I was very excited for my trip to Australia as it was my first time exploring the southern part of the world. This was in the December of 2015. To us, December is winter, but in the land down under, it was summer; as the weather is inverted in the southern hemisphere. Australia is extremely vast and we had limited time in hand, so we decided to do just the eastern coast of Australia.
Gold Coast
Accommodation
We started our trip in Gold Coast which is the metropolitan city south of Brisbane, known for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and many theme parks. We arrived at night and went straight to our apartment, which was on Broad Beach. Our apartment was attached to a mall called the Oasis from which we could get our groceries any time of the day. Our apartment on the 32nd floor had 3 big bedrooms, a lavish open kitchen with a dining and living area that had a long fabulous balcony, which offered spectacular views of Broad Beach.
Things to do in Gold Coast
• I was really excited for this day as we were going to Wet’n Wild theme park which is the most visited water park in the whole of Australia. As we entered the park we rushed to the wave pool, which is the largest in the southern hemisphere. With gently rolling waves in an intermittent cycle, we relaxed ourselves. After the wave pool, we proceeded to the thrilling rides. I did
⎯ Kamikaze – a U shaped water slide
⎯ Tornado – a 40m water slide with a funnel
⎯ Black hole – a completely dark slide with twists and turns
⎯ River rapids – a fast paced water slide
⎯ Mammoth falls – a nice water rafting experience
Between these rides somewhere, we took a break to have lunch at Dominos. It gave us a boost of energy to finish the balance rides. That day was a fun and thrilling day for the entire family.
• The next day was very special to me, and in my opinion one of the best days of the trip. We were going to Warner Bros Movie World, which is another theme park. Since I love superhero movies, I could completely relate to every ride over there. Upon reaching, the first thing we did was to take express tickets. We first rode the Green Lantern ride, which greets us at the very entrance. It is extremely thrilling and has one of the steepest inverted drops in the world. After that ride, we proceeded to the main street where we saw the Batman show, where he fights all the Villains live in front of us. From there, we proceeded to the Wild West section of the park where we did the Wild West Adventure falls ride. The ride starts with a tour of the Wild West, Ghost towns and Geysers ending with a splash from a steep drop. A live show which showcases the famous Hollywood stunts must not be missed as well. Two of the best thrilling rides were still left, so we headed on to do them. One was Superman Escape, while the other was Arkham Asylum coaster. Arkham Asylum coaster was very unique as it was an interactive Adrenaline rushing roller coaster. We were made to wear VR’s and we had to kill the monsters during the twists and turns of the ride!
• The beaches of Gold Coast are not to be missed at any cost. We made sand castles and dipped ourselves in the salty waters of the Pacific ocean. Every morning, a refreshing swim got us up and ready for the entire day to explore the city.
• Bicycle ride was another interesting activity at Gold Coast. We booked our bicycles from the rental store and wandered around the lanes and suburbs of downtown Gold Coast, exploring it like true locals would do.
• We also went to Surfers Paradise, which is the main street on Gold Coast with famous shopping malls and the tallest building in Gold Coast called Q1. We first had lunch at Din Tai Fung, which serves authentic Chinese Dimsums. Post lunch, we went to the observation deck where we gazed at the panoramic view of the amazing city of Gold Coast.
• Strolling around Surfers paradise is an awesome feeling. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and skyscrapers surrounding you from all sides. We decided to dine at at a unique restaurant, which is a sushi train restaurant. The food was good and it was a unique experience.
• We also visited Sea world, another famous park showcasing oceanic wildlife. As we entered, we went to the penguin encounter enclosure. We saw many penguins kept in their original habitat to make them feel like home. After seeing the cute little penguins, we saw the illuminated sea jellies; they were fabulous! Sea world is home to many shows out of which some are a must. We first witnessed the Seal Guardian’s show in which they show how special seals are. From there, we went to the special Nickelodeon section, which is very child friendly. There are special rides specially designed for the entertainment of children. We then went to the polar bear enclosure, which was also amazing. Just near to the polar bear shore is the shark bay. The tanks are infested with many sharks. The tanks offer a glimpse into the world of the oceans top predators. It was then time for the affinity dolphin presentation, which is a spectacular dolphin stunt show. The show makes us discover the powerful affinity between the magical mammals and their human friend. After the magical display, I did the storm coaster roller coaster, which was super thrilling. We also witnessed the thunder lake stunt show, in which stuntmen perform action packed stunts to entertain us. This marked the end of our day in Sea World.
• Currimban Wildlife sanctuary is the most famous wildlife sanctuary in Gold Coast. As we entered, we cuddled a few koalas and captured a few camera moments. We then went to the central garden where there are many kangaroos and wallabies roaming all around freely. We can touch and feed them as well. A toy train passes in the open vicinity which makes the place look like a fairy land! We took this toy train and had a short journey. After our ride, we saw many animals like dingo (wild dog), lemurs, platypus, pandas, snakes and many birds native to Australia. We also got the chance to feed thousands of birds like parrots and macaus. We also saw the reptile and bird show. It was a very educational and fun day spent in the wildlife sanctuary with true Australian experience!
Daydream Island
Accommodation
We stayed at Daydream Resort, which is the only resort on the island. It has beautiful rooms having stunning views of the Pacific ocean. There are 3 restaurants serving mouth-watering food. There is a living reef around the lobby area which is the centerpiece attraction of the entire property. The resort is filled with infinity pools and many activities to keep you entertained.
Things to do
• There are many picturesque spots on Daydream Island and there are professional photographers whom you can engage for the day. They know exactly how and where to capture the right images and make your experience on the island most memorable. We shot many sequences at several locations. Out of those, I have attached a few below.
• When visiting the state of Queensland, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest shootcoral reef system, comprising of approximately 3000 reefs. We left Daydream on a ferry and approached the Great Barrier Reef. On the ferry, we were briefed about the many activities we could do in the reef. We interchanged from our ferry onto another larger one which became our base for all the activities; it took us to the desired spot of anchoring. The first thing we did was to put on our diving suits and gear; it is mandatory before you enter the ocean waters. Then we dived into the reefs of the Coral Sea and did some snorkeling. When I opened my eyes to the underwater world, I got stunned. Millions of different colour corals and tiny little fishes are spotted. After snorkeling, I went for an underwater submarine experience to view the reef along with my sister and my grandparents. The tour guide gave us a lot of information of marine life in a very fun and educative way. People can also scuba dive over there but I couldn’t do it as I was underage. Of course, my parents went ahead and narrated their awesome experience to me!
• During the evenings, our hotel arranged for outdoor movie screening on a large screen on the beach facing the ocean. Relaxing on the greens, sand, daybeds, hammocks, or wherever you could grab a place with your snacks and drinks, it was a great fun experience and the perfect unwind after a long day.
• There are many trail walks around the island which showcase many species in the nature on this island. We spotted many birds and even kangaroos playing freely in one of our trail experiences. There are also many pools, so taking a swim overlooking the sea in itself is amazing.
• One of our excursions from Daydream included going to White Haven beach. The beach stretches for 7 km and boasts white silica sand, among the purest in the world. We went there via boat in the afternoon. As we reached, we set up our tent and our picnic baskets. Then I sunk me feet into the sand and waded into the warm waves that gently kiss the shore. It was surreal to witness such an impeccable and seamless beach untouched by civilisation.
Sydney
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities is best known for its iconic structure of the Opera House. The city is filled with surprises to discover every step of the way.
Accommodation
We chose to stay at York apartments By Swiss Bellotel which is located at 5 York street, right in downtown Sydney. Located with easy access to the tourism mecca of the Iconic Opera House and the legendary botanical gardens, and also a short stroll to Darling Harbour for days of adventure.
Things to do
• Opera house is undoubtedly the most famous monument of Australia, known for its sail like structure. The opera house has many shows in it as well as a luxury restaurant. The opera house not only is a building but also a tourist hub of Sydney. Many restaurants, cafes and shops surround the building. When we visited this splendid grandeur, we grabbed a coffee and sat in a café taking in the views of the Sydney harbor and the famous Harbour Bridge as well.
• A short walk from Sydney Opera House leads us to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Sydney. The gardens are filled with lush green vegetation and a stroll is highly recommended. Also to mention, the garden is over 200 year old which is etched in its landscape.
• Darling Harbour is a must visit if going to Sydney. Every Saturday, there is a spectacular display of fireworks that takes place over there. Shops, restaurants and many activities are found in plenty. We witnessed the fireworks and strolled around inhaling the fresh air of Australia.
• Sydney by night is another visual that in unforgettable. The broad paths along the river are lined with patisseries and coffee shops and a night stroll hopping from one destination to another left us spellbound of this city’s amazing skyline.
• The sweeping white sand crescent of Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. It is a surfer’s dream beach. Trendy health conscious people head to laid back cafes on Hall Street, while hip modern people head to the underground pubs. Right next to Bondi beach is a famous farmers market where local farmers sell the most fresh produce of the country.
• Besides the many malls in Sydney, the best fun is at the flee markets. There are people who sell local handicrafts and farm fresh food. There are many samples to try freely, so you can choose and know what exactly you are buying. These places offer the most authentic products at the best price.
• Near Darling Harbour, there is also an indoor zoo called the Wildlife Zoo. As we enter, we are welcomed by thousands of butterflies. Travelling through the gumtree and daintree forest, we entered the Australian native animals section where we interacted with snakes, koalas and many kangaroos! We also witnessed a huge crocodile, which was beyond our belief. We ended our journey at the nightfall area where we saw animals that roam around in the dark. It is a fun and remarkable experience.
• The strand Arcade is a heritage listed Victorian style retail arcade located at 195-197 Pitt street in central Sydney. This place is bustling with shops and restaurants in all 4 directions. We shopped a little and had a delicious afternoon tea in one of the cafes at Strand Arcade.
• Another famous building we visited was the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). It is also a Shopping mall built in an Australian way. Since there was a sale we all shopped a lot and also Australian snacks in a fancy restaurants.
AUSTRALIA IS A COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS OF ALL AGES. THIS TRIP OF OURS WAS A VERY SMALL PART OF WHAT THIS AMAZING COUNTRY HOLDS FOR EVERYONE. I’M HAPPY THAT I SAW THE BEST PART OF IT IN MY VERY FIRST TRIP.
- Billy Offland“Travel gives you consciousness — and then that consciousness inspires you to travel even more” Please watch Billy Offlands Documentary Here on Prime Video : https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Pot-of-Gold/0NIFG9AJ2NTKVSZNA7T92IR401 Billy Offland, 27, is the youngest verified Brit to have visited all 193 UN-recognised countries, according to Nomad Mania. But the statistic collapses quickly under its own weight. Because … Continue reading Billy Offland
- Boris Kester“Follow Your Heart, Just Go“ Follow Boris Here on his website : https://boriskester.com/Read the Preface of his book here : https://boriskester.com/preface/ See his stunning images here : https://www.traveladventures.org/ Follow him on instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/boris_traveladventures/ The first thing you notice when speaking to someone who has travelled to every country in the world is not … Continue reading Boris Kester
- Gunnar Garfors“Start Small, Stay Curious“ Speaking to Gunnar Garfors felt less like interviewing a record-holding traveller and more like sitting down with someone who has allowed the world to shape him with an unusual openness. Gunnar is the first person to visit every country in the world twice, he’s written books that have redefined how people … Continue reading Gunnar Garfors
- Thor Pedersen“A Stranger Is a Friend You Haven’t Met” When I finally sat down to speak with Thor Pedersen — the first person in history to visit every country in the world without flying in a single unbroken journey — it felt full-circle. I first discovered him six years ago, as a teenager watching a Drew … Continue reading Thor Pedersen
- The 193 PerspectiveHere’s something most people don’t realise: about 700 people have flown to space… but only a 400 of travellers have ever completed the monumental journey of visiting every country on Earth. And that alone tells you how rare, demanding, and fascinating these journeys are — not just logistically, but emotionally, culturally, and personally. Travel has … Continue reading The 193 Perspective
Travel Footprints 
Well written once again.keep writing
LikeLike