Lonely Planet: Australia (Country and Regional Guides) Lonely Planet Publications ( 23 January, 2004 ) Book Our Price : £ 11.89 List Price : £ 16.99 You save £5.1 (30% off) Prices subject to change. usually dispatched within 24 hours.

New Direction for Lonely Planet

This new ed. marks a change in style for Lonely Planet and a new direction for their guides. Crammed with a new colour photo section, more detailed maps and a fantastic itineraries section, this guide is by far the best book about Australia on the market. It has extended entires on places to stay/eat/socialise and more on what to do- including tours/sports/culture/festivals etc. It also includes much more detail on travel specifics, like rail/bus/boat times, and gives advice on the best ways/times to go- essential for anyone planning to backpack or do their own thing. Even the most remote areas have some coverage and though theres a lot to fit in one book, this guide does it with style! The book is easy to read and the information is accessable yet it is still interesting, and at times amusing,- the perfect travelling companion.

So much to do...

This book proved a useful ally while travelling around Australia (From Northern Victoria, up to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, across the Northern Territory to Cairns, down the east coast to Sydney and finally to Melbourne). It consistently recommended reliable hostel accommodation, cheap places to dine out and insightful information about all of the areas visited. If there is one criticism, it would be the concept of the book itself- that is an attempt to condense all the useful information about a country the size of North America in to one volume. The enormity of this task means that the book treats some subjects a little briefly, although it is a small criticism, as this single volume did seem to contain information on even the smallest towns and villages I encountered in the Northern Territories, for example. All in all, a useful book. Ideal for anyone considering travelling the country over a large period of time, although not ideal for anyone only visiting one or two places- but if you take my advice, youll want to spend a few months out there, and take in as much of the country as it is possible to!

A great series of books!!

As me and a friend are planning a round the world trip this series of books has been a great help. In picking places where to go its helpful to know whats there! Were mainly backpacking and using hostels so specific country guides aimed at this was essential. We needed to know campsites, country entry requirements, cost of living, activities, etiquette, transport options, dos and donts and most importantly what the food was like! As well as info on touring in campervans, car or footslogging. The book has it all and more. It covers all such topics and then reviews each place in the country individually. It has topics on law, car rental and purchase, gay and lesbians interests and so much more. If your travelling to this country then this book will be very useful. I dont think there is one thing I could think of that it does not cover. It even has places to rock climb in it! There are even phone numbers and addresses of hostels and hotels. Local culture and etiquette is covered, which is very useful in order that you dont upset the local inhabitants. Loads of major city centre maps and tons of colour pictures all add to the books appeal. In addition their website www.lonelyplanet.com is a great site containing a lot of invaluable information. The books are very durable and will stand the test of time. I now own five in total, including a Thai phrasebook, as the LP guides are an extensive series, covering more than just travel. A very worthy and essential purchase, money very well spent indeed!!