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A Trip Down Under
- michaelapollard
- Mar 22
- 6 min read
Remember when I took my nana to the elephant village in Thailand at the grand age of 82? Well, this time I whisked her away to the land down under at the even grander age of 88! Loving granddaughter or absolutely mental? I'll let you be the judge.
My baby brother and sister-in-law packed their bags and headed out on a new adventure at the start of 2023, moving to Australia to become travel nurses. Mum and dad visited them at the beginning of 2024 with our auntie and uncle, which left the remaining explorers: Nana and me!
Nana is nothing short of incredible for her age. Always on the go, walking the dog, popping to the shops, or tottering around the house—she never sits down! (Her cockapoo is a perfect match for her energy!) However, flying to the other side of the world was still a considerable undertaking for her.
To make the journey more manageable, we decided to split it up a bit. We headed to Heathrow airport at silly o’clock and, naturally, hit the bar. Anyone who knows me will know that my drinking habits come straight down from this remarkable lady!
Our first destination was Singapore, with a quick stop in Abu Dhabi on the way. What a beautiful city Singapore is! It's an ultra-modern city that boasts some of the cleanest streets I've ever seen. Our first stop was the iconic Gardens by the Bay, a sprawling garden spanning 101 hectares, right in the heart of the city. We marveled at the towering Supertree Grove, with its vertical gardens and dazzling light displays.
Next, we wandered through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The gardens are a tranquil oasis, home to over 10,000 species of plants, including a stunning collection of orchids in the National Orchid Garden. The serene paths and beautiful landscapes provided a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city however The Cloud Forest was my absolute highlight, featuring the world's tallest indoor waterfall cascading down a lush, mist-covered mountain of exotic plants.
To get a true sense of the city, we hopped on a double-decker bus for a city tour. As we rode around, we were struck by the impressive skyline, modern architecture, and spotless streets. The bus tour was a fantastic way to take in all that Singapore has to offer.
Our adventures wouldn't be complete without a visit to the historic Raffles Hotel, where we had to taste the famous Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, sipping the iconic cocktail whilst dropping peanut shells on the floor in such a famous setting was a memorable experience.
After two days of exploring this vibrant city, we were ready for the next leg of our journey to Australia!
Our first stop was Sydney! My brother and sister-in-law met us at the airport, and we settled into a charming little house just outside the city. We started our adventure in Sydney by wandering through the lush and vibrant Royal Botanic Garden. The garden offered a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, with picturesque views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Which we of course had to admired up close. A trip to Sydney isn't complete without marvelling the stunning architecture and taking countless photos of these iconic sites.
From there, we explored The Rocks, a historic area with charming cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and quaint cafes. We then made our way to Darling Harbour, a bustling waterfront area filled with restaurants, shops, and attractions.
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This beautifully landscaped garden, complete with traditional pavilions, waterfalls, and exotic plants, provided a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
Our adventures continued with a picturesque walk from Bondi to Coogee. This coastal walk took us along stunning cliffs, pristine beaches, and beautiful ocean views. The refreshing sea air and breathtaking scenery made it an unforgettable experience.
To top it all off, we celebrated my birthday in style, enjoying breakfast at a cute little restaurant that was covered in purple flowers before taking a scenic boat ride over to Manly, where we indulged in what I can confidently call the best ice cream in the world at Anita Gelato. The creamy, flavourful gelato was the perfect treat to enjoy while soaking up the sun and sea breeze.
After a few days exploring the city, we headed to the Gold Coast. Now, I've been to Australia before when I was younger, and although it was an amazing holiday, it never really called me back. I usually prefer third-world countries to westernised ones, but something changed on this trip. Perhaps it's because I saw how much my brother loves it or maybe I'm just older and appreciate things more. Whatever it is, I completely fell in love with the Gold Coast.
We stayed in a beautiful apartment where our lounge opened onto a balcony overlooking Coolangatta Beach. We enjoyed breakfast whilst the whales played in the sea, surfers caught waves before work, and people enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere with their dogs.
We visited various beaches along the coast, witnessed sunrises and sunsets with the sand between our toes, and were fortunate enough to get out on the water and go whale watching! Getting up close with these massive creatures was a once in a lifetime experience!
An unforgettable stop was the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We had the incredible opportunity to hold adorable koalas, which was a dream come true for Nana! The sanctuary also allows you to feed friendly kangaroos, and we even got to give sugar water to the vibrant and chatty parakeets.
We visited a stunning sculpture show on the beach and walked to the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. The breathtaking views from this point were simply awe-inspiring, and guess what, more whale watching!
Of course, no adventure is complete without enjoying a few more drinks along the way, soaking in the atmosphere and toasting to the incredible experiences we were having.
One of the most unexpected and interesting places we visited was Tropical Fruit World. This unique attraction offered an educational and entertaining tour of the various fruits grown on site. Halfway through the tour, we stumbled upon a charming, albeit random, mini farm with sheep, goats, and kangaroos, which added an extra layer of fun and laughs to our visit. But the excitement didn't stop there! We hopped on a boat that took us to a little island where we played a round of mini golf. It was such a random but enjoyable day, filled with laughter and surprises at every turn.
We took a trip to Brisbane for a night, where we stopped at a few waterfalls in Springbrook National Park along the way. The park was a lush paradise, with cascading waterfalls and beautiful rainforests. We hiked through the trees, embraced the natural beauty and enjoyed the tranquil sounds of flowing water.
The next day we made our way to Moreton Island, where I was finally able to tick one thing off my bucket list that I had been saving to do with my sister-in-law—paddleboarding! It was extremely scary, especially since I have no balance, but oh my god, we had so much fun! My brother played the role of our cameraman, capturing every hilarious and triumphant moment. My sister-in-law was my little cheerleader, encouraging me every step of the way. To top it all off, we were joined by some more whales, making the experience even more amazing. I even managed to stand up on the paddleboard, even if it wasn't for long. Apart from tearing my meniscus, it was an absolute blast!
Moreton Island has so many other water sports you can enjoy, from snorkeling and diving to jet skiing and kayaking. You can easily spend more than one day there, and there’s a hotel if you want to extend your stay. However, we only took a day trip and had to get back on the last boat, which was a bit of a whirlwind but totally worth it.
Our final days were spent back in Sydney, where we explored a bit more and revisited some of our favorite spots. We couldn't resist returning to Manly for more of that incredible ice cream at Anita Gelato. To finish off our trip, we attended a candlelit orchestra performance playing Coldplay songs. The beautiful melodies combined with the soft glow of the candles created a memorable evening.
Three weeks flew by in a blink, and although I was ready to return home to my baby boy Winston, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness leaving Australia. It was an unforgettable holiday, filled with adventures, laughter, and cherished moments with my family. Australia, I'm already planning another trip—as long as my baby brother is still there, anyway!
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