Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk

Yesterday I went out to Bondi Beach and walked from there to South Coogee on the Coastal Walk.  The walk takes you along the cliffs and takes about 2.5 hours, passing multiple beaches, rock pools, baths, cafés, and some amazing views of the Australian coast.  It was amazing!  Definitely something everyone should do when they are here.

I walked and stopped at a few beaches to relax, have a drink or snack, and watch the people swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and playing beach volleyball.  It was extremely crowded, being a Sunday in the summer, and it was a great atmosphere.  Everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

Australia is all about safety for sure.  I have never seen so many lifeguards in my life - by surfboard, speed boat, kayak,  and helicopter.  Bondi also has a net to "help keep sharks away."  That was a little intimidating for me!

I passed about 8 different beaches and bays, all unique in their own way and was able to see Waverly Cemetery, which is known as the most picturesque in the world. I must agree as the views from the cliffs of all the beaches and some of marshy areas just south with waterfalls are breathtaking. 

As always, I have a million pictures but here are some of my favorite ones:

Side note!

Many of you may or may not know my personal story and why I am taking is time to travel and see the world.  But, I'm traveling alone most of the time, for many reasons. 

So, on a personal note, today was amazing and emotional in so many ways for me.  I did several things I've never done before and saw so many things that I wasn't sure I ever would.  

Traveling alone is difficult.  Yes, I meet amazing people everywhere I go and see things most never see.  However, the ability and motivation to do this by yourself comes from within...you really have to be willing to take chances and venture into the unknown, not afraid of what you might find.  Some cities and people are scary if you aren't used to what happens there.  

You're always that single person on the trip, you're always trying to mingle, and there are so many couples and families that you aren't a part of.  However I find this inspiring.  I'm so happy for these people to be sharing such beautiful places with the ones they love.

 

So today, as I eat dinner, and my emotions creep in, I keep telling

myself: 

"Remember where you are, you're

on Hamilton island. In the Whitsunday Islands.  On the Great Barrier Reef. You went scuba diving for the first time, on the Great Barrier Reef!   You rode in a helicopter for the first time, you saw Whitehaven beach 2 times! ( the place that was #1 on your list). And you did it all by yourself, with no one's help, no one guiding you, no one helping, whatever, I did it!  These are once in a lifetime experiences that most other people don't get to do..."

To everyone, whoever is living their dreams solo or with the ones they love, please just be thankful for the opportunities you have been given in life and make the most of them!  Don't be scared because you don't have someone pushing you along, the payoff is worth it!

Plus, sometimes it's amazing because you can always be squeezed in on any trip, just being 1 person!!!😊😛

Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach & Helicopter Tour

Yesterday and today I visited Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef.  I can honestly say in have never seen something so amazing.  Whitehaven Beach will never leave my memory.   I took a boat/snorkel/hiking tour of Whitehaven Beach yesterday and cruised out to the Great Barrier Reef today and flew back to my hotel via helicopter.  On this trip, I was able to see the GBR, Whitehaven, and the Whitsunday Islands from the sky.  Definitely and amazing d possible once jn a lifetime experience.

I chose to scuba dive for the first time today too!  I'm in Australia, where better to do it for the first time??  I was sooo incredibly nervous but my guide held my hand until I got comfortable.  

I did soooo many new things today it's ridiculous!!! So cheers to doing new things.  Check out my pics below.  It's hard to capture the natural beauty here, but I did my best! Enjoy! 

My hotel balcony view!

Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet walk. 

Whitsunday Islands

Instead of squirrels picking through the trash, they have these!!  Hilarious.

My ride!

Hamilton Marina

Heart Reef

Great Barrier Reef 

My scuba friend. 

Hamilton island

I arrived on Hamilton Island today.  Hamilton is a resort island in the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef area. As soon as I stepped off the plane I was in heaven.  The water is such a beautiful color here and the surrounding landscape is incredible.  I watched the sunset at One Tree Hill, which is the most popular spot for this on the island.  They set up a little bar there so everyone can have a cocktail or two while enjoying the sunset.  

The sunset was so beautiful.  The land looked like it was on fire and the turquoise color of the water was even more enhanced. 

Check out the pics!

Tomorrow I'm going on a boat tour to Whitehaven beach, one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Can't wait!

What you see when you get off the plane.

The view from my room.

Off the Court: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane

Before the men's singles final in Brisbane, I took a boat down the Brisbane River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  You can take the bus or a taxi as well, but I think that the Miramar Cruise to the park is definitely the best option.  The cruise teaches a lot about the history of the city and has great views of the city and surrounding suburbs.  The Miramar Koala Cruise was $57 and included your ticket to the park.  It was definitely an economical choice, as a taxi can be $50,the bus $12, and your ticket $35.  

The park was an amazing experience.  I was able to pet and feed kangaroos and see baby, or joey, kangaroos and koalas.  They have koala cuddling opportunities and have  120 koalas living here.  Other Australia wildlife such as crocodiles, wombats, Tasmanian devils, a platypus, and dingoes were also in residence here.  Great morning adventure!

Moreton Bay

I decided to skip the tennis day session and go out to the coastal area of Moreton Bay.  I went to North Stradbroke Island (the locals call it Straddie).  I went on the train to Cleveland, which is the last stop on that specific train, next to all of the marinas.  

The train was supposed to take about 45 minutes from the city center, but there was a police incident at one of the stations.  Everyone on the train had to get off, take a bus to the following station, and get back on the train, so my travel time was extended.  No reason to complain though, buses were waiting for us and the train was held at the next station.  I thought everything was handled quite smoothly. It was a good way to see some of the suburbs of Brisbane.

By the time I got off the train, to ferry, and then a bus, it took me about 3 hours to get to the area of the island I wanted to go to.   Not as easy of a day trip as I tought it would be, but I think the normal travel time would be 2-2.5 hours.  The total cost was about $45 in transportation fees, which would have been more, but I got to return on the train for free because I was going to the tennis tournament.

Putting the small amount of hecticness aside, the scenery was well worth it.  I just wish I had more time to spend on the island.  I went to the area called Lookout Point, where there is an enormous and beautiful beach, a few small shops and cafés, and a boardwalk over some of the cliffs.  I could see turtles swimming from the boardwalk above and actually saw a shark as well.  People say they often see whales and dolphins here too.  Children were cliff diving, wake boarding, jet skiing, swimming, paddle boarding, and really enjoying all aspects of the beach here.  

The island here is different than others I have been to.  It reminds of of southern Florida, with mangrove type scenery, but also of northern islands in Maine, with large, old trees.  But of course, it has a feel that maybe only Australia can have?

There's a ton of hotels and it seems really great for backpackers. It's very remote and if you want to get away, come here.  There is supposed to be a large aboriginal population as well.

It was so incredibly beautiful.  The colors of the water and the diverse scenery were hard to capture, but I tried in the pictures below :)

If you ever go, I highly recommend a little restaurant called Fishes at the Point. Huge selection of seafood, breakfast, burgers, beer, and wine.  Great atmosphere. 

Beach from above 

Cliff divers 

Cleveland area intracoastal 

Beautiful calm water 

Kangaroo crossing

Awesome meal at Fishes at the Point