Long before the invention of airport lounges and long-haul flights, travelling was an adventurous undertaking only attempted by explorers and the brave (or crazy?) few. Spending months at sea traversing vast oceans in dangerous conditions was par for the course. Now we have the means to wake up in Sydney and fall asleep in New York within a matter of hours, and to do so in comfort.
While some may say that this ease and accessibility of travel is a trade off for the loss of history and culture, we would argue the exact opposite. Travel allows us to explore, understand, respect and protect the remnants of human history with each new generation. An important aspect of travelling is seeing things that remind us of the way things used to be. It helps bring the pages of the history books to life in a way no classroom ever could.
So if you've always wanted to travel through time, this is your final boarding call. You don't need a time machine or even a Delorean, just take a step back in time with these historical holiday destinations to enjoy a glimpse of days gone by.
ULURU
Rising dramatically from the desert sand of Central Australia, Uluru is an iconic sandstone rock formation and one of Australia's most famous attractions. Dating back about half a billion years, Uluru is more than just a photo opportunity. The huge red rock measures 348m high and 9.4km around the base and is considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Uluru is a deeply spiritual place. Although this is particularly true for the Anangu people and traditional owners of the land, visitors from far and wide can feel a powerful presence the moment they set eyes on it.
Although its spectacular panorama is obvious, the real beauty of Uluru is found when you look closer. The ancient monolith nurtures rare plants and animals as well as caves painted with remarkable rock art and important spiritual sites. Bearing ancient wisdom expressed through traditional markings, the stories of the creation ancestors are passed on from generation to generation, just as they have been for thousands of years. Although at its most stunning at sunrise and sunset, nothing can prepare you for the deeply moving experience of visiting the rock at any time of day.
Many tourists looking to tick this icon off their bucket list have been staggered by the surprising spiritual connection they have discovered with the landmark and rugged outback landscape that surrounds it. Situated within the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru holds a special cultural significance and is described as the place where earth and memories exist as one. Here Australians will feel connected to their land like never before. A visit to Uluru is a life changing experience that offers modern day Australians a glimpse into life on our land as it was lived thousands of years ago by its traditional owners. Sparking a new appreciation for the spiritual significance the land has in their culture, visitors will leave Uluru with a heightened respect for the traditional caretakers of our land.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is a thriving modern city known for its bohemian atmosphere, famous foodie scene, chic shopping and vibrant nightlife. However side by side with the towering sky scrapers and corporate towers sit grand old buildings, striking heritage architecture and historic attractions and landmarks. The city's well-preserved historical buildings span every era from the mid-1800s and it's these antique gems that give Victoria's capital its unique edge. From heritage listed monuments to majestic cathedrals, Italianate architecture to lavish French Renaissance-inspired structures, colonial gardens to Melbourne's maritime past, much of Australia's history and identity can be discovered among the city streets.
No single building is as iconic to Melbourne as Flinders Street railway station. Although still a modern-day commuter hub, the original terminus has stood on the site since 1854. Standing on the opposing corners of Swanston and Flinders Streets provides the best opportunity to capture the ornate Art Nouveau façade adorned with copper clad domes, pressed metal work, stained glass, wrought iron railings and a plethora of distinctive decorative elements.
Another structure synonymous with Melbourne is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building. Erected in 1880 and taking inspiration from Italy's Florence Duomo, the striking interiors played host to the golden age of the World Fair and is now considered one of the last remaining 'palaces of industry'.
Escape the city and head for the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay to discover the colourful cultural icons and historical assets of the Brighton Bathing Boxes. Much has been written about Victorian morality and the way it impacted how people lived their lives, and the modesty-preserving bathing boxes serve as a reminder of Melbourne's favourite seaside playground in the late 19th century, remaining today as they did over one hundred years ago.
A dominating symbol of authority in the Melbourne skyline since the mid-1800s, the Old Melbourne Gaol was once Australia's most infamous prison and housed petty criminals alongside the homeless and mentally ill. Over its 70 year working life, the prison incarcerated some of the country's most famous criminals including notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor. Iconic bushranger Ned Kelly was also executed here along with 132 other offenders. The bluestone former jail is now a museum that shares tales of prison life along with the opportunity to explore its echoy halls.
For a sobering insight into what life was like for our early settlers, drive a couple of hours west to Ballarat where the living museum of Sovereign Hill depicts the story of Australia's goldrush boom. Once a sleepy pastoral settlement, the discovery of gold in 1851 trigged the world's greatest alluvial gold rush, turning Ballarat into a regional city built on wealth in record time. Set on 15 hectares of a former gold mine, Sovereign Hill brings Australia's gold rush history to life through a living township with underground mines, diggings, coach rides, costumed characters, 1850s dwellings, shops, schools and trades.
FIJI
Although Fiji is now known as a relaxing beach resort destination, it has been inhabited for around 3500 years and has a long history of indigenous traditions and values as well as tribal warfare and even cannibalism. Any visit to Fiji should be more than just a 'fly and flop' holiday, as just a short drive from the main tourist resort precincts is an ancient culture and landscape waiting to be discovered.
First settled by the Melanesian people, Fiji's early settlers brought with them a diverse range of food and agricultural practices and established hierarchical communities based on descent and personal merit. Living in geographical and familial clans, they developed sophisticated irrigation systems to grow their settlements. There is only one traditional village left in Fiji, located on the mountain of Ba and a visit to Navala Village offers an insight into the island lifestyle that has been lived by generation after generation. Here thatched roof houses, called bures, are home to people who live off the land by planting their own root crops, fruit and vegetables and relying on seasonal supplies of wild pig, wild yams and fruits from the jungle.
