PART I
Last winter (well… summer in Australia), I went on a road trip from Sydney to Cairns, then down to Melbourne and back to Sydney. This was an extraordinary experience and I hope anyone who sees these pictures will get inspired to pursue their own traveling dreams. And to anyone thinking about traveling to Australia but wondering whether is worth it, the answer is a big YES. It is a wonderful country where you will find great cities, amazing beaches, numerous waterfalls, breathtaking rainforests and impressive mountains. Don’t hold yourself back and go buy those plane tickets as soon as you can !
Sydney Harbour
Why pay an expansive cruise when you can have a view like this with the public ferries ?
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney
View from the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House
The one and only.
So impressive to see in real life.
Sydney Opera House
Chilling by the Opera.
Sydney Harbour
Another view from the public ferries.
Sydney Opera House
At sunset.
Downtown Sydney during the holidays
Hyde Park
With the ANZAC memorial.
ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”.
There is a national holiday but memorials of all kind of ANZAC are widespread in Australia.
New South Wales Public Library
One of the most beautiful libraries I’ve ever seen.
Sydney Opera House by sunset
I couldn’t get enough of the Opera.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the most famous and popular beach in the Sydney area.
The Iceberg Pools next to Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach
This is only one example but the walls along the “Promenade” facing Bondi Beach are covered with beautiful and original street arts. Some are noticeable for their aesthetics, other for their messages, mainly addressing environmental concerns.
The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee
Bondi to Coogee is a very beautiful coastal walk along the rocks and seven different beaches, which extends to 6 km if done completely.
The beaches, all in the juridiction of Sydney, are Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra.
For more infos: https://www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au/bondi-to-coogee-walk/
The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee
Blue Mountains National Park
One hour from downtown Sydney, Blue Mountains National Park is a 2 690km² area where you can hike among mountains and rainforests. The area is notorious for the “Three Sisters” rock formation (sacred Aboriginal site), stunning views and waterfalls. They’re called the “blue mountains” because of the fine mist of eucalyptus oil released from the leaves of the eucalyptus trees. The mist refracts light, which makes the haze look blue at a distance.
For more infos: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/blue-mountains-national-park/visitor-info
https://www.scenicworld.com.au/
The Three Sisters
Blue Moutains National Park
Blue Mountains National Park
Little blue lake by the Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves in themselves are very worth the trip. Nevertheless, only a few pictures wouldn’t have been enough to convey the beauty of this place. A full article would’ve done better justice of those 340 billions years old cave, made of limestones and marine fossiles.
A guided tour of the caves is defenitely a great experience you won’t forget !
https://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Fishermans Bay Foreshore
For more infos:
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/fishermans-bay-foreshore
Fishermans Bay Foreshore
Kylie’s beach – Crowdy Bay National Park
For more infos:
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/crowdy-bay-national-park
Kylie’s beach – Crowdy Bay National Park
Kylie’s beach – Crowdy Bay National Park
Nambucca Heads
For more infos:
https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/nambucca-heads/activities
Nambucca Heads
Nambucca Heads
Wategos Beach – Cape Byron
One of the most famous destinations in New South wales.
Here you can swim in warm pristine waters and take a walk on a magnificent path along the ocean to an impressive lighthouse.
For more infos: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/cape-byron-lighthouse
Cape Byron – Most easterly point of the Australian mainland
Cape Byron
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Australia Rock – Narooma
I found Narooma and its distinctive features by doing random zooms on Google maps, while planning my itinerary. So although useful websites do exist to plan a trip there, I don’t have any to recommend since I didn’t use one.
Surf Beach – Narooma
Glasshouse Rocks – Narooma
Glasshouse Rocks – Narooma
Glasshouse Rocks – Narooma
Glasshouse Rocks – Narooma
Glasshouse Rocks – Narooma
Narrawallee Beach – Ulladulla Bay
Rock “pools” are fairly common in Austalian beaches. You can make your own little private pool everywhere if you want to take a break from the ocean and its strong currents (or if you’re too afraid of sharks and stingrays).
Hyams Beach – Jervis Bay
Hyams Beach – Jervis Bay
This small beach on the NSW coast is considered one of the most beautiful in Australia. It is, indeed, a beautiful gem.
Hyams Beach – Jervis Bay
Incredibly white sand. Some people even say it’s whiter than the sand of Whitehaven Beach, already considered as one of the purest sand in the world.
Abrahams Bosom Beach – Jervis Bay
Another gem of Jervis Bay, less known than Hyams Beach, with lots of “micro-pools” and strange rock formations.
Abrahams Bosom Beach – Jervis Bay
Abrahams Bosom Beach – Jervis Bay
Abrahams Bosom Beach – Jervis Bay
Abrahams Bosom Beach – Jervis Bay
Fitzroy Falls
For more infos: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/visitor-centres/fitzroy-falls-visitor-centre
Fitzroy Falls
Unfortunately the falls were experiencing a drought when I came there, so instead of water there was only a rainbow (which is cool in its own way).
Carrington Falls
When there is enough water, all those holes can be used as little pools of fresh water. Some are even deep enough that the water reach the waist. It’s like a free and natural spa.
Carrington Falls
Carrington Falls
Kiama’s lighthouse
Another example of ANZAC tribute.
And Kiama’s most famous attraction, the blowhole, is right next to it.
For more infos: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama/attractions/kiama-blowhole
Kiama’s natural pool
Kiama’s natural pool
Such an experience in itself ! The pool is naturally filled by the (rather fresh) waters of the ocean. The waves can be quite strong and push you around if you’re not careful.
Apart from the chains, the pool is only surrounded by rocks. But if you’re too afraid of hurting yourself, there’s also a smaller and shallower pool on the side, more family-friendly.
Kiama
Kiama
Kiama
Kiama
View of the Sea Cliff Bridge
The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive – A drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery.
For more infos: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/sea-cliff-bridge
Royal National Park
This huge national park right outside of Sydney has it all: marvelous beaches, coast walks with amazing views, waterfalls, spectacular rock formations… It’s a great park to visit if you like long hikes, swimming in natural settings and exploring incredible landscapes.
For more infos: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park/visitor-info
The Balconies – Royal National Park
An example of the strange rock formations along the coast walk.
Coastal Walk – Royal National Park
Royal National Park
Coastal Walk – Royal National Park
The Waterrun – Royal National Park
The Waterrun – Royal National Park
Coastal Walk – Royal National Park
The Wedding Cake – Royal National Park
A wedding cake-looking rock that might collapse at anytime.
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
And now, for the following pictures, let me show you some of the flora wonders we can find at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, which is also a must-see if you come to the city.
Royal Botanic Garden
Trees in Australia are very different to what I’m used to, in North America. Those ones whit the huge trunks and the huge branches were everywhere.
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
An Ibis, one of the most common birds in Australia.
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden – Sydney
And to finish, the Opera at sunset
Omg it brings back so much memories... I was there after studies. It's ten years back but I left part of my heart down there and still miss it....
Another awesome lot of photos. Australia truly is beautiful. Did you go on the scenic train in Katoomba (blue mountains). It’s incredible and freaky at the same time. It’s the steepest railway in the world at a 52 degree incline (128% incline). Although it has changed since I went on it, there were no doors for one so you could actually touch the cliff face and plants etc if you wanted to, but you may have lost your arm if you did that. And also you couldn’t adjust your seat back then either. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HFDCzyGsI9w
Yes I took this train :) Quite a great experience, as well as everything else in the Blue Mountains Park. The waterfalls were the cherry on the sundae, especially on the very hot day I went there.
Load More Replies... Omg it brings back so much memories... I was there after studies. It's ten years back but I left part of my heart down there and still miss it....
Another awesome lot of photos. Australia truly is beautiful. Did you go on the scenic train in Katoomba (blue mountains). It’s incredible and freaky at the same time. It’s the steepest railway in the world at a 52 degree incline (128% incline). Although it has changed since I went on it, there were no doors for one so you could actually touch the cliff face and plants etc if you wanted to, but you may have lost your arm if you did that. And also you couldn’t adjust your seat back then either. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HFDCzyGsI9w
Yes I took this train :) Quite a great experience, as well as everything else in the Blue Mountains Park. The waterfalls were the cherry on the sundae, especially on the very hot day I went there.
Load More Replies...
0
4