The first "tallest" is the Sydney Tower in, of course, Sydney, which happens to be the second tallest. Since we were in Sydney first, that's what we saw first. Donica, who is afraid of heights (she who flies all over tarnation!), chose NOT to go to the top with me. It stands at 1,000 ft (305 m) above Sydney's central business district.
This was the best I could get of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Those dang skyscrapers were hogging the view!
But I was a happy camper to get the Magic Hour as the sun was setting. One of our days we had taken a cruise all around that harbor, so it was quite exciting to see it from above.
The Roman Catholic St.Mary's Cathedral was the only church we visited while in Sydney (apart from nephew-in-law David's church, where he plays the organ). A magnificent structure from both above and below!
After a week in Sydney with the boys, we took two days to drive a rental car up the east coast to Brisbane (pronounced BRIZ-bun) and stopped at Surfer's Paradise along the way, just 52 km south of the city. That just happens to be the only city in Australia now that has a Hard Rock Cafe, so Donica just had to stop, of course. Lucky for me because that's also where the tallest of Australia's structures is!
The Q1 building in Surfer's Paradise is Australia's tallest structure and the world's tallest residential tower, at 1,058 ft (322.5 m). This time Donica was game to join me at the top and was okay as long as she didn't look down.
I looked down, of course, and was lucky once again to get the Magic Hour as the sun was going down.
The ocean is on the left (same direction as the photo above) but if you look inland a bit, you can see the Nerang River that runs through the Gold Coast. What a playground for those who like water!
In my next post I'll take you to Brisbane, where we spent 3 days and actually met up with two of my blogger guys from Shutterchance. Talk about a small world! It seems to be getting smaller by the day!
And BTW, once we headed out of Sydney, all our rainy days turned to sunshine!
And BTW, once we headed out of Sydney, all our rainy days turned to sunshine!
Oh! My SIL and her husband were on the other side of Surfer's Paradise...I saw pics of this skyline from his favorite surfing spot, a famous spot where world famous surfers go...I don't remember the name. How lucky to get the golden hour both times!
ReplyDeleteYou and heights, that is one...you lucky one to be on two of these magnifiscent buildings, the view is fantastic...thank you so much for sharing these great pictures...it is as if I were standing next to you, I love heights as well as you do, the higher the better.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a little dizzy, but it's worth it! Spectacular views. So Australia does not just go on and on into the bush, it goes up to the sky as well!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a difference between covered Sydney and sunny Brisbane! I love the shots and that you were especially lucky with the "Magic Hours". I can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having a magical time. When I was in Oz, my only distant view of Sydney was from the airport as I changed planes. But I got to see lots more! I was in Perth, and travelled quite a bit of south WA, then to Melbourne, then the Victoria coast, then Canberra, then Brisy and then Noosa.... it's all so gorgeous! Never got to the Uluru, that's the next trip! Have fun, I know you will.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Thanks for allowing us to travel with you via your blog photos and commentary. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow great pics!! You must have had a wonderful time, I'm glad I'm not afraid of hights ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us with on your tour around in Sydney. I was there more than 10 years ago and these pictures really takes me down the memory lane.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the Sydney Tower (a fairly new construction?) Your brave - I do understand Donica - but then again: its a life time chance :-)
We never was at the cathedral - great picture!
Looking forward to your report from the capital - have a wonderful time!
wow - what views!
ReplyDeleteI can see one of the reasons why the Davids live in Australia. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteImagine this being a huge prison for England. A bit nicer than Alcatraz.