Day 10 : Tuesday : May 19th :
AYERS ROCK :
We woke up at 5 am, but it was almost 6:40 am by the time we left. We had to speed up to reach the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Sunrise viewing point before the sunrise happened. Managed to reach there in the nick of time, just as the sun was about to break from the horizon at 7:10 am. Once again, the sunrise was beautiful, and both Uluru and the Olgas were visible from here, but the magical change in colours of the rocks that we were waiting for, did not happen.

We drove to the Cultural Centre, and had a light breakfast at their café. Then drove to the Mala carpark, and started the Base Walk around Uluru at 8:45 am. We had mentally prepared ourselves to do this, and were hoping that our fitness level would allow us to complete this. It turned out to be far less strenuous than what we had imagined. The weather was pleasant, which helped a lot. The views of Uluru from every angle were different, and we thoroughly enjoyed the walk. It is amazing as to how different the rock looks from different vantage points. We completed the walk by 11 am, in less than 150 minutes.

We drove to the Cultural Centre for one last time, to purchase some Aboriginal paintings by local artists. Then returned to Yulara, where we lunched at the White Gums restaurant of Desert Sands hotel. Poor quality of food. Then to our room for a two hour nap, as there was nothing to do in the middle of the day.

We left the hotel at 3:30 pm, driving to the Olgas this time. As we approached, the Olgas looked just as impressive as Uluru, but quite different. First stop was at Walpa Gorge, where we did the Walpa Gorge walk. It was an easy walk, taking only 40 minutes return, and rewarded us with great views.

Then we drove to the Olgas sunset viewing point and waited patiently. The sunset started around 6 pm. It seemed like an ordinary sunset at first, and at 6:05 pm, some people had even started walking towards their vehicles. Then suddenly, the magic happened. The entire Olgas glowed in a deep orange-red colour. As if God had suddenly switched on a thousand spotlights on the rocks. It was truly mesmerizing for a full 4-5 minutes. We watched with jaws drooping, not believing what we were seeing. I would not have believed it had I not witnessed it. Regular tour guides who were around admitted that this sight today was one of the best ever – a rare experience.

We returned fully satiated, happy that our patience had borne fruit. Had a nice dinner at Gecko’s Café and went to bed.

Day 11 : Wednesday : May 20th :
AYERS ROCK / SYDNEY :
We got up early again, and left by 5:45 am to drive to the Kata Tjuta Dune viewing area for sunrise. Reached there by 6:35 am, well in time today. It was a short walk to the sunrise viewing platform, and we reached and waited. Lovely views of both the Olgas and Uluru from here. Today, the rising sun was blanketed out by a thick cloud cover. Hence no possibility of a magical change of colours of the rocks.

We next drove to the Valley of the Winds carpark, and walked to the Karu lookout point. It was not strenuous till here, taking only about 20 minutes to reach there. Breathtaking scenery. Going further required high fitness levels, and we were not up for it.

We drove back to Yulara, and had breakfast at the Town Centre. Filled up fuel in the car and dropped it off. Packed up, and the Yulara bus transported us to the airport. Managed some lunch at the airport, before boarding our 2:20 pm flight to Sydney, which reached there at 5:50 pm local time. Took a taxi at Sydney airport, which took us to our Meriton Serviced Apartments at Campbell Street in downtown Sydney. The apartment was very well appointed and comfortable, and extremely well situated, next to Haymarket and Chinatown.

We have a young nephew living in Sydney, and he reached our apartment to greet us. We dumped our luggage, and embarked on a walk with him to Darling Harbour, where we dined at Zafraan, an Indian restaurant. We had not eaten any Indian food this entire trip, and were craving for the same. It was a treat for us to feast on Indian food after almost 2 weeks. We stuffed ourselves to the brim, and then took a taxi back to our apartment.

We drove back to Yulara. Had a forgettable dinner at Ayer’s Wok, and went to bed.>>

but you won't forget the name of the restaurant, will you?

lovely description of the sunset - thank you.

and for anyone who needs it, a recommendation for what I assume is a good indian restaurant in Sydney!

Yes annhig, the Zafraan restaurant in Sydney is a highly recommended Indian restaurant. Apparently has some celebrity chef there, and excellent location, looking out on Darling Harbour.

that's good enough for me, indiancouple, i'll book our table now.

hold on a sec.... there's the matter of about 10,000 miles to consider.

oh well, it'll have to be the local indian takeaway then.

Seems you enjoyed Uluru and Kata Tjuta as much as we did. Cannot wait for your impressions of my most favorite city: Sydney.

Lovely report, indiancouple. Like your traveling style.

Thanks Treesa. Will post balance installments soon.

Day 12 : Thursday : May 21st :
SYDNEY :
Got up comfortably in the morning, and had excellent breakfast at a cute café near our hotel. Then boarded the Free Tourist bus # 555 to Circular Quay. From there we just strolled towards the Rocks area. I had visited Sydney several times on work during 1998-99, and every time I had stayed at the Regent hotel in the Rocks area. Located the hotel, but it has changed to the Four Seasons Hotel now. Still we wandered inside to relive nostalgic memories !

Next we walked towards the Harbour Bridge. We did not want to climb to the top, but located the stairs to walk upto the level where cars cross the bridge, and started walking across the bridge. It was a wonderful sight, to see the Sydney Opera House from the Harbour Bridge, and I went berserk clicking my camera. An extremely photogenic setting. Must have walked halfway across the bridge, when we decided to retrace our steps and return, admiring the views all the way.

On coming down from the bridge, we walked to Circular Quay, and took a Captain Cook cruise ferry to Manly. They stopped at various points on the way, and offered good commentary on the journey. The views from the ferry were excellent, specially getting the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in a single picture. After a thoroughly enjoyable ferry ride, we alighted at Manly, and got directions and maps from the Visitor Centre just outside the marina. We walked the lovely thoroughfare till we reached the other side, i.e. where Manly Beach really was.

The waters at Manly Beach were a pristine blue, and we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. We started walking in the direction of Shelley Beach (Cabbage Tree Bay), and almost walked till there, when we retraced our steps. The whole area and the scenery were to die for. Back at the starting point, we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and relaxed our feet. Then we poked inside several shops as we walked back to the marina – we just loved this part of Sydney ! Finally, caught a Captain Cook ferry back to Circular Quay.

We took a Bus # 555 back towards our hotel, getting down near Strand Arcade. We roamed around this classy shopping centre, and inside Queen Victoria Building, before returning to our hotel to dump our day’s shopping. Then went to Darling Harbour for dinner, where we dined at a nice Italian restaurant, and caught a taxi back home.

Day 13 : Friday : May 22nd :
SYDNEY :
The weather forecast for the day was horrible, with lots of rain forecasted. We decided to escape Sydney for the day, and chance our luck with the weather at Blue Mountains. We had planned to leave early, and catch an early train from Sydney Central to Katoomba. The Central station was just a 5 minute walk from our hotel, but as we were preparing to leave, there was torrential rain, which forced us to stop. Attempts to get a taxi were in vain, and we just had to wait for the rain to abate before we could venture forth to Central station. Once there, we bought our Katoomba tickets, and had a quick breakfast at the train station, before boarding our train.

The train ride was comfortable, and scenic in parts. It took about 2 hours to Katoomba, and once there, we purchased the Lyrebird Pass for the hop-on-hop-off Explorer bus, which included all the attractions at the Scenic World. When we set off, it was raining quite a bit at Katoomba, but within 30 minutes, everything miraculously cleared up, the mist went away and so did the rain, and we had a wonderful day.

At the Scenic World, we rode the scenic rail down to the valley, and the cable car back up, which was fun. But the highlight was the Skyway cable ride, which went over the waterfalls. It was very scenic and in the clear skies, the sightings were spectacular. Had some coffee and snacks on return, and proceeded again on the Explorer Bus.

We continued the Blue Mountain tourist loop all day, alighting at the main vantage points like Echo Point (for the Three Sisters), Leura Cascades, Gordon Falls, and finally Leura village. It was an extremely enjoyable experience, and we enjoyed every bit of it. Had a late lunch at Leura village, shopped around the very cute town, and finally boarded the return train to Sydney from Leura itself. Another 2 hours to Sydney, and we returned to our hotel.

This evening we had promised to spend with our nephew and his wife. We met them at Martin Place, and walked over to their apartment nearby. Had some good wine at their place, and were persuaded to have dinner there itself, which we consented to and enjoyed thoroughly. Tonight was the first night of the Vivid Sydney light festival. After dinner, we took a taxi to the Rocks area, and wandered about, enjoying the lovely lighting of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and all the buildings around. It was truly a sight to behold. Sat down at a café for chocolates and coffee, and continued wandering about. Finally took a taxi home and retired to bed.

Day 14 : Saturday : May 23rd :
SYDNEY :
Today was the last day of our holiday. The morning was reserved for shopping. First over to the Haymarket for some shopping, where we also had some gozleme for breakfast. Then over to the Rocks area, where an attractive weekend market springs up on the pavements. This was really a huge and colourful market, where we purchased lots of souvenirs. Finally into souvenir shops at Circular Quay to complete our Australian shopping. Went over to Sydney Opera House, walked all around, and sat at a waterside table for some coffee. Divine experience at such an iconic location.

Returned to our hotel to drop off shopping, and had a quick lunch nearby. Then we were picked up by an old college friend of mine, who is now settled in Sydney, whom I had not met for the last 35 years ! He and his wife picked us up from our hotel, and at our request drove us to Bondi Beach. Here we parked, and did part of the walk to Coogee Beach. Did not walk all the way, but part of the distance, till our legs would permit. It was a lovely walk, and the views were spectacular.

Our friend dropped us back near Darling Harbour, where we visited the Sydney Aquarium, which was a wonderful experience. That done, we made a repeat visit to the Indian restaurant Zafraan, which we had enjoyed so much a few days earlier. Had an excellent Indian dinner, and returned to our hotel for the last time.

Day 15 : Sunday : May 24th :
BACK HOME :
We had an early morning flight at 7:20 am from Sydney back home. Had to leave the hotel early, before 5 am, and take a taxi to the airport. Had breakfast at the Malaysian Airlines lounge at the airport. Then a comfortable flight to Kuala Lumpur, where we had a reasonable stopover. Left our handbags in a locker at the airline lounge, and shopped around the airport shops. Finally, a comfortable flight back to India, reaching at night.

This brings me to the end of a wonderful vacation in Australia. Would be happy to answer any questions that readers may have.

Thanks for sharing your travels with us. Sounds like you had a great time Down Under.

yes, thanks for taking us with you, indiancouple. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as well did!

Hi tripplanner and annhig. Yes we surely enjoyed Australia a lot, and were blessed with good weather most of the time.

Enjoyed your journey seeing my country through others eyes. My daughter was on GOR last week and saw a koala in Otway Park just 30 cms from her face.
Re speeding fine : Victorian law allows 3 kms over - apparently the lowest tolerance in world!!

Thank you for this wonderful detailed report, Indiancouple.
We're going to Australia for a month in April and your report is so helpful. I now have a much better sense of what we can experience in the places on your itinerary.
And, for sure! I'm looking forward to a great meal at Zafraan in Sydney. Love Indian food. . . Now I'm off to read your report on NZ where we'll be in March.

Hi northie and glover. Much thanks for the kudos.

The speeding fine still rankles !

Glover,glad to know someone will use this TR.

Excellent report - thanks for sharing.

Don't wait so long to come back!

Great trip report. Would you consider Melbourne a good base for a longer stay in Australia? We do not like to move so many times when we travel and are trying to decide what city would be our best base. We would probably fly into Sydney and stay for 5 nights and then fly to another location to make it our base?