Our trip to {AUSTRALIA}:

Our stay in Sydney showed us why many people chose to move there and make it their new home. It has a cosmopolitan yet laid-back yet vibe, with sun-drenched beaches, stunning scenery and a great selection of places to dine and drink. We wanted to visit the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, each with its distinct flavour, in addition to seeing family, so planned a five day stay. The Rocks transported us back to the city’s colonial roots, with cobblestone streets and charming sandstone buildings. Surry Hills exuded an artistic spirit, with bohemian streets bustling with galleries, quirky boutiques and cafés. Manly, a short ferry ride away, was a beachside escape with sandy shores, bustling promenades and gelato spots. Bondi offered us the quintessential Aussie beach experience, with surfers riding the legendary waves.

The Shangri-la is centrally located in the historic Rocks district, close to Sydney Harbour. The combination of elegance and contemporary style with Asian-inspired design elements created a peaceful sanctuary to escape to after a busy day out and about exploring. The Shangri-La offers spectacular views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, especially from The Blue Bar on the 36th floor (see below).

The Shangri-La features a variety of rooms and suites, from standard double rooms up to more spacious Horizon Club suites with access to the Horizon Club Lounge. The pricier rooms feature large windows that frame Sydney’s iconic skyline and harbour. The hotel has a range of dining options and the Chi Spa, with a rejuvenating treatment a good option after a long flight!

Barrango House is a dining destination spread across three levels. The House Bar on ground level where we dined is the most laid option, offering light food and pub-classics with a Japanese twist. We also went for a drink at Smoke Rooftop, located on the second level, with chic cocktails and sharing plates served against a stunning Sydney skyline backdrop. On Level 1, Rekōdo (Japanese for ‘record’) sounds fun, promising “an immersive restaurant and vinyl bar with a Japanese bent, melding the old-school charm of vinyl records with a carefully curated menu”.

A short drive away in the Surry Hills, Firedoor was a dark, moody and buzzy restaurant and seemed full of locals, always a good sign! Everything is cooked over wood fire, using different types of wood to bring out unique flavours. You can watch the chefs working in the open kitchen using wood-fired ovens, and a big, crackling hearth. The five-course menu changes all the time, based on what’s fresh that day, with simple, bold flavours celebrating the best of Australia.

For a special night out to end our stay in Sydney, we splurged on a romantic dinner for two at this fine dining spot overlooking the harbour and Opera House. It’s an award-winning restaurant is renowned for its innovative cuisine and stunning presentations. Each dish did feel like a work of art and the views were stunning, making the night at Quay a multisensory experience that did justify the price tag! (To bag a seat with the best view, you may need to try and negotiate on booking or on arrival).

Located on Shelly Beach in Manly, The Boathouse was a relaxed and scenic spot for breakfast or brunch. This beachside café was a great place to start the day with freshly baked pastries, smoothies or a hearty full Aussie breakfast. It felt like a spot popular with locals not just tourists alike, giving you a sense of the sunny Sydney lifestyle.

A Sydney ferry ride from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour may be a classic tourist move, but it was a quintessential way to experience the city’s postcard views. Gliding across the harbour, we took in the city’s skyline, the Opera House, and the Harbor Bridge.

The Bondi coastal walk was a highlight, winding along the stunning coastline and showcasing some of Australia’s most famous oceanfront views. The walk included panoramic vistas of Bondi’s sands and the iconic Bondi Icebergs outdoor pool, perched dramatically on the edge of the sea.

The Northern Beaches offered a serene escape from the city’s bustle and were recommended by Anne-Marie’s family. At first we hesitated, as the visit required an hour’s drive from Sydney. However, we were glad we did go, with lush sand dunes, pristine water and beautiful views on this this less-crowded stretch of coastline.

The Blue Mountains is a breathtaking natural wonder just outside of Sydney, offering a mix of adventure and scenic beauty. The views from the top, accessible by a thrilling cable car ride, are extraordinary, and the crisp mountain air adds a refreshing edge to this stunning getaway.

Our second stop took us to Ayers Rock, or Uluru, an iconic natural wonder steeped in culture and spirituality. The grandeur of Uluru, particularly at sunrise and sunset, was an experience that did take the breath away, with the rock taking on hues of ochre, violet, and blazing orange.

There are a range of places to stay at the Ayers Rock resort to suit all tastes and budgets. We picked the higher end Sails in the Desert for its combination of luxury with a bit of Outback ruggedness. The resort’s elegant design pays homage to Indigenous art and culture, with local artwork adorning the walls and touches of nature throughout. It was a luxury oasis, with a large pool and plenty of shaded areas to relax under the desert sun.

Among the various dining options in the resort, we chose Arnguli Grill & Restaurant. The focus is on quality Australian produce brought to life by Indigenous flavours, with spices, grains and seeds elevating each dish. The signature grill selection is enhanced by a curated variety of Australian wines.

Our Desert Sunrise Tour was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. With an expert guide, we watched as Uluru and Kata-Tjuta were bathed in the first rays of dawn. A bacon sandwich and coffee was a welcome reward for the early morning alarm call!

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we witnessed the magical desert spectacle of this light installation by Bruce Munro. Covering more than seven football fields, the art piece is an ethereal “garden” of 50,000 spindles of light that sway and glow in hues of ochre, violet, blue, and white.

After the natural wonder of Uluru, it was time for a change of scene and some chilled out beach time. Port Douglas is a charming town on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef blending adventure with relaxation. It has a good selection of boutiques, restaurants and entertainment options.

We picked this boutique boutique style, adults-only hotel as it had a brilliant beachside location overlooking Four Mile Beach and was only a 2 minute stroll to the heart of Port Douglas. It was bright and breezy, with a coastal cool vibe and white and coral colour scheme.

Hi Tide, located at Peninsula Boutique Hotel, was a good breakfast spot to start the day overlooking the sea. This café and restaurant serves up local ingredients in creative ways, from fresh seafood dishes to vibrant salads, capturing the essence of coastal dining.

This was an alfresco, fine dining experience in the heart of a tropical forest, with tables spread out under the canopy of palms and stars.

This was a good spot for a relaxed yet refined night out, with an intimate, tropical ambience. The food featured contemporary Australian flavors with an emphasis on local ingredients, from seafood to steaks.

Yoga on the beach was a perfect way to start the day, with the rising sun and gentle waves lapping at the shore creating a peaceful backdrop for our session. Guided by an expert instructor, we stretched, breathed, and felt the day’s calm settle in. This has become a very popular activity, with a big group gathering on the day we went.

Our helicopter tour over the Great Barrier Reef was one of the priciest adventures on our trip, but worth every cent. Hovering over the vibrant corals, we marvelled at the sight of sharks and manta rays gliding through crystal-clear waters. The view from above was breathtaking, offering a unique perspective of this natural wonder.

Our next stop too us back to nature, but this time in a lush and green setting, a real contrast to Uluru. As one of the oldest rainforests on earth, Daintree offers an intimate encounter with Australia’s natural beauty, untouched and alive with the sounds of birds, cicadas and rustling leaves.

Nestled in the heart of the ancient Daintree Rainforest, perched along the banks of the Mossman River, Silky Oaks Lodge offers a blend of luxury and immersion into nature. The lodge has open architecture and decor with lots of wood and warm colours, creating a sense of calm and connection with your surroundings.

Our Treehouse suite felt like a personal sanctuary suspended among the treetops. Large, panoramic windows brought the outdoors in, allowing us to wake up to views of the rainforest. Decoration uses natural wood, woven furnishings and a soft, neutral colour palette to create a calm cocoon. The hammock on the veranda was a great sport for a peaceful morning coffee.

The Treehouse Restaurant at Silky Oaks combined fine dining with views over the rainforest canopy. The menu features local ingredients and seasonal flavours, with every meal accompanied by the soothing sounds of the forest. Dining here felt as though we were part of the rainforest itself.

Exploring the rainforest is the main attraction, and our half-day discovery tour included a Daintree River cruise then a safari-style transport to a secluded waterfall where we had a refreshing swim!

Our next stop was to fly down to Hamilton Island and take a boat transfer to Hayman Island, for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef luxury escape. We were heading for a private paradise surrounded by crystalline waters and lush greenery!

Set in the heart of the Whitsundays, Hayman Island Resort is a private island resort on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Arriving on Hayman Island is an experience in itself, with the luxury boat transfer from Hamilton Island making you feel like a rock star!

The style and design of the resort are a harmonious blend of sleek modernity and tropical charm. Interiors feature natural woods, coastal-inspired decor and soft, earthy tones that create an inviting, laid-back vibe. Open-air terraces make the most of the incredible ocean views. There are a variety of rooms from beachside pavilions with direct access to the shore to suites with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic ocean views.

The pools at Hayman Island were a highlight. The main pool is right by the beach, perfect for lounging or taking a refreshing dip with views of the Coral Sea. For a quieter experience, there’s also an adults-only pool with cabanas, perfect for a bit of seclusion.

For dining there are multiple restaurants, each offering a different vibe and type of cuisine. And for some relaxation and rejuvenation, the Hayman Spa offered a range of treatments using luxurious, all-natural products.

Pacific, the resort’s main restaurant has a focus on fresh, local seafood, served in an elegant yet relaxed setting.

For a taste of change of scene, Amici is the resort’s Italian restaurant. It was a good sport for a laid-back, chilled out evening.

We did a snorkelling and a diving excursion directly from the resort. While coral bleaching has affected parts of the reef, we still got to see colourful fish and manta rays. Kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing were also available.

A guided nature walk around Hayman Island brought us face-to-face with local wildlife, from wallabies to cockatoos. The views from higher up on the hills were also stunning.

We ended our trip by flying down to Melbourne. This is an edgy, vibrant and cosmopolitan city famous for its “laneways”: narrow alleys filled with graffiti and cafés. Melbourne’s eclectic and arty vibe made it the perfect end to our trip.

We chose to stay here as the contemporary style set it apart from other more conventional luxury hotels in the city, with avant-garde design, eclectic art and playful luxury. It also had a good central location, ideal for touring the city on foot.

The rooms merge industrial chic with modern comforts. And the hotel’s common areas are brought to life with art curation showcasing local artists and vibrant, quirky decor. A high-end retail space has a handpicked collections of fashion, art and design items.

The Block Arcade is Melbourne’s historic shopping arcade, with fashion boutique, jewellery stores and cafés. It celebrates Melbourne’s heritage while also offering a modern shopping experience.

Known for its coffee shops and cafés, Degraves Street is a Melbourne institution. We enjoyed breakfast at Degraves Espresso, known for its artisanal coffee, and The Quarter, famous for its avocado on toast.

QT Melbourne boasts two great bars: Bar 133 (below left), offered an intimate space for crafted cocktails and a chilled out vibe. The QT Rooftop (below right) was a more buzzy spot where we sipped cocktails while gazing over Melbourne’s skyline. It looks like it gets really busy and lively in the warmer summer months: we must come back to sample that!

Cutler & Co was a contemporary gem, combining Melbourne’s food scene with a modern industrial setting. The dishes showcased fresh ingredients in inventive ways, celebrating Australian flavours.

Pascale Bar and Grill, the hotel’s signature restaurant, offers modern, inventive dishes with locally sourced ingredients. It has a buzzy, lively ambience and we had a great dinner there for the last night of our trip.

Melbourne’s graffiti art is legendary, with streets like Duckboard Place, ACDC Lane, and Hosier Lane filled with colourful, ever-evolving street art. A walking tour is a great way to get a feel for Melbourne’s creative spirit.

The Immigration Museum offers a fascinating insight into Australia’s history. We spent a few hours learning about how Australia’s vibrant culture was shaped by its diverse immigrant communities.

Our journey to Australia was one of the most diverse and exciting trips we’ve been lucky enough to do. It took us from buzzy urban cities to laid-back beach towns to the untamed beauty of the Outback, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Australia invites you to explore, be awed by nature and live life more vibrantly. The spirit of outdoor living, nature’s grandeur and the warmth of the people made this an adventure that has stayed in our hearts long after we left!