Australia Travel Guide

We spent two weeks in New Zealand beginning in Auckland, moving south through Hobbiton and Rotorua where we gained a deep appreciation for the Maori people and their culture.  Then on to Wellington the capital.  The ferry to Picton and the train to Christchurch were inspiring.  Then we drove from Christchurch to Mt. Cook and then on to Queenstown.  The night we spent on Doubtful Sound was the all-around highlight of the trip.  All throughout the tour guides, drivers and accommodations exceeded expectations.  Then we were on to Australia where our first stop was Sydney.  Alongside the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge a highlight was a half day guided tour of the city in a 1964 Holden.  Then we were on to Cairns and Port Douglas where the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest awaited.  Our day on the Reef was extraordinary.  Snorkeling off the beach at Low Isle was an experience to remember.  Our day on the Daintree River and in the rainforest was unforgettable.  While driving we stopped as a male cassowary and four chicks crossed the road and disappeared into to the bush.  Now we were on to Ayers Rock where the magic of Uluru awaited.  The Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert as the sun set with Uluru in the distance and didgeridoo in the background was magical.  As our time was growing short we were off to Melbourne where we joined a tour on the Great Ocean Road.  Wow, the Twelve Apostles and the coast exceeded our expectations.  What a great place.  Only matched, maybe outdone by the hosts of the B&B’s we stayed at.  We’re not big B&B folks, but the Lock Ard and Little River B&Bs were perfect and we will try more in the future. 

Our agent had truly delivered a trip of a lifetime.

In the end we definitely had the adventure of a life time.  From seeing Kangaroos in the wild (on the side of the road) to Koalas, ferry penguins, wild parrots just flying around camels, crocs and more.  We went on an Outback Safari and saw once in a life time sunrises at Uluru (Ayers Rock) where the sky filled with bright yellow and red to Kata Tjutu and Kings Canyon.  We saw wild Dingos, poisonous brown and taipan snakes and stars that filled the sky like I only ever saw in high-school science books.

We didn't rough it either.  One night in the middle of the Outback we were treated to an amazing  4 star dinner that started with kangaroo and crocodile horderves with fine champagne and wine.  A didgeridoo and aboriginal dance was provided for entertainment.  We were served filet minoin cooked to order, local vegetables, fish and chicken if you wanted it.  All served on open air tables with white table clothes and silver; simply amazing.  Afterward, we got the see the "Field of Lights".  [side note: I wish I did the Astronomy Event they had - people who did said it was amazing].

We also stayed in Port Douglas, an amazing up scale town in the North where we visited The Great Barrier Reef on a private island and saw sharks from the boat.  We snorkeled and saw incredible sea life and met so many very cool people.  We had access to two marine biologists who were on the trip with us and gave us tours and answered all our questions with passion.  The next day we got to go with a local Aboriginal guide, who was a real local.  I mean this guys and his family just drove up in their van and took us for a nature tour like they would for some relative they knew and wanted to show around.  It was not some commercial deal - it was really cool.  We even went to his house and had lunch.  He showed us all kinds of secluded places he hung out as a kid and took us to a beach where no one (other than us) could be seen for 10 miles North and South.  We walked out in the low tide and spear fished barefoot from the sand.  If you go you will love Port Douglas.

Besides the Outback we did the eastern cities, first Melbourne and lastly Sydney.  Both amazing places where we went wine tasting and surfing, drove to animal sanctuaries and art centers (I love street art).  If you go to Sydney you must see the "New Town" district.  It is an art community and very interesting as it is going through its gentrification and is loaded with very unique shops and restaurants; I would liken it to Echo Park in LA.  We did tour the Sydney Opera House which was cool, but the best thing was during the tour the guide mentioned that sometimes in the afternoon the promoters release the tickets they didn't give away.  As it so happened Josh Groban had 4 sold out shows that week.  I walked up to the box office and asked if they had any released tickets.  The lady said, you are in luck they just got released for tonight - long story short my wife and I sat 5th row center for box office price at a concert that had been sold out 9 months earlier.  If you can see a concert in the Sydney Opera House do it!  it is incredible.

There was a ton more things we did but I included some of the main ones.  I took over 2000 pictures and videos.  Be warned we often were up at 5:30 am each day and didn't get back until 8p at night lots of time, but we also had leisure days which we used to do our own thing.  My wife tracked our travels on her fitbit and we walked 5-12 miles a day.  But if I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

All that said, that is why I Booked with this company and why I love our agent.

Fred

Our 4 days in Sydney over New Years was fabulous and we loved the city.  The Hunter Valley Wine tour was great and we were sorry to miss the Blue Mountain tour but it did not fit.  Ayers Rock was enjoyable and we were glad to make it a brief stopover. Cairns was a beautiful location and we enjoyed our 3 days there doing Karanda and the Reef.  As mentioned Tasmania was super special.  We loved the Bruny Island cruise and the city of Hobart.  We drove our rental car to Swansea with stops at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (highly recommended) and historic Richmond.  After a visit to Freycinet National Park which was lovely, we drove to Launceston.

Our 3 days in Melbourne after our Princess cruise was also very special.  We enjoyed the city and the Travelodge Southbank hotel.  It had the perfect location next to the Eureka Tower, the riverwalk and the free tram for the city. We flew home on Australia Day which was a little disappointing but no one considered that before the trip..

Tasmania was amazing.  We loved both Cradle and Freycinet...we wish we could have spent more time at both.  We understood that time was limited, however would recommend at least two nights at both which our travel agent did suggest.  Regardless, we were super pleased and would recommend Tasmania be highlighted more to travelers anywhere.  I really didn't know anything about it and got lucky.  More travelers need to know (on second thought, maybe let's keep it a secret) how pristine and special Tasmania is in Australia.  Maybe it was just me not knowing though.

Hamilton Island was awesome, but you are kind of "stuck" with their amenities.  With limited options for food that is less than $20 ASD a sandwich it was somewhat annoying but we understood you get what you pay for and so we just accepted it.  Having a few "beach" options to choose amongst would have been nice...also...you receive the same amenities (as far as I knew) at Reef View as the Beach Resort.  I'm glad I did NOT choose the Beach resort as the view of the ocean was much better and the short walk to the beach was a non-issue.  I would choose view over a walk across the street anytime but I get that that is hard to communicate.  Our travel agent did a good job of downplaying that or I may have chosen the Beach resort and been disappointed.  If you do choose Reef View then request a high floor...we were on the 17th floor and had the most amazing view (this may cost a little more...well worth it).  Overall, Hamilton Island was BEAUTIFUL and we loved the amenities, the hikes, getting a golf buggy, and seeing the sunset on One Tree Hill.  Such a treat...I even cried a little I was so overwhelmed with its beauty and the surroundings.

Sydney was expected...a big city.  The kayak tour under the Sydney Harbour Bridge was awesome.  I would definitely recommend it again.  The bridge climb...I wish I knew how scared I would be.  We didn't like that we couldn't cancel last minute without any refund...especially when it was rainy and windy.  We hated it...although, yes, the views were beautiful.  We would have accepted a penalty to cancel and wish we knew in advance that it wasn't refundable...make sure you do your research if you are on the fence.  Based on when we went (Twilight) it seemed like we could have booked and made our decisions last minute regardless of what they told us.  Finally, the Opera House should be promoted more...we wish we would have went.  We walked around it and were too late to book a show so ended up going to a very cool jazz club called The Basement around Circular Quay.  A fun unexpected concert that provided a unique experience to Sydney that felt local yet a great Saturday night out.

Overall, simply put...the trip was EPIC.