The Great Barrier Reef and Tropical North Queensland beaches are beautiful. One can hardly resist going for a swim, especially when it is hot and humid. However, the experience would be much more pleasant if we did not have to be constantly on our guard. But this is for good reason! The Coral Sea is home to many types of jellyfish including the dangerous box jellyfish (or stinger), which is among the world's most venomous creatures. Its stings are extremely painful and often deadly to humans. The problem with this killer jellyfish (not exclusive to Australia) is that we can hardly detect it because it is almost transparent. But all is not lost if you still want to dive or snorkel the reef. You need to know that fatalities are not so common and, in the case of stings, treatments are available (starting by applying generous amounts of vinegar made ​​available to the public on many beaches). There are also stinger suits sold in stores or provided by tour operators. Admittedly, this is far from sexy, but we are not competing at the election of Miss Universe. On some beaches, like in Port Douglas, swimming enclosure operate during jellyfish season in the summer months. Finally, let us give you some friendly advice, always take the time to ask a local or better yet a lifeguard before venturing into the unknown where jellyfish live.

Have you made any dangerous wildlife encounters in Australia? What is the most venomous animal you came accross while travelling? Share your experiences in the comments below!

There is nothing like a bit of water to cool off when temperatures exceed 40°C. In Western Australia, there are Karijini National Park's waterholes. In Katherine area in Northern Territory, you can find hot springs, the spectacular Katherine Gorge or Edith Falls. Further north, you can have a swim in Kakadu National Park. And in the desert? Well, you block a sprinkler with a piece of wood and transform it into a shower! There are easy to find in front of many roadhouses of the Outback. It seems each of them has engaged in a competition to win the Greener Lawn Award. We even saw roadsigns indicating the presence of a gas station, a restaurant and... "Green Grass"!

Spiders, sharks are snakes are just a few among the plethra of dangerous animals in Australia. In the north of the country, whether in Western Australia, Queensland or the Northern Territory, crocodiles are high on the list too, especially considering they are top of the food chain and humans are on the menu! They can be found almost anywhere there is water, in rivers, along coastlines, estuaries and even bodies of water that lie far inland. Admittedly, the creeks are beautiful and inviting, especially when it is hot. But before a swim, take the time to read the warning signs! One also wonders what important information has been hidden on this sign that was found in the Kakadu National Park.

In the north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, bushfires are common throughout the year. It is important to take precautions when staying in the area. These fires have killed in the past. If you are travelling or if you camp in a forest or the bush, fire is a potential hazard that should not be overlooked. Authorities make travellers guides available for visitors to understand the risks and to know how to react if a fire starts.

Found in the Kimberley and in the adjacent Northern Territory a multitude of Australian baobabs. This is the only place in Australia, and one of the few places in the world (there are other species in Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar), where one can see these interesting trees growing natively. Like all the baobabs, they are easily recognizable by their impressive trunk size. Indigenous Australians used them as a food source and for medicinal purposes. They also used them to paint or make sculptures. On the other hand tourists stop on the side of the road to take pictures of them, as they do with the termite mounds that are also found in large numbers in the area.

We are used to having shoulders on the side of highways in the western world. This lane is normally used as an emergency lane in the case of a breakdown or by emergency vehicles in the case of road congestion. They exist in Australia too. But in the most remote areas of the Outback, the emergency lane can sometimes occupy the entire width of the road... and become an emergency airstrip! It has not happened to us yet, but we can only imagine the surprise at suddenly being overtaken by an aircraft that lands in front of you.

Australia is a country where one will find the largest number of venomous animals, among the most venomous species in the world. This is not the first time we have touched on this subject, as we have already mentioned a previous encounter we had with a snake on iPhoneography Oz! The novelty for us is that apparently these charming creatures do not live in the bush only. After Sydney and its invasion of deadly funnel-web spiders, it seems that snakes have established their home in the bushes around some of Perth's beaches, close to bike paths and kids playgrounds. We have not seen any yet, but be careful, you have been warned!

Many sports have been programmed in recent days on iPhoneography Oz. It continues today with a visit to a Fit n Fast gym with whom we have a partnership. We do not know if this is the cheapest gym in Melbourne, but Fit n Fast South Yarra is the cheapest gym in South Yarra. This is what is written at the entrance of the mall where it is located. Fit n Fast has three locations in Melbourne. This one is the closest to the city centre. The gym occupies the second floor of Vogue Plaza. The space is relatively limited, but again, everything is clean and in excellent condition. Whenever possible, avoid peak hours so you do not have to wait, especially in the free weights section.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Fit n Fast.

Under the partnership between Fit n Fast and iPhoneography Oz, we were able to try the facilities at Fit n Fast Belconnen during our stay in Canberra. As in our previous visits (Newcastle, Sydney), a trend continues: comfort generated by the cleanliness of the premises, pristine condition of the equipment and the friendliest of staff. At Fit n Fast Belconnen, the gym is adjacent to Westfield Belconnen Shopping Centre where you can use the car park (3 hours free). Once again, the size of the gym provides access to a maximum amount of equipment and machines without having to wait. No more excuses not to keep fit!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Fit n Fast.

If you are faithful to the blog, you know that Fit n Fast became a new partner of iPhoneography Oz recently. The chain of health clubs invites us to test all its facilities that cross our way around Australia. A new Fit n Fast gym just opened its doors in Sydney during our stay. So we were fortunate to be among the first to use it. It is housed in a great warehouse in the suburb of St Peters. There are no problems with ventilation, lighting, or parking. Of course all the facilities are brand new. The mens changing room is small and has only one shower but it was never a problem whenever we were there. For the rest, we find the same ingredients that we had found in Charlestown. In marketing we call that a good brand consistency! When it is beautiful, clean and brand new, there are no more excuses for not working out!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Fit n Fast.

We are pleased to announce a new partnership between iPhoneography Oz and Fit n Fast, a chain of health clubs located mainly on the eastern coast of Australia. In the coming weeks we will be able to use their facilities in order to review the services offered in their different locations and share it with you.

This week we begin with Fit n Fast Charlestown. The gym is located on the ground floor of Charlestown Square, a large shopping centre in the suburbs of Newcastle, just ten minutes away from the city centre. No problems with parking as the centre has a massive car park (the first three hours are free). Once again, as it was already the case at Ezyfit, we are pleasantly surprised by the facilities and the cleanliness of the place. The equipment is modern and in perfect condition. They even thought to group it into different sections depending on the type of exercises desired, facilitating the workout (quotes printed in large letters on the walls are there to remind you). The membership fees, in our opinion, are excellent value for money. It is also possible to choose a no commitment membership, which is always good to know when traveling! All information is available on Fit n Fast website.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Fit n Fast.

What to do in Sydney on a Sunday morning? Attend the weekly meeting of Nippers on Bondi Beach. The Nippers? They are children who go to the local day camp. Except that in Australia we do not teach them to do macramé or to manipulate clay to make cups that nobody will ever use (since they explode at the first firing anyway). It is a fun way to learn how to tame the dangers of the beach and the ocean. All this is organized by the local Surf Club. It is refreshing, sometimes funny and says a lot about how the ocean is part of the Australian way of life.

Water sports and athletics do not have the monopoly of wellbeing in Australia! You can stay fit by joining one of the many gyms you undoubtedly come across on your way (at least on the east coast). We have a feeling that sport is an institution in Australia (as well as Surf Clubs). We will tell you more about it when we have travelled a few more miles. We use Ezyfit Health & Fitness Club facilities for the duration of our stay on the Sunshine Coast. We can say without hesitation that this is the best fitness centre we have ever worked out in. The premises are huge (but also very well maintained). We are not fans of courses, but there is a wide range of them (you can check the group fitness classes on their website). Gym equipment is clean and in excellent condition. The staff are dynamic, warm and welcoming. It feels like home. For all these reasons, we recommend it to you hands down! You can always opt for a free seven-day test run if you are not totally convinced.

What do you think? How do you stay in shape while traveling? What are your ideas for working out on the road? Share your tips with us in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Ezyfit Health & Fitness Club.

Today we tackle a national institution in Australia: Surf Clubs. There are more than 300 of these clubs spread along Australian beaches. Uninformed foreigners might assume they are just surf schools or trendy bars. There is much more to it than that. In a nut shell, the Surf Life Saving Clubs (that is their full name!) are local associations that aim to create a safe environment on and off the beaches through the work of their volunteer lifesavers. Do you remember Mitch Buchannon and C. J. Parker in Baywatch? Well that's it, but even more! The influence of Surfs Clubs extends outside the beach in the local community. They offer various training opportunities (and even organize barbecues on weekends!). And remember: you can swim safely between the red and yellow flags!

What do you think? Would you like to become a surf lifesaver or a lifeguard? Do you know much about beach safety? Let us know in the comments below!