Layover life - Australia

Jodi-Ann
Jun 29, 2017
3 min read

"Maybe it’s the roar of the engines, or the breathtaking views of the vast, endless skyline. Maybe it’s the feeling of freedom, or the idea that when we fly, we are resting on a blanket of air. Although I can’t quite decide what I like most about it, I enjoy every minute I get to spend above the cloud...

14 hours later we had finally touched down in the wild lands of the outback - Introducing Australia! (check out this video)

Brisbane

Arriving in the early hours of the morning, I attempted my very best to not fall asleep when we eventually reached our hotel - Next Hotel. It is in a convenient location, situated outside the Myer Centre, which is great for shopping and close to a bus stop. It wasn't difficult to navigate the bus stops and people were very helpful when it came to asking for directions (and no transport card needed, simply cash).

After falling asleep (mouth probably wide open) on the bus, our first stop was the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - approximately 45mins from the hotel. As you can imagine, the Koalas were adorable. Amongst all the school tours walking about, we managed to pause for some pictures with the furry animals and then ventured out to see some kangaroos. To my surprise, the marsupials were very interactive, allowing us to touch and feed them. In my opinion kangaroos are the bomb.com, and I was so tempted to put one in my suitcase for my pug back home.

The next morning, the South Bank (3mins walk from the hotel) had made the perfect running circuit for a 30 min jog. I advise running through the beautiful botanical gardens, which is the backdrop of Queensland University (2 blocks from the hotel), linking onto the bank. South Bank is a cultural, educational and recreational hub, drawing many locals and tourists to the area. We took a mandatory picture of the Brisbane Sign along the way and looped the Brisbane Wheel overlooking the city (which crew could get discount on... Emirates benefits). And for the food lovers, there are many restaurants situated along the bank, with great outdoor areas, perfect ambiance for sunset and a glass of wine.

2. Sydney

With each new destination that I visit I am given the chance to view the world from a different perspective. It's one thing to hear stories about a place, but its another to be able to experience it for yourself - the Sydney Oprah House and the Habour Bridge.

My first time visiting Australia was amazing. I promised I'd stay true to my adventure spirit, so the first thing I decided to do was hop onto a train, to catch a ferry along the Habour. Pressed for time, I hadn't had time to tan at Manly or Bondi Beach, but by the views, my bikini and I are definitely wanting to return for the summer. And since I'm a foodie, a mandatory lunch stop was needed. The Oprah House Restaurant was the perfect combination of views, crisp air and really good coffee. There were many other enticing restaurants along the strip, which is just one of many reasons I cannot wait to return to the vibrant city.