In November 2017, our adventurous spirits took us to the large and beautiful country of Australia. Our first stop was to the small, quaint town of Cairns. Located near the ocean in Queensland, it is the most sought-out destination for those looking to experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. But we were also pleasantly surprised about how much we enjoyed the town itself.
Cairns is not only charming, but easy to navigate. You can walk just about everywhere. All you have to do is head towards the ocean and you’ll come across the Esplanade, which is lined with bars, cafes, and restaurants, as well as a swimming lagoon. One of the unique phenomenons about this particular town are the fruit bats. They don’t bother anyone, but it is definitely interesting to hear them stir in the trees as dusk approaches. The town also has a large Night Market, where you can purchase souvenirs and authentic Aboriginal artifacts like handmade wooden boomerangs.
During our time in Australia, we had the opportunity to get to know more than a few of the locals and came to the conclusion that the Aussies are generally fun, relaxed, friendly, and have a great sense of humor. Everywhere we went we were always greeted with a warm smile and the Aussie expression “G’day Mate”.
The food is interesting, yet delicious. A few of the unique menu items served in most restaurants are Crocodile and Kangaroo burgers. Though we chose not to partake of these specific options, we were told by the locals that these particular meats taste just like beef. We decided to take their word for it. One thing we did enjoy however, was the light Australian beer, which was refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
For the last part of our trip, we flew down to Sydney, which is the most prominent city and capital of Australia. There are many different attractions to see, and so, to make the most of our limited time in this great metropolis, we took a Hop On Hop Off Bus. In this way we were able to explore the biggest sights in only a few days. We marveled at the history displayed at the Maritime Museum and the tranquility of the Chinese Tea Garden. We gazed at Harbour Bridge and Sydney Cove, as well as Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and The Rocks. We saw the majestic Opera House at sunset, which is a beautiful sight to behold. We also had the opportunity to eat a delectable dinner at a viking themed bar known as Mjølner. The decor and ambience combined with the cuisine made it an amazing and unforgettable experience!
We also took a few hours to visit Taronga Sydney Zoo, which supports wildlife conservation and has over 4,000 animals to see. Not only did we experience Sydney by land, but by water as well. We enjoyed a tall ship cruise which went the entire length of the bay. To end the trip on a high note, and to celebrate the incredible time we had in Australia, we had a delicious dinner at 360 Bar & Dining at the top of Sydney Tower. On the whole, our time in Sydney was spectacular!
Australia is a glorious country and we enjoyed every minute we spent there. We had such a wonderful experience that we plan on living there sometime in the next few years. For anyone looking for a change in scenery, we encourage you to travel to this vibrant and fun continent! 😀
For additional photos, please see:
– Australia 2017: Great Barrier Reef
– Australia 2017: Daintree Rainforest
– Australia 2019: Brisbane
– Australia 2019: Moreton Island
– Australia 2019: Byron Bay
– Australia 2019: City of Gold Coast
– Australia 2019/2020: Sydney
For more information about this country, please see our other articles:
– Australia 2017: Great Barrier Reef, The Outback, Daintree Rainforest
– Australia 2019: Moreton Island, Byron Bay, City of Gold Coast
– Australia 2019 – Holidays in the South Pacific
– Australia 2019: Brisbane
– Australia 2019/2020: Sydney