Page 482 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

480  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

offering a unique perspective on
rural Australian life. Some are
near major cities, while others
are in the vast Outback (see
pp32–3). Accommodation may
be in traditional shearers’ or
cattle herders’ quarters, or within
the home. Ask state tourist
offices for details.
Another interesting and more
relaxing holiday option is to rent
a houseboat on the vast Murray
River, which crosses from New
South Wales and Victoria to South
Australia. An international driving
“The Grand” ballroom in the Hotel Windsor, Melbourne (see p493) licence is the only requirement to
be your own riverboat captain.
Boutique Hotels and B&Bs
laundry facilities. Within cities,
In Australia, the term “boutique” some apartments also cater for
is used rather loosely to describe business travellers. Prices are Camping and
Caravan Parks
a small hotel or motel. The best generally on a par with the
offer luxury accommodation major chain motels. Camping and caravan sites are
and an intimate atmosphere. found throughout the country,
Australian bed and breakfasts most of them dotted along the
(B&Bs), many in heritage-listed Pub Accommodation vast coastline and in the inland
premises, tend to be of a high In Australia, “hotel” is the historic national parks. They offer a cheap
standard. They offer personalized term for a pub (originally known and idyllic way of enjoying the
accommodation and the best as public houses). Many pubs natural beauty and wildlife of
way to experience Australian life. offer accommodation. The Australia. Many camp sites don’t
Many have only one or two quality can vary and they can be insist on advance bookings,
guestrooms and offer all the noisy, especially if the pub has but some require a permit.
comforts of home. Some, instead live music, but they are usually Holiday parks often have on-
of serving breakfast, offer guests good value for money. site vans and cabins for rent at
provisions to prepare their own. relatively low prices, athough
there are increasingly high end
Farm Stays and
Self-Catering Apartments Houseboats offerings too. Facilities usually
include laundry and shower
Self-catering apartments usually Many farms and sheep and cattle blocks and a small general
come with full kitchen and stations welcome visitors to stay, store for provisions.

Comfortable room at Glen Isla House on Phillip Island (see p496)