Do Australians need a travel visa to enter the United States? How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park? What is the best time of year to visit Joshua Tree National Park? These are just some of the questions California Tourism’s new Australian website – www.visitcalifornia.com.au – will answer when it is launched this week.
Australian travellers generally want to get beyond the standard tourist destinations, and the website has been designed to give the inside scoop on everything from California’s most well-known and best-loved attractions to the hidden gems and secrets only a local usually knows about.
“Australia was California’s fourth largest overseas market with approximately 341,000 visitors to California in 2008, spending US$390 million in the state over an average visit of 8.8 nights. Additionally, a 30% increase in flights from Australia into Los Angeles mean these numbers are likely to rise even higher,” said Caroline Beteta, California Travel and Tourism Commission president & CEO and chair of the U.S. Travel Association. “The Australian market is so important to our state, and we wanted to cater for Australian travellers’ needs. We hope the website is a valuable tool for Australians when planning their trip to California,” Beteta said.
Other website highlights include:
- Downloadable and interactive maps, drive times and suggested road trip itineraries.
- Important tips travellers need to know – visa information, climate, tipping guides, health and safety
- Downloadable version of the California Visitor’s Guide.
- Overview of the 12 regions of California and the most popular things to do in each.
For more information visit www.visitcalifornia.com.au.
