Australia

Eyewitness Travel Guides

by Helen Townsend

Describes the history and culture of Australia and offers tips on accommodations, restaurants, national parks, and sights to visit.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Australia

576 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1998

About the author

Born in 1947, Helen Townsend was educated in Melbourne and Sydney and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from Sydney University in 1968.

She worked as a researcher in the Health Department of ABC radio and television for ten years, before becoming a full-time writer. Her many projects since have included the position of researcher for the 1990 ABC/Film Australia documentary of her book Baby Boomers, writer/researcher of a one-hour documentary on Antarctica for Channel 7, researcher for the First State 88 Bicentennial Transport Exhibition and story researcher for the film Phar Lap, among others. The National Times, The Sun Herald, Woman's Day and Cleo have all counted Helen as a freelance contributor. She was also the writer of Australia's first internet soap, 'Friday's Beach', shown on the Microsoft network.

Helen has had 17 books published including Turning Point (1996), Real Men (1994), Heroic Measures (1993), Baby Crazy (1990), Baby Boomers Growing up in Australia in the 1940s, '50s and '60s (1988), Adult Children and Their Elderly Parents (1989) and Balancing Act.

She is married to Steve and has three children, Sophie, Lewis and Patrick. Helen's particular interests are literature, history and social issues.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 588-page book - the 14th (PRINT) edition of January 2018 - is a colourful and informative guide to attractions of the continent of Australia. It has all the usual features, including excellent maps and diagrams. There are excellent colour photos breaking up the text columns, so you can see what you are looking for. It is a handy up-to-date guidebook, with maps other features, and is ideal for planning and guiding a family holiday.

The Contents are -
P010: Introducing Australia (5 chapters)
P065: Sydney (with 4 sub-sections as well as “Practical Information” and Streetfinder)
P162: New South Wales and ACT (3)
P214: Queensland (3)
P264: The Northern Territory (2)
P296: Western Australia (2)
P338: South Australia (2)
P376: Victoria (3)
P458: Tasmania

P478: Traveller’s Needs (where to stay; where to eat; shopping; activities, etc.)
P544: Survival Guide (practical & travel information)
P564: Index

[Sarah left GR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't actually read this cover-to-cover, but it was a fantastic help during my trip to Sydney & Canberra last spring. (Well, it was fall there. Take that, flat earthers!)

Highly recommend this series - well organized, easy to use, informative without being overwhelming.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont know if digital versions exist or get released but it was quite hard to gauge prices and things with the latest version being 7 years ago and not knowing how things have changed but overall a very good guide to lots of different places and it was in depth with background information.

[Mojca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Smkelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provided basic information for sights to visit and prioritize

[Susan Fontyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

[Filipa Figueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide to learn more about Australia and plan a trip.

[Michael Kerjman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like is a rich volume of brightly-illustrated information of places to visit, "3-D " maps picturesque particularly..
What I feel different is a rather brief reference to transport means and services.
Conclusion: it's a very good source for travel attractions to visit, further search in the web is a next step to planning a journey.
Anyway, covid-reality makes any info questionable but nature's wonders immortal.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love these books if only for the pictures and descriptions of the places that they include. Having a visual of a location makes planning a trip that much easier and this book is packed with a ton of information. It was invaluable when I went to Australia in 2002, and I recommend these books for any location.

[Avel Rudenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the modern stuff, explained. Australian travel at its best!

[Yuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the entire DK Travel series as I'm a very visual person and love the cutaways & photos. These are better souvenirs than guidebooks, however, as they are very heavy.

[Fangirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this to prepare for my Australia trip. VIS a VIS are my favorite travel guides, filled with great information and beautiful pictures.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for an overview and the visuals. Won't help you find a place to stay.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great travelers book!

[Annette Moellendick · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative and comprehensive.

[Laura]

I read an older version of this before moving to Australia, and for Christmas I received the latest edition, so time to read it and do some travel planning for the years ahead!

[Walterine Lukeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative. Things to do. Places to eat. Places to stay.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, thorough, enjoyable.