Sydney & Beyond: My Favorite Oz Moments

There's not too much to do on Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, unless you want there to be! Since there aren't cars on the island, excepting the off maintenance vehicle and one bus, visitors use their two feet or...

For a relaxing rainy morning on the harbor, there are many covered restaurants along the outer edges of Circular Quay at which you can sit and soak in the view with a cup of coffee or tea. As the day progresses, watch the Quay fill with people as...

It was a beautiful evening for a walk down Paddington Street in Sydney. A great place for an inexpensive gourmet dinner is A Fish Called Paddo at Five Ways, a junction of streets in the heart of Paddington.

Since Surry Hills was an industrial and commercial center early on, it seems like there’s a pub on nearly every corner. The Norfolk recently got a makeover. It’s a funky little place with great photos on the wall, an internal courtyard, tacos on...

Sydney’s small bar epidemic is at its peak, and no lane or alleyway is safe from its symptoms. Needless to say, Sydneysiders are finding it hard to keep up with the dizzying number of small bars opening after recent changes to the city’s...

Cinema go-ers of Perth get particularly excited when the days become longer and the sun becomes stronger because the start of summer signals the start of the outdoor cinema season. Pack up a picnic, select a nice bottle of wine, gather some...

The Shangri-La Hotel has the greatest breakfast in the world, and the best part is: it's free (for hotel guests). Fruits from all over the world were so fresh and delicious, they set a new mark for quality. There were breakfast foods available for...

I live in Sydney, but that's not to say I haven't tried a few of her hotels—I've even worked in some. The Sebel Pier One is definitely my pick. It's got comfortable, modern rooms and the thing I love most about good hotels: a pillow menu (who...

The Rocks is undoubtedly one of Sydney's most beautiful areas. Follow George Street until the very end and it’s almost like you’ve stepped back in time—there are cobblestones under your feet, quaint stores to browse, and great pubs to visit. One...

Firstly, go directly to the eight-course degustation menu (often with an extra course thrown in for good measure), and organize yourself a side helping of the triple-fried fries. Secondly, loose fitting clothes are optional but strongly...

Australia’s Great Ocean Road tops the world’s coastal drives with its dramatic coastline from Melbourne to Adelaide. Rough waves and wind relentlessly beat against the harsh cliffs and leave behind battle wounds of bizarre limestone rock...

Every once in a while you find yourself in one of the world's great "bike cities." Examples are Portland, Oregon; Fukuoka and Kyoto, Japan; and Amsterdam, Netherlands. These are cities where the bicycle prevails and is an integral part of each...

The hike from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, is one of the best urban paths I have experienced. Although you're never far from the city, the walk feels quite scenic at times, and the many beaches you come across along the way...

Eau-De-Vie in Darlinghurst is regarded by many Sydneysiders as the best bar in town. I was there on a quiet night but still loved the place and people. The bartenders rock, and the drinks are spectacular. It's the perfect place to start or end a...

Bondi to Bronte is a stunning 30-45min walk along the coast. Start early so you can park behind Icebergs (http://icebergs.com.au/). Check out the famous Icebergs pool, walk past Tamarama (a cute smaller beach) and wind up in Bronte before heading...

All along the Eastern Seashore of Australia you will encounter spheres of sand in patterns, lines, and random assortments on the beach. At first, it looks a bit like sand circles after an alien beach landing, but if you wait around long enough,...

I love trains. That being said, how could I go to Australia and not ride the Ghan from Alice Springs to Adelaide? The train was stopped on a siding to wait for another train to pass. This gave me plenty of time to enjoy the view from the lounge...

The meat pie is synonymous with Australia, and no place is more iconic in Sydney than Woolloomooloo's Harry's Cafe de Wheels. What started out as a simple stand turned into one of the first food trucks when local ordinances dictated that mobile...

Commonly known as Oldman Saltbush, this plant is native to Australia and adapts well to arid environments with saline soil. Grain, the new bar at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel, serves up the fried twigs, and you better believe it: they're...

I look this picture on the ferry on the way back from Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbor. I thought it was interesting the way the sunset made the Sydney Harbor Bridge look red.

Australia’s most famous beach has played many roles throughout history. In 1907, a group of local swimmers became the world’s first lifeguards; during World War II, it was fortified by barbed wire and iron stakes; and over the last few...

One of my top must-do things for Australia was to see a kangaroo in the wild. After a short road trip, that was checked off my bucket list and then changed to feeding one. We were lucky enough to arrive at Parndana Animal Park, where there were...

Aerosol-wielding artistsfrom around the world have lefttheir mark on Melbourne. HosierLane, declared a “graffiti tolerancezone” by the city council, containsthe area’s densest collectionof spray-painted masterpieces. —Chris Baty This appeared in...

It's the quintessential thing to do in Sydney, and it's alot of fun! You won't get a better bird's-eye-view of Sydney's amazing landmarks— including the Opera House and Luna Park— than from the top of the iconic Harbour Bridge. #afarexperiences...

If you need a break from lounging on the lovely northern beaches, cruising up to Barrenjoey in Palm Beach will bring you to this absolute gem. The hiking trails are plentiful and the view from the top is incredible. With sweeping views in all...

The sound of the ocean's waves lapping the shore greets you when you wake up at Base Backpackers Magnetic Island. As if that's not enough, this Australian hostel is located on Magnetic Island National Park, just a short ferry ride from Townsville,...

The Grounds café—run out of a former pie factory in the warehouse district of Alexandria—makes coffee, juices, smoothies, baked goods, and rustic breakfast and lunch dishes with equal care. Order a flat white (a cross between a...

From Shelly Beach in Manly, the path climbs a flight of stairs surrounded by jungle foliage before alternating between idyllic neighborhoods, clifftop bushland, secluded beaches, and more rainforest. Along the way, you’ll see tropical...

If you're a beach lover like me, you'll be overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of Sydney's shores. Shelly Beach in the suburb of Manly is protected from wind and waves, making it great for swimming and snorkeling. (Snorkel challenge: find the...

Originally we had not set our sights on the Whitsunday's, rather we had booked a trip to Fraser Island. However a storm had cancelled those plans and suddenly the Whitsunday's came to us with all the magic of spontaneous travel. There are many...

If you are visiting Sydney at the end of May or early in June, you’ll get to experience a unique annual event of light and music, when the city is transformed into a spectacular canvas. Vivid Sydney takes over the city after dark, with neon...

Gabriel Chocolate in the Margaret River Wine Region of Western Australia isn't unusual for being a chocolatier in wine country. There are always a great number of them in any region renown for wine. What makes Gabriel special is the way they treat...

Tony Howell might be the nicest Chef in Australia. Cooking primarily food that's locally sourced or grown in the garden just outside his kitchen, this Margaret River Chef begins most days by surfing. A family man who seems to have all his...

The Little Creatures microbrewery, housed in a converted shed overlooking the waters of Fishing Boat Harbour, was founded in 2000. After a morning spent exploring historic Fremantle, repair to the brewery’s convivial outdoor terrace and order one...

Venture out of the CBD of Melbourne by foot, or short train ride, to the neighborhood of Fitzroy. It's quite an eclectic place with a hipster feel, aroma of fresh coffee beans wafting through the streets, some of the best vintage shops...

When my guide described the place we were stopping for lunch, on our way back to Melbourne following completion of the Great Ocean Road, I pictured a truck stop; an American, side-of-the-road barn with quick eats that would offer McDonalds or...

I was lucky enough to have a last minute trip to Australia in March, and it turns out this is the best time to visit Adelaide. Yes, it is a small place but go there at this time of year and there numerous things going on - the Adelaide Cup Races,...

Goolwa, South Australia; an historic river port near the mouth of the Murray River, and also home to a stunning beach where if you are organised enough to go at low tide and in a 44, you can drive along it. With the sea crashing to your right and...

Manjimup, east of Margaret River, produces Périgord truffles between May and August. With the Wine & Truffle Co., Australia’s largest cultivator, guests can follow labradors as they sniff for truffles beneath oak and hazel trees. Afterward, lunch...

Stacked between an internet café and a grocer stands this little gem of a book shop and café. I came here after a windy day at the beach, had a cup of tea and perused the endless lists, not to mention brilliant layout, of their book collection....

Although the neighborhood of St Kilda is located 6km from the city center it is easily accessible by bike or tram and is one of the coolest areas of Melbourne. It is extremely bohemian due to the prevalence of music and art and is riddled with...