Last year, my family and I traveled to Australia for a two week family vacation.
Because my mother had been an exchange student there during high school, we decided to travel with her host parents.
We arrived in Sydney the first day after an exhausting 14 hour flight. After meeting my mother’s host parents at the airport, we went to pick up our miniature bus that we would be traveling in for the next two weeks.
The very first day we rode the ferry, and went to see the Sydney Opera House. We were all astounded by its incredible beauty inside and out. We spent the next few nights in a hotel nearby ironically located in China town.
From Sydney we traveled down into the Blue Mountains and came across the Featherdale Wildlife Park. It was incredible! We were able to feed and pet kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and even a few emus. Though they were slightly intimidating at first, by the end of the day my family and I were experts at feeding the animals. The park also had a gigantic crocodile and a many exotic birds.
We continued down the Blue Mountains to visit the Three Sisters, Australia’s version of the Grand Canyon. We also rode the world’s steepest railroad conveniently located nearby.
We spent a few nights in an old police station that had been converted into a motel. Complete with creaky floors, old fashion furniture, and a wardrobe in every room, it looked like something out of a Nancy Drew computer game.
Then we drove to South West Rocks. Stopping at a Shark and Ray Center to wade in a giant tank with sting rays and sharks! I myself am not too fond of sea creatures but my siblings persuaded me to endure the tank with them. I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed swimming with the sharks and rays.
We then spent a few days at my mother’s host parent’s house near Horseshoe Bay. They lived in a quaint little town right down the road from the coast. The beach was extraordinary and the small town atmosphere made us feel right at home.
On our last days we drove up to the Gold Coast, stopping atvarious tourists attractions such asThe Big Banana, which makes for a great family picture, and also has fabulous banana splits.
On the last day we bid farewell to my mom’s host parents and boarded our plane back to America.
After an incredible jam-packed two week adventure, my family and I returned home to Michigan with a few souvenirs, various Australian foods, and memories that will remain with us for a lifetime.
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