Australia             Jan 2018

This trip was special to us. We had tried several times in the past to make the ultimate Australian road trip happen and every time something came up and derailed our plans. We actually started calling it the Australian curse. Australia was very high on both of our must see lists and nothing was going to stop us from making it happen. Looking back now I am glad this trip came later as opposed to when we first started traveling. Having learned from all the prior trips, we had a much better idea of what kind of travel worked for us and on this adventure we knew the pace would be everything.

The only plans we made before leaving was a hotel in Sydney for NYE, since finding a room walking distance from the Harbor at the last minute would have been impossible. Other than that we had a direction in mind and 5 weeks to see where we ended up. Another thing different about this trip was how we packed. We knew we would have the car most of the trip and so we were able to pack larger bags and bring more stuff like tents and a camping supplies. Turns out we never used most of it and have since gone back to packing as light as possible. Unfortunately that wasn’t our only mistake. Looking back, we should have arrived a few days earlier. Between the 2 days traveling to get to Sydney, the time change, jet lag, the heat and the adrenaline rush of starting a trip, by the time the fireworks started we were exhausted. We got it right after that though. We choose to take this epic road trip in January, the peak of summer. Temps were abnormally high even for Australia. The thermometer hung around 100f with no rain for the first 4 weeks of the trip. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Usually that kind of heat is too much but on this trip I think it just added to the dramatic realness of the Outback.

Update: Sydney, Blue Mountains and Melbourne:

After 28 hours in the air, a 2 hour layover in China and a hop over the International Date Line we arrived in Sydney. The only thing better than it’s famed harbor is it’s friendly people. It’s NYE celebration is second to none, even the one in Times Square. They put on a fireworks show at 9pm for the kids that is equal to NY and then at midnight they put on the real show with fireworks being shot from all over the harbor including off the famed bridge and over the opera house. It’s simply amazing.
The next day was spent trying to get over a long night and crazy jet lag. Once we felt rested we headed an hour north of Sydney to the Blue Mountains. We spent the day hiking and exploring several small towns nestled in the mountains. Beautiful scenery everywhere and I was reunited with my favorite food from this side of the world, meat pies. I can’t get enough. Even for breakfast. Next we headed south for Melbourne. We broke the 9 hour drive up over 2 days. Aside from driving on the wrong side of the car and road the trip was uneventful except for a freak hail storm that lasted 5 minutes. Golf ball sized ice in 80° sunshine. We saw 8 Kangaroos along the way. Unfortunately they​ were all road kill along the highway. Apparently a big problem here. Locals say they destroy cars like large deer do in the states.
Once in Melbourne we got a nice Air B&B and spent the evening in the marina. We caught a beautiful sunset while waiting for the penguin parade. Every night just after sunset the penguins return from a day at sea fishing and in mass they walk from the water, across the beach to the rocks they call home. Hundreds of adorable little guys waddling home with stuffed bellies. Quite a site. The marina was filled with kite surfers and beach volleyball games being played to 80’s music. Great vibe.
Next stop… The Great Ocean Rd!
Feels good to be back out on the road.

We had spent a four day weekend in Sydney two years earlier and were looking forward to getting out of the city right after the NYE celebration. Going to the Blue Mountains was a last minute decision and well worth the time. It was as peaceful as it was beautiful. Just what we needed to get out of the city mentality and let the travel vibe set in. The ride from the Blue Mountains to Melbourne was long with not much to look at or do. The only excitement was the hailstorm and counting Kangaroo road kill. Melbourne had a Southern California feel to it. The sunset was amazing and watching the penguin march was a lot of fun. There are 2 places near Melbourne to see the penguins returning from a day at sea. The first is down by the Marina where it is less of a show and very crowded but free. Arrive early if you want to get a good viewing spot. The second is Phillip Island, where it is more of an educational experience and slightly less crowded but there is an entrance fee to the island park. Here you will have park rangers to answer questions and an opportunity to learn about what you are watching. I highly recommend the later.

On this trip we ended up using bed and breakfast type places more then on other trips. Australia is one of those countries where hotels can be twice as much as B&B’s if not more. We found Australian hosts to be very helpful and a lot of fun. We still remain friends with one in particular and hope to meet him again. The bigger cities have hotels but the small towns have privately owned boutiques that are a much better deal.

Update: The Great Ocean Rd

The Great Ocean Road has been on my travel bucket list forever. It’s rated as one of the best drives anywhere. Even more, it’s an Australian heritage site and the longest memorial in the world. The road stretches 155 miles along Australia’s south coast with beautiful beaches, national parks, nature walks, limestone rock formations, waterfalls, craggy cliffs and wildlife everywhere. And it’s free. Even parking. The project was started in 1932. When the soldiers returned home from world war one the government funded a project to put the soldiers to work as well as create a memorial to their fallen brothers.
Day 1- We started our trip on the east end in a town called Geelong with a walk along Torquay Beach. Lots of surfers in the water and sun lovers on the shore. From here we drove about 5k and stopped again at Bells Beach, renowned for it’s annual surfing contest and showcased in the movie Point Break. It was cool to climb the same stairs we had seen on the big screen. Next we drove about another 5k and stopped for photos at the Great Ocean Rd memorial arch. Each beach along the trip has its own personality and spectacular views. After several more stops at different beaches we left the GOR and found a place to stay for the night in a town called Colac.

Day 2- We returned to where we left off. All along the GOR there are national parks with hikes and we tried to hit as many as we could. The first hike we did was in Beech Forest to Beauchamp Falls. It was a fern forest, offering a tropical, shady, cool hike. We had lunch in a family tourist town called Lorne then found a short hike that led to Erskine Falls. About a half hour up the GOR we stopped again this time at Kennett river for another hike where we found lots of Koalas just hanging out in the trees. Surreal. After another few beaches and meat pies we called it a day and returned to Colac for a proper meal in a family run Italian restaurant and some rest.

Day 3-  Southern Australia is having an unusually​ hot weekend with temps around 110°. Lucky for us we have reached​ the beginning of the second half of our trip down the ocean road. Where as the first half is bars and beaches, the second half is cliffs and rock formations. So we spent the day driving between iconic views and enjoying the AC in our car. First stop was Apollo Bay. From here we went to the southern most point on the GOR to view the famed Cape Otway lighthouse and spotted more Koalas lounging in trees. Our day continued from here with us heading west through Port Campbell National Park stopping to view the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Arch. There are only 9 Apostles and 1 fell a couple of years ago. Still the views were stunning. We ate in a small town and found a room for the night.

Day 4- We rested!! Literally spent the day in our room resting, doing laundry and resting more meat pies! We left plenty of time on this trip to relax and go at an easy pace. Tomorrow we will continue towards Mt Gambier. So far the GOR has lived up to all the hype. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

The Great Ocean Road did not disappoint. It ended up being everything I imagined and more. It is 155 miles of spectacular, ever changing, breathtaking views. A beach lovers paradise. It offers wildlife, hiking, waterfalls and free campgrounds. You could make an entire vacation of the GOR. This is one of the stops on this trip where we could have spent a lot more time. We left the GOR each night and drove inland about 45 minutes to the nearest town that had hotels to save on the extremely high prices of getting a room last minute during peak season near the ocean. There were a few free campgrounds but it was way too hot to rough it. There are several really nice campgrounds on the GOR that we would have loved to make our base but they were booked up a year in advance. Staying inland not only saved us money but it gave us a chance to spend time in a small town off the tourist trail and meet locals. The GOR has 2 personalities. The first half is famous beaches, hidden beaches, fern forests, waterfalls, bars, surfers and hiking trails littered with Koala bears lounging high up in their trees. The second half is epic cliffs to climb and iconic sites like the 12 Apostles and the Apollo Bay Lighthouse.

Update: Adelaide
As planned, we spent 3 nights in the city of Adelaide. It’s a small, clean laid-back coastal city. We really had no big plans here other than to relax, do some laundry and meet up with some friends we met last year in Vietnam.
The first day we explored the city and it’s Central Market. The city walk was nice but the highlight was the market. An indoor market selling everything from crafts to clothes but the main draw is the fruit and meat vendors and an amazing Asian food court like nothing I’ve seen or smelled since Thailand. We loved it. The second night we got to have a few drinks and catch up with our friends. Another good night. It’s always fun running into members of the travel club in their hometowns. The last night was cloudy and slightly cooler so we spent it recharging our batteries.
The next day we drove 3 hours north to a tiny little town called Melrose and stayed in a bank. Yes a bank. Well in 1881 it was a bank. Then abandoned. Then 4 years ago an Aussie named Wozza bought the building and turned it into a bed and breakfast. The entire place is full of history and memorabilia. You check in at the actual counters you would have made a deposit at 150 years ago. Wozza and his little pup Charlie were great hosts with lots of character. After dinner we took a walk across a swing bridge at sunset and finally found our kangaroos. At least a dozen just everywhere we looked. The wildlife is incredible here. The rush of coming face to face with wild roos, koalas, emus and so much more on each hike is incredible.
Tomorrow we make a quick stop in Port Augusta for supplies before heading into the Outback for 5 days of 100+° desert exploring on our own.

The ride from the end of the Great Ocean road to Adelaide was relaxing and very scenic. By this point in the trip we had found our groove and had fallen into the beach hopping mode. We drove along the coast passing through one small town after another each with its own character. We stopped in Warrnambool, Mt Gambier and Robe. We decided to find a hotel in one of the towns and hold up for an extra night. When you are constantly moving all the time it starts to effect your body as well as your mind. The physical effects are obvious but the mental part is equally as taxing. Finding the next destination, looking for a room, moving, packing, unpacking, directions, ect. We spent our extra day doing laundry, laying at the pool and eating. We had reliable internet and were able to do some planning for the upcoming trip into the Outback. When we finally arrived in Adelaide we were refreshed and ready to start exploring again. Adelaide is a small city that doesn’t offer tourists too much. We had a good time walking around the city streets but our favorite memories had to be the market in the heart of the city, the Asian food court and meeting up with old friends.

We made one last stop in Melrose for supplies before starting our trip north into the Outback. We hadn’t planned on stopping but we were tired and felt it would be smarter to start the drive off refreshed and with a car full of supplies. Turns out it was a great decision. We randomly ended up at Wozza’s B&B and could not have found a better place to stay if we tried. The B&B was an old 1800’s era bank with one of our favorite Air B&B hosts yet. The town offers a gateway to the Outback and not much else or we would have stayed longer just for the good company. After a quick stop at a grocery store in Port Augusta we were off into the Outback. As excited as we were about this next adventure we were getting really nervous thanks to all the locals who kept warning us about all the dangers of driving through the Outback for 2 days especially during a heatwave. Even as we started the drive at 7am it was already above 90f.

Update: The Outback
After leaving Melrose we stopped in Port Augusta for some road trip supplies and began our drive into the Outback. The map showed 3 towns along our route, but 2 were actually just rest areas with gas and food. The only “town” was Coober Pedy, located at the halfway point. Coober Pedy is an Opal mining town that time forgot. After the miners exhausted a mine it would be turned into houses or hotels. We thought it would be fun to stay at an underground motel as the only above ground accommodation was an expensive resort. Staying in a cave shaped room underground was quirky and much cooler then the surface temp. We splurged and got a room with electricity. We just needed a place to sleep and charge our toys. Coober Pedys other claim to fame is it was used to film Mad Max and several other desert films. Although most of the town is underground it’s hard to miss because after hours of driving through the sparse desert you come across giant ant hill looking mounds everywhere.
We woke early in the hopes of beating the heat and getting to Uluru before sunset.. We drove 8 more hours and arrived at the Ayers Rock Resort with time to spare. The resort is fairly new and very classy. We got freshened up and headed to dinner. A local recommended a place that served Wagyu beef. It was a little expensive but well worth it. Wagyu beef comes from the same breed as Japan’s Kobe beef except here they give the cows beer before the slaughter that keeps them relaxed and adrenaline free. Whatever the case, it was fantastic. Next we headed to Ayers Rock to catch the sunset. Beautiful! The number of stars you can see in the desert is stunning and the rock changes color depending on the angle of the sunlight.
The following morning we got up extremely early so we could go back to the Rock for sunrise. Early morning haze made it slightly less amazing but after the sun rose we hiked around the base of the Rock and the cool morning air made the hike really enjoyable. Pictures don’t come close to conveying the enormous size of Ayers Rock. It’s 3.5 miles long and almost 2 miles wide. It goes 3 miles underground and 1,100 feet tall. Climbing is frowned upon by the Aborigines and today the wind was so strong they banned any climbing.   Later this year climbing is being banned all together as people fall and die every year.
After our hike we drove around more of Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park and explored the other main rock formation, the Kata Tjutu Domes (the Olga’s as the Aborigines call it) before heading to Alice Springs, the only real town in the Outback. It’s still very small but it has an airport. Our plan now is to relax here for 2 nights before dropping off our car and flying to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef! We are flying instead of driving because the drive to Cairns is around 40 hours of Outback and well, we aren’t that crazy.
The Outback is not like the deserts in the US South West. Here there are trees, brush and lots of Roos, Emus, camels, wild horses and cattle roaming everywhere. Here you can drive for hours with no signs of people or civilization. Not a good place to break down. Having done this trip I would highly recommend to anyone interesting in going to Ayers Rock that you fly to Alice Springs and rent a car or catch a bus. The 5 hour drive will give you a taste of the Outback without the mind numbing risk of driving through a habitat you don’t know anything about for 2.5 days. But for us, it’s another bucket list item checked off. I’m not writing about the Aborigines yet as my experience so far with them has not been great and I’m hoping my cultural exchange day I have planned up north will show them in a better light. Time to rest now for the Reef.

Update: Alice Springs
We spent two nights in Alice Springs and spent the entire time at our hotel lounging at the pool. There are some gorges and canyons nearby but we just didn’t want to go out of town into the desert again.
We did venture into town tonight for dinner at the Overlander Steakhouse, world famous for its beef. The dinner itself was great but the restaurant was equally as good. Full of outback history including a wooden plaque on the wall with all the brands of the cattle farms across the Outback. The highlight for us was the sample tray we got. It had crocodile, kangaroo, buffalo and camel. The crocodile wasn’t that good but the rest of it was delicious.
Tomorrow we leave the Outback and fly to Cairns. Super excited!

You can read all day but the best way to learn about a place is to start a conversation with everyday people. Taxi drivers are the best. In the Outback we met a maintenance​ guy at our hotel who had lived in both New Zealand and Australia. When we asked his opinion of the two countries and the differences he explained that the national anthems summed it up best. It showed the differences between both countries natives too. He explained that New Zealands national anthem was based around “Defend N.Z” and Australias anthems theme was “Advance Australia”. This he said could be seen in the fighting spirit of the Maori and the go with the flow attitude of the Aboriginees. He even took time to relate it to sports and how the teams react to losing, winning and giving credit to their rivals after a loss. Later in a totally separate part of the country a taxi driver asked if we knew why only the kangaroo and emu were on Australias code of arms and not the national symbol the koala. He said that neither the kangaroo or the emu can walk backwards. This in my mind tied right into the Australia-Advance them. I’m not sure why this stuck in my head but I found it very interesting and look forward to looking into it more.

We spent almost a week in the Outback and had a great time. The ride was long and exhausting but worth it to us. For the sake of safety and money however I would recommend flying into Alice Springs and starting your Uluru Adventure there. Several months after we returned home we received news that the Outlander restaurant that we enjoyed so much had closed. Its closing was a big deal to the locals as the place had become quite famous for its Outback fare and atmosphere as well as historical preservation. At the time we made a video of our dinner date that became our first Youtube video where we spoke on camera. The temperature was over 100f everyday so each morning we would get out early for hiking or exploring but were home at the pool by noon each day. We were so happy to drop off the rental car and catch a flight to the much cooler Cairns. Looking back now we are both glad we drove as far into the Outback as we did. It was the perfect amount to really let you get a feel for the enormous and sparse expanse of the Outback.

Update: Cairns
Cairns is a very different kind of town compared to anyplace else we’ve been in Australia. On one side is the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef and on the other side is the rainforest creating an amazing contrast. The city itself is small and touristy and geared for backpackers. Hostels and tour companies everywhere. There’s a small central market full of souvenirs and Asian food. Along the beach there is a promenade that runs about 2 miles. Great for jogging or just strolling after dinner. Trees lining the streets are full of giant bats with 2-3 for wingspans. We spent the first night at a hostel then moved to a luxury resort. The resort was right on the beach at a point where it merged with the rainforest. Our bungalow was on a small lake hidden amongst the overgrowth of the rainforest. The atmosphere was tranquil and stimulating at the same time. Walking around the paths leading to our bungalow we ran into wallabys every evening. Our 3 nights here were fantastic. The last day at the resort we headed out on a boat for our first taste of the reef. We have snorkeled before but the reef was in a class of its own. I’ll write much more in detail about the reef later but for now I’ll just say see it while you can. Crystal clear waters with remarkable visibility. The waters are teaming with all types and sizes of sea creatures and coral. The highlight of this trip was a huge Maori Rasp named Frankie (really!). He was over 3 feet long and 2 feet tall. The amazing thing was that he has a 5 year memory. The Marine biologist we were with told us he would show up and he did. He swam up to each diver and he would make eye contact waiting for you to pet him. Then he would move on. The way he followed you with his eyes and almost begged for attention was quite creepy and intimidating. But thrilling.
3 dives planned for tomorrow! Super excited.

We spent the first night in Cairns at a hostel which seems fitting as the town is a backpacker haven. We really liked the river walk and public pool in the city center as well as the night market. The bats in the trees were a surprise and quite entertaining to watch. But the real surprise came the next morning when we moved 20 minutes North along the coast to Kewara Resort. In peak season we would never have been able to afford a stay here but since we arrived at the end of the shoulder season just before the rainy season was to start we got an amazing deal on three nights. Being located on the edge of the ocean and the rainforest made this place a paradise for nature lovers. Each day we wandered around the beach and small nearby town and each evening we relaxed in our private bungalow in the mangroved entrance to the rainforest with wallabies outside our sliding glass doors. The posh treatment and tranquil environment afforded us a few days to just relax and recharge before the last stop on our trip. We returned from luxury land to backpacker Cairns again for several days of diving the reef, hiking the rainforest and spending time learning the ways of the locals.

Update: The Great Barrier Reef
Fun facts-  The Great Barrier Reef is the size of Germany or half of Texas. It can be seen from space. The GBR isn’t one big reef but actually 2,994 reefs. And the best thing I learned is that the reef is in great health and not suffering at all. I spent the last 2 days talking with marine biologists and reef experts who all agree the reef is thriving contrary to reports saying otherwise. It turns out that 2 years ago a group of scientists put out a report saying that 90% of the reef was dying. In fact what they found was 90% of the reef was experiencing bleaching of some small amount that biologist agree is normal. It needs to bleach and dye in order for new reefs to form. The report was an effort to get more funding and regulations placed on tourism and fishing. Fake news as they call it here. The reef is fine.
We dove in multiple places and got to see the most amazing coral and sea creatures you could ever imagine. We saw giant clams and huge starfish as well as fish of all types and colors. From giant rasps to tiny Nemos. The guides were informative and lots of fun. It was everything I expected and more.
We somehow had made it down the Great Ocean Rd and through the Outback without​ a sunburn until now. We are as red as the brightest fish on the reef. So worth it!

The reef was everything we expected and more. The trips to the reef were all fun and informative. And we once again caught great weather the entire time. The entire trip actually. We took day trips into the rainforest and spent several days on multiple diving trips to the reef.

Update: Daintree Rainforest
Our last stop on this journey is the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. Pretty much everything here is beautiful and can kill you, including the plants and fruit. Happy days mate! The first day we met up with an Aborigine named Brando who started our day with a quick lesson on using spears. From here he took us to the ocean just a quick walk from his house. We walked about 45 minutes in the shallow waters attempting to catch crabs and stingray. We then arrived at a mangrove where we trekked through vines, mud and mosquitoes​ looking for clams, oysters and muscles. The entire time Brando taught us how to use everything around us from eating ants to squeezing seeds for eye drops. We ended up with a couple of crabs and some oysters and muscles but the stingrays were too fast for us. Brando caught a nice sized one though. From here he took us to his home and cooked it all up for us. We met part of his family and learned about boomarang throwing along with lots of other interesting stuff. Later in the afternoon we headed on a hike to Mossman Gorge deep in the rainforest after his cousin welcomed us to their land with a traditional smoke ceremony for cleansing our spirit. Brandos cousin showed us which plants to eat and which ones to break up and use as soap and sun block and which one cured sunburn.
The second day we took a scenic train ride up into the mountains of the Rainforest to a small historical town called Karunda. The town was tiny and geared for tourists but the main draw for us was the Koalas and Wallabys just lounging and interacting everywhere. After lunch we took the sky rail back offering incredible views. Seeing the rainforest from above gave you a totally different and beautiful perspective. Two great days.
Cairns is the only place in the world with 2 world heritage sites​ right next to each other, the reef and the rainforest, making it a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. You can participate in any activity you can think of here. Couple all of that with the endless beaches and islands and you could spend a lifetime in this tropical paradise. A perfect way to end our time in Australia. More on the Aborigines in my wrap up.

The highlight of Cairns outside the water was spending the day with an actual Aboriginal family. The head of the household took us spear fishing for stingrays and crabs and taught us all kinds of survival tips. He even took us into the tangles of the mangrove and showed us how to find large clams in the mud. His family cooked everything we caught and welcomed us into their home for a perfect day. And as if the travel gods were watching, as soon as we finished our last planned activity we returned to the hotel and the rainy season began. It rained harder then either of us could ever remember seeing. I don’t think we will ever forget that night. It rained relentlessly for the last 24 hours of our trip and we loved it. It was as if we finally completed the Australian road trip that had eluded us for so long and the travel gods were washing away the curse.

Update: Australia
We covered a lot of ground in 5 weeks. Australia is a very large country, about half the size of the U.S, with more geographical diversity than any other country. We got a good taste of it, that only left us wanting more. Beautiful landscapes, friendly laid-back people and enough bucket list items to keep any traveler going. It’s an easy country to get around and it’s history makes it quite similar to the US. Once you catch on to their silly slang and driving on the wrong side of the road/car that is. It’s very expensive but the U.S dollar is stronger( 1 AUS $ = .79 U.S) so it makes it a little better for us. Other than sampling the local meats the food experience here was less then exciting. It’s not as exotic and mysterious as Asia or as historical as Europe but the people, geography and overall relaxing vibe make up for that. The outdoor active lifestyle is a major selling point. Overall I recommend putting Australia high on the must do list and am looking forward to coming back for a go at Tazmania, Perth and Darwin.

I came here looking forward to learning about the Aborigines like I did the Maoris in New Zealand. I must say having met them all around the country, I am disappointed. From Sydney through the Outback every tribe I came across seemed poor, extremely dirty, lazy and uneducated. I spoke with many locals along the way and none of them had anything nice to say about them. You find them drunk in parks and on sidewalks, looking for cigarette butts​ in the garbage. They are non confrontational by nature and seem to only fight amongst themselves​. We were warned several times to not stop if we saw one on the side of the road looking for help cause 10 more would be hiding nearby to rob us. We were told to simple hit them with the car and drive to the next town and report it to the police. Fortunately we didn’t have any problems. Even the tribal leaders you see on TV meeting with government officials seemed uneducated and could barely string together a coherent sentence. Until 1920 they weren’t even recognized as humans with rights and were listed on the Flora and Fauna list. The only national park we had to pay to get into was Ayers Rock, their sacred land and here we found the most poverty. They don’t use the money for education or health care but instead on alcohol. The Maoris proved you can assimilate into another culture without losing your own identity where the Aborigines couldn’t or won’t. This is not to say that Europeans were in the right to come in and take over as they did, but it’s a shame that some cultures can adjust and some can’t. I believe the Maori spirit and pride will keep their culture around much longer than the Aborigines who seem destined to vanish in a few generations. Please understand this is an overview based on only brief encounters and the views of those whos lifestyle they resist. I’m sure not all Aborigines are this way. For example Brando and his tribe the Kuku Yulanji seem to be doing well. Of course history was much more favorable to them, being as they came from the coastal rainforest region they always had an abundance of food and raw materials to survive off of and barter whereas the desert tribes had to wander with little to show for it. The Kuku Yulanji seem to have assimilated better as they excepted the situation and took advantage of the ability to make money off tourism and promote education in their tribe.

Reading over these old updates only makes me want to start planning the next trip to this amazing country. There is something here for everyone and more than most could ever ask for. We are looking forward to renting a camper van next time and exploring the east coast, Darwin, Perth and Tazmania along with the endless beaches and islands. Australia is changing fast due to immigration problems and rapid population expansion. It is also not a cheap country to spend a large amount of time in. That said it is not a place to be missed. It is an easy country to get around with options ranging from self driving, buses, budget airlines and of course scenic train routes. The food scene outside of rare meats isn’t to special. Australia is much like the US in terms of age, history and culture. What sets it apart and makes it worth a trip around the world to see is the landscape and wildlife. You have the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Ocean Road, Ayers Rock, the Outback, the rainforest and canyons along with more beaches and islands then you could explore in a lifetime. On every hike you can find wildlife that you can’t find anywhere else on the planet. Combine all that with the fun and friendly people and Australia should be on every travelers list.

Hotels

• Sir Stamford at Circular Quay           Sydney

https://www.hotels.com/ho123565/sir-stamford-at-circular-quay-sydney-australia/

$230

(Very classy hotel in a perfect location just a short walk to the harbor)

• Ibis budget Sydney Airport                                          Sydney

http://www.booking.com/Share-qACA3M

$110

(Close to airport with a minimal room, and they charge $25 a day for              parking. Not worth it!)

• Jungiong Motor Inn                              Jungiong, NSW

https://www.travelocity.com/Jugiong-Hotels-Jugiong-Motor-Inn.h9627085.Hotel-Information?langid=1033

$81.00

4)   Airbnb-NEW ELEGANT HOME                              Melbourne

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13646882?source_impression_id=p3_1572581276_tCI2qas2XtGugmiV

$52.00

(The hosts were a married couple, very friendly and helpful. The room was clean with cable and good wifi)

• Baronga Motor Inn                              Colac, VIC

https://www.hotels.com/ho501844/baronga-motor-inn-colac-australia/

$72

(A bit of a ride from the GOR but worth the money you save)

• Anchor Belle Motel                              Warrnambool VIC 3280

https://www.travelocity.com/Warrnambool-Hotels-Anchor-Belle-Motel.h9627108.Hotel-Information?langid=1033

$99.00

• Mount Gambier International               Mount Gambier

https://www.agoda.com/mount-gambier-international/hotel/mount-gambier-au.html

$64.00

• Comfort Inn regal Park                              North Adelaide

http://www.booking.com/Share-nnChQP

$104

• Wozza’s B&B and Vault Cafe               Melrose

http://www.booking.com/Share-tUC9Yf2

$46.00

(This B&B was our favorite. The place is full of character and the host was a great guy)

Radeka Downunder Underground Motel                Coober Pedy

http://www.booking.com/Share-yofFc8

$65.00

(Quirky and sparse room but much cheaper than the resorts in the area)

Outback Pioneer Hotel

https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/accommodation/outback-pioneer-hotel

$200

(Very elegant and pricey but not many budget options around)

12)    JJs Backpackers Hostel                                     Cairns, Australia

http://www.booking.com/Share-nX0b4bj

$30

(Very nice for a budget hostel. Good location near the water)

13)    Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa                             Kewarra Beach

https://www.travelocity.com/Cairns-Hotels-Kewarra-Beach-Resort-Spa.h20640.Hotel-Information?langid=1033

$135.00

(Well worth the money. 5 Star bungalow resort in perfect location on the beach)

14)    Cairns Rainbow Resort                                                Cairns

http://www.booking.com/Share-Iq6LHJ

$50.00

Great Barrier Reef: Premium Catamaran Cruise from Cairns

https://www.getyourguide.com/great-barrier-reef-cairns-l2730/1-day-great-barrier-reef-snorkeling-trip-t65125/

$127

2 Day Reef & Daintree Rainforest  https://www.visitcairns.com.au/store/Product.aspx?ProductID=59c13912-6b7a-4feb-9553-78a3ae6bad97

$260

The Bama Way Aboriginal Journeys, Cairns

http://www.bamaway.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBamaWayAboriginalJourneys/

Contact for price