🐨 Australia! Sydney | Highlight - Kangaroo Island 🦘| October 2, 2024

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

“Let’s have a squiz at brekky. I’m having a long black, how ‘bout you mate?”

“I’d like a flat white with a bubble and squeak.”

“I reckon we should hop over to Tazzy this weekend to meet that bloke for a cheeky froth at James Boag Brewery. He loves a good chinwag.”

“It’s going to be a scorcher – don’t forget the stubby coolers.”

“No worries. My mate has ‘em.”

“Well he’s a few ‘roos short in the top paddock, so I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“Strike me pink, you’ve got that pretty on point.”

____

Emma, my partner in Australia, helped me create that fun Aussie (pronounced Auzzie) dialogue using some every day phrases.

Here’s the translation…

Let’s take a look at the breakfast menu. I’m having an Americano, how about you?

I’d like a flat white with a veggie hashbrown.

Let’s go to Tasmania this weekend to meet your friend for a beer at James Boag Brewery. He loves to chat.

It’s going to be hot! Don’t forget the beer koozies.

No problem, my friend has them.

Well he’s not that smart, so I wouldn’t be so sure.

You’ve got that right!

____

The Aussies are highly entertaining – which is only one of many reasons you will love their country!

Today I’m on an island on the Great Barrier Reef, but since I arrived in Sydney last Monday, we’ve also been to Kangaroo Island, Adeleide (gateway to Barossa Valley wine region) and the Outback. Today (it’s already Thursday here) we’re off to Brisbane and then one final day in Sydney before returning to the US.

Even though I’ve spent a combined five weeks traveling in Australia, I know I’ve just scratched the surface. I still have many places I want to go to, including:

Kimberley
Tasmania
Uluru
Perth
Daintree Rainforest
Melbourne

I’ve had lots of conversations with Emma and our guides this week about all of the amazing experiences to have in this beautiful country. Similar to the US, it’s impossible to talk about the breadth of Australia in a short conversation, so today I’m going to focus on Sydney and Kangaroo Island and I’ll share more about my other favorite destinations in the coming weeks.

Let’s start with Sydney.

Sydney is a cosmopolitan city full of welcoming people, incredible restaurants, and a vibrant culture – concert halls with world famous musicians, art galleries, wine tasting famous Barossa Valley wines and so much more. A few examples of experiences below…

Culinary
Note: Michelin does not have Australia in their purview, so Australia’s mode of awards include hats instead of stars.

Dine at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House
Go late night to Hubert – a swanky underground French restaurant with jazz
Cool off with gelato from Massina
Take cooking classes with a famous chef at her namesake restaurant
Eat at Ester, one of my favorites!
Explore the historic neighborhood, The Rocks, and the eclectic Surry Hill neighborhood’s restaurants and bars

UPDATE: I asked a manager of the Park Hyatt Sydney for her favorite restaurants in town. She repeated Bennelong and Cafe Sydney (we ate there on this trip – beautiful views and delicious food!), and added Quay, Aria, Sake, Catalina and Mr Wong.

Active/Adventurous

Take the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk (or even longer to Coogee)
Do the Sydney Bridge Climb to see Opera House views from high up
Swim at Bondi’s Icebergs pool, while ocean waves crash over you
Take a Sunday outdoor yoga class overlooking the harbor
Tour Sydney Harbor in an extreme RIB boat

Cultural

Take a behind the scenes tour of the Sydney Opera House. We lucked out and were able to listen in on the Symphony’s practice session.
Learn about the rich aboriginal culture through stories from our local aboriginal guide, Peta. We so enjoyed her generous spirit and knowledge
Attend a concert – TSwift went on her tour this year. Coming up this fall are Olivia Rodrigo, ColdPlay, Hozier, Bryan Adams, Chris Stapleton and Billie Eilish. Also local and indie bands, jazz and musical theater.
Head out with a lifestyle guide at night time to visit the coolest bars and restaurants
Wine tasting of Australia’s best whites and reds
Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales for traditional and Aboriginal art – we went with the most lovely guide, who brought so much richness to our experience

Accommodations

There are so many wonderful options! It depends upon your preferences and who you are traveling with. Do you want an Opera House view? Boutique size vs. grand hotel? In the midst of the hustle and bustle or more quiet? A lap pool for exercise? Family friendly or adult focused?

OTT (over the top)

Get picked up by float plane and taken to a private floating island for lunch and oyster harvesting
Private dinner on stage at the Sydney Opera House
Have a local family pick you up at the wharf on their yacht, giving you a personal tour of the beauty around Sydney, then return to their house for a delicious bbq – the absolute best way to spend your first day in Sydney (and get over jet lag)
Book the penthouse suite at the Park Hyatt for New Year’s Eve for the most spectacular view of the fireworks

Outside the Art Gallery of New South Wales

One of the beautiful spaces in our Sydney hotel

📷 Rosie English
Learning about Aboriginal history, food and culture from Peta

Icebergs Pool and Bar

Our photographer and one of our incredible local hosts

Last week’s most popular article was If You Know, You Go: Inside the Rise of Secret Villas, the Ultimate Destinations for Connected Travelers.

This week’s inspirational articles include the hottest trend in active travel – women-only trips, uncrowded destinations, coolcations, how to start planning an around the world journey and kid friendly safari lodges.

Also articles on Italy, Stowe VT, the Bahamas and Japan.

The informational articles include the world’s coolest neighborhood, traveling in retirement, the evolving role of experiences in travel and a warning that the buying power of your credit card points is tanking.

Where am I going next?

Today’s our final day on the Great Barrier Reef and then we are off to Brisbaine.

Where to next for you?

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Below:

Highlight – Kangaroo Island
Articles to Inspire+Inform

KANGAROO ISLAND

“There is a kangaroo!”
“And another and another!”
“That one has a joey in its pouch!”

That is a snippet of one of our conversations while on the island.

Kangaroo Island was appropriately named as there are more than 65,000 kangaroos! 14 for every resident. We saw the one below with a joey in her pouch.

Kangaroo Island is also home to more than 15,000 koalas.

The island is off the southern coast of Australia near Adelaide and 100% worth a 3-4 night visit during your Australian adventure.

What is there to do?
In addition to luxuriating at your lodge…

See the Remarkables – a stunning massive coastal rock outcropping
Have a private outdoor lunch tucked away at an exclusive farm
See wildlife – kangaroos, koalas, wallabees, echnidnas and seals
Meet fascinating locals and learn about the history of the island
Visit hidden beaches, lavender farms and boutiques that sell local wool products
Eat “the best fish ‘n chips in the country” at Vivonne Bay General Store
Go cliff walking, e-bike riding, surfing down sand dunes, traditional surfing and hiking
See the sunrise – a must!

We stayed at Southern Ocean Lodge, which is the best property on the island. About five years ago it tragically burned down in a brush fire, but the owners and staff were determined to bring it back to life. They have kept so much the exact same and made a few improvements (larger spa and resort pool).

The GM, Robin, is a true gem and our server, Nico, and guides, Maddie and Dave were too.

The rooms are so cozy. Each night at turndown your fireplace is lit. It’s surrounded by your wrap around couch with a warm wool blanket and worth cozying up to read a book. See a walkthrough of my room here and photos below.

One morning we headed out at 5:30am to the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Between the lodge and Antarctica is nothing but open ocean. The surf is pounding, causing mist to rise and just before the sun peaks above the horizon, the sky turns absolutely magical colors! Hear it and see it in a brief video here.

If you are coming with multiple couples or a bigger family, they also have a 2 bedroom and 4 bedroom villa. Note: children must be 10+ years old.

Southern Ocean Lodge is the first of several examples of a luxury all-inclusive resort in Australia. The bar is open as is the wine cellar. You can fix yourself a drink or ask someone to make it for you. The reserve spirits and wines have an additional charge but there are so many delicious local Australian wines that there is no need. They have lots of activities to explore the island that are also included.

You feel a sense of freedom when you are on an escape at Southern Ocean Lodge.