First-hand Australia trip reports

These guides show what we saw and did in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Cairns, with practical details separated from the conditions of our own April 2026 visit.

Choose a city category if your itinerary is already set, or browse all reports here to follow our route between Cairns and Sydney.

Clear turquoise water beside Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Big Cat Cruise Review

Cars at the taxi rank outside Sydney Airport Terminal 2

Sydney Airport to City: Train, Taxi and Transfer Options

Kuranda Scenic Railway beside a waterfall

Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

Cairns coast and rainforest viewed from Skyrail

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Guide: Cairns to Kuranda

Kuranda Scenic Railway curving through rainforest

Kuranda Scenic Railway Guide: Fares, Timetable and Journey

Colourful shops in Kuranda Village

Kuranda Village Guide: Markets, Koala Gardens and Things to Do

Window-side seating inside REX Lounge at Sydney Airport T2

REX Lounge Sydney Airport T2 Review: Priority Pass and Breakfast

Janus courtyard beside the 1 Bligh Street green wall

Janus Bar Sydney Lunch Review: Dining by the Green Wall

The Yellow Deli on Katoomba Street

Yellow Deli Katoomba Review: Lunch in the Blue Mountains

The Edinburgh Castle pub at night in Sydney CBD

Edinburgh Castle Sydney Review: Steak Dinner in the CBD

Blu Marlin Bistro beside Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal

Blu Marlin Bistro Cairns Review: Breakfast Before a Reef Trip

A Blue Mountains Line train at Katoomba Station

Sydney to the Blue Mountains by Train and Bus

The Three Sisters and Jamison Valley from Echo Point

Echo Point and Three Sisters: Blue Mountains Visitor Guide

Scenic Skyway above the Blue Mountains rainforest

Scenic World Blue Mountains Review: Railway, Skyway and Cableway

The former Escape Lounge at Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport Escape Lounge Review: Our Priority Pass Visit

The arrivals area at Cairns Airport early in the morning

Cairns Airport to City: Taxi, Uber and Transfer Options

A Jetstar aircraft after arriving at Cairns Airport

Sydney to Cairns: Jetstar Flight and Cairns Airport Taxi

A historic brick building in The Rocks precinct of Sydney

The Rocks Sydney Walking Guide: Historic Streets and Highlights

The heritage exterior of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia beside The Rocks

MCA Sydney Guide: Admission, Opening Hours and Harbour Views

The stage and timber interior of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Sydney Opera House Guided Tour Review: Inside the Building

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House across the harbour at dusk

Sydney Harbour Cruise Review: Opera House and Bridge Views

The clocktower and sandstone façade of the University of Sydney Main Quadrangle

University of Sydney Visitor Guide: Main Quadrangle and Tours

Sydney Opera House, city skyline and Harbour Bridge viewed from Milsons Point

Milsons Point & Bradfield Park: Harbour Views and Directions

The smiling entrance face of Luna Park Sydney seen from Milsons Point Wharf

Luna Park Sydney Guide: Free Entry, Rides and Directions

The northern pylon and steel arch seen from the Sydney Harbour Bridge walkway

Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk: Route, Access and Opera House Views

Families visiting the green Legislative Assembly chamber at NSW Parliament House

NSW Parliament House Sydney: Free Tours and Visitor Guide

Sandstone columns outside the State Library of NSW in Sydney

State Library of NSW: Opening Hours, Free Entry and What to See

The sandstone Queen Victoria Building in central Sydney

Queen Victoria Building Sydney: Opening Hours and What to See

The twin sandstone spires of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney

St Mary's Cathedral Sydney: Opening Hours, Free Entry and Highlights

The exterior of Il Palazzo Boutique Apartments in central Cairns

Il Palazzo Boutique Apartments Cairns Review: Rooms, Location and Pool

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park opposite Hyde Park in central Sydney

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park Review: Rooms, Rooftop Pool and Location

The exterior of The Benson Hotel in central Cairns

The Benson Hotel Cairns Review: Rooms, Pool and Location

The blue water and sandy edge of Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon: Opening Hours, Free Entry and Swimming

A broad-canopied tree in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Opening Hours, Free Entry and Walks

A Jetstar aircraft at Cairns Airport before our flight to Sydney

Jetstar Cairns to Sydney Flight Review: JQ953 and JQ952

The Museum of Sydney near Circular Quay

Museum of Sydney: Opening Hours, Free Entry and Exhibits

The entrance and food court at Cairns Night Markets

Cairns Night Markets: Dinner, Souvenirs and Opening Hours

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