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Here's the official top ten BEST places to visit in Australia this year, with a surprising destination topping the list.
More than ever, we're being encouraged - forced even! - to explore more of our own backyard before wandering beyond the borders.
For one, it's way less stressful due to the whole COVID crisis, but more importantly Australia is home to some of the most beautiful places on earth!
If you're not sure where to start your travels, Wotif have just announced their annual Aussie Town Of The Year, with an unexpected but undoubtedly delightful destination sitting atop the list of ten finalists.
The Aussie travel provider announced the winner on their Instagram, "This just in! The Wotif Aussie Town of the Year for 2022 is... Launceston, Tassie!".
"With it’s gorgeous historic cityscapes, stunning natural beauty, and incredible food and wine, Launceston really showcases Australia’s natural beauty. We love you, Launnie!".
Yep, beating out sparkling Queensland beaches and rugged rocky NT parks, Tasmania's Launceston took out the esteemed title.
According to Daniel Finch, Wotif's Managing Director, Launcestion is tickling the fancy of many future travellers.
"Launceston's fresh produce, renown sparkling wine, and commitment to great food is world-famous," he said.
"With some of Tasmania's most spectacular natural landmarks just a short drive away... it's no surprise that demand for the city has grown by over 125 per cent on Wotif.com."
Here's the full Top Ten for Wotif's Aussie Town Of The Year
10. Busselton, WA
Sitting on the southwest tip of Western Australia is the stunning beachside city of Busselton.
Highlights include the 2km long Busselton Jetty, Tuart Forest National Park and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
9. Batemans Bay, NSW
Perched on south coast of New South Wales is the coastal beauty of Batemans Bay.
Highlights include kayaking on Lake Durras or the Clyde River, Birdland Animal Park, and Honeysuckle Beach Walking Track.
8. Halls Gap, VIC
This rugged Victorian village marks the gateway to Grampians National Park.
Highlights include the Venus Baths loop, The Pinnacle, Reed Lookout, and Silverband Falls.
7. Hervey Bay, QLD
You'll have a whale of a time in Queensland's Hervey Bay with beaches and boat trips galore!
Highlights include a whale-watching cruise, a day trip to Fraser Island and a stroll along The Esplanade.
6. Bright, VIC
The gateway to both Mount Buffalo National Park and Alpine National Park, Bright is a Victorian town best visited in Autumn!
Highlights include the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, Bright Brewery, and Canyon Walk.
5. Adelaide Hills, SA
To the east of South Australia's capital sits the sunny Adelaide Hills.
Highlights include the small towns of Stirling and Hahndorf, climbing Mount Lofty Summit, and wine tasting at McLaren Vale.
4. Yarra Valley, VIC
Nestled alongside the Yarra River, the Yarra Valley is home to some of Australia's most equisite wineries and breathtaking views.
Highlights include hot air ballooning, wine sampling at a vineyard (or two!) and Healesville Sanctuary.
3. Tamworth, NSW
While you might know Tamworth for it's Big Golden Guitar and Country Music Festival, there's a lot more to this regional city in northeast New South Wales.
Highlights include the sprawling views from Oxley Scenic Lookout, walls and walls of memorabilia at the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and endless trails along Chaffey Dam.
2. Caloundra, QLD
Swim, sip and shop in the Sunshine Coast's most southernmost town of Caloundra.
Highlights include Kings Beach, the Caloundra Street Fair every Sunday, a day trip to Australia Zoo, and the pristine waters of Pumicestone Passage.
1. Launceston, TAS
This riverside city in Tasmania is the perfect culmination of panoramic views, earthy hiking trails and 19th century history.
Highlights include Cataract Gorge Reserve and the vineyards of the Tamar Valley.
Images: pen_ash, AimHighAustralia, fietzfotos, randersen & thefollowmg / pixabay
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The Man Who Fell To Earth is a new TV Series that follows an alien who comes to earth to help humanity.
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the alien who has left his family and his own planet that is dying.
He knows the trajectory that earth is facing and has come to help steer it on the right path.
With the help of Naomie Harris's character whom he was sent to find.
For those that think the name of the TV show is familiar, you would be right.
Way back in 1976, a little pop star known as David Bowie starred in a film of the same name.
Now this and the TV series are both adapted from the Walter Tevis novel of the same name.
However, the TV Series takes it one step further making it a sequel or continuation of the movie.
The character that David Bowie played (Thomas) is back in the series and is played by Bill Nighy.
The Man That Fell To Earth series premieres on April 24th on Paramount+ in Australia.
Here's the original movie trailer from the '70s too.
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Jane Marczewski, also known as Nightbirde has died after losing her battle with cancer, her family has confirmed. Inspiring many with her performance on America’s Got Talent, the 31 year-old singer had been battling cancer since 2017.
In 2021, Nightbirde performed an original song on America’s Got Talent, which quickly became a viral hit with almost 40 million views at the time of writing. Her performance of her song “It’s OK” impressed all four judges (Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, and Heidi Klum) and the audience with a standing ovation.
The emotional moment earned her a “Golden Buzzer” from Simon Cowell and won the hearts of many around the world. Unfortunately due to her illness, Marczewski had to pull out of the competition to take care of her health.
In Marczewski’s last update on social media on January 12th, 2022, she said, "Honestly, things have been pretty brutal. But this is a photo of myself from last week where I felt pretty, and alive, and awake, and human, and real. I needed that. We’re all a little lost and it’s alright. 🕊"
Reports say the singer passed away on Sunday the 19th of February 2022, after the cancer had metastasised to her lungs, spine and liver. Judge Howie Mandel remembered the late artist, calling her a ‘bright inspirational light’ on his Twitter:
@_nightbirde was such a bright inspirational light in all our lives.we must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics. As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to to have met, heard and known her.
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) February 21, 2022
America’s Got Talent host and actor Terry Crews also took to social media to send his condolences.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she was declared cancer-free in 2018 however it returned in 2019. She was given three to six months to live but continued to fight being again declared cancer-free in 2020. Marczewski then appeared on AGT in 2021, revealing the cancer had spread to her lungs, spine and liver and had only 2% of survival and sadly died at the age of 31 in February 2022.
Your voice, your story, and your message touched millions. Nightbirde will always be a member of the AGT family. Rest In Peace, Jane. pic.twitter.com/dhKdrecEIv
— America’s Got Talent (@AGT) February 21, 2022
Marczewski released two EP's, Lines in 2012 and Ocean & Sky in 2013 and her single "It's OK" (Live at Maple House Sessions) went to number one on the Australian and Canadian Digital charts and number three on the US digital chart.
She got her stage name "Nightbirde" from a repeated dream she had, saying, "It felt so poetic that these birds were singing as if it were morning, and yet there was no sign of it yet, and that’s what I want to embody."
Image Credits: (America's Got Talent / Youtube | @AGT / Twitter)
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How does your pet parenting rate on a scale from 'everyday family pet' to 'my fur baby has better clothes and more Instagram followers than me'?
According to the RSPCA, we have more than 29 million pets in Australia. That’s more pets than humans!
They provide us with love and companionship, they cheer us up when we’re sad, and dogs force us to get exercise when they demand to be walked.
Pets are definitely a much-loved part of the family, and that means we give them some special treatment around the house every now and then.
Like letting them sleep on the living room table with their toys...
Image: Supplied
But how much special treatment is normal, and how much makes for a spoilt pet?
You may have seen a quiz on TikTok doing the rounds that has a list of 10 questions to help you work out how spoilt your pet is. There's tons of cute videos - mostly of dogs - ticking all the boxes and clearly living their luxurious, dream life. No dog house for them!
Take the quiz
Give yourself one point for every statement that you say YES to about your pet and see what you score out of 10:
1. I let my pet up on on the couch or bed
2. I give my pet food off my plate
3. I have a toy box for my pet (filled with their favourite toys of course)
4. I let my pet sleep in or on my bed at night
5. I’ve had professional photographs taken of my pet
6. I give my pet birthday and Christmas presents
7. I greet my pet before I say hi to other humans when I get home
8. I bring my pet on holidays, vacations and weekends away
9. My pet has their own social media account
10. I’ve bought my pet outfits and accessories to wear
Axel in a classic tee (Instagram/axeltheschnoodle), while NuNu opts for a chicken costume at Easter (Instagram/Angelcakes.xo)
So be honest, how high did you score?
We won't judge. It's all a bit of fun of course, but it shows just how differently we treat our pets.
Check out these two very spoilt dogs who score a perfect 10:
@thegoodhype Duet or stitch your pet’s results! #dog #fy ♬ Spoiled Pet Test - Kali the collie lab dog
Yes, some of us treat our pets like children and talk to them as if they understand everything we're saying. Because maybe they do, right?
And your dog might actually need clothes because they have very little fur and are always cold (we’re looking at you Italian Greyhounds).
Or you sleep with the dog in your bed to feel safe when you're home alone. Nothing wrong with that.
Whatever way you parent your pet, the main thing is that we love them and enjoy every precious minute of their too-short lives with us.
Main image: Instagram/iggy.luna.blue/Bianca Shugg (inset)
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