Mosquito borne disease risk spreads in north of Western Australia

People most likely to be affected are newcomers to affected regions, such as babies, young children, tourists or new employees, but anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice quickly. Dr Lindsay said the warning particularly applied to people living, visiting or camping near swamp and river systems during the evening and night in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. However, mosquito breeding in northern WA at this time of year is also often associated with man-made or artificial water bodies such as dams, sewage lagoons, irrigation areas or domestic containers.

Perth City guide

PERTH might be the world's most remote city of its size but don't let that put you off, it's all part of the appeal. Washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the sunny city is heaven on earth for anyone who likes a laidback lifestyle. Get a taste of the produce from the local vineyards, sample the eclectic mix of food on offer and get back to nature with a day-trip to Rottnest, the car-free island which is the base for whale-watching excursions up and down the coast. The city skyline is dominated by glittering high-rise office blocks. To get a bird's-eye view of the surroundings, walk up to King's Park then take a ferry down the Swan river to the port town of Fremantle.

Australia Gold Coast Value

You don't necessarily need a car as hotel shuttles and regular bus services go to most of the major attractions. A rental car is handy if you want to go into the Hinterlands behind the Gold Coast. It's often cheaper to get a shuttle to Surfers than rent a car.
Make sure you buy a Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle Freedom Pass before you leave home. The Freedom Pass is reasonably priced at NZ$111 per adult for seven days and includes door to door transfers from Coolangatta to your Gold Coast accommodation as well as unlimited theme park transfers with Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle, and unlimited use of the Surfside Buslines network on the Gold Coast. You can purchase three-, five-, seven, 10- and 14-day passes. Not only do they offer convenience and reliable transportation but they are great value for money.

Where the bloody hell are we?

Australians are known the world over as passionate travellers. It's pretty much impossible to visit any city, town or run-down shack in the middle of nowhere that hasn't already been overrun by our globe-trotting brethren. Every single country in the world is full of Aussie backpackers ... except, that is, Australia. So why do we have this passion for overseas travel? Partly, I'd like to think, because of an innate sense of adventure, but it's also because our homeland doesn't have a great deal to offer us. Tourism Australia, rather than asking where the bloody hell everyone else is, might be better off questioning where the locals keep going.