WOLLONGGONG - NSW

Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, 82 kms or about an hour drive from Sydney. It's our first time visiting this region.

Driving through the scenic Grand Pacific drive, one of the Australia's spectacular driving routes.      

  Taking a break at the Bald Lookout.

A man was preparing to do "hang gliding" over the cliff.

 

Over the cliff.

 

For a moment, I thought he didn't make it. However he reappeared for a landing at the beach below (the glider was in the circle).  

 ....and landed safely!

 

The 665 meter Sea Cliff Bridge is an icon to the people of Wollongong.

Driving through the cliff bridge.

Passing through the city.

Heading to Wollongong Harbour Light House.

A historic lighthouse situated on the southern breakwater of Wollongong Harbour.

The Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse, known affectionately by the locals as Old Wollongong Lighthouse, was built in 1871

While enjoying the sea view and I spotted a number of birds, like the black Cormorant, Fawn-breasted Bower bird and a Cockatoo.

Returning to Sydney in the evening.

BLUE MOUNTAINS - SYDNEY

We headed for the Blue Mountains via M7 motorway from Rockdale, Sydney.

Our first stop was the 26 hectares Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah. With many beautiful landscaped gardens, the view through the valley was spectacular.

 

 

 

 It was Winter, so there were not a lot of flowers in bloom but still so pretty.  

Birds were plenty. As an amateur photographer, I only managed to capture some of them.  

 

There were a number of small Fairy wrens in one of the gardens. Normally male and females looked the same. I was told that they could easily be identified during breeding season. The tail of the male would turn into beautiful blue plumage. 

 

 This male was ready to mate. 

A Gang-gang Cockatoo was spotted high in the tree.

A magpie.

  The Noisy Miner, a common bird could be seen everywhere.

From Botanic garden, Mount Tomah, we drove over to Katoomba town for lunch before continuing our drive to the "Three Sisters" a most spectacular landmark, located at Echo Point Katoomba.

The Katoomba town

 Echo Point Lookout

The Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley, from Echo Point, Katoomba in the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park. 

Returning to Sydney just before sunset. It was a tiring day but we did had a good time. 

AUSTRALIA HOLIDAY - SYDNEY

Our next Australian destination was Sydney, about an hour flight time from Brisbane.  

 Our aircraft, a B737-800 of Qantas.

 Thanks to the good weather, it's a smooth flight.

Landed Sydney on time.

We were in Sydney last September and have visited most of the iconic attractions, like the Opera house, Sydney Harbour bridge, Circular Quay, Bondi beach, Botany Bay National Park and Sydney Taronga Zoo. This time we would just like to revisit some of the places.      

Spending half a day at Circular Quay where the Opera house and Harbour bridge are.

 The street food at the same area.

Cheap...especially the BBQ.

 

A stroll at the busy streets of the city.

In the evening, we celebrated my wife's birthday in a popular Portuguese restaurant recommended by my son.

 

 

 

 

The Charcoal chicken with the Portuguese chili, Seafood fried rice, tender beef skewers, salad and roasted potato cubes were great.

 A picture to remember the occasion.