Australian tourism experiences now open for voting

During the month-long promotion from 15 April to 12 May, Tourism Australia received almost 30,000 images and stories featuring the personal holiday snaps and tips from everyday Australians.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said Australians had been extremely enthusiastic in sharing their inside knowledge of Australia with the rest of the world and now it was time to decide the best of the best.

?From the big city experiences to the remote wilderness - Australians have just one week to decide which experience is their favourite Australian holiday,? Mr McEvoy said.

The eight state finalists are:
? Northern Territory - Experience #6,363: There's nothing like going on the back of a camel at dawn to see the sunrise in the heart of my beloved Australia. By Rookie Alvarez.
? Western Australia - Experience #21,257: There's nothing like the echo of people singing in Cathedral Gorge, the Bungle Bungles. Everyone has a go... By Brian Dullaghan.
? Queensland - Experience #28,40: There's nothing like snorkelling with my friend Wally in the Great Barrier Reef. The huge Maori Wrasse is a bit slimy. By Julian Thomas.
? South Australia - Experience #25,222: There's nothing like the view to Antarctica from Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island. By Tracey Bailey.
? New South Wales - Experience #818: There's nothing like sharing a few drinks with friends overlooking spectacular Sydney Harbour. By Stephen Venter.
? Victoria - Experience #11,560: There's nothing like a bit of jazz with your bacon and eggs for breakfast in Melbourne. Entered by Helen Hill.
? Australian Capital Territory - Experience #19,902: There's nothing like waking to the sound of hot air balloons in Canberra. By Andre Obradovic. ? Tasmania - Experience #16643: There's nothing like making your own postcards at Cradle Mountain. By Greg Andrew.

Each of the eight state finalists has won a $5,000 holiday to the state of their entry plus a Google Nexus One phone valued at approximately AU$570 excluding GST.

Voting is open until The overall winner will be announced on 3 July.

The Tourism Australia campaign has built an interactive map for tourists, with holiday snaps and advice on locations from Australians. Overseas visits can use the map to research and plan their ultimate Australian holiday.