perth shore line is not as fierce as further south, but each day surfers, windsurfers and wake boarders can be seen littering the waves like sea gulls, jumping and leaping against the surf.

Western Australia has two very distinct characters. From Perth upwards it becomes hotter and drier and towns nestle between the desert and the sea, wrestling against red dust and a wild sea. The further you go, the hotter it becomes.

One of my favourite journeys however is to the south, beginning first in the Swan Valley region just north of Perth. The Swan Valley is one of Western Australia’s spectacular wine regions and the whole area is filled with both major and boutique wineries and breweries. Fairly inland, it is a patchwork of hills and lush vineyards, each open to the public to come and sample their wares. This is an area to spend at least a few days taking tours and enjoying the restaurants.

Driving further South however you will come to one of Western Australia’s stunning coastal towns, Margaret River. Also a major wine growing region, Margaret River is renowned for its string of surfing and swimming beaches. Everyone from old men to children have a surfboard and it’s a great place to learn it yourself. It is easy to spend weeks hanging out on the beaches or touring wineries or just sitting on the verandah and overlooking the ocean.

From swimming with the dolphins, to surfing, to sunbathing, Western Australia offers some of the most spectacular sights for tourists and it is as yet still unsullied in the way that many eastern Australian tourist attractions have become. It remains an isolated idyll that has been hidden from view, even from Australia itself, and as such has retained its spectacularly untouched character.