READERS

This issue's winning 'Your Shot'  image was taken by Vic Widman, Elanora Heights NSW “This photo was taken on top of Big Red, the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert, approximately 70 kilometres west of Birdsville. I was leading a group of adventurous 4WD travellers crossing the Simpson Desert. As a result of the summer closure (the desert is closed from 1 December to 15 March for safety reasons) we were the first to reach Big Red for some time. We found the sand dune in this beautiful state of untouched ripples. I particularly liked the way the sand ripples matched the water...

This issue's winning 'Your Shot'  image was taken by Robert McRobbie from Kingsford, NSW. "These brumbies were grazing not far off the road in the MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs. My family was experiencing Central Australia for the first time and as we were driving along we were ticking off the animals we wanted to see – dingo, kangaroo, emu, camel and brumby. We pulled over to watch these incredible animals and despite the herd being wary of our attention, they stood still for long enough for me to capture several shots.” Shot with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, 100-300mm @...

This issue's winning 'Your Shot' entry was taken by Aa Los Banos. “I took this photo during my first visit to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. My friends and I strolled along the beach till we reached a high point where I set up my Sony A550 camera bundled with a sigma 10-20mm ultra-wide angle (UWA) lens and filter. The shot was taken at about 1pm. I really like the framing in this photo and how the crowd are scattered on the beach, which makes a good foreground part of the image.” – Aa Los Banos, Waikiki WA   Calling all Australian Travellers! Think...

The winner of this issue's 'Your Shot' photo competition was taken by Pete Davis from MacMasters Beach, NSW. “My wife Sandi and I just returned from a 4WD trip to Cape York – an amazing experience heading out with my new Nikon D800 (only about two weeks old). This particular photo is of Kalpowar Crossing in Lakefield National Park. The shot was taken late in the day – we were just standing in the middle of the road on the crossing about 40 metres from our camp. I bet that big old tree could tell some stories of drought and...

The results are in. After giving our travel advice all year, we conclude with the most important opinions of all: yours. Over one thousand of you shared your travel tips, favourite destinations and ultimate bucket list adventures... and now, we present to you Australia's greatest experiences, destinations and operators of 2012.   Favourite Australian Travel Experience Best Affordable Hotel Brand Best Luxury Hotel Best Resort Best Campsite or Caravan Park Best Bed & Breakfast Best Guided Tour Best Restaurant Best Bar Best Pub Best Major Airline Best Regional Airline Best Train Journey Best Cruise or Yachting Experience Best Adventure Destination...

TripAdvisor The inaugural year for this award category, TripAdvisor proved Australia’s go-to when it comes to seeking travel advice online. And no wonder – it’s the world’s largest travel site, operating in over 30 countries and attracting over 60 million monthly visitors world-wide. This unique web space collates advice from real everyday travellers on a wide variety of travel avenues – hotels, bed and breakfasts, holiday rentals, flights and restaurants – with seamless links to booking tools. And it’s this convenience of having reviews on countless destinations that link straight to booking engines that earned the majority of votes. With...

Whitsundays bareboat Chartering a yacht and skippering it yourself through the Whitsundays has again won first place. As one reader explained, “there’s nothing like being on your own yacht, surrounded by natural beauty, able to pick your own anchorage and enjoy,” neatly summarising the thoughts of many. And when exploring the area’s clear luminescent water, magical reef life and pristine beaches, why would you want to do it any other way? “It is so great,” reflected another reader, “to be able to holiday on your own terms, go where you want and when you want.” Agreed a third, “it is...

Gold Coast Be it a family holiday, couple’s escape or girls’ getaway, the Gold Coast has drawn big summer crowds for years. Theme parks are an obvious lure for families, certainly, but you also love the sunshine and golden sands, vibrant atmosphere and shopping. As one reader said, “there’s plenty to do and see, an all-rounder holiday destination for both the young and not so young”. Although the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast, particularly Surfers Paradise, has copped some flack in the past, responses largely suggest that the area is cleaning up its act. And who could hate...

The Ghan Once again The Ghan is the clear winner, having received more than half of your votes. Over three days, this transcontinental rail ride journeys 3000 kilometres, from Darwin to Adelaide. Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this route, it offers unsurpassed views of Australia’s tropical Top End, to the unparalleled Red Centre. You voted for its “beautifully restored carriages”, “scenery and service” and the “fascinating" side trips you can temporarily disembark for. One reader believes “it is the best way to see the true vastness and diversity of Australia”, while another sums it up as “old...

Qantas The ‘Spirit of Australians’ has again won, and by seismic proportions. With over 50 percent of entries nominating Qantas, it seems the flying kangaroo truly resonates with AT readers. Service, safety and reliability were the key reasons why Qantas got your vote, as were the “wonderful crew”, and Australian history. Your comments were overwhelmingly positive: one reader said “no matter where you are in the world, when you travel with Qantas you feel like you are home”. Another told us their vote went to Qantas for the “excellent service, meals and entertainment”. The little touches make the biggest difference it seems,...

QantasLink An overwhelming number of AT readers voted QantasLink as the country’s best regional airline. Operating over 2000 flights per week to 56 towns and cities across Australia and Papua New Guinea, Qantaslink has demonstrated an obvious commitment to rural and regional Australia. Many of you pointed out that QantasLink is the only airline to service many outlying airports, such as Lord Howe Island, Alice Springs and Bundaberg. Destinations aside, it is the staff and service that has earned loyal customers, with comments like “the staff are always helpful and welcoming” reappearing time and time again. Unsurprisingly, the airline was...

Opera Bar Located on the lower concourse level of the Sydney Opera House, Opera Bar boasts front-row seats to Sydney’s two most recognisable landmarks – the house and the bridge. And it is this view that earned the majority of votes from readers, with countless comments like “best view in the world”, “spectacular sunsets” and “great location and atmosphere”, submitted time and time again. Listed as a finalist last year, Opera Bar has since upped the ante to take out first place, which could be largely attributed to the top service and regular live music performances. The extensive drinks menu...

Daly Waters Pub “A true blue Aussie experience” according to one reader, this outback pub in NT tops the list of Australia’s favourite watering holes. Located approximately 600km south of Darwin and 1000km north of Alice Springs, ‘We are in the middle of somewhere’ the website reads. Catering for all travellers passing through the area, the walls and ceilings are adorned with all kinds of memorabilia, from Irish football jerseys to bras of all sizes. The entertainment is typical Australiana – the resident performer Chilli shares funny stories about the early days in the Territory, paying homage to the historical...