Darwin Beach at Sunrise
Darwin is the most northerly city in Australia. In April it is just too hot and humid for words. April is the wet season and is characterized by high humidity, monsoonal rains and storms. I learned of this just now while writing this blog, not as we planned our trip. Darwin can receive 17 inches of rain in January and zero in June. This is a land of extremes. Continue reading
Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock
We are finally headed to Uluru. But first we need to make a brief stop in the much less famous Glen Helen. Why? Because some Internet guidebook told me we should drive there immediately after landing in Alice Springs. I took their advice. Glen Helen may be a more fun spot in less severe heat. Also for those who love to hike. However, the one night we spent there was plenty… Continue reading
Mangrove trees at low tide near Port Douglas, Australia
Travel plans were once again befuddled by the South Pacific cyclones. This time it was Marcus, which turned out to be the strongest, most destructive cyclone to strike Australia in over ten years. Huge trees were toppled in Darwin, north of us. We only suffered from severe rain. Fifteen inches of it, in a single day. That was enough to cancel all tours to the Great Barrier Reef. Continue reading
The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, troop, or court.
While staying in the City of Gold Coast near Brisbane (pronounced Briz’-bun) we went on our first Australian outback safari. But first we need to explore the City of Gold Coast itself. Continue reading
View from Mrs. Macquarie’s Point
Several cities around the world are defined by a single building or structure. Paris and the Eiffel Tower, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge and Sydney and its Opera House. Because of this strong association, the convenient location of our hotel and the terrible summer heat wave, I did little else in Sydney other than make short excursions exploring various views of the Sydney Opera House.
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Red lichen covered boulders at Bay of Fires
Bay of Fires in Tasmania is famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and orange lichen-covered granite boulders. As a photographer, these bright red beach rocks in Binalong Bay on the east coast were a must-see item during our visit to Tasmania.
Triangles at Federation Square
Melbourne is a city designed without a central public square. Various attempts to build one have been in process since the 60’s. In 2001 Federation Square was completed. It is almost eight acres of open area pavement and modern designed buildings for the arts and public events. Similar to Millennium Park in Chicago, Federation Square is built on a foundation created above unsightly train tracks. Continue reading
The Twelve Apostles on Australia’s Great Ocean Road, before sunrise.
The twelve Apostles in the Australian state of Victoria is a collection of eroded limestone sea stacks. There never were twelve, only nine. Due to erosion, only eight remain. The pile of dark rocks in the foreground is what remains of the apostle which collapsed in 2003. Continue reading
