Sunday was my final day in Australia. When planning my trip in August, I came across the Sydney Running Festival, which includes a marathon, half marathon, 9-kilometre Bridge Run and a Family Fun Run. It was taking place on my last day in Sydney.

So I signed up for the Bridge Run! On a perfect morning, I started the run along with 13,000 others, and together we crossed the Harbour Bridge, toured over to the Royal Botanic Gardens, and wrapping it up in front of the Sydney Opera House. It was the perfect way to say good-bye to Australia.

I didn’t run it for a great finishing time, but rather, I wanted to enjoy the fact that I was cruising along on the Harbour Bridge and through downtown Sydney, so I took photos along the way. It was great to finish
running down a hill, coming around the corner and crossing
the finish line in front of the Opera House.

Definitely a trip highlight!

The organizers posted a video at the finish line, and this morning I got a link to when I crossed the finish line. Can you spot me? I am wearing a short-sleeved red top, and after I cross, I check my watch and then gracefully wipe my nose. Click on the link and simply type in “Cathy McNally”.

http://www.bsrf.com.au/myfinish/

Late last evening I arrived in Sydney, so it wasn’t until this morning when I ventured out to discover the city.

So at 10 a.m. I left my accommodation and journeyed out with a map in hand. Eight hours later, I returned exhausted to my room, but with a smile on my face.

After hearing about Sydney for so long, I didn’t realize just how much the cliche, you have to see it to believe it, comes to mind. From the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Opera House to The Rocks to Paddy’s Market, I walked around the city, discovering as much as possible in one day.

My favourite part of the day came when I stopped at the point in The Rocks, located in between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was a fabulous view of both iconic structures – not to mention, there was an ice cream truck nearby!

Tomorrow morning I am heading out on a tour of the Blue Mountains, and then I only have one day left in Australia.

Touring around the east coast of the country on my own for two weeks has really given me an idea about the sights students look for while living in Australia. From meeting so many international students studying in Australia on this trip, I have discovered their likes and dislikes when heading out on a trip during a school break. Some want a hot, tropical getaway while other want the city lights, while many prefer the Outback.

Me? I like it all!

60-second free fall skydive. Early morning sea kayaking. Diving excursions on the Great Barrier Reef.

If there is one thing I’ve learned while in Australia, it’s that being a tourist/backpacker is made to be so easy. Before I left on my trip, I basically planned my entire trip, including accommodation and tours. While it’s smart to book ahead, I’ve witnessed the accessibility backpackers have while in Australia. With tourism being a large Australian economic sector, visitors are put at ease when planning their trip.

If you come to study in Australia, and want to venture out to see other parts of the country, you’re in luck. If you fly up to Cairns and you don’t know exactly what it is that you want to do, the streets are lined with friendly tour companies, willing to help you plan the tours to meet your expectations. Also, hostels often set up tours for its guests (The accompanying photo is the tour wall at my hostel). But ensure you do your research and that the pricing is fair and the tour companies are reputable.

Now I know that the next time I travel to Australia I won’t need to do as much planning if I want to go sight seeing, snorkelling or *gulp* skydiving.

As I continue my first trip to Australia, I continue to soak up the landscape.

I flew to Cairns on Friday afternoon, and on the second day, I had signed up for a trip to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Never having been to Australia,  I hadn’t heard about Cape Tribulation until I started to plan my trip. It’s about a two-hour drive north of Cairns, and it’s home to the second oldest rainforest in the world – coming in behind the Amazon.

My tour guide picked me up, and I, along with four Germans, three Dutch, two Welsh and two Danish, toured up to Cape Tribulation. Rated as the second best coastal drive in Australia (second to the Great Ocean Road), the views were gorgeous. Up at Cape Tribulation, we did a rainforest walk, and then we were dropped off at our accommodation. With a one-minute walk to the beach, this picture was our view.

The locals are proud to say they live where “the rainforest meets the reef” and they should be proud. It’s a beautiful area, where it remains a rustic setting. Though there is tourism, you can sense the local community is close, and it makes for a wonderful trip.

Tomorrow’s agenda? Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, and the following day I’ve signed up for a mountain biking trip – I will keep you all posted!

Cathy