Jessica Highlights Her Australian East Coast Road Trip

Koalas don’t fly, neither do I ! This is a self-drive summer adventure around the beautiful East Coast of Australia! I am Jessica from Switzerland and this is my Ultimate Ozzie Adventure and I want to share the best parts with you. 1 Car, 3 Friends and 15 Days!

Sydney

We began our first day in Sydney with a nice stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens. It is a very beautiful place where to encounter animals, see different types of plants and simply walk around the park. The Opera House can be reached through the Gardens and is, of course, a unique and must-see landmark!

Following Circular Quay (harbor with restaurants and shops) will lead you to The Rocks, a historic neighborhood of Sydney, which has the city’s oldest pubs and restaurant. Want to do a bit of shopping? You can easily go on a shopping spree on Pitt Street and inside the incredible Queen Victoria Building. This incredible Romanesque heritage-listed building in the center of the city hosts diverse souvenir, clothes shops, and cafés.

Bondi Beach is a trendy crescent beach in Sydney hosting the famous Bondi Icebergs pool, the famous outdoor pools located on the beach itself. Bondi is also a great place to have a nice little brunch and I recommend the Speedos café, which serves simply delicious food!

Luna Park is a fun place for families and friends just to eat something or to enjoy the rides in the park. From the city, the park is accessible from the Circular Quay by ferry. Sydney has tons to offer and is definitely a destination to visit. We even had a dinner cruise around the harbor, on a stunning sailing ship, that I got the chance to pilot !

Head North

After some days in Sydney, we drove to Port Macquarie, a beach town hosting a Koala Hospital, a quick and free visit run by volunteers who rescue, treat and rehabilitate sick (and cute) koalas. Next on our list was Byron Bay, well-known for its relaxed atmosphere, surfing spots and lighthouse; the little coast town also offers pretty little rooftops restaurants and pubs with delightful food!

Queensland’s beauty

Welcome to the Sunshine State Mate! If you love little walks in the rainforest then Springbrook National Park is the place for you. If you would like to encounter Australia’s cutest animals (koalas, kangaroos, etc.) head to the Currumbin Wildlife Center or the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you can learn about the animals, encounter them, take photos and hand-feed the kangaroos and lorikeet. Fun guaranteed!

The Islands

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and it is undoubtedly a must-see ! Plus, it’s one of the only places where you’ll see dingoes in their natural habitat but also shipwrecks, champagne pools and crazy colored lakes. The Whitsundays offers incredible marine life, white sand beaches and dense rainforest. Don’t miss cruising the Whitsunday islands!

Cultural Experience

Tjapukai is an indigenous cultural center near Cairns, which gives the opportunity to experience authentic Aboriginal culture and traditions. There, the local Djabugay people teaches you how to throw a boomerang and a spear (how crazy is that !?) For a complete experience, take then the skyrail up to Kuranda, a mountain village, and ride down by train.

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

You can’t leave Australia without having snorkeled in the world’s largest coral reef system ! An unforgettable experience! You get to cruise before mooring on a platform in the middle of the water and swimming with The Great Barrier Reef ocean life. I got the chance to swim along with a Napoleon fish and a Reef turtle.

NOTE

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