Posts Tagged ‘history’

A Cairns Holiday Is The Most Fabulous Treat

Daintree Rain forest

The north coast of Far North Queensland houses Cairns, close by many natural attractions like the Atherton Tableland, the Daintree Rain forest and the Great Barrier Reef. The scenery is beautiful because it is close to the ocean and the mountains of the Great Dividing Range. Due to all this natural beauty Cairns attracts a large number of tourists, and they are fortunate because there are a lot of accommodations there, sized to suit any need.

In 1876 the town of Cairns was founded during the time of the gold strikes. The port there, Trinity Inlet was the best way to move the gold out, and then there was a saw mill and an agricultural base added. As the railroad built tracks in more immigrant workers came which increased the agricultural interests there. The commerce continued to grow which brought Cairns higher status than surrounding town. Due to this the public utilities and transportation were improved, and in 1903 it became an official town due to the increased population.

There are wonderful natural areas nearby and the environmental awareness is high in Cairns. There are multiple national parks and preserves surrounding the town such as Undara Volcanic National Park, Daintree National Park and the Hann Tableland area. These areas are a tourist destination for ecotourists and researchers, home to wildlife and plants. While visiting these beautiful natural areas most visitors stay in Cairns because there are so many choices in places to stay. There are campgrounds and smaller hotels near the national parks too.

Paronella Park is an architectural marvel and a major tourist attraction located near Cairns. Built in the 1930s by Jos Paronella, the Moorish-influenced concrete castle has suffered damage over the years, but retains much of its unique charm. Paronella also built the first hydroelectric generator in Queensland, currently being restored to working condition. The grounds of Paronella Park are maintained in approximately their original state, and the ballroom and cinema are available for tours.

As if all the previously mentioned areas are not enough draw for tourists, Cairns and the Port Douglas area also have beautiful beaches and a tropical climate. This attracts people from around the world and keeps Cairns economy healthy. There are a lot of luxury hotels on the beach for the folks who come there for that purpose. There are also extended stay locales and houses available for those who wish to stay for a while, or budget places for the more economy minded. In addition, visit the luxury retreats and resorts which provide every amenity someone could want. To take advantage of all of this you’ll need to make reservations far in advance as it’s a very popular place.

If you are preparing a trip to Australia you must go to TropicalNorthQueensland.com today to locate all the information necessary for your trip. TropicalNorthQueensland.com will provide you with details about palm cove accommodation and cairns accommodation, plus make the reservation for you.

Having A Safe And Fun Holiday In Australia

North Queensland

While traveling to the Tropical North Queensland region in Australia it may be difficult to find your way around, especially when you are unfamiliar with the area. You should tale some time to get yourself prepared for any issues that may happen to your vehicle or yourself during your travels. By being properly prepared you will be able to fully enjoy your vacation without any worries or fears.

The first thing that you can do is rent your vehicle through a reliable car hire company. You will find that many of the names that you are familiar with, including Budget, as also available for your overseas vacation to Australia. You want to make sure that your vehicle is reliable, especially when traveling around the Outback.

Next you will want to make sure that you are well prepared in the event of an emergency. You will want to have handy a current set of maps for the region plus water and first aid supplies. Chances are that you won’t need these items; however it is still wise to be prepared just in case.

The last thing you want to be sure that you have on you is a cell phone with a SIM card that is adaptable for your overseas location. This will not only allow you to contact family and friends back home, but will also come in handy should your car brake down or you need to call for emergency assistance. You will also want to program your cell phone with emergency contact numbers, hotel information and car rental company just in case a situation arise where you are unable to speak.

A good rule of thumb, while driving in the Tropical North region, is to never leave your car if it should brake down. Always remain inside and wait for roadside service to assist you. The roads are desolate and dark at night time and you can get lost very easily. It can take emergency individuals hours to find you outside of your vehicle. Since a vehicle is much more easily spotted this is where you will want to remain.

For the a Australia car hire that vacationers can rely on visit Budget Rentals at www.budget.com.au. There variety is grander then the rest and you will be sure to get a reliable automobile. It is the car rental Gold Coast travelers can rely on!

Del Mar: Southern California’s Horse Racing Capital

Horse Racing CapitalThough it is sometimes overshadowed by more famous tracks back East like Churchill downs and Belmont Park, Del Mar Racetrack in Southern California has a rich and fascinating history. Located 20 miles north of San Diego and known for its iconic slogan “Where The Surf Meets the Turf”, Del Mar has not only hosted the best horses and jockeys on the planet but a ‘who’s who’ of show biz elite.

The Del Mar Race Track was founded in the late’30’s by a group of business and show biz elite, including Bing Crosby, Oliver Hardy and Jimmy Durante. During much of the pre WW II era, horse racing ran a close second to baseball in mainstream popularity, so these racing enthusiasts were clearly at the right place at the right time in terms of market forces.

Additionally, the star power involved with the project also provided a trendy cachet that the tonier race courses back East lacked. Bing Crosby himself greeted patrons at the gate on opening day, and during the late’30s and early’40s it became a place to be seen for Hollywood A-listers and those who aspired for celebrity. In addition to known gambling enthusiasts like W.C. Fields, Edgar Bergen and Red Skelton, the Del Mar patrons during that time also included some of the top female stars of the era including Ava Gardner, Paulette Goddard and Dorothy Lamour.

Del Mar was the site of the’38 match race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti. Seabiscut won the $25,000 winner take all challenge by a nose, and this race set Del Mar betting and attendance records and remains one of the most famous races in history. The racing at Del Mar continued to flourish until the start of WWII, when the track went ‘dark’ for racing. It was used at times by the military for, among other things, a training ground for Marines and later a production facility for bomber parts.

After the war, Del Mar reopened with a bang. Following the surrender of Japan, President Harry S. Truman declared a national holiday for August 15,’45 and on that day Del Mar attracted over 20,000 fans through its gates who wagered what at the time was a record $958,476. The postwar prosperity was also a boon to Del Mar, which also benefitted from the Santa Fe Railroads daily Racetrack Special that brought bettors down from Los Angeles to enjoy a day at the track. During the latter part of the decade a new crop of Hollywood glitterati would flock to Del Mar, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Mickey Rooney and Jimmy Durante. Durante would become such a regular that the turf course at Del Mar would later be renamed in his honor.

Del Mar remains a viable part of the thoroughbred community to this day. Theyve updated their facility, with a state of the art grand stand and most recently a synthetic polytrack surface that was installed in 2007. The racing season at Del Mar begins in mid July, and hosts crowds of 20,000+ on a daily basis throughout.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and highly respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.