Cairns and Sydney
Australia
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Jul 26 - Aug 1, 2024
We had a fantastic trip to Cairns and Sydney. Vicky helped us set up a diving trip to Upolu Reef on Ocean Freedom which was fantastic. She also recommended other things to do in Cairns and we had fun exploring it on our own. Hartley’s Crocodile Park was another highlight. I was surprised by how much we learned! After Cairns we went to Sydney and I fell in love with this city! I highly recommend climbing the Harbour Bridge, though it is pretty pricey. The bike tour was also a great way to see the city. Our trip was great and the pace of it felt right too. I highly recommend Vicki to help you plan a fantastic trip to Australia!
Hotel Reviews
Wow wow wow-loved this hotel. The location was perfect and the service was spectacular. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the views from our balcony were unbeatable!
Crystalbrook Riley was perfect for us. It was a high quality hotel that was close to the Esplanade, but not in the middle of all the action. It was nice to walk 5 minutes down the road away from the noise and chaos of the tourist area to have a more peaceful place to stay. The breakfast was fantastic and the pool was so fun with the white sand beach. I would definitely stay here again!
Activity Reviews
This is a must-do in my book for Sydney. The views were spectacular and our guide taught us so much. My only complaint is that for the exorbitant price they charge, they should give you the photos they take. Instead, they charge an extra $65 at the end. You aren’t allowed to bring your own camera or phone (which makes sense) so you are forced to pay the extra price at the end if you want a photo.
Great trip to to Upolu Reef. The staff aboard the boat was top notch and the diving/snorkeling was great.
We ended up having a full day at Fitzroy Island since they cancelled the Moore Reef part of our trip. It was a nice day but I think a half day would have been enough. We climbed to the summit of Fitzroy which was a nice way to get a good view. It took about 40 min to climb to the top, walking nonstop uphill. The snorkeling wasn’t great due to high winds and choppy waters, but that was just our luck for the day.
Our trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Park was very good. We learned a lot about crocs and the other animals and got to pet a koala and a wallaby and a snake. I’m not sure the breakfast with koalas was worth missing our awesome hotel breakfast for, but it was nice to pet a koala and ask questions from the naturalist who was there.
Loved our bike trip through Sydney. Our guide Dylan was so knowledgeable and gave us great tips on what to see/do the following day when we had a free day to explore on our own. The biking is not strenuous at all and you stop often to learn about various sights.
The Cairns Lagoon was closed for repairs for all of July so we didn’t get to experience it.
Hi Sandy,
I'm so glad you had a fantastic trip to Cairns and Sydney and also enjoyed the Hotels I suggested. It sounds like you had some incredible experiences. Sydney is indeed a beautiful city, and I'm thrilled that you enjoyed climbing the Harbour Bridge and the bike tour. Thank you for your kind words and for recommending me—I’m delighted to have been a part of your adventure Down Under!
Take Care and All the Best
Vicky