Australia

Australia Flights

Los Angeles to Sydney, American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER. The business class seats on this airplane are arranged 1-2-1 so everyone has access to the aisle. The seats also lie flat, parallel to the floor like a bed - great for sleeping on the long overnight flight to Australia.


Brisbane to Los Angeles, Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER. Like the American Airlines flight,the business seats convert to a bed and all have aisle access. There is also a lounge with a bar, great for socializing with the flight attendants and other passengers. I like how the salt and pepper shakers are shaped like the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney

Hotel: Vibe Hotel Sydney

We started out with the free walking tour, a great introduction to Sydney and insights on Sydney's history - Sydney was once a place where convicts stayed.

Sydney harbor, a major transportation hub for trains, buses, ferries, and cruise ships. Lots of places to walk around, grab a meal or snack, and enjoy the Sydney skyline. And walk across the Harbour bridge - I recommend taking the southbound route to see the Sydney skyline as you walk the bridge. The Sydney Harbour bridge accommodates all forms of ground transportation - bike (there is a dedicated bike lane), cars, buses, and trains.


Beautiful night time views of the Sydney harbor.


Tour of Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Thousands of ballets, operas, shows, and concerts take place every year. Walk up close and we could touch the shell-shaped roof, which is made of tiles. The tour includes a visit to the Concert Hall, theaters, and even restricted areas.


Customs House is a historical building in Sydney. It once served as the main entry point for people entering Australia and a trade center. Today it is used as a library as well as hosting events. Customs House also has a model of Sydney (below a glass floor on the main level), and on the third floor is a translucent model of the Opera House.

Blue Mountains

Around 2 hours from Sydney by train, Blue Mountains is a popular spot for natural beauty. The most visited area is near the Katoomba train station. There are lots of hiking trails and lookouts with views of the valley, cascades, waterfall, and the Three Sisters. We walked down the stairs to enter the Three Sisters - definitely a workout.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Featherdale Wildlife Park is about one hour from Sydney, by public transport. Lots of Australian wildlife here. Like the name implies, it is more like a park than a zoo. There are special presentations and feedings through out the day.



Dingo


Tasmanian Devil


Colored birds, penguins, and a pelican


The kangaroos live in open fields - no fences separating the kangaroos from the paved walkways.


Koalas. No extra charge to take pictures with a koala here.

Melbourne

Hotel: Quality Hotel Downtowner

Melbourne has a mix of culture, history, river walk, and beautiful parks. Like Sydney, Melbourne has a free walking tour. All tram rides within the Melbourne city center are free. There is also a free tram tour, using historical tram cars, running around the central business district and gives commentary on the places along the route - a hop on, hop off service.

We visited the Parliament of Victoria, where representatives of the Legislative Council (red room) and Legislative Assembly (green room) meet. As a bonus, we got to see students in the Legislative Council Chamber give presentations on current issues, as if they are representatives.


Other Melbourne highlights are St Patrick's Cathedral, Queen Victoria Market (with free samples of nuts, fruit, and wine), Royal Botanic Gardens, Treasury Building, and the city skyline along the Yarra River.


Eight Hour Day Monument, which commemorates the 8 Hour Movement in Victoria in 1856. The Movement consisted of employees and employers who pushed for the day to be divided as: 8 hours work, 8 hours rest, and 8 hours recreation or education.


Melbourne Aquarium. Most of the exhibits here focus on sea life specific to Australia. My favorite sections are the crocodile lair and the penguins display. The 4-D movie was very cool.

Brisbane

Brisbane is the main gateway to Queensland and the Gold Coast. It has a beautiful skyline along the Brisbane River. There is also a free ferry traveling the river within central Brisbane. There is also a restaurant named Austin. Macadamia trees are native to northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland, and these trees produce macadamia nuts. Brisbane is a great opportunity to purchase Australian macadamia chocolates.


We had a walking tour around central Brisbane, including visits to Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, and Queensland University of Technology. The tour departs at the information center within Queen Street Mall - book reservations in advance as spots are limited and the tour fills up quickly.