Australia | Digital Crosstalk

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Brian and team, who work for a digital marketing agency run this Digital Crosstalk blog.
Occasionally we might blog about companies and people we work with but for the most part we'll simply be blogging about stories and events which we find interesting.

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4th
DEC

Peanut-sized Jellyfish puts tourist in hospital

Posted by Brian | Filed under tourism

: Image by orangejack via Flickr

There is an age-old adage which states: ‘Look before you leap’ and perhaps it is a lesson which an un-named tourist in Australia should have adhered to.

The tourist, who had been sailing off the north-eastern coast of the country dived face first into a small, but potentially deadly Irukandji jellyfish with a potent sting said to rival the pain of childbirth.

Despite being kitted out in a full-length protective stinger suit, the jellyfish – which is the size of a peanut – managed to find and sting his uncovered face as he jumped from his yacht into the water.

The incident happened near South Molle Island, in Queensland’s popular Whitsunday Islands on Thursday.

The jellyfish is extremely difficult to see in the ocean, but is common enough throughout the waters around the coast and tourism officials advise people not to swim in the water, or wear stinger suits for protection. In this case, however, the latter advice wasn’t enough.

The man was pulled back on to the tour boat suffering excruciating pain and was transported to the island where, shivering and in shock, he was given first aid by medics. However, he then had to endure a 40 minute wait before a rescue helicopter could transfer him to a hospital at Mackay on the mainland, where he remained in intensive care.

Tags: australia, jellyfish, tourism, travel

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23rd
SEP

City of Red as dust storm blankets Sydney

Posted by Brian | Filed under blogging

: Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Those familiar with HG Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ will know of the red weed which blankets the earth after the martians win the first war. So imagine how residents of Sydney, Australia felt when they awoke to find their city shrouded in a red haze.

No, it wasn’t the martian weed that was the cause but a thick blanket of dust which blocked out the sun. The red colouration is a result of the sun reflecting off the dust.

The dust is down to some strong winds in the New South Wales area over a sustained period which has stirred a lot of dust off the ground and into the air, and the winds have carried the dust into Sydney.

The dust created widespread havoc with Sydney’s transport systems with visibility greatly reduced, while flights were delayed and ferries cancelled.

Tags: australia, dust storm, sydney

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8th
SEP

Guide wants tourists banned from climbing Uluru

Posted by Brian | Filed under tourism

: Image via Wikipedia

An Aboriginal tour group operator has called on a ban on tourism to the world-famous Ayres Rock or ‘Uluru’ and claims the iconic wonder is being used as a toilet by tourists.

The guide, Andrew Simpson of the Anangu Waai tour company told Northern Territory News that tourists are embarking on walks up the famous rock armed with toilet roll and are using the top as a public convenience when they reach the summit due the lack of toilet facilities.

Uluru is of great spiritual importance to local Aborigines and is considered a sacred site by them. Mr Simpson’s claims come as part of a submission into a draft management plan by the Australian federal government to prevent tourists from climbing the rock.

About 350,000 people visit Uluru each year and around 100,000 people attempt the 348 metre climb to the top, despite the wishes of Uluru’s traditional and spiritual owners who believe the climbing trail crosses a dreamtime path. The climb results in around 35 deaths each year.

Tags: australia, ayres rock, tourism, uluru

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16th
JUL

2nd Ashes Test score could see cheap flights to Australia

Posted by Brian | Filed under air

: Image via Wikipedia

An article in the Telegraph claims that England’s performance in the upcoming second Ashes test will set a limited availability reduced fare for flights to Australia by both British Airways and Qantas after the airlines announced a special Ashes-related promotion. Depending on the outcome, holidaymakers looking to jet off Down Under could enjoy record savings.

The fare price will be set according to Australia’s first innings score in the second npower Ashes Test at Lord’s cricket ground, while the number of seats available at the special rate will be determined by England’s reply in their respective innings, although the minimum return fare will be £125. The seats will also only be available between certain travel periods and only in economy class cabins.

As an illustration, if Australia are bowled out for 280 runs, and England score 350 runs then there will be 350 seats available at £280. With a typical fair weighing in at around £700, cricket fans – English cricket fans, at least – will be hoping Flintoff and co. can net them a bargain flight by limiting the Aussies to a low number of runs, although bookers will have to be quick if they want to take advantage of the offer.

The limited availability seats will be made available from July 21st, but the last time BA offered a similar offer – for the final test of the 2005 Ashes – the seats sold out within 30 minutes!