We traveled for thirteen days along the east coast of Australia which is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Bill Bryson wrote a book about Australia titled “A Sunburned Country”. That is so appropriate–unless you are at the top or the bottom of this country–everything in the middle is brown.
The first leg was a trip north from Cairns to the “tropics” and the rain forest in Cape Tribulation. We stayed in little bungalows nestled in the trees and a short walk from a lovely beach.
The only problem was that you could not swim off the beach or even walk in the water because…. about a quarter mile down the beach was a fresh water creek where many crocodiles live. They come out of the creek to feed along the beach. Ugh……
We took a trip up the creek and got to see some of the locals…..they can live to over 100 years.
The view from my little poolside apartment was heavenly. A great place to visit except for the saltwater crocodiles and the jellyfish. Apparently there are two types of dangerous jellyfish. One you can see and one that is almost invisible and about the size of a quarter. If you care to take a risk from the crocks you can go in for a swim wearing a “stinger suit”. Jellyfish are only bad for 4 to 6 months. Is that crazy? Would you have a summer place here?
We did take a day sailing trip to the Whitsunday Islands out in the Great Barrier Reef.
The sailboat was build for the 1980 World’s Cup Race. It’s nick name was “the blue canoe “. I asked the captain if there were any sharks in the water. He told me if I put my finger in the water and it tasted salty–there were sharks. Two weeks ago there had been a shark attack in the area.
We went snorkeling but had to wear the stinger suits for jellyfish protection. 
I stayed in long enough to get a good look at the reef but not get stung or loose my foot. Ugh! The coral and the fish at this site were “just ok”. The little turtle liked it here.
We flew to Brisbane and drove about two hours south to Byron Bay. This was my favorite spot on the whole east coast and……..it was safe to go in the water (Houses here are the most expensive in all of Australia). This town was pretty much a “hippy haven” in the past and still holds a lot of that charm. There were plenty of restaurants and cafes scattered along its’ little streets. The beach was charming and you could fine a good place to watch the surfers.
Traveling on down to Port Masquarie we started to see the smoke from the brush fires. They happen this time of year and last for about one month. This year they are very bad due to a 50 year drought in New South Wales. Some places have not seen rain for 2 1/2 years. We had to extend our drive by 2 hours because the Pacific Coast Highway was closed. You could smell the smoke and the sun could not shine through the smoke.
We were never in danger and a couple hours drive south near Syndey it seemed like a totally different would.
We visited a Koala hospital that was very busy due to the fires in New South Wales. The Koala is a marsupial that holds its’ joey in its’ pouch for 6 months. They live on eucalyptus leaves that are 65 percent water (the whole east coast is covered with theses scrawny trees). The Koala sleeps 18 hours a day.
It was on to the Blue Mountains. I wasn’t too impressed with the elevation: 1000 feet but……how about the views into the valley.
It is only about two hours to Sydney from the Blue Mountains. They got the name because those eucalyptus trees give off an oil that from a distance make everything look blue.
Sydney is fabulous and if I was there more than two days it would move up on my “favorite list”. I had purchases tickets for shows at the Opera House for both of my nights in the city. There are multiple venues in the Opera House. I was in the John Southern theater for the ballet: Sylvia.
And–The Studio for Choir of Men. This show was set in a pub and was extremely entertaining. They also served beer to the audience.
I took the harbor ferry to Manly Island and got some pic’s.
I topped my day with oysters and champagne at a harbor bar.
Some pics of the gardens and this beautiful city.
Goodbye “down under”. I just love Fiji, New Zealand and Australia!!!
Barb Does The World 
Leave a comment