Undertaking a trip to Australia is a daunting task. Well, ok, not necessarily daunting but definitely intimidating, and overwhelming! The country is huge! Where to even start(!), where to go! 

Currently there are no non-stop flights from NYC to Australia. Flights from NYC to Sydney are most likely to have a stopover in Los Angeles, Honolulu, or Auckland. It takes around 23 hours. 

That is an ultra long-haul flight! Sydney is 15 hrs ahead of NYC. Flying westward from NYC to Sydney, one has to cross 16 time zones! Wow! If this does not mess one up royally then I do not know what would. Getting some sleep during the flight is a must. If you are one of these “raw-dogging” nuts then I have no good words for you other than you are a glutton for punishment!

If you are planning a trip to Australia then seriously look into a stopover in UAE, India, Singapore, or Thailand. It would break up the long flight, ease the jet lag, and offers an option for an extra holiday outing, provided you have the time.

Our small group tour (with a curated private / bespoke itinerary) was for 12 days, Feb 14th to 25th – Melbourne 4 nights, Cairns 4 nights, and Sydney 3 nights. It was a continuation from our trip to New Zealand.

The weather was good – Melbourne was 70’s during the day, Cairns was hot during the day, high 80’s to 90’s, and Sydney was hot, in the 80’s.

Whilst the shoulder season, September to November and March to May, would be a good time to visit, better time would be October/November and May for the best balance of good weather, fewer tourists, and cheaper prices.

For most of Australia the low season is winter (June to August), which means dealing with winter weather, with lots of rain, hail and even snow in the mountains. Yes, Australia gets cold! The local guides indicated that visiting Sydney or Melbourne in winter, one would need a warm coat, waterproof boots, and a beanie.

It is a nation of contrasts. Among the most sparsely populated, it is also one of the most urbanized, with most of the population living in cities and towns along the coast.

Here are some fascinating facts about Australia:

1. As a Continent: Australia is a vast island-continent. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, and the smallest continent geographically. It is roughly 80% the size of the US, and almost twice the combined areas of India and Pakistan.
2. Geography: Characterized by vast deserts, low plateaus, and a fertile plain in the southeast. It has no navigable rivers of commercial significance and is considered the flattest continent.
3. Population: Approximately 26.6 million as of 2023. Extremely low density at 3 people per sq km, with large sparsely populated areas like Central and Western Australia. Highly urbanized with major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
4. Unique Wildlife: Approximately 80% of Australia’s wildlife is endemic, meaning it can only be found in Australia. This includes iconic animals like kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses.
5. Daintree Rainforest: Located in Tropical North Queensland, the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, estimated to be between 35 million and 180 million years old.
6. Great Barrier Reef: Home to the world’s largest coral reef system, and it lies off the northeast coast.
7. Climate: Has diverse climates ranging from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. The Australian Alps receive more fresh snowfall than the Swiss Alps.
8. Cultural Diversity: One of the most ethnically diverse nations, with nearly a quarter of its population born overseas.
9. Economic Significance: A major exporter of agricultural goods and minerals, including being the world’s fourth-largest producer of gold, and eight-largest producer of sugar cane.
10. Cost of living: Higher costs in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne but balanced by higher wages and a robust healthcare system.
11. Quality of Life: Known for its high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and work-life balance. 
12. Safety: Has lower crime rates compared to the US.
13. Domestic travel: Beware of luggage restrictions if you are flying on a discount airline, like JetStar. At the gate, every passenger has to run the gamut where they weigh your purse and/or backpack, and the carry-on, and if all of the combined items exceed 7kgs then be ready to pay up! They have multiple mobile weighing scales that go from gate to gate.

For me, the highlight of our trip was the visit to the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Sydney Opera House. Otherwise Melbourne and Sydney did not really register with me.

Even though the weather Gods were up in arms, so to speak, with a mix of cloud and rain during our boat ride to the Reef, it was still memorable as I donned a glass helmet and took a guided walk surrounded by coral and tropical fish whilst keeping my head dry.

The day trip to the Daintree rainforest was spectaular, and more so because of our guide, Dom, who had a wealth of knowledge about the rainforest, which he weaved it with great storytelling, and a wonderful sense of humor. I had the best time learning about the rainforest.

On the way to Daintree, we stopped at a Rainforest sanctuary. It’s a must visit. I had a beautiful encounter! A kiss from a Koala!

Our guide, Dom … with a cuckatoo that likes to hide under his beard!

Visit to the Daintree Ice Cream Company

In the middle of a rainforest, there is an ice cream place, and this is no ordinary ice cream. The flavors are bewitching! The four scoops on the day of our visit were: coconut, jackfruit, wattleseed, strawberry. The taste and the aromas were a delight. All the exotic fruits are grown on the farm at this location. Best ice cream I have ever had! That’s saying something!

Visit to the Great Barrier Reef

Sydney

The best Indian meal during this trip was in Melbourne at Chai ‘N’ Chilli. It was as if I was having a home-cooked meal – that good!

The best Thai was in Cairns, at the IMM Thai Cafe, and very reasonably priced.

Had a very good gelato at Messina at Sydney’s Darling Square – Hazlenut crunch and Passion fruit.

Forthcoming blog … 

• Melbourne – Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley Wine tour, Phillip Island; 
• Cairns – Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and Kuranda Rainforests;
• Sydney – Opera House, Riverboat cruise, Blue Mountain.

Global Travel Blog; Global Travel Blogger; Travel and Blog; Travel & Blog; Travel Blogs; One Life Many Travels means One Life Many Trips; One Life Many Journeys means One Life Many Memories; One Life Many Journeys means One Life Many Experiences; One Life Many Journeys means One Life Many Moments; One Life Many travels means One Life Many Adventures; Small Group tour; Private Small Group tour; Custom Small Group tour; Bespoke small group tour; Global Small Group tour