A Glimpse of Beautiful North Coast, New South Wales, Australia (Video)

The North Coast Region of New South Wales covers the towns  just past the Central Coast if you are driving from Sydney towards Brisbane in Queensland. 

Major townships and popular places within the North Coast include Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Lismore, Ballina, Grafton, Casino, Tweed Heads, Port Macquarie,  Kempsey, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, and Murwillumbah.

Must See Parks in the North Coast

• Brisbane Water National Park
• Barrington Tops National Park
• Myall Lakes National Park
• Sea Acres Nature Reserve
• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and National Park Dorrigo Skywalk
• Wollumbin-Mount Warning National Park 

Tourist Attractions and Activities

• Hunter Valley Fine Wine Tasting and fabulous food.
• Scuba diving in the diverse marine world of Solitary Islands Marine Park, off the coast at Coffs Harbour.
• World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park.
• The Channon markets on the scenic road to Lismore.
• Historic Trial Bay Gaol at South West Rocks. 
• Sand dunes of Stockton Beach, north of Newcastle. 

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credits:video from Youtube by pleasetakemeto

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Where to Watch 2011 Sydney's New Year Eve Fireworks: Best Spots

World famous Sydney's New Year's Eve Fireworks is only few hours from now. Like many Sydneysiders out there, this event is not to be missed. It's a family affair to go out and watch the live fireworks at Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, if you cannot withstand the huge crowd and cold wind, it is usually covered live and can be watched on television.

Here's the list where you can watch the action live if you are here in Sydney:

Sydney - City

Barangaroo
Bennelong Lawn (Lawn with The View), Royal Botanic Gardens
Cahill Expressway, Circular Quay
Campbells Cove, The Rocks
Circular Quay Promenade, Circular Quay
Dawes Point, The Rocks
East Circular Quay
First Fleet Park, West Circular Quay
Fleet Steps (Midnight at the Oasis), Royal Botanic Gardens
Mrs Macquaries Point
Observatory Hill Park, Millers Point
Sydney Opera House
Tarpeian Precinct (Macquarie Street Lawns), Royal Botanic Gardens
The Rocks

SYDNEY EAST
Christison Park, Vaucluse
Duff Reserve, Point Piper
Dumeresq Reserve, Rose Bay
Embarkation Park, Kings Cross
McKell Park, Darling Point
Nielsen Park, Steele Point Rd, Vaucluse
Redleaf Gardens and Beach, Double Bay
Robertson Park, Watsons Bay
Rushcutters Bay Park, Darling Point
Strickland House Lawns, Vaucluse
Yarranabbe Park, Darling Point

SYDNEY-WEST
Bicentennial Park, Glebe
Birchgrove Park, Birchgrove
Clarke's Point, Hunters Hill
Elkington Park, Balmain
Federal Park, Annandale
Illoura Reserve, Peacock Point, Balmain
Lookes Ave Reserve, Balmain
Mort Bay Park, Birchgrove
Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
Simmons Point Reserve, Balmain
Sydney Park, St Peters
Thornton Park, Balmain
Waterdale Reserve, Balmain
Yurulbin Park, Birchgrove

SYDNEY- NORTH
Balls Head Reserve, Waverton
Blues Point Reserve, McMahons Point
Bradfield Park, Milsons Point
Bradley's Head, Mosman
Cremorne Point Reserve, Cremorne Point
Kurraba Point Reserve, Neutral Bay
Manns Point, Greenwich
Mary Booth Lookout
North Head, Manly

SYDNEY HARBOUR - ISLANDS

Clark Island, Sydney Harbour
Cockatoo Island
Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour
Goat Island, Sydney Harbour
Shark Island, Sydney Harbour

Source: City of Sydney Website 

Watch a Youtube video of the 2010 New Years Eve Fireworks below to witness how huge this celebration is.

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A Cruise at the Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia (Video)

Here's  beautiful video uploaded by  JMCKish at Youtube. It features the the famous Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. Riding a ferry that goes around the Sydney Harbour  is one of the best activities that any tourist must do in Sydney.

You will enjoy this video with  a great music background!

If you think you’ve seen it all in Australia, then think again. You just haven’t seen Australia if you haven’t seen its stunning sights by night. Simply choose from our range of night tours and experience Australia by night and book online instantly. Want to book a Australia night tour for someone else? Select the gift voucher option and suggest the night tour you think they'd like to go on. They can either take up the suggestion or try something else! Check out GoDo Australia

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Sydney's Darling Harbour at Night (6 photos)

Darling Harbour is one of Sydney's premier tourist destinations. It is one of the world's great waterfront destinations with spectacular harbour setting. It a place of relaxation, large parties, and celebrations.   

Darling Harbour hosted large crowds during the FIFA World Cup 2010

Darling Harbour Waterfront including the iconic Sydney Tower

The Sydney Convention Center, Darling Harbour

Harbourside and Hotels along Darling Harbour

Fountain in between Darling Harbour's prime restaurants

"Once in a Blue Moon"

If you think you’ve seen it all in Australia, then think again. You just haven’t seen Australia if you haven’t seen its stunning sights by night. Simply choose from our range of night tours and experience Australia by night and book online instantly. Want to book a Australia night tour for someone else? Select the gift voucher option and suggest the night tour you think they'd like to go on. They can either take up the suggestion or try something else!Check out GoDo Australia

Cheap Flights - Book now at AirfaresFlights.com.au
Hotels Deals Here

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Video: Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia Flash Mob Dance

This is Bondi Beach, a popular home of the world's greatest surfers. It is well known for its great white sandy beach and where they film the popular Australian show "Bondi Rescue." It is a modern and trendy coastal resort and has number of cafes and restaurants which look out over the beach and makes a great place to stay and visit.

Have you heard of the a new surfing phenomenon called Towel Surfing? Well, I just learn today. It was born in Bondi Beach November last year! And this is the Video. Over 200 people joined in synchronous dance on their towels to the music of Australian music icon Ben Lee in a perfectly choreographed routine that amazed onlookers.

You gonna love this video. It's really cool. It started with one young boy in red trunk who walked through the crowded beach of sunbathers and surfers. He turned on his boombox and he began to dance! Onlookers enjoyed his dance moves and suddenly he was followed by other beachgoers joined in began surfing on their towels! 

Source: Youtube by rootsmanh00ver

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Manly Beach NSW Photos

Manly Beach is a well-known beach situated in Sydney's Northern Beaches, Australia. It's about 30  minutes ride by ferry from the Sydney Ferries Main Station, at Circular Quay, Sydney CBD to the Manly Ferry Terminal then a short walk from the Wharf to this famous beach.  Manly is one of Sydney’s most popular seaside destinations. The surfing spot haven Fairy Bower and Shelley Beach which is a popular place for scuba diving are minutes walk to this beautiful destination.

Manly Beach, NSW, Australia

Families, young and old, tourist flock to this beautiful beach

Fun in the Sand, Manly Beach, NSW

"The Beach is Sick of Your Rubbish" - Cleanliness Campaign

Manly Shops and Outdoor Restaurants

Towering Manly Accomodations and Apartments

Manly's Oceanworld Aquarium

 

A Sailboat along Manly's Waters

 Manly Wharf, Manly, NSW

If you are traveling to Sydney and wanting to save, check out great special deals and compare flights  at Airfare Flights and this one for Hotel Accomodations.

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Sydney's Blue Mountains Photos, Part I

Blue Mountains is one of Australia's premier destinations. There is so much to see and a day is not enough to explore many of its tourist attractions. My family and I drove this time  to the Blue Mountains's Scenic World. It's about one and a half drive from where we live but it's about two hours from Sydney's City Centre by car, bus, or train.

Scenic World – in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains of Australia – offers a range of experiences that can be found nowhere else on Earth. First, this Scenic Railway. We were hesitant to ride, but we can't say "no" to my 5 year old son's excitement.  

This is the Scenic Railway Train. Well-designed to hold passengers for an amazing ride to the steepest inclined railway! A 415 metre descent in a dark, cold, and cliff-side tunnel into ancient rainforest. All you will hear are screams of terrified passengers!

Train descending to it's destination

Time to go to the Scenic Walkway

Majestic view of the Three Sisters taken from the Train waiting station

Which way would you choose?

The well-preserved Katoomba's Coal Mine. Look, even the miners were preserved!

Thirsty? You deserve to sit and relax on one of these Miner's benches.

Fresh Drinking water on its side!

Coal Trucks

Coal Mine entrance

Scenic Walkway offers two kilometres of boardwalk through Blue Mountains's rainforest.

This is the best part for me. Walking with my wife and son on the thick forest enjoying probably the freshiest air in Sydney, Australia

The Scenic Skyway. It's fun but it's a bit crowded.

More Blue Mountains photos to come! Please drop by next time.

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Inside Jenolan Caves, Sydney, Australia

Driving to Jenolan Caves in one sunny day was an exhilarating experience for me and my family. Approximately 177 kilometers away from the City, Jenolan offers an entirely different wonder of God's creation. As soon as we reach Jenolan, we were welcomed by an amazing Grand Arch which serves as the common entrance to the different caves.

Jenolan Caves are without question, Australia's most impressive limestone caves. The caves were discovered in 1838 by a convict bushranger. There are nine show caves open to the public with spectacular lighting, underground rivers, and cave formations that will surely amaze anyone.

 

Our tour guide who took us through one of the the caves demonstrated a crystal clear limestone rock using a torch. 

 

Can you see the stage performers? a theater formation inside Jenolan

Fine dripping stalactites

Well-built walkways and ladders made it easier for us to view most parts of the cave

It take hundreds of years for spectacular formation such as this.

An angel's wing? probably...figure it out.

Giant needles?

Friendly colorful birds playing with my son

How to get to Jenolan Caves

There is no public transport to Jenolan Caves, but it is a pleasant drive. There is plenty of free parking at Jenolan.

Driving

From Sydney, take the M4 Motorway travelling west through the Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Mt. Victoria on the Great Western Highway. Shortly after Victoria Pass, the Jenolan Caves turnoff is found just past the village of Hartley. Turning left, this road passes through Hampton and finally Jenolan Caves.

The trip offers spectacular scenery on a sealed road that can be completed comfortably in 2½ hours from Parramatta. If you have time, explore the Blue Mountains along the way.

If you are visiting Jenolan from the direction of Sydney, Katoomba and Lithgow, the last section of the road into the Jenolan Valley is one way from 11.45am to 1.15pm everyday. This allows coaches to enter Jenolan safely on the narrow road. Visitors can still leave Jenolan during these times - via the Oberon Road which is now fully sealed. (Source: http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/)

Click here to view Entrance fees for standard tours.

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Free Shower

A Giant fountain across ANZ Stadium located at  Sydney Olympic Park. It is a great picnic site for families or groups with young children. A children's playground and an open soccer park are within its vicinity.

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Sydney's Blue Mountains

November 2007 when I first set foot here in Sydney, Australia. We were attending the wedding of my wife's nephew. We had a quick tour to some of Sydney's landmarks including the famous Three Sisters at Blue Mountains (photo above taken November 2007). 

  

Why was it called Three Sisters?

The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. 

These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.

The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.

As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to  return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come. (source:bluemountainsaustralia.com)

Blue Mountains is a great place to visit especially for families. It offers various adventures, activities, and scenic sites. It is very accessible and one can have the option to go by car, or simply by catching a bus or train. I will be uploading more photos on my next blog entry about this tourist attraction.

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