The Australian government has issued a new safety warning to its citizens travelling to Northern Ireland following a spate of bomb attacks this month.

Tourists were warned to exercise caution while travelling north of the border and were also urged to avoid sectarian parades as they can “turn violent with little warning”.

In a blow to tourism here, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was reissuing its travel advice in light of recent paramilitary attacks.

It said: “There have been three bomb attacks in August 2010 aimed at police and military targets. Two bombs were defused in Co Down on August 4 and 8 and a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Derry on August 3.”