The Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Opera House in the background

Anything Australian seems to be ‘in’ nowadays. Homeboy Heath Ledger will be biting his nails to the quick on Oscar night and Nicole Kidman has just been named a UN goodwill ambassador. Back here in the city, the AusArts cultural extravaganza was announced amidst much fanfare, and Foster’s beer and barbecue lunches are becoming quite the popular ticket in society circles. But more than anyone or anything, it’s the land itself that’s looking more attractive than ever ? to filmmakers, students and of course, the camera-toting, gum-chewing tourist ? specifically, the Indian tourist.

Let’s talk numbers! In 2005 alone, about 67,000 Indian travellers hit Australia’s shores. That’s against 45,000 Indian tourists in 2002. This year, the statistics are expected to shoot up even further. Travel agents Thomas Cook reported a 100 per cent growth in sales of their Australia packages last year, hawking a good 2,400 packages countrywide. City-based Vensimal Travels sold 287 Australia packages directly last year, and an additional 50-65 trips through sub-agents.

Just how are tour agents cashing in on the allure of Kangaroo Country? What’s on offer and most importantly, how much moolah will travellers have to dole out? Thomas Cook’s 10-day Oz package to Sydney, Cairns and the Gold Coast costs a meaty Rs 86,990, but that includes airfare, taxes and visa charges. On the itinerary besides the usual reef cruises and city tours, are excursions to Canberra, the Blue Mountains, Tjapukai, Dreamworld and a fancy-shmancy showboat dinner cruise. Vensimal Travel’s most economical Australia package will have you forking out Rs 69,999. This Down Under deal includes airfare and inter-sector flights, three nights each in Sydney, Cairns and the Gold Coast, accommodation in star hotels, airport transfers and daily breakfasts. Throw in a Movieworld or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary tour, a half-day tour of Sydney and a reef cruise, among other delights, and you’re good to go! Of course, taxes and visas charges will cost an additional Rs 20,000.

For those who like to live it up, there’s no end to the indulgences. Vensimal Travels has a pull-out-every-stop package for over Rs 2.5 lakh per head, which entitles one to sterling service over 21 days in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and the Gold Coast. Think plush five-star digs, private limousines, helicopter transfers, cruises, hot-air ballooning, champagne-drenched meals and more.

Says Satish Ramnani, director-sales, Vensimal Travels. “While we can also personalise packages, our package to Sydney, Cairns and the Gold Coast is a big hit. While Cairns’ rainforests and Barrier Reef work in its favour, the Gold Coast’s beaches and theme parks make it a perennial pick. And most Indians insist on Sydney, as it offers the mega-city experience.”

But what of those who prefer to holiday on their own, minus the fuss and flurry of a group tour? Fly Qantas in this case, which is offering round trips for Rs 35,000 (plus taxes) per head inclusive of sector travel to three points within Australia. Accommodation for the lone traveller is also a breeze with a slew of low, medium and big-budget hotels available across most Australian cities, not to mention the very popular Backpacker Inns. These charge about A$ 20-A$30 (Rs 667-Rs 992) for a night’s stay.

And what can a first-time tripper do? Any true blue Aussie will tell you that there’s so much more to the land than the three Rs: the Rock, the Reef and the Roos. In Sydney alone, there’s plenty to keep one on the move. Says Sydneysider Tracy Cardile, “Besides hitting the Opera House, Toronga Zoo and Kings Cross, tourists should try the very popular Harbour Bridge climb.” The climb ? you’ll be strapped up good and proper in all the right gear ? costs a steep A$150 (Rs 5,000), but the view from the top of the bridge beams is said to be breathtaking. According to Cardile, the bush walks and trolley rides in the Blue Mountains are also big hits. “The trolley ride costs A$20 (Rs 667), and as you descend the steep slopes, the scene is a perfect example of Australian natural beauty at its best,” she says. For those craving a slice of Aboriginal culture, she recommends a walk through The Rocks, a street devoted to didgeridoos and Aboriginal art. Of course, the most famous Aboriginal hotspot in Australia is by far, the great red monolith, Uluru or if you were to go by its less interesting ‘white’ name, Ayer’s Rock. But this is a good 2,000km west of Sydney.

Regular visitors since 1978, cricket commentator Kishore Bhimani and his wife Rita have found Australia has changed quite a bit over the years. “On our very first trip, we found it pretty difficult to get a decent Indian meal for Kishore, who’s vegetarian. One of our cricketer friends, Dilip Doshi finally found a restaurant serving nut cutlets. Now though, there’s a huge variety of food available, even for vegetarians. So, it’s come a long way from the days of nut cutlets,” says Rita.

Rita also says that first-timers in Oz need to watch out for a few things. “You need to be careful about the public transport system, which can be confusing. Also, be patient when it comes to understanding the way locals speak,” she says, adding hastily that one should avoid using the word ‘root’ or any of its derivatives. Why? Let’s just leave at that it’s just plain rude!

Returning to the ‘root’ of the matter, Indians are no longer content with just seeing vignettes of Sydney and other Aussie locales in films like Dil Chahta Hai or Salaam Namaste. They want to experience those endless sun-baked horizons, dense rainforests and glorious beaches for themselves. And hey, no one’s complaining ? not Australia Tourism, or those savvy travel agents. As far as every one is concerned, there’s no downside to Oz!