The wisdom of Guugu Yimithirr elder Willie Gordon is what distinguishes his Guurrbi Aboriginal tours from others; rather than contrived entertainment for tourists in Australia, Willie offers ancient stories oriented toward the human soul. Photo courtesy of Guurrbi Tours

I was sitting with a friend while he read The Wall Street Journal. “Here is an article about an Aboriginal tour in Australia run by an elder named Willie Gordon. I guess you know all about it,” he said. I grabbed his paper and started reading.

As a travel agent who plans custom itineraries to Australia and New Zealand, I search for tours that help travellers really experience what they see, particularly regarding native culture. I’ve attended Aboriginal dance festivals, camped with Aborigines in deserts and ranges, and hiked to dozens of rock art sites. Over time, I have developed a strong affinity for the Aboriginal people.

In contrast, most tourists have just a dose of Aboriginal contact in a tour – a show, really – that is more entertainment than education. My dilemma has been finding tours for travellers with limited time that leave them with a powerful, lasting impression of Aboriginal culture that is also relevant to the past and present. It may be entertaining to see how animals were killed with boomerangs, but no Aborigine hunts that way today.

So I put Willie Gordon’s Rainbow Serpent tour on my list for the next trip. Now a few months later, I was following him on a hillcrest path overlooking broad escarpments at Wangaar-Wuri to see the rock art sites in his country.

Cultural Tourism Near Cooktown

Willie’s country is near Cooktown, a place in the state of Queensland I’ve described as “the end of the paved road” in northeast Australia. It is the sort of small and friendly remote town people describe as “the real Australia” and one of the country’s most historic townships.

Cooktown is where Lt. James Cook found safe harbour after his ship, the HMB Endeavour, struck coral on the Great Barrier Reef and was seriously damaged. It was also the first place that Willie’s people, the Guugu Yimithirr, saw white people. The James Cook Museum here is a fine regional museum that has thoughtfully crafted displays describing those historic encounters from the viewpoints of Cook’s crew and the Aboriginal people.

Ancient Aboriginal Origin Stories

In Cooktown, after meeting Willie, our small group walked with him. Along the way, Willie began telling the story of his people – a story that starts in a time that can only be measured in other stories, the so-called Dreamtime. “In the Beginning was The Word,” says the Bible in the New Testament Book of John. “In the beginning were the Mimi Spirits,” an Aboriginal guide said to me at a rock art site in Arnhem Land. “We have been here since The Beginning,” says an Aboriginal elder in the Flinders Ranges.

Willie is far more likely simply to ask a traveller “When was the Beginning for you?” I’ve yet to hear someone able to answer him. It is quite humbling to be in the presence of someone who is still in touch with his Beginning.

I’ve seen rock paintings of animals that have been extinct for thousands of years, and paintings of one clan’s first sighting of ships and men on horseback. But in far too many magnificent rock art sites, the full story has been lost. Present-day Aborigines in Australia are the grandchildren of men and women whose children were stolen from them and put in ‘schools’ to become ‘civilised.’ Consistent with that, Aboriginal guides sometimes merely tell visitors a version of a story that an academic rock art scholar told them to say. The lucky ones – like Willie – learned what they know directly from elders and grandparents.

Aboriginal elder Willie Gordon of Guurrbi Tours meets travellers at the beginning of the Rainbow Serpent tour in Cooktown, Queensland, Australia, the "end of the paved road" and gateway to "the real Australia." Photo courtesy of flickr/buymyday

Teaching Valuable Lessons

Willie tells the story of a painting rather briefly. It is not so much ‘art’ as it is instruction. To ensure that he bridges the gap between his culture and ours, he begins with his family’s story, then relates that to the story the visitor has (or lacks).

And this is what makes Willie different: his remarkable sense of what each visitor brings to the moment. Once I witnessed him use the presence of a child to make a story relevant. Another time, he sensed a traveller’s indifference and crafted his questions in such a way that the man clearly left the tour wondering why he had never considered the need for a spiritual life.

Willie does not confuse organised religion with spirituality. There are no sermons here, but each time I take the tour I am left pondering things for weeks. My clients come back speaking of his ancient wisdom, his powerful presence. They marvel that in two hours his tour had a bigger impact on them than anything else they did in Australia.

Listening to the Land

As far as the eye can see, the landscape of the Aborigines is filled with stories that tell them how to live. Since the land instructs them, they understand that we are not here to conquer land but to care for it so that life can be handed down to the next generation. Their success at this has earned them the distinction of being the world’s oldest continuing culture.

On his tours near Cooktown, Australia, Aboriginal elder Willie Gordon puts people in touch with the landscape of his country. He shares thoughts and questions to stir the spirit of even the most modernised Westerner. Photo courtesy of Guurrbi Tours

Like most Westerners, I have lost the footprints of my ancestors. To even begin to understand ancient Aboriginal culture and its survival, you must leave the city and go into the bush on a walkabout with an elder. How fortunate we are that there are elders like Willie Gordon who have dedicated their lives to enriching ours immeasurably.

There are four ways to get to Cooktown from Cairns: you can fly, take a guided tour or drive the paved Mulligan Highway through cattle country. Or you can get here the hard way: rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle and head up the coast through the World Heritage Daintree rainforest on the iconic Bloomfield Track – a few hours of thrilling, bone-rattling, pick-your-rut dirt road with numerous creek crossings.

Willie also shares the ancient philosophies of his people on the Guurrbi website and blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. He is a founder member of The Bama Way, an Aboriginal journey showcasing the richness and diversity of Aboriginal culture in Tropical North Queensland. His book Guurrbi, My Special Place (2007) is, he hopes, the first of many.

Of course, finding a reliable transportation service in Sydney is essential for discovering the many local gems, and one Sydney taxi company has the experience, the expertise and now, especially important, the green underpinnings to help all visitors make the most of their stay.

Corporate Cars Australia has more than 30 years of experience transporting passengers throughout Sydney's harbour area and beyond. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

A Local Leader

For more than decade, the ground-transportation company Corporate Cars Australia has brought a high level of service to the local tourism industry, meeting the needs of both corporate clients and leisure travellers. The company prides itself in offering personalised customer service for a wide range of transportation arrangements that include airport pickups, sightseeing excursions and even travel between cities.

Now, Corporate Cars Australia, already also a leader in responsible transportation, has joined the ranks of scores of other local partners of Green Path Transfers, a global, eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation network. The Sydney local partner looks forward to expanding its operations to deliver responsible transport solutions to travellers from all over the globe.

Ian Gordon, pictured here wearing the company's trademark red coat, has been an employee of Corporate Cars Australia for the past 12 years. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

“We’re very pleased to have partnered with Corporate Cars Australia for Sydney, and we look forward to a successful working relationship with them,” said Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

“I believe the association between Corporate Cars Australia and Green Path Transfers to be one of mutual benefit,” commented Craig Wagstaff, Managing Director of the Sydney-based transport company. “Our expertise in ‘Meet & Greet’ allows us to ensure customers enjoy trouble free ground transport. Our distinctive uniform – the red coat – means that you will never miss us.”

Responsible Roots

Launched in 2001, Corporate Cars Australia began as the result of a merger between two operators who combined their strengths to create a more efficient and larger ground-transportation network. With over 30 years of experience in the transfer business, the company’s directors have a firm grasp of the industry and their business has met with a large degree of success.

Today, Corporate Cars Australia performs approximately 25,000 transfers per year and has a staff that includes 19 drivers fully accredited by the Australian Ministry of Transport. All chauffeurs have passed stringent police and driving-record tests and each one has a minimum of seven years’ driving experience.

Sustainable Solutions

With an eye towards protecting the global environment, Corporate Cars Australia has continuously sought out alternative and responsible transport options. Given the Green Path Transfers emphasis on going green without sacrificing quality, this commitment to sustainable car-transfer solutions made it an ideal local partner.

The company’s 15-vehicle fleet includes six Fairlane LTD Ghia sedans and five Holden Statesman Caprice sedans, all of which run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The use of LPG cars leads to better fuel consumption and improved mileage, while studies have also shown that LPG engines may produce up to 75 percent less carbon monoxide than petrol and have 87 percent less ozone-forming potential. The LPG tanks themselves are also safer than petrol tanks and have passed numerous fire and safety tests.

For larger groups, Corporate Cars Australia also has one seven-passenger Toyota Tarago, two seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz Viano minivans and one 13-passenger Toyota Commuter. The entire fleet is air-conditioned and all drivers have extensive local knowledge of all the areas they service.

The Sydney-based Corporate Cars Australia fleet includes five Holden Stateman Caprice sedans that use liquified petroleum gas, which is much better for the environment than normal gas. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

Stunning Surroundings

Corporate Cars Australia caters to travellers visiting Sydney and far beyond, with associated operations now in existence in the Australian cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as in New Zealand.

For first-time visitors in Sydney, Wagstaff’s list of must-see sights includes the inner-city leisure district called Darling Harbour and the world-famous surf destination of Bondi Beach, as well as other northern beaches, including Manly.

Travellers with more time might also opt to hire a driver for the 2.5-hour trip to the wineries of the Hunter Valley or the 1.5-hour drive to the Three Sisters, just one of many impressive rock formations in the highlands of the beautiful and nearby Blue Mountains.

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

Llama Caravans in Argentina

Stretch your legs by trekking with llamas in the Jujuy Province of Northern Argentina. No, you don’t actually ride these long-necked beasts of burden; you trek alongside them in the traditional style of the ancient Andeans. Guided by Santos Manfredi and his wife Eva, you discover the rugged beauty of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow mountain valley bordered by the Altiplano of the Andes. On the way, you stop for a picnic accompanied by delicious local wine; an optional overnight stay with a local family provides a chance to engage with the people of the village and learn about their way of life. At every step, the views are spectacular and an opportunity to experience a place that is inaccessible by car. You should be wary of one pesky issue, however: the llamas are prone to spitting!

Give a Little on a Tour in Vietnam

Responsible travel in its truest form, Bloom Microventures in Hanoi, Vietnam, allows you to really get off the beaten track and interact with local community members who who have benefited from microfinance loans from the Microfinance and Community Development Institute (MACDI). You are driven out to a remote rural community where you spend the day with the locals – hear their stories and participate in daily activities like preparing lunch or harvesting crops. In the afternoon, you are encouraged to borrow a bicycle and explore the village, meet the local people and savour the countryside of northern Vietnam.

Yakkity Yak in the Himalayas

After a very bumpy and long bus journey to the north of bustling Kathmandu, Nepal, and a further four days of trekking along a yak trail through misty valleys, you arrive at Kyanjin Gompa, a tiny village in the remote Himalayan foothills. This village is home to mostly Tibetans who, while they live in Nepal, still follow ancient Tibetan traditions and customs. The views are incredible as this is the end of the ‘road,’ if there were roads… but what also makes this village different is the tiny cheese factory where two locals make delicious yak cheese as good as if transported from the slopes of the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe. It doesn’t get much more local than this and there is also a monastery that you can explore!

Smile for a Week at Crocodile Creek

Watch out for the elephants as you drive along the dusty road to the Crocodile Creek Community Village, an accommodation and community project in Livingstone, Zambia. The village was built by and for the people, and provides a sustainable income for local families involved in assisting guests. Located on the banks of the Zambezi River, four bungalows welcome visitors interested in the world-famous Victoria Falls, located just downstream, as well as the social development of the local people. Crocodile Creek is a prime example of how things should be done, with all materials used in building the village found in or around the area. Even the the camp-style bathrooms – a product of local innovation – are built into the natural surroundings. All food is prepared using vegetables from the on-site garden, as long as the elephants haven’t eaten them first! Stay for a few days – or a few weeks! – to lend a hand in in adjoining village.

Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon shows his guests around on his Rainbow Serpent Tour. Photo courtesy of Guurrbi Tours

Aboriginal Cave Paintings Rock!

Discover one of the oldest cultures in the world in tropical North Queensland, Australia, on a walk with a Nugal-warra elder, Willie Gordan. Willie started his company, Guurrbi Tours, in 2003, and the his tours are already listed as one of Australia’s must-do experiences.

Just outside of Cooktown, you walk to rock art sites where Aboriginal people recorded stories that have been passed down to Willie, who gives insight into the life and spirituality of his people. Learn about the traditional Aboriginal way of life whilst devouring delicious ‘bush tucker‘ (native food) and learning about bush medicine and ancient survival methods. With an infectious laugh and admirable passion, Willie is unforgettable.

Hikers take in the stunning view Krvavac peak near Lukomir village in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo courtesy of Green Visions

Real Local Culture in the Mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina

High in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the village of Lukomir lies far removed from the rapidly developing city of Sarajevo, just a few hours away. The people of Lukomir – the Bjelašnica highlanders – maintain a very traditional way of life, and you are invited to experience it with Green Visions.

This responsible travel company delivers the very best local travel experiences in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is committed to several projects that encourage the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The area around Lukomir is ideal if you’re after real travel adventures and traditional villages, not to mention old water mills, stunning views and high mountain terrain. Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina and travel like a local!

In 1974, the flooding Brisbane River of Queensland, Australia, peaked at 5.4 metres. It has been etched in local memory as the worst inundation the city and surrounding areas faced in the 20th century. The river winds down from the hills to Moreton Bay (on the coast) through many towns and tributaries and past most of Brisbane‘s suburbs, landmarks and its central downtown area. So when it floods, the effect can be catastrophic and widely felt.

The floods in Queensland, Australia, have claimed 16 lives so far and left more the 28,750 homes without power. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Martin Howard

Although the Brisbane River peaked just below the 1974 level on 13 January 2011, the damage has been far more targic and it is now the new point of reference for flood devastation. Not only Brisbane, but the entire state of Queensland, is now attempting to recover from what many are calling the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history. Although high waters in the Brisbane area have affected the most people, the residents of towns and communities all over the state have battled this crippling flood, and the consequences will be long lasting.

Here are some fast facts:
+ Queensland covers 1.8 million square kilometres, three-quarters of which are currently underwater.
+ Over 30,000 homes around Brisbane were hit by the flood waters.
+ Over 100,000 homes are without power.
+ Sixteen people have died, a number expected to rise as 60 are still missing.
+ The damage bill will run into the billions of dollars.
+ The national export industry has been severely impacted.
+ Most of the year’s agricultural crop, which feeds much of the nation, has been lost.

An Inland Tsunami

This event has been coming for months. With record rainfall over the last four months, the Wivenhoe Dam (built after the 1974 flood) was at 190% capacity and water was overflowing back into the river system. The sad irony is that, until recently, the area had been facing a terrible drought and the dam had been empty, with water use restrictions for residents.

The constant precipitation culminated in a final week of torrential rain in early January. I had never seen or experienced anything like it before. Worse, it fell in the worst possible places, pouring onto saturated earth that sent it coursing the only place it could go: down. As a result, the town of Toowoomba, 125 kilometres west of Brisbane, faced an unspeakable and unprecedented natural disaster – an inland tsunami – as a 5- to 10-metre-high wall of water unexpectedly made its way through the town and surrounding communities.

This is where most of the heartbreaking deaths occurred. There were stories of babies ripped from their mothers’ arms by the water, people washed clean out of their houses and cars, picked up like they were toys, carried kilometres away. The images are truly beyond belief and gave an indication of what was coming downstream in Brisbane. Downtown Brisbane and all surrounding low-lying areas had to be evacuated; and people rushed to get out what they could from businesses and homes.

Making a Difference

The sad fact is that most Australian insurance policies don’t cover floods from river systems, so this initial heartbreak is set to get much worse for many more Queenslanders. Assistance is therefore vitally needed for those hardest hit.

The recent flooding in Australia, as seen in Yeronga, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane. Photo courtesy of Flickr/David McKelvey

Anyone in Queensland who can assist is encouraged to contribute equipment, skills or time. Register at www.volunteeringqld.org.au/home/. Anyone anywhere around the world can donate to help those affected through the Australian Red Cross or the Queensland Government. In Australia, donations are also being accepted at most banks and supermarkets. Those affected will be very grateful.

Despite the overwhelming tragedy, there have been positives as outstanding as donors’ generosity. People around the world know of the Aussie reputation for being laid back and easygoing. Well, some people here have lost everything, but they are still able to say “Well what can you do? It’s nature. Time to start rebuilding.” Although Brisbane will take its time to reflect, grieve and recover, the unique Queensland character is shining through. Neighbours and strangers have been helping each other move or save whatever they can, bonds have been built that will be needed to restore this city to what it was, and through it all we will do what Queenslanders do best – get on with the job and look after our mates.

Flooding in Gailes, Queensland, Australia. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Martin Howard

A Note from Tourism Australia

There’s no question that travellers should stay clear of Brisbane and other areas. However, much of Queensland is open for busy and eager to welcome visitors. The following is a message from Tourism Australia, the national government agency.

“The current disaster has impacted particular parts of Queensland, including Brisbane and its surrounding regions, Rockhampton and regional communities in the central and southern Queensland area. However, the tourism regions of Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Port Douglas, Tropical North Queensland and the Gold Coast are all accessible and, in many cases, completely unaffected by the flooding.

The Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg regions are open, although there are some accessibility issues due to localised road closures, but most tourism operators are open for business. Brisbane Airport is open and still the major gateway to Queensland. All airports in Queensland except Rockhampton Airport are open.”

Competition is fierce for the invitation-only right to set up shop in the coveted 'Traditions' section at Lima's Mistura food festival. This special space devoted to good, old-fashioned Peruvian street food featured tamales as a highlight in 2010.

Peru, a True Culinary Crossroads

September sees Peru‘s grand culinary fiesta, Mistura, take place in the Parque de la Exposición in central Lima. This weeklong extravaganza features renowned local and international chefs celebrating the country’s cultural and culinary melting pot, which boasts influences from Africa, China, Japan, Spain, Italy and the Middle East. One of the highlights is the ‘Traditions’ section, which is dedicated to the versatility and endless variety of Peruvian street food with stalls selling much-loved goodies such as anticuchos, tamales, sandwiches and sweets.

Pitahaya, also known as dragon fruit, is actually the fruit of the cardon cactus. Native to Mexico, it is also cultivated in parts of Asia.

Prickly and Fruity in Baja Mexico

Every summer, the coastal area of Los Cabos at the southern tip of Mexico‘s Baja California Sur, likes to show its appreciation for the pitahaya (dragon fruit) harvest, during the famous Feria de la Pitahaya. Held in the charming village of Miraflores, just 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, this festival is, as one might suspect, all about this succulent fruit of the cardon cactus, with homemade pitahaya ice cream and candy, as well as fresh fruit and a crowning ceremony for the pitahaya queen, as well as the less fruit-focused pursuits of donkey racing and arts and crafts contests, all accompanied by the mellifluous strains of music from a mariachi band.

San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize plays host to the annual San Pedro Lobsterfest. The last and longest of the three lobsterfests in Belize, it's five fun-filled days of BBQs, carnivals, block parties, cocktail parties, pub crawls and music.

A Belizean Fishy Fiesta

With 198 miles of Caribbean coastline and the longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, Belize can always be counted on to feature its fresh fish and shellfish cooking. To celebrate the start of lobster season (in June), there are annual summer lobster fests that kick off in Placencia Village before moving on to the island of Caye Caulker and wrapping up at the San Pedro Lobsterfest in the main town on the island of Ambergris Caye. The towns slip into lobster lunacy, as stalls selling all manner of lobster dishes set up along the streets and beaches, bands play day and night, and the rum and beer shacks are in full swing. With most restaurants offering all-you-can-eat lobster buffets as well, this two-week party is guaranteed to satisfy your king-of-crustaceans urges until next season.

Cooking and Culture in Australia and Portugal

Australia has a large Greek population, so it is only fitting that there be celebrations of Hellenic hospitality. The city of Brisbane has its own in the form of the Paniyiri Greek Festival in late May. This largest cultural festival in the state of Queensland is in its 34th year and is a three-day extravaganza of food, drink, fashion, fireworks, music, eating contests, grape stomping, dancing and cooking demonstrations, all adding up to more than 50 hours of non-stop entertainment. Zorba would be proud!

Machico Gastronomy Week on the island of Madeira, Portugal, is one of the highlights of the island's social calendar. Not just content to showcase local cuisine, the event also features a very popular cocktail festival.

The Portuguese island of Madeira celebrates Machico Gastronomy Week at the beginning of August. Visitors and locals descend on the seaside town of Machico, famous for being the landing point of Madeira’s first settlers, to enjoy a vast array of local dishes and delicacies. Although there are a few other food fests on the island, this one draws the biggest crowds and culinary talents and acts as a showcase of traditional Madeiran cuisine and produce with the aim of widening its appeal beyond the island. Food is of course the rich principal attraction, but the addition of sports tournaments, live concerts featuring local bands and artists, and even a cocktail festival adds to the fun.

Wet Your Whistle in India (wine), Malta (beer) and South Africa (whisky)

Proudly billed as Malta‘s largest free outdoor festival, the Farsons Great Beer Festival has celebrated the humble ale annually in since 1981. The 10-day mid-summer festival boasts over 300 hours of music, 40 live performances from local bands, 15 bars, two stages, a daily beer drinking competition and a variety of international cuisines complemented by a large selection of beers produced and imported by Farsons. The bars and souvenir stalls also sell the official festival beer mug, which has become quite a collector’s item!

A wine festival in India like the Grape Escapade Festival in Goa might seem rather unusual, but the country does actually produce both decent vintages. Of course, there are a few wacky interpretations thrown in for good measure. Herb-infused health wine anyone?

The beginning of every year sees wine fever hit India’s small, southwest state of Goa with the Grape Escapade Wine and Haute Cuisine Festival. Going strong since 2005, it attracts India’s biggest wine makers, guaranteeing some great local nectar. In addition to some traditional grape crushing, which lures in participants eager to dance barefoot in a vast tub of grapes, the event features free wine tastings, top-notch nosh in the food courts, dancers, fire-breathers, artists, fashion shows, live music and the crowning of the Grape Escapade Queen. Started by the Goa Tourism Development Organisation as a fun platform to promote Goan lifestyle, culture, food and drink, the event has certainly done that and more and regularly attracts between four and five thousand visitors a day.

South Africa pays its respects to the aqua vitae with both Cape Town and Johannesburg playing host to a three-day FNB Whisky Live Festival every November. With the Scotch Whisky Association confirming the spirit is fast becoming a tipple of choice to young, upwardly mobile South Africans, it’s little wonder that this is the largest whisky and lifestyle event of its kind, attracting more visitors and brands than any other whisky festival globally. Divided into zones, the display area is definitely not short of attractions, including a chance to sample over 180 whisky varieties in the tasting hall, expert workshops and tutorials on whisky jargon, distillation and cocktail making, guided tours and food and whisky pairing. The event is capped off with a big party, where everyone still standing can indulge further before heading home to sleep it off.

Named after Sir Thomas Brisbane (renowned astronomer and famous governor of the early colony of New South Wales), the Brisbane River is the lifeblood that flows through this city. As it meanders through most of the suburbs and within sight of most local icons, the Brisbane has, in fact, helped the city become known as the River City. The waterway, already a primary draw, turns into a river of fire each year during the Brisbane Festival celebrations.

Brisbane is a cyclist’s dream, with a network of more than 900 kilometres of cycle and walking tracks. You can ride along the shores of the river from Toowong (south of the downtown area) to the mouth of Moreton Bay; it is truly one of the best ways to take in Australia’s fastest growing city.

The popular Mt Coot-tha lookout over Brisbane and time on the surrounding bush trails

I think it’s a real shame that most people spend very little time in Brisbane on their way up or down the coast. There are many secrets and surprises lying under the skin of Brisbane. Take the time, let go of your preconceived notions and check out some of the fun things to do in Brisbane – the fastest growing city in Australia! Here are five of my favourites to get you started.

Delve into Brisbane’s Convict Past

Brisbane was established as place to send the worst of the worst convicts from the Sydney penal colony. Today, it still has many amazing heritage-listed buildings from the earliest days of European settlement, without forgetting stories from the Aboriginal way of life to get a real feel for what this city is all about.

Explore Brisbane by Bike

There is nothing better than seeing a large slice of inner Brisbane along over 900 kilometres of cycling and walking paths. From the CBD you travel on two wheels and with the wind in your hair up or down the river and then jump on one of the local ferries at any time to get back.

The Old Windmill of Brisbane, built by convicts in 1824, is the oldest European structure in Queensland. It has been used for convict punishment, hangings, TV broadcasting, the first Queensland museum and now a weather observatory.

Urban Nature and Wildlife

If you don’t get onto one of the Brisbane ferries, you should definitely take a river cruise at some point. Miramar has daily departures from the CBD out to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to meet some local wildlife. Having been established in 1927, it is one of the country’s oldest and most successful koala sanctuaries. In addition to some really great exhibits, there’s a live platypus webcam! Araucaria Ecotours also run some amazing day and overnight wildlife discovery tours.

Even if you don’t leave the CBD, you are still only a few minutes on foot from a nature oasis. The historic Botanic Gardens at the end of George Street have peaceful tree-lined walkways along the river. Better yet, a quick wander from Brisbane City Hall is Roma Street Parkland, the world’s largest sub-tropical urban garden, where you can meander through a mini rainforest and admire the stunning floral displays. Further afield, a 30-minute bus ride from the city, is Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens/Planetarium. At the top of Mt Coot-tha is the city’s main lookout, a focal point for many surrounding bushwalking tracks.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

If food, drink and partying are what you’re interested in, Brisbane has evolved into a cultural melting pot with a wide range of cuisine and nightlife. Head down to Park Road – a short bus ride or 15-minute walk from Southbank – where cafés and restaurants of almost every cuisine await you. Not far from Park Road, Caxton Street is also dotted with diverse restaurants and is famous for its pubs and nightlife. Finally there is Fortitude Valley, just north of the CBD, and, of course, Brisbane’s Chinatown, with plenty of restaurants and most of the city’s nightclubs. Stay tuned for our multicultural food experience tour!

Arts, Culture and Free Fun

Brisbane had a small renaissance in the late 1980s, when establishments like the Southbank Cultural Centre were set up along the river. This place is great, one where you can always count on a cool exhibit or concert. Best, almost everything is free. The Brisbane Powerhouse is also free.

Of course, there are many new partners who will be launching tours in their destinations over the coming months. Included in this mix are 13 established whl.travel local connections from Athens (Greece), Boracay (Philippines), Brunei, Cappadocia (Turkey), Dominica (Caribbean), Foz du Iguassu (Brazil), Jamaica (Caribbean), Madeira (Portugal), Riga (Latvia), Rio (Brazil), St Lucia (Caribbean), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Merida (Mexico).

Despite this incredible progress, the Urban Adventures sales team is far from at rest. They have been working hard to recruit and sign new partners in other major destination throughout Europe and North America including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, Dublin, Florence, Rome, St. Petersburg, New Orleans, Ottawa, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver… among many others.

The Urban Adventures buzz has carried across to consumers as well, especially through the tester program, where travellers have the opportunity to win free Urban Adventures in select destinations each month. Almost 12,000 testers have registered so far. Every month, these testers receive email notifications of the freebies up for grabs on a first-in-best-dressed (i.e. first-come-first-served) basis. In addition, more than 12,000 travellers have registered to receive the monthly traveller newsletter –’The Urban Adventurer’.

Basically, if you haven’t yet heard of Urban Adventures yet, you will soon. Negotiations continue with various global distributors, some of which already list some Urban Adventures on their websites, including Expedia, Viator, STA, Isango, Keith Prowse, Virgin Blue Holidays and Flight Centre.

About Urban Adventures

Intrepid Travel and whl.travel have joined together to create Urban Adventures, a new style of travel experience for those who want to get off the beaten path and really connect with the destination. Urban Adventures are city tours with a difference! The experience can be as short as a couple of hours, or a whole day, but in every case, Urban Adventures will take you to interesting places to meet locals and really see what makes the place tick, getting to know it like a local. In fact many of our travellers are locals, seeing their own cities in a different way.

Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, we’re confident that Urban Adventures will open up a whole new dimension on many of your favourite cities around the world. Every Urban Adventure is also designed to support local communities, their cultures and the environment. As such, Urban Adventures are fun, insightful and true win-win experiences.