Australia Wrap-Up

Australia Wrap-Up

Summary

We knew we didn’t plan enough time in Australia—only two weeks for a country nearly as large as the United States, but we figured Australia is a country we can go back to at any point of our lives and explore thoroughly. We weren’t even going to try to cram too much stuff into the two weeks; instead we focused on Sydney and a quick trip up North to see the Great Barrier Reef.

Our experience in Sydney was different than any of our other locations to date. We were able to connect with Elise (Marc’s step-sister) and her two friends that live in Sydney. From the moment we arrived we saw the city from the locals’ perspective instead of the tourist. Don’t worry we did scout out several of the tourist spots to make sure we didn’t miss anything during our time in Sydney.

It didn’t take long to fall in love with a city that feels a lot like our own city, San Francisco. The water views, the Harbor Bridge and the runners enjoying the great weather and waterfront paths made me feel right at home after being gone for a few months.

We probably won’t pack our bags and move to Sydney (even though I wouldn’t mind), but we will plan another vacation in the near future.

Our quick trip to the Great Barrier Reef was incredible. We stayed in Port Douglas which is a small fishing village that is growing quickly. Four-Mile beach is walking distance from most hotels in the area and the food in the town was tasty. Also, the tour boat departs directly from Port Douglas taking tourists out to snorkel or dive the reef. If you snorkel, make sure you get on a boat that specializes in snorkeling.

Overall, we weren’t sure what to expect during our short time in Australia, but the time spent exceeded expectations. Part of this was due to hanging with the locals (Milo and Beno), but mostly it was the pure beauty of the country—at least the tiny piece we saw.

Top Sites in Australia

1. Great Barrier Reef—Port Douglas, Queensland is doing everything possible to preserve the reef. You can’t always fight Mother Nature, but I guess we can fight Global Climate Change. We did notice damage to the coral from a typhoon over the winter. I am glad we saw the reef now instead of during our next trip. Who knows, maybe we will see it then too.
2. Sydney Botanical Gardens—we walked through the Botanical Gardens at least three times and followed a different path each time. On each trip we saw something we hadn’t seen on the previous trips. The Gardens border the harbor providing wonderful views out to the water and is a perfect spot for a picnic. I can’t forget the thousands of fruit bats that live in the trees. They sleep during the day, hanging upside down, and then explore the city from dusk to dawn. They’re very creepy yet fun to watch knowing they won’t harm you.
3. Manly—the town of Manly has the best of both worlds—the Sydney Harbor and the Tasman Sea. A short ferry ride from the ferry terminal gets you away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and into nature. The Sydney Harbor National Park, located in Manly, several walking trails provide spectacular views of the harbor and the Tasman Sea. This is a great place to come and relax on the beach and dip your toes into the Tasman Sea.
4. Sydney Opera House—almost everyone has seen the Opera House in pictures, but to see it up close and personal is amazing. The sun illuminates the copper colored roof at certain parts of the day making it a perfect photo opportunity. Also, head over the Sydney Harbor Bridge near dusk, look across the harbor and capture the Sydney skyline with the silhouetted Opera House.
5. Harbor Bridge—take a walk across the bridge to experience the city views. It’s possible to walk on the ridge of the bridge for a $100 or so, but the free tour, similar to the Golden Gate, is plenty unless you are a thrill-seeker looking for a rush.

Top Meals in Australia (in chronological order of visit)

1. Bill’s—Darlinghurst, New South Wales. Bill is a renowned chef frequently featured in Bon Appetite and Gourmet Magazines. Many people consider Bill’s Restaurant a must-do when in Sydney. We felt the food was good, but nothing memorable. The night we were there the restaurant was fairly empty. I am afraid a recent remodel (and subsequent price hikes) drove away a lot of the local regulars.
2. Port O’Call Restaurant—Port Douglas, Queensland. This restaurant is connected to a clean backpacker hotel. The restaurant attracts more locals than those actually staying in the lodge. There is a nightly special that varies from Kangaroo tenderloins to Beef Salad. They have a stir fry of the day too. The hamburger is descent, but tastes like a riesel (Australian version of the meat ball). The prices are as reasonable as they can get in Port Douglas.

Note: Sydney is a very expensive city especially when the US Dollar is so weak. This prevented us from trying a lot of the great food Sydney is known for.

Best Lodging

Note: These are places we personally stayed. All prices are estimates at the time of our visit and are displayed in USD.

1. Sydney Travelodge—this is a great location at a fantastic price. It is located a block from Hyde Park and within walking distance of the business district. Shop around a little on the internet to get the best price. (Approximately: $80 USD)
2. Sydney Marriott. If you want to splurge, this is the place to go. The rooms overlook Hyde Park on one side and the city to Bonsi Junction on the other. The rooftop pool is a great place to take a dip on a warm day. (Approximately: $200 USD)

Miscellaneous Items

If you plan on being in Sydney for seven days, purchase the weekly transportation pass. It is good on all trains, buses and ferries. If you plan on seeing sights such as Manly or the Olympic Stadium, get the green pass so you don’t have to pay extra for these rides. If you plan on staying within the City Center, then the red pass is enough for you. The pass will definitely save you time and money.

If your itinerary includes a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and you plan to snorkel, save yourself a little money by going on a boat that specializes in snorkeling. The dive boats cater to divers, making the price for snorklers a little more than necessary.