Australia has always made a tough and rugged impression on me. The world’s largest island is a continent full of contrasts. The vast landscapes and long distances are in stark contrast to those of the Netherlands or Europe. The land of Skippy, the Flying Doctors and Crocodile Dundy is fascinating because of its diversity of nature, climate and history. I visit the cities of Sydney, Adelaide and Darwin, the Outback in the south and the Wetlands in the north.
Iconic structures in Sydney
A Singapore Airlines flight is an experience in terms of service and customer attention. From Schiphol I fly to Sydney with a stop over in Singapore. A great city! With a visit to the recently renovated and renewed Raffels Hotel you feel like you are in the colonial era. Beautifully worked out interior and great atmosphere. Then on to Sydney. The journey is going well. No queue at customs or questions regarding my Visa, everything is well arranged.
Sydney is a city with a number of iconic structures such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It is the largest and oldest city in Australia and currently has about 5 million inhabitants. Here you can walk in the streets and around the ports. Barbershops, coffee shops and outdoor lunches define the streetscape.
Sydney has a lot of diversity to offer such as The Rocks with Argyle Quarter, hip restaurants and bars and – just down the road – Park Hyatt and the Harbour Bridge. I also visit Paddington, Potts Point and Bondi Beach. Dining at Icebergs overlooking Bondi Beach is highly recommended.
‘KI’ as the locals call it
From Sydney I fly to Adelaide, and from Adelaide on a half-hour flight to Kangaroo Island. Australia’s third largest island is home to a rich landscape and wildlife is home to sea lions, wallabies, koalas, various bird species and of course kangaroos. I stay there at the Southern Ocean Lodge, a beautiful lodge on the southwest coast of KI (Kangaroo Island) as the locals call it. A visit to Remarkable Rocks and a sundowner between the kangaroos is a wonderful experience.
one with nature
Via Adelaide I travel to Hawker, a small airport to reach Arkaba. Arkaba is located on the Flinders Ranges and is renowned for its style and comfort. This homestead lets you experience the Outback feeling. The wild landscape of the Outback is known for its Wilpena Pound crater. I visit an abandoned sheep shear, you taste the history. With a 4WD I drive for hours through the hilly landscapes. There’s no one, there’s silence. Here you will experience a feeling with nature.
Road trip to Adelaide
From Arkaba back to Adelaide by luxury vehicle gives a nice picture of the countryside between the Outback and the city. Every village has its inhabitants and visitors, a hotel, a pub and a church. In Clare we stop for lunch at Skillogalee, a vineyard with restaurant and a very varied menu. Clare Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region, renowned for its galleries, small-scale wineries and Riesling wines via a real Riesling Trail.
Arriving in Adelaide I explore the city followed by dinner at Restaurant Orana. Orana promises a mouth-watering, unique and intimate dining experience. The service, dishes and wines are of the highest quality. Unique Aboriginal ingredients packed into modern Australian cuisine, a very special experience.
Tropical Darwin
Arriving in Darwin I notice a climate change. It’s tropical hot here. Street art dominates Mitchell Street, the backpackers district of Darwin with Aboriginal Fine Art galleries. Murals of animals and Aborigines embellish this district which clearly represents Darwin’s creative impact.
Mary River Wetlands
From Darwin I continue my trip to Bamurru Plains, Australia’s Top End for a three-day stay with no digital reach. I don’t miss it, there is plenty to see and enjoy. In Bamurru Plains it is hot and dry. The wait is for rain, a lot of rain. I visit World Heritage Kakadu National Park, with petroglyphs of the Aborigines, called Ubirr Rock.
I continue my journey with a river cruise on the East Alligator River led by an Aboriginal who talks about their language, customs, traditions and mythology. On the river we are treated to beautiful images of alligators and various bird species including the Black Kakatu.
The next day I am woken up early by jumping wallabees around my lodge. Turns out there’s a Dingo on the prowl. I quickly take my camera outside to take a picture of the Dingo before it disappears from the scene again.
On the last day of my stay I cruise on the river where I spot a variety of birds. I see different species of geese and songbirds, Anhina, Kingfisher, Australian chick and dancing Brolga cranes.
It’s calm, quiet. It gives me the chance to take beautiful pictures.
Australia has a lot to offer, from modern stylish cities to timeless landscapes
in the Outback, red desert plains and tropical beaches. Australia, I’ll be back!
