East Coast to Brisbane

Beach @ Sawtell

So after playing tour guide with family and friends, and just resting in our second home town of Sydney it was time for Laurence and I to move on again. So this time we rented a car and headed north along the east coast of Australia to visit some of our favourite spots from previous trips down under and to explore some new towns along this scenic coast.

We headed up the Pacific Highway which hugs the amazing coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Here we toured through several small towns and cities along the way as well as stopped at some of the countless beaches along the way. We made a pit stop at one of our favourite small towns of Sawtell, with its dramatic beach and quaint city centre. As well as Port Macquarie at the mouth of the Hastings River and Coffs Harbour which is home to the big banana.

The Big Banana @ Coffs Harbour

On a journey north we stayed a few days in one of our favourite spots in all of Australia the town of Byron Bay. This town with its wonderful beaches and scenic coastline is home to the alternative crowd reminiscent of the 1960s hippy culture. So in amongst the dreadlocks and “dirty hair” people is a unique Australian experience with both the hemp culture, high end tourism and your average Joe all enjoying the same environment. It was a lot fun both during the day taking in an alternative spa in Mulimbimby and laying on the beach and in the evening enjoying several live performances by a wide variety of local talent.

Bryon Bay view of beach from lighthouse

From there we ventured back to Surfers Paradise and stayed in a fantastic apartment (the deal of the century) for a few days and just lived like total locals. Everyday consisted of long walks on the seven miles of endless beach, great dining, running every day and Laurence even started to paint again (art work). We could really get use to this if only Maphew was here.

Flower on the Beach

From there we spent a few days in the City of Brisbane taking in the highlights of this capital city of Queensland. This city of just over 2 million people is a unique blend of modern and traditional Australian architecture; it reminds me a lot of Calgary, just with palm trees. Here we explored the city centre as well as the South Bank area with its galleries and parkland. We of course took in the Art Galleries in the city and even took in a Valentino show at the Gallery of Modern Art. And of course we had some fun in the restaurant and bar district of Fortitude Valley and played with the locals.

Sculpture on Brisbane Street

Brisbane City Hall

Downtown views of Brisbane

Valentino Show, I loved the entrance to the show

After Brisbane we journeyed home back to Sydney stopping in the agricultural town of Lismore and stopping to photograph the natural bridge near the hippy town of Nimbin. And then making our final stop at the most amazing sand dunes of Hawks Nest, where Laurence and I were truly the only two people on the beach and climbing the dunes.

Natural Bridge

The east coast north of Sydney has so many great sites and towns and every time I explore this area I learn to love it even more.

Jan & Susan Bridge Climb

"Happy Birthday"

 Jan

The view is amazing

We did IT !!!!

Barb and Susan join us in Sydney

Barb, Susan, Jan and Blanche arrive in Australia

We were very fortunate to play host for a few days to two very dear friends from Canada in our second hometown of Sydney. Barb Meads and Susan Peacock two great friends from Calgary had planned their trip down under to coincide with our journey through this part of the world. Both Barb and Susan worked with me for a period of time at the City of Calgary, and at one time they were both my secretary, but more importantly our relationship went well beyond co-worker and they are valued friends to both Laurence and I, so having some familiar faces from the old country was a great treat. Barb and Susan were travelling with two wonderful travel buddies Jan and Blanche, so we had new tourists to discover the city with.

Susan, Henry, Barb and Laurence @ the South Heads

So as official Sydney tour guides we took them to the famed Circular Quay to view the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We ventured through the tropical vegetation of the Botanical Gardens and sat in the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to view the incredible harbour views. And we of course showed them all the great shopping haunts of the city, highlighting the incredible Queen Victoria Building.

Susan and Henry feeding the white cockatoos

I Think I have made a new friend

But we took some time to teach them some unique features of this country such as ordering food at the counter (not from the waiter), enjoying Tim Tams, how to order a flat white coffee, the joys of Australian yogurt and how to make the perfect cup of Lindt Hot Chocolate.

I can't believe that I'm standing here !!!!!

Come on Susan it's not that bad !!!!!

We also toured outside the city and took a road trip up to the Hunter Valley the famous wine making region of Australia and we took in several wineries and tasted the wonderful tastes of the region. And we took a day trip up to the Blue Mountains to Katoomba to view the Three Sisters, tour scenic valley and reconnect with cold weather as it was freezing that day.

Henry, he is trying to take our picture again

It was a great few days with the four gals we had lots of fun reconnecting and connecting over food and drinks, I will always remember the great night of endless mussels out of the pot at Bungalow 8, enjoying laksa and of course the evening watching the great performance of Jersey Boys at the Royal Theatre.

There so delicious, I can't believe I had three pots

Henry it's just a napkin !!!

Thought I'd test U all, Ha Ha

The four women then ventured off to northern Australia as they continued their tour, but Barb did return on her own for a few days on her way home and we played tour guide again with Barb. This time we centred the visit around Barb`s favourite past time, shopping, and discovered new areas of the city such as the funky neighbourhood of Newtown and the alternative area of Oxford. We had lots of laughs, discovered the great bakeshops of this city and had a few too many beers it was great to reconnect with Barb and in no time her visit was over.

Girls, Aren't the Men on this beach Hot !!!!!

On Bondi

It has been a great joy seeing old friends again and seeing this country through their eyes, love you both.