iTravel by maplRN: There's Nothing Like Australia!

There's Nothing Like Australia!

Gold Coast - Brisbane - Sydney - Mackay

25 January - 3 February 2019

Sunrise with Wallabies at Cape Hillsborough

Hi guys! It's me again for my first travel for this year! This time, I was able to visit the land down under, Australia! Join me as we unfold the beauty within and prove that "There's nothing like Australia!"

GOLD COAST
QUEENSLAND

Surfer's Paradise

I started my journey walking on the sunny coast of beautiful beaches of Gold Coast. It's summer time, and it's the perfect time to visit this place. Upon arriving at the Surfer's Paradise, I was so amazed by the scenery of blue waters, fine white sand and the people surfing, dipping and sun tanning around. The beach can be reach within 30 minutes of bus ride from the Coolangata Airport.

Coolangata Beach

Gold Coast is widely known for it's beaches. You'll be amazed by the view it can offer as it has the best beaches in the world! Another beach I visited, 15 minutes bus ride from the Coolangata Airport is situated at the far end of the stretch of Gold Coast, the Coolangata Beach. Here, you can find the superb Snapper Rocks where you can witness the waves coming to the rocks.

BRISBANE
QUEENSLAND

It was a sun kissed morning to early afternoon stroll in the sparkling waters of the beaches of Gold Coast and I decided to head my journey to the capital city of Queensland, Brisbane. Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia, From Gold Coast, you can reach the city by the Airtrain within 1 hour to 1 and a half hour depending on where will you depart in Gold Coast such as in Helensvale and Varsity Lakes Station.

Me at the Brisbane City Hall

Here, I visited some of the popular places of the city such as the Brisbane City Hall, Cathedral of St. Stephen, Cathedral of St John and Chinatown. It was an amazing afternoon while walking on the sidewalk of the city with the view of the sunset at the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge. At my surprise, I didn't know that it's Australia Day at that time and I just happened to know when I saw the banners around. At night, it is indeed a very lucky day for me as I witnessed the superb fireworks display at the Brisbane South Bank.

Fire works at Brisbane South Bank

Brisbane City Hall

Sunset at the Story Bridge

Cathedral of St. John

Arts on the Streets of Brisbane

Cathedral of St. Stephen

SYDNEY
NEW SOUTH WALES

Who will not get excited if someone will tell you things about Sydney with it's popular Sydney Opera House! I was very excited for this as I really wanted to get a selfie with this popular icon! The next day, I take a 1 and a half hour flight from Brisbane Domestic Airport to Sydney. Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, is the most populous city in Australia. Here I get to experience the double decker trains from the airport to its city proper. I didn't waste anytime upon arriving in Sydney, I started strolling around the streets and finally get to see personally the Sydney Opera House! Wow!

Sydney is indeed a very interesting city as you'll see the intricate structure of some of the oldest buildings. Here, I visited the Sydney Town Hall, Queen Victoria Building, Paddy's Market Hay Market, Hyde Park, Anzac Memorial, St, Mary's Cathedral and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The City of Sydney

Queen Victoria Building

Forgotten Songs of City Art Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House

St. Mary's Cathedral

Anzac Memorial

Sydney Opera House Roof

St. Mary's Cathedral

Sydney Town Hall

Bondi Beach

Of course, since it's summer time, I also visited the famous beach of Sydney, the Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach is very well known to me as I always watched previously the TV show series " Bondi Rescue". This is one of the reasons why I wanted to visit Sydney, to walk, dip and take photos around the beautiful beach of Bondi. Bondi Beach is a surprising 30 minutes bus ride only from the city.

Misty Afternoon at Bondi Beach

Seagulls Dipping at Bondi Beach

Rocky Side of Bondi Beach

The Bondi Beach Waves

Bondi Beach to Bronte Coastal Walk

The Flat Rock View

MACKAY
QUEENSLAND

Me at the Cape Hillsborough, Mackay, Queensland

After the side trips of the city of Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney, I finally take flight to Mackay, Queensland where my main aim is, to visit my brother and his family and most especially to surprise my mother! Bwahahaha!

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

While in the air, I was amazed with the view below and took a photo of the birds eye view of the city with my phone.

Brisbane City

Bribie, Queensland

Sunshine Coast

Mackay, Queensland is a city centre suburb in Mackay region and is a 1 hour flight from Brisbane City. Here, I visited places such as, Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens, Cape Hillsborough, Eungella National Park, Airlie Beach, Hay Point, Blue Water Lagoon, Slade Point and Mackay Harbour.

Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens

Mackay Harbour

Slade Point

Hay Point

Cape Hillsborough

Eungella National Park

markanthonylim|photography2019
itravelbymaplrn

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM

Other selfies at Mackay, Queensland.