Cairns

After 3 quick nights in Sydney I flew up the coast to Cairns. After being in one big city after another it was nice to be in a much smaller city. Cairns is a popular jumping off point for the rainforest in Australia and of course the Great Barrier Reef. I spent my first day riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the town of Kuranda. It was a nice trip and on the way back you can take a gondola/sky ride down the mountain and over the canopy of the rainforest back to near Cairns. I really appreciated my time roaming around Kuranda and the trips there and back. At the recommendation of locals, the next day I took a ferry out to Fitzroy Island, which is on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. I spent most of the day on the island where I took a hike to lighthouse and peak and a glass bottom boat tour of parts of the fringe reef near the island. Unfortunately waters were a bit murky and it was jellyfish season so full bodysuits were required for any in-water activity. After a cloudy and rainy start it ended up being a beautiful day on the island that I really enjoyed. 

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Rain forest canopy sky ride 

Hotel views

Top of Fitzroy Island

Glass boat

Nudey Beach!

Sydney

I thought Melbourne and Sydney were going to be very similar, but definitely not the case. Apparently there is a bit of a rivalry between the two cities, but I honestly enjoyed both of the for different reasons. Melbourne felt more livable and less chaotic, while Sydney had all the luxuries of a big international city. It was about a 90 minute flight between the two and I definitely appreciated the ease of public transport getting to and from the airports. Sydney was so easy that you don't even have to buy a transit pass or ticket for any of their network, you can just tap your credit card for no additional fee. Loved that! 

My first day in Sydney I wandered around the harbor, visited a few very tourist friendly animal experiences (where you can easily see the Aussie animals), took my first ferry ride (all the amazing harbour views) and had a random big night out. My second day didn't start quite as early, but I visited the lovely Gallery of New South Wales and Botanical Gardens before taking a ferry to Manly Beach where I grabbed lunch (my first chicken parmy of the trip) and wandered around the beach and beach town. I took a ferry back into to Sydney where I went to what I thought was a standup comedy show at the Opera House, but it ended up being some guy kinda telling a long random story about a relationship. It was ok, but not what was expected. My final day in Sydney I went to the beautiful Bondi Beach. There is a walk along the coast in Bondi that I did a part of but I also did a way less touristy coastal cliff walk to Watsons Bay where I was able to take the ferry back to Sydney. That night I also went to a show at the Opera House but this time in the main concert hall. I had no idea what I was booking when I booked it, just wanted to go to a show there. I knew it was music at least... To my surprise there were thousands of high school age student also attending this music showcase of sorts. The talent and music were great, but it was a lot being surrounded by thousands of teenagers so I only stayed until intermission. 

 

Ferry past the Opera House

Art Gallery of NSW

Art Gallery of NSW

Hyde Park

Harbour Bridge

Opera House

 

Bondi Beach

Bondi

Bondi Coastal Walk

All the avo and toast

Manly Beach

Chix parmy

City from inside Opera House

Opera House Concert Hall

Cliff Walk to Watsons Bay

Melbourne

After a red-eye to Melbourne, I was met with what felt a lot more like home. English everywhere and familiar western conveniences like drinkable tap water was very exciting! Melbourne felt bigger than I expected, but also very manageable with great public transportation. Because of the red-eye and not much sleep I was pretty tired but zombied around many of the main sites in the city center. There was a lot to see, I especially enjoyed the art galleries and area around the river. After getting into my room for a nap I enjoyed various dumplings in Chinatown for dinner. The soup dumplings were bomb! The next day I visited the Queen Victoria market where I had my first meat pie and a few other treats before walking up to the Melbourne zoo. The zoo was real great and it was my first encounter with all the Aussie animals in a lovely setting. My last full day in Melby was spent a St. Kilda Beach just south of the city. It was a hot day a perfect to be at the beach and pier with all the other slackers! Another nice thing about Melbourne was that encountered a handful of nice breweries. I hadn't been to any at previous stops so it was nice to try some of the Aussie craft brews.

Art on the river

National Gallery of Victoria

Shrine of Remembrance

Brewmanity

Flinders Station

St. Pauls

1st of many meat pies!

Queen Victoria Market

1st koala sighting

TAZ doesn't like his photo taken...

St. Kilda Beach

St. Kilda Pier