I'd be happy to lead a nature walk. And although I know we have funnelweb spiders around (they're common) we actually rarely see them.
What we see a lot of in our area that amazes overseas visitors - the stars. We have a few spots that are farenough away from light pollution for people to really enjoy a blazing night sky.
One of my favourite Aussie poems is "Clancy of the Overflow" - if I ever come to the US I'll recite it for you. I look up at our night sky and think of these lines "And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended; and at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars."
Even if people come here in midwinter, there are places in the north of Australia where you can enjoy a winter swim in warm tropical waters. Mind you, up there you can find other unusual hazards. An Aussie TV presenter earlier this week (Kerrie-Ann Kennerley) showed her photos form a weekend golf game in Port Douglas; a very unusual hazard there is saltwater crocs that come out of the water to sun themselves on the fairway. She had her ball drop right next to one 2 metre croc and had to decide - play it where it lay, or take a 2 stroke penalty?
I think I'd take the penalty...
Cheaper times to visit Australia in warmer weather are outside our summer holidays, which begin about 20 December and finish about Australia Day. Basically, avoid travelling in the second half of December and all of January. Outside those dates - it should be cheaper.
As for dancing o nthe beach at Christmas - New Years Eve is the biggie for dancing on the beach at midnight. Or you can go into the city and hang around to watch the fireworks on the Harbour. It's one huge party, a very well-behaved one too. They have 9 pm fireworks for the younger kids and it's all televised for people like us who prefer to stay out in the sticks.
Marg
