Posted 23 Nov 2009

Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has released the latest version of its Australia book – news that may be good for those taking a gap year in the sunny destination.

Now in its 15th edition, the guidebook contains the input of 15 experts who have racked up a total of 65 weeks of travel around the country between them.

According to contributor Justine Vaisutis, the country’s allure lies in its diversity and shunning of the stereotypes surrounding it.

She describes Sydney as a "luscious tart", Melbourne as "a subtle glamour puss", Brisbane as a "blithe playmate" and Adelaide as "a gracious dame".

"In between are coastal villages and spreads, hinterland towns and outback communities defining their own patch of utopia," Ms Vaisutis added.

Meanwhile, gap year travellers who want to travel as light as possible may be putting the Amazon Kindle Reader on their Christmas Lists this year.

Last month, Lonely Planet announced that 600 of its titles would be made available through it.

Category: Australasia