Aussies down under!

I arrived in Australia on the 27th of April 2006. I visited both Brisbane and Sydney along the Southeast Coastline.

Brisbane

Brisbane in Queensland was a quieter city, I stayed at the South bank. This is a young hype area that has many things to offer (bars, restaurants, man-made beach, boutiques, weekend street market). Whilst there I went to the Queensland Art Gallery, the downtown area (Queen street shopping mall district, city hall), the botanical gardens. I went on a cruise on the brisbane river to see the whole of brisbane. There was also the expo gift from China in the South Bank parkland. Most Australians are very active, so you can always see them running or cycling along the south bank or even kayaking on the brisbane river. I also spent a weekend on the Gold Coast. I visited the Tangalooma and the sapphire blue Moreton Bay by boat and went snorkeling and

boomnetting (fantastic experience!) .

Sydney
Sydney in New South Wales is NOT the capital of Australia, Canberra is! Sydney though is a beautiful buzzing city, with many restaurants, bars, museums etc. I stayed at 'The Harbour Rocks' hotel in the 'The Rocks' area, the oldest part of Sydney (also has the famous Rocks street market with many authentic items). The Rocks is next to the famous Sydney Harbour bridge (climbed the bridge in an hour! amazing views from the top but terrifying!) and the unforgettable Sydney Opera house (amazing architecture - saw 'Jazz meets Symphony' concert there). Fab restaurants at the Habour and Circular Quay. From Circular quay one can get a ferry to Bondi and Manly beaches. I also went to the Museum of ContemporaryArt (MCA), the botanical gardens, Martin place and the Sydney Olympic park.

The grand Queen Victoria Building on George street built in 1890 is Sydney's most popular and prestigious shopping centre with over 180 of Sydney's finest shops, cafes and restaurants. The 'Strand Arcade' , also on George street, is a very beautiful shopping arcade named after 'The Strand' in London.

Chinatown in Haymarket is a must visit, and Paddy's market (great bargains!). Other places to visit are Double bay, Oxford street, Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour, where you can sit inside or out, and enjoy watching the world go by......

The highlights of my trip were the spectacular 'Blue Mountains' and the 'Three Sisters' in Katoomba but the best part of my visit was my helicopter ride over Sydney, it was beautiful, amazing and surreal!