Australia Town & Country

Australia has long held a special place in my heart; having lived in Melbourne for a year in my 20s, I found just about everything in this country captivating. From the gorgeous natural beauty to the thriving cultural urban centers, Australia has countless surprises in store to buck convention and counter common misconceptions about the "Land Down Unda."  When we were planning our journey, visiting Australia was a must, and I couldn’t wait to put together an itinerary of both town and country delights for us to enjoy.

There are many ‘Great’ things about Australia, and it’s no wonder The Great Ocean Road is among them.  The absolutely stunning drive along the country’s southern coast is one of the world’s most beautiful drives.  The charming town of Port Fairy stole our heart for the night.

The Great Ocean Road is a magnificent 243 km drive along Australia's southern coast, west from Melbourne (Jan 24). 

But first, fuel! We started the drive with a look around the Farmer's Place, a working farm and cafe, just outside Geelong (Jan 24).  

The bacon and egg on a roll (smothered in BBQ sauce) was melt-in-your-mouth goodness (Jan 24). 

Bells Beach is a surfer's paradise (Jan 24). 

Another scenic vantage on the Great Ocean Road (Jan 24). 

At Kennett River, koalas hang out in the trees just off the Great Ocean Road (Jan 24). 

A short trek in Cape Otway revealed towering trees hundreds of years old (Jan 24). 

The forest is home to a diverse range of vegetation, fungi and the only location in the world for black carnivorous snails (Jan 24). 

Beautiful paddocks of wheat near the famous 12 Apostles (Jan 24). 

The 12 Apostles, which are giant limestone stacks near Port Campbell, are constantly changing both is shape and number (Jan 24).

We fell in love with Port Fairy, a former whaling town off the beaten tourist path at the end of The Great Ocean Road. Be sure to check out Port of Mexico, Bank St + Co., Coffin Sally and several other small, quirky cafes and restaurants (Jan 24). 

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve offers stunning views and chance encounters with bush-life (Jan 25).  

Tower Hill is great for short scenic walks or picnics and you never know what you'll see along a trail (Jan 25). 

The rugged coastline along the Great Ocean Road, near Bay of Islands (Jan 25). 

It is hard to capture the scale of these massive limestone formations in the Bay of Islands (Jan 25). 

The islands dot the coastline for 23 km (Jan 25). 

London Bridge did fall down. Over 25 years ago, the middle of the formation collapsed, leaving two tourists trapped on the far side (Jan 25). 

We were spoiled with the natural splendor of the one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, another "great," the Great Barrier Reef, during our Whitsunday’s Sailing excursion.  Two days aboard ‘The Blizzard’ was hardly enough but just enough to delight in seeing thriving coral, vibrant fish and stunning beaches.

We flew to Hamilton Island and then took a ferry to Airlie Beach, where we boarded 'The Blizzard' for a 2-day sail through the Whitsundays (Jan 29). 

With expansive sky all around us from the boat, we took in a stunning sunset and the brilliant stars across the Southern Hemisphere sky (Jan 29). 

Skipper Danny and first mate Heidi took great care of us over our time in the Coral Sea (Jan 29). 

After some nighttime showers, the sun reappeared in the morning with this vibrant rainbow (Jan 25).  

The Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney blew us away with their remarkable vistas and charming villages.

The Blue Mountains are a short 2-hour drive west of Sydney. We stayed in the quaint mountain town of Leura (Feb 2).  

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Blue Mountains offer vast views, rugged landscape and countless waterfalls (Feb 2). 

These ancient raised sea floors have been shaped for millennia by transformative power of water (Feb 2).

The Wentworth Falls track offers stunning vistas and impressively hewn (and sometimes steep stairway) paths that have been awe-inspiring tourists for over a hundred years (Feb 2).

The Blue Mountains get their name from the verdant blue hue lent by the numerous eucalyptus trees, which draw life from deep aquifers in the region (Feb 2).

Stunning vistas of the mountains reminded us of a verdant version of America's Grand Canyon (Feb 2).

The Blue Mountains are home to about 1,000 canyons and Australia's greatest known number of slot canyons (deep, narrow trenches formed by running water) (Feb 2).

In 1994, the world's rarest and most ancient tree, the Wollemi pine, was discovered by David Noble.  It was thought to have become extinct 30 million years ago, however, saplings can now be inexpensively purchased in local garden stores (Feb 2).

Natural wonders are complimented by the urban treasures of Australia’s major cities.  If you spend any time in Melbourne, you will become distinctly and deliciously aware of the innumerable cafés, bars and restaurants on offer throughout the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Whenever we check out a city we like to try and find the green places where agriculture intersects with urban life.  In Melbourne, that place happened to be CERES, an educational, community urban farm that we were fortunate to have an old friend (and my former housemate) and resident CERES expert as our personal tour guide.  Regardless of the neighborhood or cuisine you’re after, Melbourne has something delicious for everyone.

The iconic entrance to Luna Park on Port Phillip Bay in St. Kilda, Melbourne (Jan 25). 

If Melbourne is known as one of the world's great street art capitals, then Hoiser Lane is the heart of it all (Jan 26).

The small street changes daily (hourly?) and already presented a tribute to the victims of the tragic event on Bourke Street just days before (Jan 26).

Another example of the colorful sayings and creative expressions found on Hoiser Lane (Jan 26). 

The prodigal son returns! Martin's former terrace apartment on Rathdowne Street in North Carlton, Melbourne (Jan 26).

Formerly known as the Rathdowne Street Food Store, where Martin trained in the art of coffee, is now called Small Victories, serving trendy avo toast and eggs (Jan 26). 

The non-profit CERES cafe, nursery and education center provides Melbourne a unique glimpse into sustainable living (Jan 26).

CERES offers a delicious spread of locally sourced fare on offer at their market (Jan 26).

Bike troubles?  No worries, you can learn how to fix it (or build a new one from spare parts available for free!) at the DIY CERES Bike Shed manned by knowledgeable volunteers (Jan 26).

On site plant propagation is one of the many services offered by this dynamic community center - plants are for sale at the market (Jan 26).

Lentils As Anything is a non-profit, pay-what-you'd-like vegetarian restaurant, proceeds from which go to serve vulnerable communities in Melbourne and beyond (Jan 26).

After a traditional parma dinner in Melbourne's CBD, we stumbled upon festive Chinese New Year celebrations in the city's dynamic Chinatown (Jan 27).

There’s a reason that the sparkling city on the harbor, Sydney, has consistently been voted or considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world—the stunning mix of beaches, cliff walks, blended old and new architecture and an impressive offering of premier restaurants and bars draws and inspires a beautiful, athletic population.  In summer, this hot, heaving city gets up early and stays out late, making us wonder when anyone has time to sleep with so much beach, bistro and culture to take in. 

After breakfast, we took in the panoramic view of Sydney's skyline from Dover Heights (Feb 5).

Taking in lunch and a view of the iconic Iceberg's Pool of Bondi Beach (Feb 5).

A heatwave swept Sydney, forcing most everyone to the beach, including small Tamarama (Feb 5).

The Bondi coast walk, from Bondi Beach to Coogee offers scenic views and several beaches in-between (Feb 5). 

Sydney's beautiful (and free!) botanical garden showcases the country's exotic vegetation just outside the CBD (Feb 4). 

A ferry ride through Sydney Harbour is a must-do (Feb 4). 

The Harbour was full of sails and watercraft attempting to beat the heat (Feb 4). 

Our ferry took us to nearby Watsons Bay with several beaches and views of the Sydney skyline (Feb 4). 

A quick, easy walk at Watsons Bay reveals the mouth of the Harbour (Feb 4). 

We were once again wow'ed by the awesome, rugged coastline of Australia (Feb 4). 

Looking across to Manly, which frames the Harbour entrance (Feb 4). 

Australia truly has something for everyone, whether city or country mouse or somewhere in between, there’s a place or experience with your name on it.

-Martin.