Uluru at Sunset

The bus lurched to a stop and disgorged us on the side of the road, deserted at this early hour. We shivered in the cold, stamping feet and slapping arms for warmth. As our eyes adjusted to the blackness, we picked our way across the shoulder of the road to the viewing area, joining scores of others who had come to witness the sun rise on Uluru/Ayers Rock.

In the center of the Australian continent, this solitary sandstone monolith punches unexpectedly through a flat red plain dotted with scrub brush and prickly succulents. Rising 1,142 feet, the formation is famous for Read More »

See a performance, take a tour or have dinner and drinks at the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House by night

The Sydney Opera House is lauded as one of the world’s most beautiful buildings and rightly so, in my opinion. I love the curve of the roof and the way the white tiles contrast with the sparkling blue water of Sydney Harbour like the sails of sailing ship. Not everyone agrees though. As a native Sydneysider, I find this almost inconceivable, but some people actually think the Sydney Opera House is ugly! There is no accounting for taste, but it’s true that the Opera House has mixed reviews as a performance space.

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The Sydney Opera House might give it a run for its money, but the Sydney Harbour Bridge is arguably Sydney‘s most famous landmark. Admire it from the water, walk across it, or climb it – there are options for enjoying the Bridge to suit any budget or level of fitness.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

It was built over an eight-year period from 1924 to 1932 and it is the largest (though not the longest) steel-arch bridge in the world. Its official nickname is ‘The Coathanger’ but Sydneysiders typically just call it ‘The Bridge’. Sure, the city has other bridges but this is the one that counts! Bridge views are the Holy Grail in Sydney real estate and the bridge is the focal point for Sydney’s elaborate fireworks displays, notably on New Year’s Eve.

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