Photo Album
Australia - 2019
The conservatory in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Cook cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. Supposedly the home of Capt. Cooks parents which was relocated to the garden site in Melbourne
In Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
This statue is behind the conservatory building in Fitzroy Gardens
Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne
Random kangaroo photo
This kangaroo was willing to take a snack from my hand
Petteng a Koala while it was having lunch
Some beach boxes on the shore near Mornington (across the peninsula from Melbourne)
view down into the main reading room at the Victoria State Library in Melbourne
Magic possums sculpture on display in the Victoria State Library
This historic shot tower has been domed over right in the middle of Melbourne Central shopping mall.
Arriving in Alice Springs
The historic telegraph site from which the city of Alice Springs was founded
ANZAC Hill near Alice Springs. This is a site to honor all the military conflicts Australian military forces have been involved in from WW1 through Afghanistan & Iraq
The town of Alice Springs as seen from ANZAC hill
Simpsons Gap as seen from the beginning of the hiking trail
The stream bed here is pretty dry so it would be hard to swim even if it were allowed
Visitors Center for School of the Air. Online schools may be getting common now, but they were doing it before the internet was a thing. I donated a book for their sharing library!
Adelade House the first hospital here
The shopping street in downtown Alice Springs
Uluru (Ayers Rock) as seen from the cultural visitor's center
This is the face where people climb Uluru at. But starting next month this will no longer be allowed at all.
Sunset on Uluru
Uluru at sunrise. Unfortunately, it was mostly cloudy this morning so didn't really get to see the "glow"
Sunrise at Ayers Rock (Uluru)
This is a view of Kata Tjuta, another large rock feature in the same National Park as Uluru
I think it is technically a Callistemon Citrinus but referred to locally as a Crimson Bottlebrush. Fair enough, I guess that is what those red flowers on the tree look like alright.
This patch of sand in front of the boat is where the snorkelers will go to start their exploration of the Great Barrier Reef
This strange looking boat is what they call a semi-submersible. Basically, a boat where the passengers sit below the water line and look out windows in the sides. As I don't swim this is the only way I am getting a look the reef below the surface
A view inside from my seat in the semi-submersible
A picture of the Great Barrier Reef taken through the window of the semi-submersible
Another reef picture taken from the semi-submersible
Hiked through the rainforest around Mossman Gorge while our aboriginal culture guide pointed out things of interest. Here we have a small waitaminute vine to avoid
The Daintree Tea House where we had lunch today. The doorway is easily visible there on the lower right, but there is a dining room under the floral mound on the left.
This is Rex Lookout, mostly just a spot to look out on the Coral Sea and sandy beach near Palm Cove just outside of Cairnes
The hang glider hovering above the beach here is a minor local celebrity (Hang Gliding Dog) according to our guide as this guy takes his dog with him on the hang glider.
Sydney Opera House & Harbor Bridge seen from Mrs. Macquaries Point
Sydney as seen from a harbor ferry
Sydney Opera House as seen from a harbor ferry
A glimpse inside the Opera House outside of one of the performance halls. No photos were allowed in the halls themselves as they had production sets inside.
This room inside the Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon who designed the exterior. The rest of the interior was done by Australian designers.
Saint Marys Cathedral in Sydney
The ANZAC Memorial in Sydney
Not really sure what these pigs are all about, but there were a bunch of them in a shopping area a couple blocks from the hotel in Sydney
This is the historic Town Center building in Sydney
Outside the Queen Elizabeth Building
Inside the Queen Elizabeth Building. Yup, it's a mall
This space used to be inside the old General Post Office (the far wall below the glass ceiling is an original wall of that building) now it is part of the inside of the Westin Hotel. The significance of this space is that it is where Neo had his Deja Vu moment with the cat in the Matrix.
Opera House as seen from mid-span while walking across the harbor bridge. For perspective, the other side of the closest window is where the inside picture with the purple carpet was taken.
A wider view from mid-span while walking across the harbor bridge.
Tour group farewell photo.