PART II

Last winter (well… summer in Australia), I went on a road trip from Sydney to Cairns, then down to Melbourne and back to Sydney. This was an extraordinary experience and I hope anyone who sees these pictures will get inspired to pursue their own traveling dreams. And to anyone thinking about traveling to Australia but wondering whether is worth it, the answer is a big YES. It is a wonderful country where you will find great cities, amazing beaches, numerous waterfalls, breathtaking rainforests and impressive mountains. Don’t hold yourself back and go buy those plane tickets as soon as you can !

Springbrook National Park

Approximately one hour from Brisbane, this park is made of rainforests, waterfalls and natural wonders.

For more infos:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook/about.html

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park

Springbook National Park – Twin Falls

Springbook National Park – Twin Falls

Tamborine National Park – Cedar Creek

Another incredible park, less than one hour from Brisbane. There are many sections to discover, whether you want to swim in natural source of water, see waterfalls or hike in the rainforest.

For more infos:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/tamborine/about.html

Tamborine National Park – Joalah Circuit

Tamborine National Park – Joalah Circuit

Tamborine National Park – Joalah Circuit

Tamborine National Park – Joalah Circuit

Tamborine National Park – Joalah Circuit

Gold Coast – Surfers Paradise

Nice little city to spend the day. Not as big and crowded as Brisbane, Gold Coast is the perfect place to relax on a terrasse, walk on the beach and do some shopping at the beach market and on the pedestrian parts of the city.

Moreton Island

Small island close to Brisbane, known for its snorkeling among the Tangalooma Shipwrecks. Dolphins, dugongs and giant turtles are also regular inhabitants of the are.

For a perfect day:
https://www.dolphinsinparadise.com.au/

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

For more infos:
https://koala.net/

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane

Brisbane

Brisbane

Brisbane

Another very nice city to spend the day and explore, whether it’s to take a swim in the lagoon or take a stroll downtown.
South bank is a must see.

Brisbane

Brisbane

Brisbane

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Another natural wonder.
Turquoise waters, beautiful beaches, amazing walks along the coasts… and if you’re lucky you will find the Fairy Pools (and koalas) !

For more infos:
https://noosanationalpark.com/

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Granite Bay

Noosa National Park – Granite Bay

Noosa National Park – Fairy Pools

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Noosa National Park – Tea Tree Bay

Barnacles Dolphin Center – Tin Can Bay

Wild dolphin

Barnacles Dolphin Center – Tin Can Bay

A wild female dolphin and her baby.

Barnacles Dolphin Center – Tin Can Bay

Barnacles Dolphin Center is run by volunteers who welcome you between 7 et 8 am to introduce you to wild dolphins from the area. The dolphins come and go as they please. They took the habit of coming to this place to get food from the restaurant nearby. So, for 5$ you get to hear the volunteers talk to you about the dolphins and see them from very close. And for another 5$ you get to feed them !
10$ is not much to see dolphins from that close and who didn’t have to grow up in captivity.
For more information: http://www.barnaclesdolphins.com.au/

Fraser Island – 75 miles Beach

Fraser Island is worth spending a day or two… it’s a big island and there is a lot to see.
Unfortunately, unless you have a very good 4WD, you have to rely on touristics companies to discover the island. But on the bright side, there’s a lot of very good tour operators.
This one can be a good option: https://www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/

Fraser Island – SS Maheno Shipwreck

Fraser Island – SS Maheno Shipwreck

Fraser Island – SS Maheno Shipwreck

Fraser Island – SS Maheno Shipwreck

Fraser Island – The Pinnacles

Fraser Island – The Pinnacles

Fraser Island – Eli Creek

A natural lazy river.

Fraser Island – Lake Mackenzie

For more infos about Fraser Island and its wonders (Wild life, shipwrecks, lakes, rainforests, sand formations…) : https://www.fraserisland.net/

Sunset on the road

Frangipani Flowers

A pleasure for the senses quite common in Queensland.

Sunset on the Whitsundays

Night falling on the Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach – The Whitsundays

Litterally a white heaven and a must-see on the Great Barrier Reef.
Good place to do some snorkeling, swim in pristine waters (wetsuits are mandatory ! Beware of stingrays and jellyfishes !) and just relax and enjoy this Earth version of paradise.
The sand of Whitehaven Beach is made of 98% of silica. This sand is so pure that the only organisation allowed to take samples is the NASA. Why, you may ask ? To make the lens of the Hubble telescopes, which is quite impressive to realise when you walk on this sand.
The origin of the white sand of Whitehaven Beach remains a mystery.

Whitehaven Beach – The Whitsundays

To prepare your trip: https://sailing-whitsundays.com/article/top-10-things-to-do-in-the-whitsundays

And here’s a useful map of the area: https://www.whitsundays.com.au/whitsundays-map.html

I definetely recommend a 2 to 3 days sailing trip around the islands.

Sunset on the Whitsundays

Sunset on the Whitsundays

Sunset on the Whitsundays

Night falling on the Whitsundays

Night falling on the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays

Cedar Creek Falls

Another natural pool with waterfalls, in the Airlie Beach area.

Feeding rainbow lorikeets on Magnetic Island

Feeding rainbow lorikeets on Magnetic Island

Bungalow Bay Koala Village – Magnetic Island

Bungalow Bay Koala Village – Magnetic Island

If you are looking for a good place to relax on Magnetic Island, where you can spot some koalas, feed rainbow lorikeets, have breakfeast with the animals of the sanctuary, relax with a drink by the pool, only a 5 minutes walk from the nearest beach, Bungalow Bay Koala Village is a good choice.
I recommend their Koala cuddle express package, which is a quite affordable regarding everything that is included.

https://www.bungalowbay.com.au/

Cairns Rainforest Cableway

Also a must try if you go to Cairns.
The views are spectacular and you get to visit a very cute village named Kuranda at the top of the mountain.

https://www.skyrail.com.au/

Barron Falls – Cairns Rainforest Cableway

Cairns by night

The Esplanade, with the night life, the night market, the walk along the shore and the lagoon, is the place to go.
Cairns is also a good departure city to go diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.

On the road, going south

Somewhere in the dry parts of Queensland

In the span of 24 hours, we went from a two-weeks long mousson to absolute dryness. The weather in Australia can be pretty extreme and climate change doesn’t make it any better…

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