After an amazing year of travel in 2013 and 2014, that had us living out of a suitcase for nearly two years, 2015 was the year of staying home in Australia.
I wasn’t sure how I’d cope with the change but it wasn’t as hard as I thought. There were adjustments to be made but after a short settling in period, it was great to be back home!
Rottnest
We started our year as we always do…spending summer at Rottnest.
Rottnest Island
Clear blue water at Rottnest
We both love this idyllic lifestyle….lazy days spent relaxing, beach walks, eating freshly caught crayfish, reading a book or two or maybe even writing the odd blog post!
The minute the weather changes, it is time to head home and look for activities that have us escaping winter. A quick trip to Melbourne was not the answer and had us looking for sun on our return!
Read:
Rottnest Island in January
A Taste of Rottnest: Crayfish
Road trip to Kalbarri and Carnarvon
We love a road trip so early in June we hit the road to spend some time with friends in Carnarvon. The drive from Perth to Carnarvon usually takes 10-12 hours but for us, it was a five day road trip!
Even though the Pinnacles National Park is only two hours from Perth, we had never visited before. Isn’t this often the case….you usually see more of other countries than your own!
The Pinnacles at sunset
The best time to see the monolithic rocks that the park is known for, is at sunset when the suns rays highlight them adding a touch of colour
From here it was on to Kalbarri. With river gorges carved by the Murchison River and dramatic coastal cliffs this is an area of natural beauty. The year round holiday resort is always a popular place to visit.
Natural Bridge in Kalbarri
Z Bend, Kalbarri
Finally we made it to Carnarvon. We even drove further up the coast to see Carnarvon’s famous blowholes.
Carnarvon’s Blowholes
Read:
The Pinnacles: Western Australia’s Mysterious Desert
The Natural Beauty of Kalbarri
Broome
With winter well and truly entrenched in Perth, we stayed only long enough to pack our bags for Broome. Having been in Europe at this time in the previous two years, we were looking forward to getting back to this fabulous town. It’s the perfect winter escape!
Cable Beach, Broome
The days start and end on Cable Beach…morning walks and sunsets drinks are the order of the day. Lazy days in Broome indeed!
Sunset at Cable Beach
Read:
Lazy days in Broome
What to do in Broome
Broome’s Hidden Flying Boats
Sailing in the Whitsunday Islands
A few weeks later we flew to the Whitsundays and cruised these beautiful islands with friends. I had never been here and this was a trip I was looking forward to. This part of Queensland is very beautiful. Whitehaven Beach is often touted to be the best beach in Australia but I’ll argue this one in favour of many of Western Australia’s beaches.
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands
The last couple of days were spent back in Hamilton Island for the start of the Hamilton Island Race Week…definitely a great time to be there!
Sailing in Hamilton Island’s Race Week
Melbourne
I love visiting Melbourne.
Melbourne’s restaurants are amongst the best in Australia so the trip always turns into an eatathon! We started the week with a fabulous meal at Tonka, the fabulous Indian fusion restaurant in Flinders Lane and followed it with dinners at Supernormal, Mr Miyagi and Minamishima….great restaurants if you’re looking for somewhere to eat.
Hobart
Before too long we were on the move again, this time to Hobart for a Tasmanian Tastecation!
A Tasmanian Tastecation
Hobart is the perfect city for a tastecation. We spent a day in the Coal River Valley trying the locally made chocolates, cheese and wine. On Saturday morning we wandered through Hobart’s Salamanca Markets, walked around historic Battery Point and then spent a wonderful afternoon at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) The museum is so impressive…you should not miss it! Our last day was again indulging our taste buds on the local produce of Bruny Island on our wonderful Bruny Island Gourmet Tour.
MOMA in Hobart
Read:
A Tasmanian Tasecation with Travelodge Hotels
Our Bruny island Gourmet Tour
A Long Awaited Visit to MONA
Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Brisbane’s waterfront
Wow…what a fun trip this was! You’d be surprised how much you can see in 48 hours in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. I hadn’t been to Brisbane for a very long time and the changes this city has made are incredible. It really is a fabulous city now. Southbank is alive at night…it’s restaurants were buzzing and people were using the parks, beaches and gardens that have been created along the river bank.The cultural area is also along the river from there and the Gallery of Modern Art has some amazing exhibitions.
Brisbane Skyline
We hopped on Brisbane’s Airtrain and one hour later we were checking in to our hotel on the Gold Coast. The view from the Skypoint Observation Deck says it all….
The Gold Coast
Our balloon ride over the Gold Coast hinterland offered another aspect of this area that is usually known for its beaches and theme parks.
Ballooning in the Gold Coast hinterland
Read:
48hrs in Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Melbourne
Another week in Melbourne, more restaurants to try and visits to the city to make. Melbourne has one of the most vibrant city centres in Australia. It’s city laneways are known for their coffee shops and street art. I always love wandering around them taking in the wonderful atmosphere and, when the weather behaves as it did, it’s even better!
Melbourne
Restaurant window in Hosier Lane
Read:
The Ever Changing Street Art of Melbourne
The Beauty of Melbourne’s Notorious Weather
Margaret River
Three hours south of Perth is the Western Australia’s premier wine growing are, Margaret River. A weekend here feels like a month! There’s beaches to explore, wines to taste and delicious food to eat. Whilst we were there, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape was being held giving us another opportunity to taste food and wine from the area and to meet a few well known chefs!
Lunch at Bunker Bay Resort on our way to Margaret River
The stunning beach of Hamelin Bay
As I write this, I realise it was a busier year than I thought…no wonder it went quickly!
Thank you all for your wonderful support again this year. I love hearing from you either here on the blog or, if you’re lucky enough to see posts, on facebook.
Instagram grows daily for me. I find it an easy way to connect with everyone so pop over and say hi. If you’re not on Instagram and would like to follow our travels, you can do so without having to post a photo. You’ll find me at atasteoftravel
Travel plans have been made for 2016 and already changed! Who knows where we’ll be or when! Wherever we are, I look forward to you joining us.
Best wishes to you all for a safe and happy 2016.
A Taste of Rottnest Island: Crayfish
What to do in Broome
Seven Weeks in Croatia: The Highlights
An Introduction to Istanbul for the First Time Visitor
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