Australia’s 2006 advertising campaign went something like this: We'’ve poured you a beer, got the sharks out of the pool and turned the Sydney Harbour Bridge lights on – “So where the bloody hell are you?”
Sara at Ward Travel’s next trip could be your chance to taste the beer, maybe see sharks in the ocean and definitely see lights on the harbour bridge.
From Mar. 8-27, Sara and Brock Curtis will tour Southern Australia, starting in Adelaide and finishing in Sydney.
Adelaide is famous for its Barossa Valley wine region, the Murray River and nearby Kangaroo Island. With six nights spent in the state of South Australia, two of them at Kangaroo Island, there’s ample opportunity to sample the beer and see the beaches. Oh, and don’t forget the wine as well!
The Murray River is Australia’s longest with its start in the Australian Alps - did you know there were Alps in Australia? The two hour cruise aboard the Captain Proud paddle wheeler will take you past towering rocks and sandstone cliffs. You will learn about the region’s history, its animals and plant life. Maybe, if we are lucky, a kangaroo will hop by.
However, if we don’t see much in the way of wildlife while on the river, going to Kangaroo Island should give us ample opportunity. There’s a stop en-route to watch a sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstration, but Kangaroo Island is all about the birds, sea lions, fur seals, koalas and of course, kangaroos. There’s also dense bushland, soaring cliffs, towering sand dunes, wetlands and bone-white beaches.
Next on the list of spectacular sights is the Great Ocean Road. It was constructed by returning World War I soldiers between 1919 and 1932, and is dedicated to those fallen in the Great War. It is also classified as the world’s longest war memorial. It is from the Great Ocean Road the limestone rock formation known as the Twelve Apostles as on view off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park.
Melbourne is the next stop along the way. Following a city tour that takes in the Royal Botanic Garden and Australia’s oldest building, Cooks Cottage, the bus will head towards Phillip Island. It is here the fairy penguins come ashore every evening at dusk. It is quite the sight to see them hovering at the shore, waiting for a safe opportunity to hurry over open sand to the safety of their nesting places in the sand. Birds of prey are their natural enemies, and often a brave scout is sent ahead to make sure the path is clear. Just a note on this one though - no cameras. Bright lights startle and disorient the little critters. Phillip Island is a natural reserve that provides a home for shy koalas, seals, mutton birds, native pelicans and gulls.
After departing Melbourne, a two-day stay at a farm in the Holbrook area is planned. Previously, I’d arranged one night home stays, and everyone suggested it would be great to stay an extra night, just to relax and get to know their hosts.
Canberra is the next stop, with the only organized museum trip planned. The guided visit to Australian War Memorial will give us an opportunity to see how our Commonwealth counterparts contributed to the First and Second World Wars. Canberra is Australia's capital city.
Onwards to Sydney and of course the Sydney Harbour Bridge and iconic Sydney Opera House. There’s a planned tour of the opera house and a chance to unwind with a tasting plate at the Opera Kitchen. Here you can sample oysters, prawns, plank roasted salmon, wagyu burgers, chilli crab burgers, and other delicacies.
Scenery is next on the list at the Blue Mountains. There’s a scenic skyway for the thrill seekers; a scenic cableway that gently descends 545 metres in the Jamison Valley and finally the Scenic Raiway that descends 310 metres through a cliff-side tunnel into the ancient rainforest.
The final day in Sydney is at leisure, but other activities, including the Taronga Zoo are available.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to go?
Lounging at the Opera House - Heather Hunter of Lenore, Marlene Stuart of Virden and Maxine Routledge of Lenore.
Relaxing in the sun in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Vern Haakonson of Brooks, Alberta, Clare Moir of Griswold, Harry Bajus of Elkhorn and Gerald Ogilvie of Oak Lake.
- Enjoying a barbecue supper with hosts Stewart and Leanne at Holbrook. Garth and Maxine Routledge of Lenore, Ed and Marilyn Clayton of Elkhorn, and Brock Curtis.
