Brisbane Sights

With the spectacular architecture that is characteristic of Queensland's capital city  we will enjoy the sights of Brisbane on a breathtaking panoramic tour.   The itinerary has shifted a bit, to allow some flexibility with the afternoon and evening, prior to travel on Friday.

Here is a link to find a map of the city:  brisbane-city-tourist-map

Here is  the scenic lookout of Mt. Coot-tha at sunrise

A glimpse of   Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

 And some of South Banks scenery, with its 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, and stunning river views.

 Kangaroo Point gives a great view of  Brisbane's most recognizable icon, the famous Story Bridge. 

The  cruise on  Brisbane River should be a terrific way to see the city from the water.  We will be enjoying  lunch on the boat which leaves the rest of the afternoon and evening to say farewell to Australia and prepare for travel on Friday.  

Australia Zoo

Well, as soon as you think about visiting Australia, visions of Koala's, Kangaroos, Kookaburra's and Platypus come to mind.  The Australia Zoo will give an opportunity to see all of these, and more.  The zoo is  located approximately one hour and fifteen minutes north of Brisbane on Queensland's beautiful Sunshine Coast. Steve and Terri Irwin's vision was to make this the biggest and best wildlife conservation facility in the world.

Here is the Zoo's website:    http://www.australiazoo.com.au/

And here is a link to an interactive zoo map:  http://www.australiazoo.com.au/visit-us/map/

Cuddle a koala, hand-feed a kangaroo, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, wrap a snake around your shoulders, or see a massive Saltwater Crocodile from the water's edge.

Here is a list of what the Zoo offers as their highlights:

Top 10 Zoo Highlights

• It was hard sticking to 10, but we've compiled a list of what we think are our Top Highlights for Australia Zoo's visitors! Do you agree?
• 1. The Crocoseum - Are you ready for some serious wildlife action? Our keepers and their amazing animals will take you on a slithering, swooping, jaw-snapping adventure of epic proportions! Every day in the Crocoseum we are taking on the world's conservation issues and protecting the animal kingdom, and we want you to join our army of Wildlife Warriors
• 2. Roo Heaven - A large, naturalistic home for our kangaroos, where you can hand-feed to your heart's content!
• 3. Pat A Koala - Check out our Koala Walkthrough where you can pat one of our cuddly koalas
• 4. Croc School - Learn all about Steve's croc research and his passion for these amazing reptiles
• 5. Bindi's Bootcamp - Have a go at this kids! Explore Bindi's Bootcamp and test your skills on the challenges as seen on TV!
• 6. Roving Wildlife - By jingo! Meet some of our roving animals throughout the Zoo, like our baby alligators, talking cockatoos and wombats!
• 7. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital - Check out the state-of-the-art hospital, Australia's busiest wildlife hospital! Watch the team of vets save out precious wildlife
• 8. Tigers - Wow! Visit the Tiger Temple, home to our maginificent Sumatran tigers, and catch a glimpse of them in action
• 9. Africa - Explore the wide open plains of the African savannah and see our rhino, giraffe and zebra. You may even see our cheetah as they walk by!
• 10. Bindi's Island Visit Bindi's Island, a tropical island paradise with ring-tailed lemurs roaming free amongst giant Aldabran tortoises, colourful macaws, an alligator snapping turtle and more! Explore Bindi’s three-storey treehouse on the island, which offers sweeping views of Australia Zoo.

Off to Brisbane!

From Cairns we fly to Brisbane.

We will stay at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane.   The hotel is described as: 

   "Overlooking the picturesque Roma Street Parklands, our 4.5 star Brisbane accommodation affords commanding views of the city skyline, surrounding mountains or Brisbane River, and is only a short walk to the city or 15 minute walk to Suncorp Stadium. "

Click here for a Map:  Hotel Location

Click here for more photos:  more photos

Kuranda Rainforest

This will be an unforgettable full day tour into the Kuranda Rainforest.

 We will arrive at Freshwater Rail Station 

for the historic train journey through the Barron Gorge to Kuranda.

 From here the trip continues on WWII amphibious Army Ducks through the jungle and onto a lake to observe different species of flora and fauna.

 For a grand conclusion, we have an exhilarating 7.5 km ride on the Skyrail, gliding above the pristine rainforest canopy, which will allow us to see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical environment.

Great Barrier Reef

One of the main reasons one travels to Northern Queensland is to experience the Great Barrier Reef - the largest and most complex expanse of coral reefs in the world. We travel by catamaran to Green Island where snorkeling gear is provided, or, if you prefer, view the marine life from a glass bottom boat. We also cruise to one of the Outer Reefs to get a closer look at this incredible natural spectacle.

Here is a map, showing the location of Green Island, followed by a photo of the island itself!

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space - which just tells you how big it is.  It is also experiencing some of the worst of global warming, in the death of corals, and bleaching.  You can see this in two of the photos, below.  What we will see and experience will show us both the wonders of this place and the challenges that face the world today.  

If you want to read a bit more, here is an e-book you can look through to get ideas about the Reef and how to explore while you are there!    

   E- Book: 101-ways-to-do-the-great-barrier-reef 

Aaahhhh.....Cairns

 Cairns is  located on the north-east coast of Australia. It is the gateway for visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics. Upon arrival in Cairns we are taken to our hotel and have some free time to enjoy the tropical surroundings.

Our Hotel in Cairns is located on the beach,  where an esplanade walkway invites strolling along to visit cafes, restaurants, and attractions.  This is the view from the hotel...

And this is what a room looks like!

Here is the hotel website:  click on the link:  Holiday Inn Cairns

Day at Leisure in Sidney....Ending in a Spectacular View...with Dinner!

Our last day in Sydney gives us the chance to explore this wonderful city at leisure. Enjoy a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley wine region, or go by ferry across to the quaint seaside suburb of Manly where the big city will feel miles away. The Darling Harbour complex is only a short stroll from the hotel and offers many shopping and sightseeing options. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the Sydney Tower Restaurant, the highest restaurant in the southern hemisphere with a revolving floor that provides 360 degree views of Sydney and beyond.  Here is a video from youtube of one persons visit to the restaurant, and a city skyline view, showing the tower on the right.  The view is spectacular!

Sidney Touring

Sydney's famous attractions will be highlighted  on our  tour. We will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge,

 the Botanical Gardens,

 Mrs. Macquarie's Chair,  (Mrs Macquarie's Chair is an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench, on a peninsula in Sydney Harbour, hand carved by convicts from sandstone in 1810 for Governor Macquarie's wife Elizabeth.)

 Kings Cross, 

Bondi Beach,

 the historic Rocks area 

and trendy Paddington. 

A luncheon cruise from Circular Quay will give us spectacular offshore views of this dynamic city and its landmarks.

 Afterward we are treated to a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The remaining afternoon is at our leisure to wander the area....maybe some meat pies can be sampled as we go!

On the Way to Oz: Welcome to Sydney!

Sydney Australia:  While most people would be able to identify the unique Opera House and the Harbour Bridge behind it as being from Sydney, Australia,  there is so much more to see in this city!

• Here is a link to photos on Wickipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_central_business_district#/media/File:Sydney_opera_house_2010.jpg

• Here is a link to a tourist site, with an overview of what to see and do:  http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city
• And here is another one!  http://www.australia.com/en-ca/places/sydney.html

Some Sydney Sights:

• Sydney Royal Botanic Garden is 200 years old in 2016!

Along with the "normal" parts of visiting a Botanic Garden, seeing all the plants unique to this country, and those collected from this region and around the world,  there is a special exhibit on this year as part of the 200th birthday celebration:  (here is information from the website):

"Sweet Addiction is the first exhibition to open in The Calyx, a world-class horticultural experience and Sydney’s newest must-see attraction. From the depths of a South American rainforest, journey through chocolate plantations, ancient history, and a Lindt chocolate mill as you learn amazing things you never knew about chocolate. See the awe-inspiring interior green wall – the southern hemisphere’s largest contiguous green wall complete with over 18,000 plants!  Sweet Addiction is designed as a self-guided 45 minute experience. Suitable for chocaholics of all ages. Tickets on sale now, pre-purchase online to save!"

• Head to Manly beach for some surfing lessons!  Australia is, after all,  world renowned for beaches and surfing!  http://manlysurfschool.com/
• Learn about Australian Wines here: Australian-wine Regions, and visit one of the outlets in Sydney to taste and experience the 'fruit of the vine'.
• Aussie Meat Pies are...well...worth sampling a few times in order to find a favorite.  Here's an article about some of the best, according to the locals:  The-best-pies-in-Sydney

Then there is the old question:  what shall I take home as a souvenir?  This web site has a good list of Australian products to consider:  Australian Souvenirs

Here is a local market guide, if you want to go where the locals go:  localmarketguide sydney-city

Australia is going to be lots of fun!  I mean, even the birds laugh!  Check out this kookaburra!

Our Hotel is the Park Royal, Darling Harbour, Sydney.  

Here is the link to their website:  (double click)   Park Royal Hotel