Additional References

 All images were retrieved from GOOGLE image unless specified.

Darly, M., Dehne, A., Leffman, D. & Scott, C. (1999). Australia: The Rough Guide. London: The

Rough Guides.  

Dragicevich, P. (2012). Pocket Sydney: Top Sights, Local Life, Made Easy. China: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. 

Rawlings-way, C., Atkinson, B. & D’Arcy, J. (2012). Discover Australia: Experiencing the best of Australia. China: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd.

Why Australia?

Australia has always been on my destination radar, however I never really had the “big push” to make the trip, until now.  Now I have the motivation, the means and the time to go.  It is a huge comfort that I will have a travel buddy AND will have Annie there to meet us.  Australia is my dream vacation for the beaches, the animals, the activity and the friends and family who are currently living there.   I thrive off of the sun and I hate being cold! 
I love that it will be summer in Australia during the winter months in Canada.   
I love that Australia offers so much outdoor activities and experiences.  
I love that even though Australia is literally on the other side of the world that it is a safe and developed country.   

I am looking forward to exploring everything that Australia has to offer and coming home tanned, happy and probably pretty exhausted and broke!  

Missed Opportunities

There are several experiences that I would like to do while in Australia that I have not yet scheduled into our trip.  They include the following:

-       The Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas

-       Horseback half day tour at Blazing Saddles Adventures 

- The Australian Outback 

As previously mentioned, I am a huge animal lover, as well an avid horse back rider.  I would LOVE to ride a horse through a trail or on the beach while in Australia but have not yet scheduled it into our time there.  If the opportunity arises, I will happily jump at the chance!  I would really like the opportunity to go back to Australia to experience the desert component.  It would be a lot of fun to have more of the "backpacking" adventure the next time around verses the "luxury" vacation we are currently planning!    

Day 13: Friday January 3rd - Up in the Air!

Friday marks the start of our long, long journey home.  We will be taking a flight from Gladstone all the way back to Sydney in order to make our flight back to North America. 

Flight details

Quantas Airways, 2121

GLT 8:05am --> SYD 11:25am

Direct 2h 20m

$353 for 2 people

I was pretty happy to find this flight option because it is direct.  A lot of the flights from Gladstone to Sydney have one stop in Brisbane.  It doesn’t really make sense to me to stop in Brisbane again on the way back.  Plus, the direct flight is cheaper!

Once in Sydney we will be rushing to meet our next flight from Sydney back to L.A.  This is going to be an incredibly long, FULL day of traveling before we arrive back home.  Due to the time change, we will actually arrive home on Friday January 3^rd, the same day we will be departing!  This will prove to come in handy when we are attempting to adjust to the time change and get ready to jump into the Winter semester at Western. 

Day 12: Thursday January 2nd - Last day in paradise

Our trip to Australia would be incomplete without a trip to the Great Reef Barrier.  Our plan is to explore the Great Reef with flippers and a wetsuit!  There are multiple marine options where you can board a glass-bottomed boat.  Fitzroy, Capricorn and Bunker Reefs near Gladstone offer viewings of sea stars, crab corals and molluscs, while places such as the Agincourt Reef from Cairns has snorkel and diving options.  Knowing Wes, and myself we will probably want to get the FULL experience of the Great Reef by snorkelling and swimming directing with the sea life. 

Day 11: Wednesday JANUARY 1st!

With the assumption that the majority of "touristy" things will be closed on New Years day, I would be more than happy to take a few steps forward until I find my feet in the sand and then sit myself down, only to stay there for the rest of the day!

Day 10: Tuesday December 31st - Don't Miss...

My theory is that if I am literally flying around the world [to go see Annie...], I am not going to just stick with Sydney, even though I'm sure you very well could! Hence, our next set of plane tickets! 

Qantus Airways, 1706
Brisbane --> Gladstone 
BNE 10:55am --> GLT 12:00pm
Direct 1h 5m
$213 for 2 people 

It will take us about 90 minutes to drive from the airport in Gladstone to our hotel, the Beach Shack!  I instantly fell in love with the look of this place, especially the "beachfront accommodations".  It sounds like the perfect place to end our trip.  We will be staying in the "Tree House" for 2.  I love this location because it is within walking distance of pretty much everything I want to do while we are in Queensland and once again it has a kitchen so Wes and I can prepare our own meals.  At $188 per night, it will cost us just over $600 for the three nights we will be there.  I have debated pulling this part of the trip out to allow us more time to relax, but the more I look at the hotel and the attractions, the more I feel the need to go and just deal with the extra flights!

I like the idea of wandering around the first day arriving somewhere, so we will probably just settle in and get to know our surroundings!

December 31st is also New Years Eve.  We may plan to go out for the night or simply stay in and celebrate the New Year together in Australia!