To cheer us all up as we end winter 2019 Frost Magazine is thrilled to publish Jan’s account of her wonderful holiday taken at about this time last year – to cheer us all up as we end the 2019 winter. Over to Jan.
On a cold and icy day in March I leave Heathrow bound for Dubai, the first leg of my journey to Australia. I meet up with my friend, Georgina, who had flown in from Newcastle. Together we fly on to our stop over in Singapore.
As we leave Singapore’s Changi Airport, we notice that it has warmed up, it’s about 33 degrees. Never mind it’s a wonderful change from the freezing weather we left behind.
Singapore is a lovely clean, orderly city sitting very near the equator so hot and humid. After a good night’s sleep we are off on a tour of the city starting at the Botanical Gardens and it’s amazing displays of orchids, past Raffles (which is closed for refurbishment) so no ’Singapore Sling’ for me and on to the Gardens by the Bay with its iconic hotel with a swimming pool built across of the hotel pillars.
Singapore River
Our hotel is situated near the river and we are able to wander along taking in the local sights, restaurants and China Town which is decorated to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Next stop is Melbourne.
At Melbourne airport we are met by James, our tour guide for the next 21 days. Following a tour of the city to orientate us we book into our hotel. During the next 2 days we discover the Victoria Market, the Botanical Gardens, Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena, St Kilda and Port Melbourne and the wonderful free trams to ride on round the city and save our legs. We treat ourselves to a lovely dinner on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant which winds its way around Melbourne and St Kilda while we eat a delicious dinner. We also visit the penguins on Phillip Island; they look so small and cuddly as they make their way up the beach to their night burrows. Melbourne is a friendly and interesting city.
Our next flight is only one and half hours to Adelaide and a half hour time change. Once again we have a tour of the city to orientate us but due to the ‘Festival of Light’ the city is very busy. Today is a leisure day so we decide to take the tram to the beach. Glenelg beach is about a 40 minute tram ride from Adelaide centre through the outskirts of the city. We discover a beautiful sandy beach with lots going on. The local youngsters are engaged in surf board racing in the bay. Bravely we don our swimming gear and take to the waters for a welcome swim. A quick coffee and cake and we make our way back to the city centre to explore the Festival of Light. Lots of the parks and buildings around Adelaide are lit by coloured laser lights and loud music filters out from various venues around the city.
Glenelg Beach
The following morning we head for the Ghan train for our overnight journey to Alice Springs. The Ghan is one of the world’s most iconic train journeys. A journey to the heart of Australia’s outback. We settled into our comfortable twin cabin with en-suite shower and air conditioning. There is a large seating
Area to relax in and enjoy a drink before meals in the excellent restaurant. The next morning at 5.45am we climb down from the train to witness the sunrise and early breakfast before continuing our journey to Alice Springs.
The Ghan and lounge area
While we are in Alice Springs we visit The School of the Air, teaching school children in outlying homesteads, The Royal Flying Doctor service and the old Telegraph Station who care for the Outback’s medical needs and emergencies. We also visit The Western MacDonnell Ranges: Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm and Ellery Creek all spiritual and ‘dreaming places’ of the Aborigines.
The following day we have a 6 hour coach journey to Uluru. An air conditioned coach and a ‘comfort stop’ with a collection of camels and emus to look at all makes the long journey reasonable.
As we travel round Uluru (Ayres Rock) resort we see the amazing rock formations in their deep earth red colour. The main formations are Ayres Rock, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) all sacred to the Aboriginal culture. In the evening we go the watch the sun set over Ayres Rock, a beautiful sight. It is a short stay in Uluru – Cairns is our next stop.
After a 2 hour 30 minute flight from Uluru we arrive in Cairns. We book into our hotel on the sea front overlooking the picturesque Esplanade with a lagoon for a quick swim. We spend the rest of the day exploring the resort and are fascinated by the large fruit bats hanging in the trees waiting for their evening flight. The following morning we embark on the high speed catamaran to the Marine World platform at the outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef. From the platform Georgina and I take a short helicopter ride and see the amazing colours of the reef below us. Once safely back on the platform there is scuba diving and snorkelling to enjoy plus a glass bottom boat and a Helmet dive to watch the wonders under the sea.
On our second day in Cairns we take a trip to Kuranda a town above the rainforest. Before joining the Sky Gondola we visit the Aboriginal Tjapukai Centre and learn more about Aboriginal customs and learn how to throw a boomerang (well try anyway). On the Sky Gondola we ride over the rainforest to Kuranda and explore the town and even get to hold a Koala bear. Mid afternoon we make our way to the Kuranda Scenic Railway to make our way back to Cairns on this classic locomotive. This amazing engineering feat was opened in 1891 to help improve transport for the growing workforce involved in gold mining in the hills.
Now it is time to move on to Sydney with its famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Our hotel Room has a fantastic view of the harbour and our window sill is visited by colourful Lorikeets hoping for biscuits crumbs. The following day we have a sightseeing tour of Sydney visiting Bondi Beach for a quick paddle, Hyde Park, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, The Royal Botanic Gardens then on to a lunchtime cruise round the harbour. In the evening we have booked seats to see La Traviata by Verdi at the Opera House – a wonderful experience. Great, it is a freedom day, unfortunately the weather has changed and it’s raining! We walk across the bridge from our hotel and climb one of the pylons giving us a wonderful view over the whole city and harbour. Circular Quay is our next stop and we take the ferry to Manly Beach and find time to do some souvenir shopping. With the change in the weather the ferry across the harbour is rough and exciting. This is our last evening with our group so we gather for a farewell drink before our fellow travellers depart to make their way home by various routes – Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore. We have chosen Hong Kong for our stop off before our holiday/TOUR finishes.
On our arrival in Hong Kong we are amazed at the high rise blocks of offices and apartments all squeeze in to small spaces on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. A sightseeing tour is on the agenda for the next day. We ride on a sampan round part of the harbour seeing the boat people, visit a jewellery factory, Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and Victoria Peak where we travel down on the Funicular Railway. There is so much to see in such small space. On our final day we take ferries to Discovery Bay, a complete change from bustling Kowloon and Hong Kong Island; quiet and peaceful and home to ex pats enjoying life in Hong Kong.
This tour of Australia has been an amazing experience thanks to the enthusiasm and knowledge of our tour leader who enjoys showing off his country. We flew many miles and enjoyed 8 hotels and an amazing train journey. The jet lag has now faded but the memories and photos remain.
Just remember this was a TOUR holiday – tiring but great fun.
More information at Distant journeys