Believe it or not Christmas Island, actually has nothing to do with the Holiday Season of Christmas. A small, non self-governing Territory of Australia, the Territory of Christmas Island is  located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2360 km northwest of Perth Australia.  Only about 1500 residents live on Christmas Island.

Christmas Island is of immense interest to scientists and naturalists due to it’s unique natural topography and is it’s large number of species that have evolved in isolation. Not only isolation but also undisturbed by human activity. While some mining activity has gone on the island for the past many years. Over 60 percent of the island’s 135 square kilometres is now National Park. There is also several large areas of pristine and ancient rainforest.

No one is really sure who discovered Christmas Island. All we know is that it is first published on a map produced by Pieter Goos, in 1666. On the map the island was named Moni. The earliest recorded visit to the island is by William Dampier, in March of 1688. William Dampier found the island uninhabited.

William Dampier’s was traveling from New Holland trying to reach Cocos. Apparently his ship was pulled way off course to the east and after travelling for 28 days, he arrived at Christmas Island.

Author: Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of  Pixibot which is a great web directory and information center for information on all types of topics.  See more about Christmas Island here.

The blue sky overhead is complemented by the bright azure tones of the sea when the coastline comes into view, and it’s the pristine white sands of the beaches that demarcate the boundary between land and sea.

A colourful and lively town in its own right, St Helens is a coastal resort town tucked into the north east corner of the island, surrounded by the inimitable Tasmanian coast and country.

Its a great place to base your campervan and explore the surrounding attractions from. The largest town on the north east coast with a population of 2000 people, St Helens is a quaint settlement that has the historic charm and character of a Cornish fishing village. Essentially a fishing port, it is perched upon the still waters of Georges Bay which are sheltered by the long headland of St Helens Point.

Most of the town is dependent on fishing as an income, and it is a large pull factor for tourists in the region, with St Helens being known as the game fishing capital of Tasmania. In March each year the town population swells with visitors partaking in the St Helens Game Fishing Classic, a renowned fishing competition.

Fishermen have the pleasure of fishing from one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines, with rugged rock formations and golden sandy beaches lying side by side. Driving north from the town in your motorhome within fifteen minutes you will be in Binalong Bay, a tiny village built on a serene and calm bay that is a great spot for a relaxing day in the sun.

If you continue north you reach the Bay of Fires, which has been voted by a reputable travel magazine as having the second best beach in the world. Upon arriving there you can see why- its sandy expanse is strewn with giant granite boulders, creating a picturesque effect that is intensified by the blue ocean and the abundance of birds that call the bay home.

The underwater attractions are just as impressive, with divers flocking to the bay to explore its underwater caves and kelp forests.

If its a break from the madding crowd that your after then the north east of Tasmania is the antidote you are looking for. An especially remote, but exceptionally beautiful, area is the Mount William National Park.

Beginning at the top end of the Ansons River and ending at Musselroe Bay, this rugged park will astound you with its scenery and provide you with the nature-oriented break you crave. Expect to bump into all forms of wildlife, from wombats to kangaroos and a myriad of birdlife.

There are camping areas through the park, but no shops and few facilities, so be prepared to rough it a bit. Some places provide drinking water but its best to come prepared with your own supplies- its the perfect escape into an unchanged world!

If you’re a bushwalker than the area around St Helens will excite you no end. There is the magnificent coastline to explore along with the lush forests and rolling hills of the hinterland. At Diana’s Basin, to the south of the town, you will find an amazing example of geological folds (an ancient rock formation) that make for great hiking, and the views of the ocean here are stunning.

At St Mary’s, which lies about a 25 minute drive inland from St Helens, there is an impressive rocky hill known as St Patricks Head which is a favourite amongst hikers. It is quite challenging however, and in some sections there are chains to assist you on the way up. You will agree that the panoramic views from the top are just reward for your efforts!

When you hire a camper and go on a tour of the north east of Tasmania you are stepping into another world, one where the everyday problems of your life simply melt away. It is not unheard of for holidaymakers to pack everything in and move here after their vacation to the region, unable to leave the laid back lifestyle and the stunning vistas behind them. So why don’t you give it a try? At the very least you will leave refreshed and re-invigorated, and who knows… it could be your new home!

By Gavin Wyatt.

Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. Originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Discovery Campervans

Kangaroo Island is about seven times the size of Singapore and around 155 kilometres in length, with the town of Kingscote being the island’s capital and main settlement. Wildlife is abundant on the island, where koalas laze in the gum trees and seals laze on the beach. In addition, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, platypi and goannas all thrive on the island.

A wide range of tours are available on Kangaroo Island, enabling you to relax while someone else does the driving. In addition, guides can provide a great deal of information about Kangaroo Island on the way. Both coach tours and four-wheel drive tours are available, with most tours collecting passengers from their accommodation, the airport or the ferry terminal. Bike riding and hiking are also possible for those with the energy, but beware that Kangaroo Island is large and the necessary level of fitness is required for these options.

Large luxury vehicle and passenger ferries operate between Cape Jervis on the South Australian coast and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island (travelling time 45 minutes). There are four departures daily, with extra services at peak times. Bus connections are available to/from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, and to/from Penneshaw to American River and Kingscote on the island. Regional Express operates a 30-minute air service from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport, located 13km from Kingscote.

Because of its relative isolation, Kangaroo Island has experienced much less impact from European settlement than than the South Australian mainland. Half the bushland on Kangaroo Island remains untouched since the time of British navigator Matthew Flinders named the island in 1802, and more than a third of the Island has National Park or Conservation Park status. This pristine bushland supports a rich wildlife population of wildlife and makes Kangaroo Island on of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in its natural environment.

Kangaroo Island was separated from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago. In that time, some species have evolved differently from their mainland counterparts. This is evident for example in the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo (a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo common in south-eastern Australia) which is today smaller, darker and has longer fur than its mainland counterpart. The now endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo is also a unique Kangaroo Island sub-species, as is the small marsupial carnivore the Sooty Dunnart.

Similarly, King Island’s plants have evolved in isolation to the point where at least 45 species are endemic (found only on Kangaroo Island) including several eucalypts. The total absence of feral creatures such as foxes and rabbits helps ensures the integrity Kangaroo Island’s bushland ecosystems.

In recognition of Kangaroo Island’s unique plant and wildlife species (some of which are either threatened or unique to the island), National and Conservation parks were declared across the island very early in the history of its European settlement. Kangaroo Island’s National Parks provide access to spectacular coastline scenery, unique geological formations, fascinating history and abundant wildlife. There are four major parks: Flinders Chase National Park (walking trails and spectacular rock formations), Kelly Hill Conservation Park (limestone caves and hiking), Seal Bay Conservation Park (Australia’s largest accessible colony of sea lions) and Cape Willoughby Conservation Park (first lighthouse in South Australia).

By author Miguel Scaccialupo.