The Anthonys in Australia

By Phil and Golden Kennedy On November 16, 2009 · Leave a Comment

A Guest Post by Carolyn Anthony

Our wonderful trip to Australia started when my husband, Phil, was invited to speak at a conference in Brisbane. As we had never visited Australia, we decided to combine business with pleasure and add two weeks to the trip giving us three weeks total. So, I set off to the book store to purchase travel guides along with visits to the internet numerous times. After gathering information on potential destinations that would be of interest to us and discussing them over and over sometimes with major disagreements and other times in total agreement we finally decided where we wanted to visit. Now, what do we do? Fortunately, we were referred to Phil and Golden Kennedy @ Aussie World Travel (www.aussieworldtravel.info) by a very reliable source we trusted. I remember the first conversation with Phil K., explaining to him what we were after and hearing his reassuring tone and reply that it could all be put together, not to worry. I heaved a sigh of relief and knew we were in the right hands. After all, this would not be the easiest itinerary to coordinate.

Best of Brisbane & River Cruise

We arrived in Brisbane with one free day before the beginning of the conference. Phil and Golden booked us on 1 Day Best of Brisbane & River Cruise. This was a great guided tour by bus combined with a river trip. Brisbane is a lovely city sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River. We loved driving past many of the old Queenslander homes and were impressed with how well kept they were. The combination of old and new architecture was well done here. The high rises form a beautiful skyline.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Our tour day ended with a trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Yes, I held and hugged a koala. Phil (husband) took several pictures and said my smile never changed the entire time I was holding the Koala. How could it? I was happy with my little mate and hated to let him go. There were many other attractions and we saw them all. Great time was had here.

With the conference over, we were off to the next destination, Fraser Island. This involved flying from Brisbane to Hervey Bay and then boarding a ferry to the island. Travel plans were so well organized that this was a very easy trip. King Fisher Bay Resort lived up to its high ratings. The staff was very friendly and helpful making our stay very comfortable. Our booked 4wd bus tour of the island was like being on a ride in an amusement park. “Hey folks! Yes, it’s all sand…up and down sand,” the bus driver said. “Hold on and enjoy the ride.” We did! The next morning we departed on our whale watching cruise. Phil K promised we would see some whales on this trip, but we were really impressed with how many we saw. These beautiful humpback whales, parents and calves put on quite a show, breaching and blowing…just like all the documentaries or posters you have seen. It was absolutely breathtaking. We left Frazier Island with good memories, but also with anticipation to what our next destination would bring us.

3) Fraser Island

4) Whale Watching Cruise

We traveled by rail on the Spirit of the Outback from Maryborough to Longreach. This was a 19-hour trip and since we boarded in the evening, we first either looked out at the black of night or were sleeping in our berth. But, the next day we had ample time to stare out the window at the vast outback landscape. There were more eucalyptus trees than you could ever count and also many large termite mounds that took us some time to identify. When we arrived at the Longreach Railway Station, we were extremely pleased to see our accommodation at the Longreach Motor Inn was just across the highway. Also, within walking distance were the center of town, the botanical gardens and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Heritage Centre which we visited the next day. The Hall of Fame was a wonderful place to learn the history of the early explorers and European settlers. There was an extensive exhibit on Aboriginal history where we spent a long time. A must see for anyone who visits Longreach. We both enjoyed and appreciated our outback experience.

5) Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Heritage Centre

Then, it was back to the coast and on to our next stop, Heron Island. This required two commuter flights and a helicopter ride from Gladstone to the island which sits on the Great Barrier Reef. We were the only passengers on the helicopter and the pilot was also a super tour guide. It was great observing the reef from above and seeing many stingrays and turtles…hoping a few might join us when we snorkeled. Needless to say, we were both tired upon arrival, a long day indeed. So, we headed to our room for a little rest before dinner. Phil and Golden must have anticipated our condition because there on the table in our room was a bottle of champagne on ice with two glasses and a lovely note from them. Due to their thoughtfulness, we immediately started to feel better and as the clock ticked away to dinnertime…better and better. Ha! Ha! The Heron Island Resort was top-of-the-line in every way. Food was plentiful (three full meals per day) with a large selection of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. The Chef prepared various entrees and main courses every day, all of them exceptionally good. Snorkeling was great right off the beach as well as by boat to the outer reef. Sea life was too numerous to mention. A beautiful experience awaits anyone visiting Heron Island. Oh yes, that turtle I mentioned above did not join me but the ray did.

6) Heron Island Arrival

7) Heron Island Resort

Next was our trip’s finale. We flew to Sydney for a stay that included a two-day private Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves Tour. We stayed in the Old Sydney Holiday Inn in the historical Rocks Area. It was a perfect place to see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Sydney Harbour is extremely beautiful by day, but absolutely breathtaking by night. It was raining with lightning and thunder while we were there so we were glad that Phil and Golden had booked us on a Harbour Cruise Tour. Inside we could stay dry. We traveled the harbour with a guide who was a good history teacher. She taught us a lot and with some Aussie humor thrown in. Early the next morning, Steve, our tour guide and companion, picked us up at the hotel and off to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves we went. He toured us around Sydney as well which we did not expect but were very happy with because the storm had kept us from seeing as much as we had planned. We were impressed with his complete knowledge of the area and all of its history. None of our questions went unanswered. We stopped in a park along the way for tea that Steve had brought. A large group of kangaroos entertained us the entire time we were there. We then proceeded further up the mountain (it even snowed a little) where we had the privilege of a private tour of the Secret Creek Sanctuary. Here, Trevor Evans, the owner introduced us to the Eastern Quoll, an endangered species he is breeding and trying to protect from extinction. They no longer are found in the wild on the mainland, only in Tasmania. That late afternoon, we checked into the Jenolan Caves House, a lovely Tudor- style hotel nestled into the mountain next to the cave entrances. The following morning we descended into the Orient Cave, one of many caves in the area. We were told this cave was one of the world’s most beautiful. It was indeed beautiful, almost spellbinding as you gazed at the crystal formations. The high-tech lighting also added to the beauty. Thanks Phil and Golden for suggesting the caves. When deciding on visiting the Blue Mountains, we overlooked this great place. We would have been so disappointed to have missed our stay there.

8) View from The Old Sydney Holiday Inn

View from The Old Sydney Holiday Inn

9) Sydney Harbour at Night

10) Kangaroos in a Sydney Park

11)Eastern Quoll in Secret Creek Sanctuary

12) Orient Cave

For our last night in Sydney, we were booked on the Harbour Dinner Cruise… definitely, a fitting way to say goodbye to Australia…for now. Thanks to Phil and Golden Kennedy, our vacation was flawless. Also a thank you to Allison Hogan at Down Under Answers for her hard work. And, to Steve at Boutique Tours for putting up with us for two days, thank you. Until next time….

Sincerely ~ Carolyn & Phil Anthony of Fallbrook, California