Our trip to Sydney, Cairns and Wollongong
Jun 7th, 2009, 10:50 AM
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Our trip to Sydney, Cairns and Wollongong
Our trip to Australia was nothing short of phenomenal! Will try to summarize the many highlights, acknowledging upfront the futility of finding the words to capture our excitement. But just because it's elusive doesn't mean we shouldn't chase it, eh?
We arrived Sydney early Thursday AM. Dropped our bags at an apt in Waterloo (stayed near the airport), took the bus downtown and, running mostly on adrenaline, strolled around the Opera House, Botanical Garden and Circular Quay. Ferried over to Manly, watched the surfers and had a late lunch on the dock. Returned to our apt, checked in and showered (one of us napped!) and took the bus back into Sydney, where we met our daughter who came up from Wollongong where she's studying at the Uni this term. Lovely dinner on the Quay (1st of many excellent meals) and back to apt.
Up early to catch our flight to Cairns, arrived to overcast skies and showers. Taxied to Lillybank B&B, where Pat & Mike welcomed us (fodorites were right, it and they were charming and delightful). Took the skyrail up to Kuranda, and while in the rain forest, the skies cleared magically! The return ride was spectacular, with views of Barron Falls and the bay that were breathtaking. Took the Reef Magic tour to GBR on Saturday, weather was a bit "lively" on the way out but it again cleared up nicely as we arrived to snorkel, etc. Had an exceptional dinner that evening at Sacred Spice in Stratford right down the street from Lillybank. Awoke Sunday to, as luck would have it, the best weather of the trip; spent a leisurely day strolling around before flying back to Sydney. Our daughter took the train back to Wollongong and we checked in to the Russell Hotel, a wonderful place perfectly located in the Rocks.
Monday AM began our adventure in Sydney - took the coffee ferry tour of the Harbor, which was quite entertaining, then walked the bridge (not the adventurous part, just across to Milson's Point and back), the Rocks and more of the Botanical Gardens. Stopped into a couple of pubs - had to do the Fortune of War, it was right downstairs - and took the ferry to Darling Harbour for dinner. Tuesday we took the Oz Trails tour to the Blue Mountains, weather again started out poorly, so much so that we couldn't see the 3 Sisters from Katoomba for all the fog. But our guide suggested we go to an early lunch in Leura (had a great meal at the Deli) and hope that the fog would lift while we ate, which it did. Took the SkyTrain down to the canyon floor and rode the railway back up! Finished at HomeBush Bay and a ferry ride back to Sydney Harbor. On Wednesday we did the Boutique Winery Tour to Hunter Valley - highly recommended. Steve was very knowledgeable and entertaining, and took us to 4 exceptional wineries: Iron Gate, Audrey Wilkenson, Lucy's Run and Ernest Hill, with a terrific lunch in the Village. Thursday we did the Opera House Essential Tour, and then explored more of Sydney - St. Mary's Cathedral, Chinatown, Hyde Park, Queen Victoria Building, Paddy's Market, and Darling Harbour. Excellent dinner at City Extra on the Quay.
Friday we rented a car at the airport and drove down to Wollongong. This was the only day the weather really stayed bad; the trip down the coast was actually a bit scary with terrible fog and heavy rain. Arrived in Wollongong, checked into the Belmore Suites, met our daughter and, during pauses in the rain, toured the Uni, which was quite impressive. Had an amazing lunch at SixtySeven right on campus and drove down to the harbor to watch the sea breaching the seawall at the town harbor. Had dinner at Five Islands Brewing Company (FIBC), a little loud but great food and great beer (try the Shark Oil Ale). On Saturday, the weather cooperated and we were able to drive down to the harbor for coffee and then up to the lookout on Mt. Keira - just stunning. Strolled among the beautiful grounds in Wollongong's Botanical Garden, and then went to Crown Street Mall where a celebration of Buddha's birthday brought much of the Nan Tien Temple into town. Stopped for another beer at FIBC and were treated to what is apparently a local tradition, the pub crawl, which was in full swing as it was the final stop on their bus ride. Very, uhh, friendly young men and women. Had a great seafood meal that evening at the Beach House with our daughter and some of her friends. After a lovely breakfast in Kieraville the next morning, we returned to Sydney airport and returned home.
Our daughter's term in Australia was the catalyst for us to take this trip, which both of us had longed to do. Our experiences - both hers for the term and ours for our trip - have convinced us to plan a return trip to this amazing and beautiful place. To the friendly people of Australia, and to the fodorites who had given us suggestions, thanks for helping make our trip turn out perfectly.
We arrived Sydney early Thursday AM. Dropped our bags at an apt in Waterloo (stayed near the airport), took the bus downtown and, running mostly on adrenaline, strolled around the Opera House, Botanical Garden and Circular Quay. Ferried over to Manly, watched the surfers and had a late lunch on the dock. Returned to our apt, checked in and showered (one of us napped!) and took the bus back into Sydney, where we met our daughter who came up from Wollongong where she's studying at the Uni this term. Lovely dinner on the Quay (1st of many excellent meals) and back to apt.
Up early to catch our flight to Cairns, arrived to overcast skies and showers. Taxied to Lillybank B&B, where Pat & Mike welcomed us (fodorites were right, it and they were charming and delightful). Took the skyrail up to Kuranda, and while in the rain forest, the skies cleared magically! The return ride was spectacular, with views of Barron Falls and the bay that were breathtaking. Took the Reef Magic tour to GBR on Saturday, weather was a bit "lively" on the way out but it again cleared up nicely as we arrived to snorkel, etc. Had an exceptional dinner that evening at Sacred Spice in Stratford right down the street from Lillybank. Awoke Sunday to, as luck would have it, the best weather of the trip; spent a leisurely day strolling around before flying back to Sydney. Our daughter took the train back to Wollongong and we checked in to the Russell Hotel, a wonderful place perfectly located in the Rocks.
Monday AM began our adventure in Sydney - took the coffee ferry tour of the Harbor, which was quite entertaining, then walked the bridge (not the adventurous part, just across to Milson's Point and back), the Rocks and more of the Botanical Gardens. Stopped into a couple of pubs - had to do the Fortune of War, it was right downstairs - and took the ferry to Darling Harbour for dinner. Tuesday we took the Oz Trails tour to the Blue Mountains, weather again started out poorly, so much so that we couldn't see the 3 Sisters from Katoomba for all the fog. But our guide suggested we go to an early lunch in Leura (had a great meal at the Deli) and hope that the fog would lift while we ate, which it did. Took the SkyTrain down to the canyon floor and rode the railway back up! Finished at HomeBush Bay and a ferry ride back to Sydney Harbor. On Wednesday we did the Boutique Winery Tour to Hunter Valley - highly recommended. Steve was very knowledgeable and entertaining, and took us to 4 exceptional wineries: Iron Gate, Audrey Wilkenson, Lucy's Run and Ernest Hill, with a terrific lunch in the Village. Thursday we did the Opera House Essential Tour, and then explored more of Sydney - St. Mary's Cathedral, Chinatown, Hyde Park, Queen Victoria Building, Paddy's Market, and Darling Harbour. Excellent dinner at City Extra on the Quay.
Friday we rented a car at the airport and drove down to Wollongong. This was the only day the weather really stayed bad; the trip down the coast was actually a bit scary with terrible fog and heavy rain. Arrived in Wollongong, checked into the Belmore Suites, met our daughter and, during pauses in the rain, toured the Uni, which was quite impressive. Had an amazing lunch at SixtySeven right on campus and drove down to the harbor to watch the sea breaching the seawall at the town harbor. Had dinner at Five Islands Brewing Company (FIBC), a little loud but great food and great beer (try the Shark Oil Ale). On Saturday, the weather cooperated and we were able to drive down to the harbor for coffee and then up to the lookout on Mt. Keira - just stunning. Strolled among the beautiful grounds in Wollongong's Botanical Garden, and then went to Crown Street Mall where a celebration of Buddha's birthday brought much of the Nan Tien Temple into town. Stopped for another beer at FIBC and were treated to what is apparently a local tradition, the pub crawl, which was in full swing as it was the final stop on their bus ride. Very, uhh, friendly young men and women. Had a great seafood meal that evening at the Beach House with our daughter and some of her friends. After a lovely breakfast in Kieraville the next morning, we returned to Sydney airport and returned home.
Our daughter's term in Australia was the catalyst for us to take this trip, which both of us had longed to do. Our experiences - both hers for the term and ours for our trip - have convinced us to plan a return trip to this amazing and beautiful place. To the friendly people of Australia, and to the fodorites who had given us suggestions, thanks for helping make our trip turn out perfectly.
Jun 11th, 2009, 06:46 PM
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Thanks for the info-we're going in Jan. 2010 on a 16 day cruise Sydney, Melbourne and then to New Zealand. I appreciate the suggestions you had. Could you possibly suggest the tour groups you went with in Sydney, you mentioned a "Steve". What tour group was he with? Any info you can give me will be greatly appreciated. It's so much better to hear it from someone who has been there already! thanks
Jun 14th, 2009, 02:50 PM
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I am so impressed that you were able to write a trip report that conveyed your experiences so delightfully, and yet was concise! I tend to go on too long and into too much detail.
Australia does tend to get ahold of you, time for you to start planning that next trip.
Australia does tend to get ahold of you, time for you to start planning that next trip.
Jun 28th, 2009, 03:06 AM
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Thank you for a great trip report! You certainly chose well. I'm sorry the coast drive to Wollongong was poor weatherwise as it's stunning on a good day. The Botanical Gardens in Wollongong are amongst my favourites.
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