Kiwis Quick To Reveal Their Aussie Favourites

New Zealanders have been quick to share their favourite Aussie holiday memories in the Australian Tourist Commission's (ATC's) nationwide photo challenge, but competition organisers urge people to keep sending entries in.

From climbing the rock formations of Karijini National Park in Western Australia and outback ballooning over Alice Springs, to cruising the Murray River in Victoria and camel trekking through Queensland, entries to date show Kiwis have enjoyed a range of adventurous Aussie holidays.

The Australian Tourist Commission's Partnership Development Manager, Karen Priest, says they have been impressed with the photos received so far, however they are hoping to surpass the number of entries the challenge attracted last year.

"This competition aims to encourage New Zealanders to think about the endless holiday experiences on offer across the Tasman," says Ms Priest. "The photos we've received show many different aspects of Australia, but we'd like to see even more images that capture what makes the country so unique."

In August this year a panel of judges including travel show presenters Petra Bagust and Dean Cornish, Qantas NZ and South Pacific Marketing Manager David Libeau, and esteemed travel photographer Kevin Emirali will select eight regional winners from across New Zealand.

The regional winners will then compete for the coveted national prize -- an Australian holiday for two to the value of NZ$8,000 including economy--class airfares on Qantas. All eight regional winners each receive a Canon digital video camera.

Any New Zealander aged 18--plus who has been to Australia, or is visiting there before 31 July 2004, is eligible to enter. Black--and--white or colour photos of any size are acceptable, but they must be on photographic paper and accompanied by a short description.

To be in to win, entrants must simply send their photo and description to Discover Australia Photo Competition, PO Box 37-116, Parnell, Auckland before 31 July 2004.

Entry forms are available from travel agencies nationwide, or they can be downloaded from http://www.australia.com, where people can find out more about the competition.

ENDS

caption: Entrant Dick Halstead from Otaki sent in this photo for ATC's 2004 photo challenge, taken after outback ballooning over Alice Springs at dawn

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