WELCOME TO FARNSNIENTE

Day long catamaran trip around the Whitsunday Islands with a very international group of fellow boaters. The islands sit on a continental shelf that's part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. First stop was at Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island for snorkeling or, in my case, noodle floating. Lunch on board then a stop at Whitehaven Beach for a nice stroll on a long, beautiful stretch of sand that is finer than sugar. Around the point of the island to Tongue Bay whe

Every Aussie who heard we were going to Hamilton Island raved about it and we quickly found out why. It’s SO beautiful, the accommodations are excellent and there are lots of great restaurants. The fabulous weather, many free range wallabies and cockatoos didn’t hurt either. After a lazy morning we took off in our golf cart (buggy to the locals) for an island tour. It’s a small place and it didn’t take us long to cover all of it. Along the way we stop for a 2.4 mile round tri

We left Brisbane headed by plane to Hamilton Island, still in the state of Queensland but almost 600 miles away. We stayed in a different hotel than T & D so we parted company upon arrival. We had a beautiful view from room, 9 floors up with a big balcony overlooking Catseye Beach. After lunch we met back up for a short stroll to the marina, the island’s hub of activity. It being beer o’clock for the guys we stopped at the Marina Tavern for beverages. Back on our balcony (and

Lovely Lune croissants for breakfast at the laundromat! Afterwards, Scott took off on a self-guided walking tour and the rest of us explored the Roma Street Parklands, a very nice garden with lots of flowers and water features. After a short beer break at our hotel we hopped on them ferry for a tour up (down?) the river before dinner.

Happy Easter! We took off for a tour with our guide Tania at 8:00 a.m. First stop, a hike through the Coombabah Wetlands, a mosquito-filled but picturesque swamp, then off to the Gold Coast south of Brisbane. Walked out to the end of The Spit, a narrow bit of land jutting out into the Coral Sea. In the town of Surfers’ Paradise we were dropped off at Sky Pointe tower where, 77 floors up, we enjoyed the view, lunch and people watching. Our last stop was at Springbrook National

Flew from Adelaide to Brisbane, entering our 5th state (out of 8 states and territories). We took a long walk along the Brisbane River then had an excellent French dinner.

It was a leisure day for us so we had a lazy morning then walked along Torrens river to Adelaide’s fabulous botanic garden. Unexpectedly, we were there during an amazing exhibition of Dale Chihuly glass vessels and sculptures. Many of them were in a pavilion but the largest, most spectacular were set among the gardens and ponds. There was also a wonderful rose garden with 2700 rose bushes in full bloom! Nearby trees house numerous black blobs hanging from their branches. They

On a private tour we headed off to the Barossa Valley, a beautiful, famous wine region outside of Adelaide. We made a few stops, first to the “Whispering Wall”, a dam with extraordinary acoustics. Then to Maggie Beer’s Farm Stand (she’s like the Australian Martha Stewart) for “elevenses”. We had a yummy lunch of charcuterie and pizza and a tasting of multiple wines at Lambert Estate winery. Afterwards, we headed to the Adelaide Hills for a chance to shop at Melba’s Chocolates

Flew to Adelaide in the state of South Australia. Checked into the EOS hotel at the Sky City Casino where they promote “gaming” which sounds ever so much safer than “gambling”! The hotel and our rooms are extremely nice, modern and well thought out (with the exception of our large balcony which is in full sun for most of the day…) drinks and snacks at the top floor bar with an excellent view. Great dinner at another subterranean French restaurant/jazz club

Spent the day in the Yarra Valley wine region including “brunch” at Domaine Chandon, with a beautiful facility and grounds. We each got a flight of 4 different, delicious sparking wines they make so in all, tasted 16! We did a cheese tasting at the Yarra Valley Dairy, a chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and a wine tasting at Yering Station. SUCH a good day! Finished with a very successful search for kangaroos where we watched a herd of about 40 of them grazing in

Our Great Ocean Road adventure road! We were driven through the countryside to the Twelve Apostles, a famous set of rock formations in the ocean between Melbourne and Adelaide. It was a long drive but well worth it. Trip included several short hikes, a favorite being in a very cool primordial rain forest. The drive home was along The Great Ocean Road with spectacular views. We made a long stop at an amazing, huge chocolate shop. Also got to see the big three in the wild: koal

Despite the fact that “Winter is Coming”, it was a very hot day in Melbourne. Having no organized activity scheduled, we spent it entirely outside. Forty-five minutes of it was spent standing in line at Lune Croissanterie. They do AMAZING things with croissant dough and it is totally worth the wait! Strolled the famous, graffiti-filled laneways then hiked around several gardens including Melbourne’s version of the Royal Botanical Garden. Took a Yarra River boat cruise which w

Spent the day exploring the famous Salamanca Market, a collection of many booths selling jewelry, local products and food from all over the world. Flew to Melbourne, arriving late and tired so opted for dinner at the hotel.

Well organized tour to North and South Bruny islands. Bus to ferry to North Bruny Island. Stop at Truganini Lookout and Rookery on the neck between North and South Bruny. 235 steps to top for views or boardwalk to beach. Drive to Adventure Bay on South Island and arrive at Pennucott Wilderness Journeys facility. We are treated to “elevenses”, tea or coffee and a blueberry muffin. Outfitted with long waterproof cover ups and piled into open boats (“fully air conditioned”) for

Full day on an organized tour starting with a drive through a beautiful valley along the Derwent river passing berry and hops farms.

First stop of the day: Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. It’s a fascinating recreation of the huts used in Antarctica by Douglas Mawson & his

Took a history tour of our hotel which used to be the General Post Office. Wandered the Queen Victoria building, well restored and now a

Took the ubiquitous Green and Yellow Ferry to Manly Beach a ways across Sydney Harbor. Walked along Manly to Shelley Beach so named because it’s made of shells. Beers and soft drinks at a beach restaurant then gelato and Asian food for lunch on the Corso. Ferry back to Circular Quay then another ferry to Barangaroo neighborhood. Walked through the Crown Hotel, a high roller casino where penthouse cost $AUD30,000 a night. (People like Taylor Swift and Drake stay there, not tog

Full day spent in the beautiful Blue Mountains outside of Sydney on a private tour. First stop was the Featherdale Wildlife Park, a great zo

Fun and filling foodie tour of Sydney - fish, calamari, oysters, Chinese dumplings, meat pie with mashed potatoes and mushy peas, famous wat