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! 

Day 9: Monday December 30th - Back to the Surf

On day 9 I would like to take our trip back to the main focus of us going to Australia; the BEACH!  Day 9 will be our last day in Brisbane before heading farther North to Queensland.  The logical solution is to visit Byron Bay!  Byron Bay is described as the ultimate surf town with hippie hinterland, to me this sounds like a fantastic way to spend our day before hoping on another plane.  After a day of doing nothing on day 8, Wes will be wanting to give surfing another shot and I will be craving some physical activity.  "The Pass" is a well known beach for beginners to learn how to surf.  Through a surfing school, Style Surfing we will take a 3.5 hour beginner group lesson.  Even though this may very well be Wes' third attempt to surf, I'm still counting ourselves as beginners!  I think the Style Surfing because they guarantee you get up within the 3.5 hours or you get a full refund...they may end up taking away this policy after they are not able to get me to stand on that thing!  The beginner course will cost us $60/person.  The rest of the day is meant to relax on one of the many beaches to choose from!

     

Day 8: Sunday December 29th - Putter & Shop

We haven't really scheduled a day to do absolutely nothing.  Our itinerary is of course subject to change depending on jet-lag, weather, etc.  I am throwing in this extra day to simply enjoy the city.  Perhaps some shopping, if we have any money left, a nice lunch out and just enjoying our hotel room. 

Day 7 - Saturday December 28th - North Gorge Headlands Walk

Saturday is going to be a pretty big day trip!  Our day will begin with a 30 minute ferry ride from Cleveland where we will head to the North Straddle Island.  The point lookout offers a viewing opportunity for turtles, dolphins and manta rays year-round.  There are several beaches accessible from the point lookout.  The North Gorge Headlands Walk is a great opportunity to get in some exercise and see the main attractions of the area.  Access to the Gorge Walk is on Moloomba Road at Point Lookout, opposite Fishes Cafe and the Oceanic Gelati Shop.  The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the beach before we take the Ferry back to the main land of Brisbane.   

Day 6: Friday December 27th - Koala Call!

I am a HUGE animal lover and cannot wait to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Greater Brisbane.  The sanctuary is a 35 minute bus ride from the city center and is home to a wide variety of animals including kangaroos, possums and wombats (in addition to koalas of course).  The 430 bus will cost us $4.70/person and leaves from the Queen St bus station.  The sanctuary itself will cost $60 for the two of us.   

Day 5: Thursday December 26th - On the road again

Jetstar Airways Flight 814 Sydney --> Brisbane

SYD 10:55am --> BNE 11:25am 

Direct 1h 30m 

$218 for 2 people

After five days in Sydney (and constantly staying with other people), Wes & I plan to head off on our own to experience Brisbane and the tropical part of Queensland before having to head back to Canada.  

We will be staying at the Central Brunswick Apartment Hotel   from Thursday December 26th-Tuesday December 31st.  I choose this hotel because it has a kitchenette right in the room.  Wes and I are not the easiest people to feed.  I am a gluten-free vegetarian and Wes has a severe peanut allergy.  Going out to eat in restaurants is not always the most pleasant experience and it makes it a lot easier if we can stop in a little grocery store and make the majority of our meals while on our own.   

I would like to spend our first day in Brisbane wandering around, picking up some groceries and simply enjoying some time together. 

Day 4: Wednesday December 25th - Christmas Day

Wes and I are planning on spending Christmas day with his relatives, who live in Sydney.  It will work out nicely that for the first week or so we won't have to pay for a hotel because we will be staying with the family and friends we know in the area.  After the three days with Annie, we will be packing up once again and staying with Wes' family for the night.  

Day 3: Tuesday December 24th - Christmas Eve in Aus

By day three if I haven't really done anything active, I am seriously going to need to get a good workout in!  I would like to experience Sydney from as many angles and activities as possible. Therefore, kayaking in Sydney Harbour sounds ideal.  Natural Wanders offers kayaking tour earlier in the morning around the Harbour bridge, Lavender Bay, Balmain and Birchgrove.  More specifically, the "billy blue paddle tour" is available at anytime given at least a weeks notice.  The tour typically lasts two hours and is approximately 5.5km in length.  The Billy Blue tour is meant for beginners and even though I have kayaked before, I think it will be nice to take a step back and really enjoy the scenery.   At only $65/person, I think it will be an excellent experience to get up and out first thing in the morning (yes, I am defiantly a morning person). 

I want to be able to get outside as much as possible while in Australia.  There are three things I will be focusing on during this trip: 1) seeing and experiencing Australia 2) fitness & staying active while away from home 3) getting a tan - I want to enjoy the sunshine! 

With that being said, I see another beach day happening after our kayaking experience.  In all of the research I have done on Australia, everyone seems to be talking about Bondi Beach.  So, I obviously need to go to and see for myself how wonderful this beach is.  There are sevreal bus and train options to get from Sydney Harbour to Bondi beach.  If we take the 380 or 333 bus from Circular Quay to get to North Bondi, we will have to walk for 5 minutes or so from the bus stop to get to the beach.  I plan to begin my Bondi experience with the 5.5km Bondi to Coogee Clifftop Walk.  The walk will take approximately two hours.  As I have mentioned, I enjoy being active and seeing what Australia has to offer.  Therefore, the walk to Coogee Clifftop sound like the perfect opportunity for me to experience Bondi.  Once we return from the walk, I plan to enjoy everything Bondi Beach has to offer by laying out in the sun.  Wes will probably want to give surfing another go, but I'll let him figure it out on his own this time.

Day 2: Monday December 23rd - Seeing Sydney

Sydney Harbour

Top Sights: Sydney Opera House  & the Harbour Bridge

It only seems appropriate to visit the Opera House while in Sydney.  I do not have this huge need to experience the Opera House, but I do want to be there and take in the architecture and culture of Sydney.  I am excited to see the Harbour Bridge and may even participate in one of the many bridge climb options.  The bridge climb is approximately 3 1/2 hours long with tours around the clock.  Making reservations well in advanced is suggested.  The climb options can cost up to $300, so it completely depends on what our budget ends up looking like.  At the very least we will SEE the sights - just like Annie's boyfriend, Elliot here in the picture!

*Annie's personal photo, used with permission*

  

While at the harbour, I would like to take the ferry to Manly.  Every thirty minutes a ferry departs from Circular Quay.  It is recommended that once in Manly, you walk the Corso from the harbour beach to the ocean beach.  This is specifically recommended for sun seekers (right up my alley, I LOVE being warm in the sun on a beach).  Manly is the only place in Sydney where you can catch a harbour ferry to swim in the ocean!  First of all, "I have a thing for ferry boats" (a common quote from one of my favourite TV shows, Grey's Anatomy).  I really love the idea of seeing Sydney from the water and ending up on a beach where I can possibly nap in the sand (I will still be experiencing jet-lag I'm sure).  Manly will also offer Wes his first opportunity to give surfing a try at the Manly Surf School.  I have a huge urge to be active as well and I can see myself wanting to give surfing a try at some point in time.  The Surf School is open from 9:00am-6:00pm and offer two hour group lessons that include the use of a board and wetsuit for $60.  After spending the remaining of the day at Manly, we would take the ferry back to the harbour before returning to Annie's place for the night.  

Day 1 in Australia: Sunday December 22nd

Arrive in Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 9:30am

Annie is planning to meet myself and Wes at the airport.  She is currently renting an apartment in Surry Hill, a subdivision type of location that is approximately a 15 minute drive from the airport!

Elliot, Annie's boyfriend in their new apartment!  *Annie's photo, used with permission*

I am willing to predict a fair amount of jet-lag and confusion during our first full day in Sydney.  We will probably take it easy, possibly going to a walk to get to know the area.  Surry Hills is apparently known for being a "hippy" neighborhood with several sights to see.  If we are feeling ambitious we could possibly top in to see the Australian Museum, where Wes would enjoy the scientific displays and I would be able to check out the mineral display!  Personally, I can see myself needing a nap and the most I will accomplish on day one is maybe wondering around Surry Hills just to get some warm, fresh air! 

The mineral display at the Australian Museum.

   

It is so comforting to know that Annie will be there to meet us at the airport and that we are welcome to stay at their place for the first couple of nights!    

Give Me Wings

Trip Dates: December 20th, 2013 - January 3rd, 2014

 Departure

Quantas Airways, Flight 3246

Departs: Fri Dec 20 6:25pm Toronto, ON - Pearson International

Arrives: Fri Dec 20 8:55pm Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles International 

Flight Duration: 5h 30m

Connection Time: 2h 45m 

Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES

Quantas Airways, Flight 108 

Departs: Fri Dec 20 11:40pm Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles International

Arrives: Sun Dec 22 9:30am Sydney - Kingsford Smith

Flight Duration: 14h 50m

Return 

Quantas Airways, Flight 107 

Departs: Fri Jan 03 11:55am Sydney - Kingsford Smith 

Arrives: Fri Jan 03 6:30am Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles International 

Flight Duration 13h 35m

Connetion Time: 3h 25m

Quantas Airways, Flight 3245

Departs: Fri Jan 03 955am Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles International 

Arrives: Fri Jan 03 5:30pm - Toronto , ON - Pearson International 

Flight Duration 4h 35m 

Operated by: AMERICAN AIRLINES

Damage Done: $2865 for the two of us to fly economy class.

Heading Down Under...

~Australia~

I am so fortunate to live in a family that appreciates and encourages any opportunity to travel.  I currently have friends and family all over the world, ranging from Kuwait, Deli, the Philippines, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Mexico, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Switzerland AND finally Australia.  I have had endless opportunities to go and visit these locations, however the timing or the money, or the motivation has not been there...until now!  A girlfriend of mine moved to Australia in February of this year.  She got into the Masters program for physio and will be living there for the next two years.  Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my travel brain and I could not get the idea of traveling to Australia out of my head.  Australia has everything I would be looking for in a travel destination: 

• WARMTH: I love that it will be summer in Australia when it is winter here in Canada, a perfect Christmas break vacation.  Due to the fact that December is a peak season for Australia's tourist industry, Wes and I contemplated going during August, the off season when prices are cheaper.  However, with cheaper prices comes cheaper weather.  Since we are both looking to enjoy the warmth, we are going to splurge a little and head to Australia during their peak, warm summer.  
• 1st world safety:  Due to the fact that I have had two kidney transplants and am on a number of immunosuppression drugs, I am unable to receive any live vaccines.  Australia has quality health care and does not require any vaccines to remain safe there. 
• English: They speak English!  I was not blessed with any talent in learning new languages, so it is important to me that I will be able to communicate easily with the locals.  I will also be traveling with my boyfriend, who has a severe peanut allergy, it is very important that we are able to clearly communicate this information to all of the places we will be eating out at! 
• BEACHES: I am a sun seeker.  I thrive off of the sun, the beach and the water.  Australia has some of the world's most beautiful beaches and I have this craving to be there.  My boyfriend, Wes has also expressed that he is looking to get the full Australia experience through surfing.  With that being said, we both need a beach.  
• ANNIE: It has already been a month too long without seeing my girlfriend.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to visit her and her boyfriend in their temporary home.  Wes also has family in Australia, so we will be spending a fair amount of time "house hopping" and visiting.

Annie, in Australia! Once I saw this picture, it was made official in my head that I NEEDED to go and enjoy that sunshine with her! *Annie's personal photo, used with permission*

• It is a huge motivator that between Wes and I have so many connections in Australia.  Another girlfriend of mine and her family will also be traveling from London to Australia over the Christmas break to visit with friends.  Wes and I will end our trip with them and we will all fly back to Canada together.  This is extremely comforting, because this will be the first big trip both Wes and I will be traveling "alone" without our families.  

My girlfriend and her family will also be traveling to Australia!  This is a picture of us together in Mexico for a "family vacation".  *My personal photo*.

My next travel buddy! *My personal photo*.