Australia - Reef, Rainforest and Rail

It's hard to believe that it's been over 2 years since I've been in Australia.   This will be my 6th trip in 10 years, and each time I find new regions to explore.

I will be flying tonight to Melbourne for Corroboree, the 3-day Aussie Specialist annual meeting.  This beautiful Victorian city is situated on the Yarra River.  My favorite activity has always been walking along the River, but this year's special event will be seeing the Melbourne Cup in person.  Billed as "The race that stops a nation," it is Australia's premier thoroughbred horse race and is a national holiday.

Leaving Melbourne I will be joining a few other travel agents and traveling north, first to Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.  From there we'll venture further north to the Daintree region staying in the world's oldest rain forest.  Planned adventures during the next 10 days include hot air ballooning in northern Queensland, hobnobbing with kangaroos and koalas around a campfire, sailing and swimming on the Great Barrier Reef and and overnighting on the Sunlander train to Brisbane.

I 'll fly  this evening to LAX and then board Qantas for a nonstop to Melbourne.  Losing a day as I cross the International Date Line, I'll arrive Friday morning.  From there it's on to Phillip Island that evening before returning to Melbourne Saturday to begin Corroboree.
More from Australia!
Linda