Australia’s Blue Mountains
KATOOMBA, Australia — Australia’s Blue Mountains, with its famous landmark the Three Sisters, have long been a favoriate tourist destination and weekend getaway for Sydneysiders.
Sydney Harbour at Night
SYDNEY, Australia — Sydney Harbour is a beautiful setting for Australia’s largest city, and at night it really sparkles.
Town of 1770
SEVENTEEN SEVENTY, Australia — It’s an odd name for a town, but then Australia has a lot of unusual-sounding place names (see: Wagga Wagga, Bong Bong, or Humpybong). It’s sometimes listed officially as “Seventeen Seventy.” Locals often write it as “1770”, which gives a better hint as to the history behind the strange name.
Australia’s Picture Postcard Beach
SURFERS PARADISE, Australia — Surfers Paradise might have a terrible name, but it has a fantastic beach. It’s exactly what you think of when you think of a Queensland Beach.
Batfish in Blue
VANUATU — This shot of a school of batfish silhouetted against the sun was taken while diving off Vanuatu.
Australian War Memorial
CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian War Memorial in Canberra has real personality and a fascinating story of ANZAC to tell.
Up Close and Personal with the Great Barrier Reef
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND, Australia — Ever fancied a pre-breakfast swim with turtles and manta rays? If you’ve ever had a hankering to get up close and personal with Australia’s extraordinary Great Barrier Reef, there aren’t many better ways than a trip to Lady Elliot Island Resort.
Australia’s Rugged Coastline
TATHRA, Australia — The southern New South Wales coast includes some real gems. Driving along the coast up to Sydney early one morning, I was particularly struck by this rugged headland at Tathra.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
SYDNEY, Australia — The Sydney Opera House is the iconic architectural symbol of Australia, and cameras seem magnetically drawn to it.
Australia’s Sunshine State Capital
BRISBANE, Australia — The capital of the Australian state of Queensland, Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city and one of the fastest growing metropolitan centers in the country.
North Stradbroke Island, Australia
NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND, Australia — Known to the locals as “Straddie,” North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane separates southern Moreton Bay from the Pacific Ocean. With miles of spectacular ocean beaches and an abundance of local marine life such as whales, sharks, turtles, and dolphins, it’s a popular summer holiday destination and yet still manages to feel remote.
Australian Parliament House, Canberra
CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s new Parliament House in Canberra is a striking piece of architecture, built into a hill and utilizing natural Australian materials.
Towamba River Valley, a Beautiful Spot in the Australian Outback
TOWAMBA, Australia — The Towamba Valley is nestled between state forests and national parks and yet still only half an hour to the stunning Sapphire Coast, at that. Adding to the charm is that it’s just not that easy to get to. And that’s just the way the locals like it.
Start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2009
SYDNEY, Australia — The start of Australia’s Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world’s great ocean yacht racing events.
