Australia Sports & Outdoors Tips by keeweechic

Aussie Rules Footy

Aussie Rules Football is a mixture of soccer, gaelic football and rugby and was originally created to keep cricketers fit during the winter months. During the lat 1850’s the first game was played in Melbourne and has changed and grown over the years into a huge national sport. The season usually lasts 18 weeks depending on the number of teams competing. Then there is the final series which are a knockout series where teams are eliminated when they lose, with the last two teams playing off in the Grand Final which is a big annual event in Australia.

The game is played over 4 quarters and stops at the end of each quarter so that the teams can change ends for their goals. Each quarter lasts roughly about 20 mins. A player must always be tackled below the shoulders and above the knees. A player must bounce the ball approx every 10 meters when running with the ball and a player must either handball or kick when disposing of the ball. At each end of the ground there are 4 white posts. To score players attempt to kick the ball between the two taller posts at their end of the field. If the ball travels or rolls between the two white posts without being touched it is 6 points (goal) scored for that team and the ball is taken back to the centre where the game begins again. If though the ball hits the white post, it is a point to that team and the opposition team has a free kick back into play. If the ball is handballed or knocked through the posts by either team, it is a point to the team kicking towards that end. If the ball travels between a goal post but inside the red post, it is a point scored. If the ball hits the red post it is out of bounds. A goal is worth 6 points and is scored when the ball is kicked between the white posts. One point is scored when the ball hits the goal post, travels between a goal & behind post or is handballed or knocked through any scoring area.

Theme: Sports Watching

Formula One Grand Prix

Annually in March, The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is held around Albert Park in Melbourne and draws hundreds of thousands of people to what is the most prestigious racing category in the world.

There are also other displays such as stunt bikes, jet-plane fly-overs and aerial displays.

Address: Albert Park, Melbourne.

Theme: Sports Watching

Flemington Racecourse - Melbourne

Flemington Racecourse was founded in 1840 and was laid out along the banks of the altwater river. Today it is home of the Victoria Racing Club and host to Australia's greatest horse race, the Tooheys New Melbourne Cup held on November 5th every years. The country literally comes to a standstill for those few minutes of the race. Oaks Day (or Ladies Day) is held the following Thursday. All the finest and well as whackiest garb comes out for the Melbourne Cup Day.

Address: 400 Epsom Road, Flemington, Melbourne

Directions: (4 miles north from the city centre)

Pinjarra

Pinjarra, south of Perth is just one of the many sites for sky diving in Australia. Because Pinjarra is at sea level you get a true jump of whatever altitude you choose (to a maximum of 14,000 ft). You need to be there well in advance of your jump to be fitted out in your suit and harness and go through the training session. For a tandem jump, you get a 20 minute briefing which is required to show you exactly what is involved and what to do. You are suited up and then start with a plane simulator and are told how to climb out of the aircraft, how to position your arms and how you will free fall out. They then put you on a contraption where you are lying on your stomach and positioning your arms and legs as if you are in a freefall situation.

Address: 199 William St, Northbridge

Directions: W.A Skydiving Academy
Perth WA 6003

Phone: Ph (08) 9227 6066

Theme: Extreme Sports

Website: http://www.waskydiving.com.au

W.A.C.A. Ground

WACA stands for the Western Australian Cricket Association and the grounds is home to many international, national and local cricketing events. The all time record for total attendance at the grounds is 84,142 people at a test match between Australia and England in 1970. this was the first time Perth appeared on the international test circuit. The WACA is floodlit for the day/night games.

Address: Nelson Crescent , East Perth, Western Australia

Theme: Sports Watching

MCG - The Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a major venue for most sporting and entertainment events that are held in Melbourne. Melburnians are fanatical with their Aussie Rules Footy. Outdoor concerts are also held there from time to time. While I was dragged along to the odd footy match (but in the comfort of a private box), no one had to drag me to one of the concerts there.

The MCG is also home to the Australian Gallery of Sport which records Australian sporting history and the Olympic Museum, with memorabilia dating back to the first Olympics in 1896.

Address: Yarra Park, Jolimont.

Directions: Take any tram travelling east along Flinders St from the city; nearest stations Jolimont or Richmond; it's a five-minute drive from the city.

Theme: Sports Watching