Adventures Down Under Part 7 - New South Wales

Our final Australian adventure was a road trip through New South Wales. We spent a day wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, which is famous for its wonderful Semillon. The Sebel Kirketon Park served as an elegant home base in the Hunter, and we had one of the best meals of our entire trip in the hotel restaurant. We especially loved Ivanhoe vineyards and the very knowledgeable sommelier there. For a break from the wine, we sampled the delicious wares at an olive oil shop. From the Hunter we moved on to gorgeous, mystical Katoomba and the Seven Sisters rock formation (only three are still standing!)

Adventures Down Under Part 6 - Cairns

Tropical Cairns is the gateway to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling on the Reef was truly a highlight of our entire trip; once you take the 90-minute boat ride from Cairns harbour, there is an unbelievable amount of beauty and diversity just below the water's surface. We loved swimming along the edge of a steep coral ridge and seeing giant clamshells that looked straight out of "The Little Mermaid." We also visited nearby Kurranda, a funky little rainforest town where we got to ride a skycar over the canopy and an old-time scenic railway (with "gold-class" upgrade that included open bar and snacks--yay), and hubby hugged a koala who refused to let go. I didn't really blame her.

Adventures Down Under Part 5 - Sydney

Sexy Sydney's dramatic waterfront vistas at Circular Quay, Manly and Bondi Beach are breathtaking, and the iconic Opera House does not disappoint. The city is chic, gorgeous, and expensive. We had delicious meals at Rockpool Bar & Grill (sister restaurant to the famous Rockpool at Circular Quay, the Bar & Grill has an art deco vibe, impressive selection of Scotches, and Spanish-influenced menu) and Iceberg's on Bondi (best view in town--go for lunch so you can see it). We also loved dining al fresco at the many waterfront restaurants on Circular Quay and at Moo, a fantastic burger joint in Manly. There are a number of public gardens to enjoy, and a cheap ferry ride gets you the best view in town.

Adventures Down Under Part 4 - On the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road winds along Australia's southern coast, passing through little surfing hamlets and temperate rainforests and hugging spectacular limestone cliffs. It was inspired by California's Pacific Coast Highway and is truly one of Australia's most awe-inspiring sights.

Adventures Down Under Part 3 - Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia's amazing "second city," unfortunately off the beaten track for many American tourists who come to see Sydney, the Rock (Uluru), and the Reef. Although it lacks a recognizable landmark like the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne's charms lie in its fantastic food and shopping. The Crown Complex, on the south bank of the Yarra river, is reminiscent of the Las Vegas strip, with a casino, high-end shops, and fine dining. We enjoyed a delicious, non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Le Bistro Guillaume, owned by one of Australia's most famous chefs. Chinatown and Greektown (Melbourne boasts more Greeks than any city outside of Athens) are not to be missed, and the legend of Ned Kelly permeates the city.

Adventures Down Under Part 2 - Wildlife

As we traveled throughout eastern Australia, from Cairns in far north Queensland to Melbourne in the south, we encountered many fascinating, exotic--and sometimes dangerous--creatures. Hubby enjoyed interacting with some of them, including feeding kangaroos and wallabies, hugging a koala, and letting brightly colored parakeets land on his head. I preferred to remain safely behind my camera lens at all times.

Adventures Down Under Part 1 - Canberra

Hubby and I jumped at the opportunity to spend two months in Australia in late 2011, and the trip was a fantastic adventure. We were based in Canberra, the sleepy capital city, and toured the country on the weekends.

Although Canberra can't compare to the gleaming metropolis of Sydney or the foodie haven of Melbourne, it certainly had its charms. The Tidbinbilla nature preserve within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, cockatoos, and even duck-billed platypuses. The beautiful and moving Australian War Memorial overlooks Lake Burley Griffin and, along with Parliament House, is one of Canberra's signature landmarks. We had some fun meals (and didn't go thirsty either) at Mecca Bah and Urban Pantry in Manuka, Italian & Sons downtown, and Poachers Pantry out in the wilds of ACT.