Day 1 (June 5) - Getting Situated

We arrived mid-day after our short flight from Townsville. We started very early in the morning to catch the ferry from Magnetic Island to Townsville, turned in the car, and then caught our flight. So when we arrived in Townsville, we were a little beat.

We took a train to the Sydney Harbour, and then walked the short distance to our small home for the next few days. It was a very unusual find. It was right near the Harbour, spitting distance from the bridge and in a very quaint little area. It was an older home, with three bedrooms and one and a half bathes... Only to find the half bath was actually an outdoor bathroom only accessible from the patio.  But, given the amazing location, we were thrilled with our new home. The owner had also stocked the fridge with TamTams... which inspired a week-long love with this chocolate covered cookie.

The guys chilled in the house, while I ran to the nearest small grocery to pick up some light snacks. Just the walk alone to the shop was amazing. From a few steps from our home, we could see the Sydney Bridge.

A short walk through an old alleyway.

There were art installments all along the way.

When I arrived back at the house, we decided to explore the bridge a little. I had read about the museum on the bridge, so we decided to check it out.

While most people might pass this by, or they might spend a few minutes checking out the displays, we spend a good chunk of time exploring all the details of creating the amazing structure!

We then completed our walk over the bridge, and wandered down to Luna Park. I had read you could take a quick ferry back to Sydney Harbour. Luna Park was closed, but we wandered around gawking at the place. 

It felt very surreal, walking through the empty park. But seriously cool, too.

We then caught the ferry back, and got our first glimpse of the entrance to Sydney Harbour. 

That evening, we went out looking for Indonesian food, based on a recommendation from a friend. We had a awesome meal, and were wandering back toward our AirBnb, when we noticed a lot of lights and commotion. Not knowing what to expect, we had found ourselves in the midst of our first Vivid Sydney installment at Darling Harbour.

Although our first day was a day mostly of travel, we 

Day 2(June 6) - Morning walk in the botanical garden, afternoon Ship Museum, dinner at Waterloo

Day 3 (June 8) - Rocks museum walking tour, Botanical Garden Aboriginal Tour, Dinner at German Munich Brauhaus, Vivid Sydney in the evening with dessert at Barangaroo

Day 4 (June 9) - Blue Mountains

Day 5 (June 10) Opera house tour, speed run to Manley beach and whale watching. Dinner at the Italian restaurant