Driving to Australia’s Manmade Wonders

Australia has some of the most stunning natural panoramas in the world – rocky mountains, golden deserts and lush rainforest plateaus to name a few – but the most famous Australian icon has to be the Sydney Opera House, followed closely by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Man has indelibly inked his fingerprint on the Australian landscape with amazing architectural masterpieces. Take your next holiday on the road and visit these wonders of engineering.

MANMADE SIGHTS

Australia has numerous man-made wonders – here are some of the most famous:

The Sydney Opera House hosts thousands of performances and millions of tourist visits every year with guided tours are available throughout.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is affectionately known as the coat-hanger and its highest point is 134m. Daredevils can climb bridge with guided climbs day or night.

Centrepoint tower in Sydney’s city centre has a revolving restaurant and viewing deck that gives you 360-degree views of the big city.

The Wheel of Brisbane is a large observation wheel that allows you to view the coast at your leisure.

The Bell Tower in Perth houses twelve bells, which date back to pre-14th century, from St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London.

The Big Banana (13m by 5m) at Coffs Harbour, along the Pacific coast, is one of Australia’s best known ‘big things’. There are 150 big things to be found around Australia including the Big Beer Can in Cobar and the Big Axe in Kew.

GETTING THERE

If you’re a big engineering fan, the most famous sights are in the main cities but there are many hidden gems in smaller towns around the country. Flying from city to city is faster but a road trip can be a lot more fun. If you choose to drive around Australia it’s important to invest in car insurance and roadside assistance in case of emergencies. Australian roads are notoriously long and at times you may find yourself far from a petrol station or information centre.

ACCOMMODATION

A classic Australian manmade icon is the humble old outback pub. An Aussie pub is a great place to visit and stay if you enjoy meeting locals and listening to tales of crocodile hunting and horse mustering over a nice cold beer. In Victoria, you can enjoy a night or two amongst the wildlife along the Great Ocean Road; the Great Ocean Eco Lodge has solar-power electricity and offers guided tours of the area and the opportunity to visit koalas, kangaroos and birds in their natural habitat. The Gold Coast is the place to go for fun in the sun, great restaurants and a variety of accommodation options including serviced apartments, hotels and motels along the coastal strip.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a beer drinker or a thrill seeker, there’s an accommodation option to suit you. Do your research before your trip and cut the time you spend looking for ‘vacancy’ signs while on the road.