After a friend pointed me to eShores the other day, I got so involved in all the possibilities for future trips that I spent way longer than I should have on the site.
Not surprisingly, I ended up in Australia, reliving my trip Down Under with Oprah and 301 fellow Ultimate Viewers. That was almost five years ago, and I still happily reminisce about it all the time.
You can read all about my Ultimate Australia Adventure, and then, hopefully, plan your own. There are lots of companies that offer tailor-made packages, and I found some great multi-centre itineraries on the eShores site that would enable you to follow our trip — well, minus Oprah, of course.
You see, although we spent most of our time together in Sydney, for a few days, we were broken up into smaller groups and dispersed around the country to places like Melbourne, Perth, Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. I am so grateful to have gotten to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and experience a private beach party on the Whitsundays hosted by Curtis Stone with Oprah and Gayle, and I would love to return to Australia to visit Uluru — which looked like a truly once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience on the Oprah show.
Even though we all got to explore different regions of the country, there’s a reason we spent the majority of our time together in Sydney.
If you’re planning a trip to Australia, you have to spent time in Sydney. This harbor city is filled with art, culture, great food and fantastic shopping, yet is close to the iconic Bondi Beach, where you can soak in the sun, which shines 300 days a year.
Of course, you have to take a tour of the Sydney Opera House and maybe even take in a show or a concert. The architecture is truly spectacular, and it was fantastic to actually see in person the legendary World Heritage building I always admired in pictures. I will always have special memories of the Opera House because we got to be part of two Oprah show tapings right outside, including the now-famous moment when Hugh Jackman zip-lined over our heads from the top of the Opera House and crashed on the stage. Ouch.
Another legendary piece of architecture is the beautiful Sydney Harbor Bridge. Climbing the bridge is so much fun, and a number of the Ultimate Viewers — plus Gayle! — overcame their fear of heights to reach the top. It’s a very empowering feeling, and the panoramic view from there is just breathtaking.
There are so many other great places to visit in Sydney, including the Taronga Zoo — koalas and kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils, oh my! — and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Okay, I’m starting to feel a little homesick now. I may be from New York originally and living in San Diego now but I felt the lyrics sincerely when I sang the song below along with Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Olivia Newton-John, Russell Crowe and an entire audience of Oprah fans.
Book a trip and check it out for yourself. I guarantee you’ll feel the same way.
My sister just got back from 2 weeks in Australia. SHe loved it there.
I will have to check this site out – we are looking to plan another huge family vacation for next year, but haven’t quite decided on the destination.
Australia is on my list of top places to visit, From all that I have read and seen, there is so much to experience there.
I have a friend living in Sydney who has extended an open invitation to me and my family. I would love to take her up on it someday. Australia is definitely on the bucket list.
My son has always wanted to visit Australia. I am sure that Sydney is on his itinerary.
Total bucket list for me. I would love to go to Sydney and take a lot of photos.
I would love to see Australia. I am not a good flyer though…may need anxiety meds!
My grandmother immigrated here from Australia so I always daydreamed about it. I hope that I get to visit there one day. It’s definitely on my bucket list.
Australia has always been at the top of my husband’s bucket list, ever since he saw the first Croc Hunter episode! lol Even though, Steve Irwin has passed away, I know my husband would do just about anything to get there! lol
There are two places I must visit in my lifetime outside the country and you just showed me one of them.
My grandmother always wanted to go to Australia but passed before going. Now I want to fulfill that dream fro her and got explore.
I would love to visit Australia. It’s definitely on my travel bucket list. Thanks for sharing your travel adventure.
I think going to Australia would be amazing! I’m totally going to look into this.
I am not sure I will ever visit Australia or anywhere outside of the US.. Call it paranoia.. I did have a daycare mom that came here from Australia and she loved it when she lived there.
Australia is at the top of my list for places to visit. I would love to go snorkeling on The Great Barrier Reef.
I’d love to see the opera house. I think it would be amazing just to visit Australia.
Australia is somewhere I would love to visit, there seems so much to do and see. x
Australia has always been on my bucket list of places to travel to and I’m going to make it one day. Your post only makes me want to go there more.
It was great seeing Australia through your passionate eyes! Australia is def on my bucket list!
It’s on our list! Soon, I hope. But it’s a long trip and takes some planning. Appreciate the info here!
Thank you for the overview of Sydney, Australia and other locations. I have seen several films set there (and not just animated ones), and it looks like a great travel destination.
A trip to Australia is on my Bucket List. The country is beautiful.
It is so cool that you got to sing there. I’d love to visit some day and see the famous opera house for myself!
Perfect for a family vacation. Looking forward to visiting there.
Australia is definitely on my bucket list. How awesome!
I would LOVE to visit Australia some day! There’s so much beauty there, I could spend weeks soaking it all in!
a friend of mine spent a good bit of time there a year or so ago, I got sent photos, videos and gifts often and it really made me want to visit! Looks pretty awesome.
Definitely on the travel bucket list – can a visit with Hugh Jackman also be arranged? 🙂
I really hope to make it to Australia some day. Totally on my bucket list
I will have to check out eShores. I am hoping to do a lot of traveling in the next few years. I have always wanted to go to Australia. It is so beautiful there.
Wait .. was it “THE” Oprah that was on this Trip? Australia is a beautiful country. I would love to visit some day
Yes, it was THE Oprah! It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip and it still feels surreal to me all these years later! I hope you get to visit Australia because it is a truly special place.
Sounds like a great experience! I would love to visit Australia, there is so much to see!
Australia is one of my favorite destination to visit. I would love to spend time in Sydney & Melbourne as I have some best friends out there. I think you had a wonderful experience out there.
I have few close friends in Australia. They keep asking us to visit them. However, I don’t know when that will happen.
I was visiting Sydney when Oprah came to town. You would have thought the Queen was in town with all the action!
Sydney is like a second home to me so I really enjoyed reading your post. My favorite things to do include a ferry ride to Manly, the cliff walk from Coogee to Bondi beach, the NSW art gallery (where I saw the Terra Cotta warriors last time I was there) and walking around the Paddington market.
Also be sure to walk around Surrey Hills and Darlinghurst for some inner city urban culture, good shopping, and great restaurants.