Travelogue

For a long time we thought about what the travel report about this spectacular trip should look like. With a total of 45,000 air miles and 7,000 kilometers covered, there are so many impressions and experiences that it would go beyond the scope here. So let's just focus on the highlights. And the pictures in the photo album speak for themselves.

The Emirates A380 flights to Sydney via Dubai went smoothly, especially since we had already reserved seats with legroom. And we spent the several hours at the stopovers in pre-booked lounges - these quiet zones with free snacks, drinks and W-LAN were very pleasant.

The connecting flight from Sydney to our first destination Cairns, was then just a short trip. We picked up our rental car (an SUV) at the airport and the adventure could start.

Following an invitation from our dear friends Paul and Ruth, whom we met while diving on vacation in Bali, we stayed 8 days in their house in Kewarra Beach, not far from Cairns and quietly located in a secured area. At this point, thank you again for letting us stay with you. We enjoyed it very much.

The tips for excursions from the two was already worth the trip. For example breakfast at Ellis Beach, then continue through the Daintree Forest to Cape Tribulation and finally to Port Douglas for dinner. Our first impression - the highways, the left-hand traffic and the great weather - it's bearable here.

Other highlights at this point - the ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from Smithfield to Kuranda and back (a 7.5 km long cable car over the rainforest with 2 intermediate stations), our flight in a light aircraft over the Great Barrier Reef - very impressive.

Our route to Sydney, always along the east coast and planned in stages, led us to a few other stations that we would like to name and describe at this point.

For example Etty Bay Beach, where you can see cassowaries (Australian ratites) in the wild. Or Magnetic Island with its beautiful beaches. Airlie Beach and the day trip to the Whitsunday Islands - an absolute must for every Australia visitor. We also have to mention our great B&B accommodations, where we were always welcomed and looked after in a friendly manner. (Note: all accommodations can also be found in our "Links" section!).

A special highlight was our visit to Fraser Island(new K'gari), the largest sand island in the world. Here you can only drive with four-wheel drive vehicles, as there are no paved roads. Our stops at Lake McKenzie and the 75 Mile Drive Beach with the wreck of the MS Maheno - very impressive and beautiful.

Our next stop before we reach Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, the Sunshine Coast. Many Vacation cottages built directly on the canals and with their own jetty give the impression that this area is very popular with Australians.

I don't think we have to tell much about Brisbane - a typical big city with many shopping possibilities and restaurants.

We continued towards our first big destination Sydney. Our next highlight, the Gold Coast. Here an absolute must, a visit to the Skypoint Observation Deck on the 78th floor of the Q1 Tower of Surfers Paradise. The view of the coastline - simply amazing.

We also visited the Hinze Dam at Advancetown Lake and the Glow Worm Caves in Tamborine Mountain.

With another stopover we reached Newcastle in New South Wales. Worth seeing here is the Newcastle Memorial Walk in honor of the fallen Australian soldiers in World War 1. Very nicely done along the cliffs and with great views of the beach and sea.

The next day - after covering 4,300 km - we finally saw the Sydney skyline. We spent a total of 9 days in this incredible metropolis. Because of the central location of our hotel, we were able to reach many of the city's sights quickly. Above all, of course, there was the indescribable sight of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge opposite and Circular Quay, where ferries depart for all directions and parts of the city. Additional a visit to the famous Bondi Beach and the view from the from the Sydney Tower Eye, really impressive. We also have to mention the meeting with our former colleague Sabrina and her family, who have found a new home here in Sydney. We really enjoyed the picnic with them at Dudley Page Reserve with a great view of the city skyline.

When you're in Australia, you really want to see Ayers Rock in the Outback. For this reason, we had booked a day trip with an overnight stay near the monolith. Due to the great distance, a flight was unavoidable (3.5 hours from Sydney to Connellan Airport - Ayers Rock). Unfortunately our departure was delayed in the morning due to a thunderstorm over Sydney, so we didn't arrived there until the afternoon. So we just checked in briefly at the hotel and then headed back to the airport to catch the booked flight into the sunset on a small plane to Ayers Rock (it's actually called Uluru) and to the Olga's (another rock formation called Kata Tjuta). An unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, the time was far too short. We could definitely have stayed there a few days longer.

Back in Sydney, we also took the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Opera House. A truly impressive building with various large and small concert halls and an indescribable acoustics. Unfortunately, performances in this building are fully booked for weeks in advance. We would have loved to attend one. What a pity.

After returning from New Zealand, picking up our rental car and spending the night at Sydney airport, we set off for our final destination in Melbourne. Another 1,200 km , divided into several stages.

Our next destination was Canberra, the capital of Australia. A city well worth seeing, modern with lots of parks and museums. Our hotel was a little out of town in Belconnen. We had a beautiful view of the city from Mount Ainslie Lookout, a viewing platform with a panoramic view. We also visited the Australian Parliament with the meeting rooms of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Portrait Museum, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia. Free entry everywhere! And the exhibitions were very informative and impressive.

Next stop - Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast. Not a particularly attractive place. The main industry here is probably oyster farming. But okay for one night.

Our second last stop was Bairnsdale, conveniently located on the Princes Highway and just 300 km from our final destination. And once again we had found a nice B&B, our friendly hosts immediately gave us a good tip for spotting koalas in the wild. All we had to do was taking the ferry by foot to Raymond Island and follow the Koala Trail. And really - we were able to spot the cute animals on some of the trees and take some photos.

The last stage to Melbourne was very relaxed. Our hotel, located directly at the Yarra River and close to Flinders Station, was now the starting point for our last 5 days in this incredible country. We also had the unique opportunity to celebrate New Year's Eve and the turn of the year earlier than at home and in the warmth.

We had learnt from the internet that no private fireworks are allowed in Melbourne and that there are three designated party zones with live music and street food. A special family fireworks will also be launched in the Docklands in the early evening. So we took an UBER taxi (these are vehicles used by private individuals) to this location. Unfortunately, we were pretty disappointed. Many thousands of people, mostly families with children, no seating, no alcohol allowed in the entire zone and the music took some getting used to. It wasn't for us, so we drove back to our hotel after the fireworks. We then enjoyed a bottle of wine from the minibar and watched the beautiful midnight fireworks on the Yarra River from our large room window.

We had booked a cruise on the Yarra River for the next day. Departure directly opposite our hotel on the other side of the river. A promenade with lots of busy bars and restaurants. The first part took us out of the city center past the Marvel Stadium in Docklands to the container port and back to the starting point. From there, the second part started in the other direction past the Rod Laver Arena and Olympia Park and back again. We stayed on the Southbank Promenade for dinner.

We are slowly realizing that our time in this incredible part of the world is coming to an end. So we took it a little easier. Some shopping and sightseeing, for example at Flinders Station, a train station and transport hub with an impressive dome and yellow color. Then to Grosswell Forest Wildlife Reserve, where kangaroos are said to live in the wild. Unfortunately, we didn't see any animals there.

Penultimate day - we still had our rental car at our disposal, so we took a trip to The William Ricketts Sanctuary sculpture park on Mount Dandenong. Unfortunately it is closed indefinitely. Then a quick trip to Burkes Lockout. Well - we could have done without that.

The last day began dull and rainy. Nevertheless, we decided to take a short tour in direction of the famous Great Ocean Road. And we didn't regret it. On the way, we made a stop at the Anglesea Golf Club. We had learned from the internet that several hundred kangaroos live here in the wild. And indeed - on a short tour with a golf caddy, we were able to observe the animals in the midst of people playing golf. In addition to the great views of the Pacific Ocean at several stops along the coast, it was a wonderful end to our trip.

Our return flight next day, again via Dubai, went without any major problems.

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