This country is one and only, spectacular,
This country is one and only, spectacular, diversified, surprising, unexepted, splendorous, unforgettable...
This country is one and only, spectacular, diversified, surprising, unexepted, splendorous, unforgettable...
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia.
I visited the Perth Cultural Center and the steeple,of the Swan Bell Tower.
I ate in the Northbridge because there are many restaurants.
In the afternoon, I took the ferry to go at the Rottnest Island. I visited the Oliver Hill. I took a bike an I went to Parakeet Bay.
To finish my travel I ate in the pub at the Rottnest Island near the beach.
Finish the west coast !
• FIRST DAY
I took the plane from Brisbane to Connellan Airport. I took an organised turn with ATT KINGS. We made the turn of Ayers Rock on foot with an Anangu guide. We visited the Mutitjulu Waterhole, the Kantju Gorge. We made an aboriginal food tasting.
Uluru is the world's largest rock. It is an Aboriginal name. Ayers Rock is the English name. Uluru is in the UNESCO world heritage. This place is unique. The rock is orangey.
With the guide we went to the West MacDonnell Ranges and we went bathing in the Glen Helen Gorge. We saw the Palm Valley where there are unique Red Cabbage Palms. With the guide we took a helicopter to saw Uluru and its environment from the sky ! It was just delightful and exciting !
West MacDonnell Ranges Glen Helen Gorge Palm Valley
We slept at the Ayers Rock Campground. It was funny !
• SECOND DAY
In the morning, we made a trip in 4x4 in the Simpson Desert. Naturally it was very hot, but the sight was enchanting !
In the afternoon, we continued our trip in 4x4 on the Mereenie Loop Road in the Finke Gorge National Park.
We went to an Aboriginal spot in the Tnorala Natural Reserve. We spend the evening there. I spoke with some Aborigines. It was so exciting and deeply distressing.
A woman explained me all. Aborigines are the firt human inhabitants of Australia. They arrived in Australia 60,000 years ago. They came from Asia. The Dreamtime is a fundamental part of Aboriginal spirituality.
But unfortunatly they saw white people fort the first time in 1770. From this moment a segregation began...
This problem has led a big distance between white people and Aborigines. White people brought with them their European (for example) habits in Australia. They don't have any attention to the Aborigines. Results : Aborigines are lost ! White people changed their habits, environment...
With the segregation, Aboriginal children have been jailed in camp for white people to eliminate Aborigines...
Many of the problems indigenous Australians are confronted with include alcoholism, unemployment and domestic violence.
In 2009 some Aboriginal children are victimes of neglect (domestic violence or child abuse). Adult are murdered. Women have to take hospital treatment ofter being abused at home. Men are in prison. Half of all detained juveniles are Aborigines. There are infant motality. Aborigines are attract throught alcohol and drugs. Aborigines don't have the same rights as others Australians...
I went scuba diving to discover the Great Barrier Reef. It was the best thing I did in my life ! No word can discribe this adventure !
It is Australia's greatest natural wonder ! There are on hundred and twenty thousand squares miles. It is larger than Italy ! It is the second largest marine Park. There are 3000 reefs and 300 differents corals ! There are special fish : 16 000 species of fish. 1/3 is protected from fishing ... (90% of the fish are vegeterian). The big harvest comes from toursim : 5 billions dollar ! Infortunately there are threats. For example pollution from costal agriculture, global warming...
Thank you to my guide Sam for his explications.
Brisbane is the capital city of the Queensland.
• FIRST DAY
I visited the city center. There are old buildings mixing with skyscrapers. It was very mind-bending. I made shopping in the Queen Street Mall.
I went to the town hall and the Brisbane museum and I had a panoramic view of the city.
I made a turn on the ferris wheel. I had a beautiful view of the city by night.
• SECOND DAY
I took a catamaran to go to the Moreton Island at Tangalooma. I made a descent of the sans dunes of Moreton Island. It was very thrilling and entertaining. I benefited the beach and the sea : FARNIENTE and SUNBATHE.
Sydney is the most famous city of Australia. It is the most populated city with 4 667 283 inhabitants. Sydney is the largest city too.
• FIRST DAY
Naturally, the first thing that I saw in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House. It is one of the most famous building in the wolrd. It is located near Sydney Harbour.
In this building there are six theaters. I made a guided tour in this building. I saw the runners. It was so attractive and pleasant. I saw the concert hall.
Then, I went to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was very overawing. It is famous for its fireworks at the New Year. I made a crazy thing. It's called : "The Bridge Climb". A guided tour during three hours on the bridge ! It was an extraordinary adventure that lead to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was MAGICAL.
• SECOND DAY
Early in the morning I went to Taronga zoo. I saw koalas, kangaroos, and platypus.
After that I took the ferry to go to the Oceanworld Manly. There are sharks, lines, turties, tropical fish...
In the afternoon, I went to Darling Harbour. I saw the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Very friendly. I walked on the Cockle Bay Wharf by the water. In the evening, I ate in a restaurant in Darling Harbour.
• THIRD DAY
In the morning, I went to Westfield Sydney. It is my favourite shopping mall. I love Westfield. I discovered it when I was in London.
On the afternoon, I went to the beach. Bondi Beach : the most famous beach in Sydney. It was just beautiful and soothing !
Canberra is the capital city of Australia.
• FIRST DAY
I took my breakfast in front of the Lake Burley Griffin. It is an artificial Lake. This lake is at the heart of the city.
After that I visited the Australian War Memorial! In this museum we can see the film from Peter Jackson "Over the front : The great war in the air". We can put down a poppy on the war memorial in tribute to men and women who help Australia. The entry is free.
Later, I visited the Parliament House. Next to this Parliament we can see the old Parliament. In front of the Parliament House, there is a flag bigger than a bus with two floors ! I assisted at a session oh the Senate in the political platform. The entry is free too.
Then, I went to the national Portrait Gallery. There we can find many of portrait from famous people. For example : artists, musicians, comedians, political figures, sporting and crowned heads.
• SECOND DAY
I made a day trip in the Namadgi National Park. I explored the Australian Alps. I saw some eucalyptus forest, precisely eucalyptus delegatensis commonly know as alpine ash. It was gigantic and fascinating.
I made a hike in the Naas Valley or Naas Creek. There are 400 kind of animals : birds, bats, kangaroo, wombats... It always amazing to see animals that we never saw.
In the afternoon, I went to old camps of Aborigines : Ngunnawal. There were living in the Canberra region before european arrival. I saw the place where they collected a moth called Bogong. It has a hazelnut taste in Mount Kelly. Then, I went to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. There I went back in time in 21 000 years before. I saw the oldest Aborigines spot : Birrigai Rock Shelter.
I fall in love of this city. As far as I know Canberra is the most interesting and diverse city that I never saw.
Melbourne is the second largest city of Australia. It is the most European city of Australian city. It is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria.
• To move I used the circular line of City Circle Tram, it is retro and amazing. You can move freely with this public transport.
Federation square is the cultural center from Melbourne. Not a lot of monument to visit but a pleasant place to make shopping !
• To start the day, I visited the Eureka Tower. It is the fourth largest residential skyscraper in the world. It has 91 floors ! At the 81th floor, we can find a panoramic view from Melbourne... THRILLING !
A nice walk through the Queen Victoria Market ! It is one of the things to do and not to miss in Melbourne. The smell of fresh products, a unique atmosphere... You want to taste every food / everything !
• Melbourne beaches
The city beaches are ideal to swim but not to surf. You have to leave Melbourn to find the perfect beaches to surf. Surf beaches are located on the Mornington Peninsula and along the Great Ocean Road near Torquay. I went to Brighton Beach, it is famous for its 82 coloured huts. The sea has got a blue that I had never seen before !
After a little nap, I decided to went to St. Kilda Beach. It is one of the most famous beach of Melbourne. Somebody told me that we can see penguin! And imagine you that I saw some little penguin on the beach ! It was so surprising, magic ! Penguin at the beach, incredible ! I don't believe it !
To tell you the truth, I think that Melbourne is one on the most beautiful city in the world. The atmosphere is reposeful. Inhabitants are helpful. I want to go back over there !
I realized one of my dream : to be at a motor race ! I love cars, it was delightful, and very fascinating ! It is unlike anything else in the world ! It takes place at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit near Melbourne. Michael Schumacher won this motor race. It is one of my best memories of my life !