Category Archives: Australia

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 3

On our final full day in Sydney we decided to venture out and take the ferry to Manly Island. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in Sydney, and the moment we stepped off the ferry, we knew we were in for something special. The ride over was unforgettable in its own way. We had the perfect weather and the ferry ride was smooth and enjoyable.

 

As we left the harbour we watched the skyline stretch across the horizon. We could see Opera House from the water and from that angle. It was impressive. The sails of the opera house were shinning against the blue of the water.

Sydney Skyline from the Ferry

It was one of those views that seemed surreal and photos do not do it justice. 

Once we arrived in Manly, we wandered along the main street, taking our time as we browsed through the local shops, each with its own unique charm.

We saw surf boutiques, handmade crafts, cozy cafés and bars. The whole area was buzzing with energy but had this laid-back, beach-town feel.

We took our time and explored the shops and eventually, we found our way to a rooftop restaurant overlooking the beach. We enjoyed a nice meal and we were lucky enough to get a table with an incredible view of the beach.

View of Manly Beach

After exploring Manly Island we headed back to Sydney on the ferry. Once again we watched the breathtaking harbour views. But our day wasn’t over yet. After getting off the ferry we made our way to Darling Harbour for dinner.  We were in luck because it was the last evening for this dramatic Drone show in Darling Harbour. 

Ray and Shelley at Darling Harbour Sydney

We managed to find an excellent restaurant that had a great table for us to watch the drone show event. 

Our Table at Darling Harbour

This turned out to be one of the best nights of our time in Sydney.  As we ate, a drone light show lit up the sky, The drones dancing over the water in perfect formation. It was impressive and mesmerizing to watch, It was a blend of technology and artistry that left us smiling.

Dinner itself was unforgettable too. We decided to be adventurous and try kangaroo, and to our surprise, it was absolutely delicious. 

We had it paired with a beautiful bottle of Australian wine, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate our last full day in Sydney. 

Kangaroo meal in Sydney

We walked back to our room and the city lights were reflecting across the harbour, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for every moment. Manly had given us sun and seaside charm, and Sydney had given us magic after dark. It was a day a great day.

Tomorrow we are off to a new adventure.

“See you later Mate!”

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 2

We decided to spend the day exploring one of Sydney’s most fascinating attractions, the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium.  From the moment we stepped inside, we were surrounded by an incredible underwater world.

There were huge tanks with schools of tropical fish, some were uniquely different and other with bright colours.

We walked along the tanks looking at these fish and then at one point we felt like maybe we were the ones on exhibit because the fish were looking at us.

Of course, the sharks were impressive. Walking through the glass tunnels with these magnificent creatures gliding silently overhead was both thrilling and humbling.

It’s hard not to feel a sense of awe seeing such powerful animals so close.

We spent time in the tunnels watching the different sharks and stingrays swimming calmly all around us.

It was truly impressive and a little humbling watching these amazing creatures.

We even saw some dugongs which was a first for us. They are truly a unique and different looking creature. The dugong is largely dependent on seagrass for subsistence and lives near coastal seagrass areas. The northern waters of Australia between Shark Bay and Moreton Bay are believed to be the dugong’s main area of these amazing mammals. 

A dulong swimming in the aquarium.

We came to the penguin exhibit, which was curious to us. We watched those adorable little creatures waddle about and dive into the water. They looked so happy sliding across the ice and swimming effortlessly. They made us laugh at how clumsy on Land they are but graceful in the water.


We saw different jellyfish, they were on display in long glass tubes filled with different types. It was almost hypnotic watching them with their softly glowing colour and gently pulsing through the water. These creatures that looked like something from another world.

Towards the end of our day we came to an area which permitted us to literally pet some of the sea creatures, such as starfish.

Ray touching a live starfish

This was amazing experience, they are soft and quite smooth feeling. We even got to touch and feel Shark eggs.

Ray holding a shark egg

Spending the day at the Sea Life in Sydney was truly a fantastic day. We saw and experienced some amazing things. What an adventure!

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 1

We knew it would be an adventure visiting Sydney, but we didn’t realize just how much the city would capture our hearts.

We began our first day by  taking a stroll through the lush Botanical Garden of Sydney which is located in the heart of the city. We were surrounded by an array of beautiful unique flowers and vegetation.

The sound of birds singing from the trees was everywhere and as we strolled we came across a few of the local residents of the Gardens.

We walked along the winding paths of the Gardens working our way towards the Opera house. Eventually we could see the iconic white sails of the Sydney Opera House in the distance. 

We continued walking until we turned a corner of the Gardens and found ourselves in the heart of the Sydney Bay. What an amazing sight, there were restaurants and activity everywhere. Our first stop was to check out the Iconic Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House was one of the top things we wanted to see and it did not disappoint.  Seeing it in person was something special and photos just don’t do it justice. We took a guided tour and learned about the building’s fascinating history. We were able to walk through the interior of it and enjoyed seeing the amazing architectural design. 

When we were up close, the tile design is even more incredible. The tiles are made from ceramic created by the Swedish company. They have a self-cleaning glaze, which helps them stay bright despite the weather.  There are two main types of tiles, a glossy white and matte cream which are arranged in a chevron pattern. This gives the shells their shimmering appearance. There are approximately 1,056,006 tiles that cover the roof.

The inside of the Opera house is spectacular with glass walls, pink granite floor tiles, white birch plywood and brush box timber. (an Australian hardwood).

After exploring the Opera House we strolled along the waterfront admiring the views.  

That evening, we dined on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Opera House, and honestly, it felt like something out of a dream.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the harbour turned gold and the lights of the city began to twinkle. We enjoyed our meal and celebrated our first day in Sydney. What an adventure it was.

“Cheers Mate”

Australia

A Magical Day at the Pinnacles

Our day began early, leaving the bustle of the city behind for the golden sands of Nambung National Park.  We stopped several times along the way to explore some unique and interesting points.  One stop was to walk to the Nilgen Park and lookout point. A beautiful view of the Indian Ocean, wild flowers and unique plants.

We continued on our trip stoping along the coastline in the Nambung National Park to explore the secluded beautiful sand beach which overlooks the Indian Ocean. 

Shelley walked to the waters edge to feel the salt water of the Indian Ocean.

We also took some time exploring the small coastal town of Guilderton. It is located at the mouth of the Moore River in the Shire of Gingin in Western Australia. What made this particularly interesting was the history of this region.

It was originally known as Gabbadah, an Aboriginal term meaning “mouthful of water”.  The river mouth regularly opens and closes depending on the seasons, and alternates between a closed lagoon and a tidal estuary.

The mouth of the Moore River in WA.
Shelley at the lookout area

We walked to the lookout and took in the stunning views. It was a great little coastal town. When we finally arrived at the Pinnacles, it was like stepping onto another planet.

Pinnacles in Australia

Thousands of limestone spires stretched toward the sky, casting long shadows across the desert floor.

We walked throughout the pinnacles exploring the spires,  from small ones to large spires each one unique in its own way.

The late afternoon light painted everything in rich golds and ambers. It was the perfect atmosphere and backdrop for photos and quiet reflection.

Shelley in pinnacles of WA Australia

Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better,  out of the scrubland, in the Pinnacles a wild kangaroo appeared. It was great to see and to our delight, she had a baby kangaroo tucked safely in her pouch. We stood silently, watching as she grazed for a few moments before hopping gracefully into the shadows.

Kangaroo and “Joey” in the wild of the Pinnacles in WA Australia.

As evening settled in, our tour guide set up a lovely spread for us. We enjoyed sparkling wine, a variety of cheeses, and a delicious meal as we watched the day fade.

We relaxed together, plates and wine in hand, while we watched the sun set over the Indian Ocean and the sky transformed from glowing gold to deep violet. 

After dinner, as the last light faded away,  we gazed at the stars of the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky. It was our first time seeing those constellations, and we were struck by how vast and brilliant they were, unspoiled by city lights. 

There are few experiences in life as unforgettable as watching the sun dip below the horizon in the Australian outback,  especially when you’re with the one you love and a glass of sparkling wine in hand. That’s exactly how our day went in one of Western Australia’s most mesmerizing natural wonders. Our trip to the Pinnacles will be one for the memories we will carry with us for years. 

Australia

Adelaide National Wine Centre of Australia

Shelley and I spent a wonderful afternoon at the National Wine Centre of Australia in Adelaide. It was a great spot for anyone who enjoys a fine wine and a touch of history of the wine industry.

The building itself is an elegant architecture, designed to reflect the rolling curves of wine barrels and the beauty of Australia’s wine-growing regions.

We began our visit by wandering through the interactive displays that explain Australia’s winemaking heritage. The exhibits walked us through the process of wine from the vine to the bottle.

There was a map which explained the diverse wine regions spread across Australia.

 

We were intrigued by the digital tasting tables, where we could explore information about hundreds of Australian wines at the touch of a screen.

After taking in the exhibits, we decided it was time for a more hands-on experience.

We settled into the area entitled “Wined” its a very cozy and inviting space that overlooks the Botanic Gardens.

There, we indulged in a tasting of several South Australian wines, each one unique. To complement the tasting, we shared a platter of local cheeses and meats. They paired very nicely with the wines.

As we enjoyed our wine, one of the staff members shared a bit more about the centre’s history. The National Wine Centre opened in 2001 as both a tourist destination and an educational hub dedicated to promoting Australia’s wine industry. The centre gave us more of an appreciation of Australia’s remarkable wine culture. The combination of history, taste, and atmosphere made it a great experience.

“Life is meant for good friends, adventures and wine”