HOLLY THE TRAVELLER

“Holly started travelling with her mum (Deborah) back in 1995 when she was four months old, so the travel bug is well and truly entrenched. These blogs are her first attempt at travel writing, something she hopes to do a lot more of.” Credit Please. The following text will not be seen after you upload your website, please keep it in order to retain your counter functionality Trackers Counter Help

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Sofitel Broadbeach, QLD Australia

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Sea Cliff Bridge

When travelling from Wollongong, the easiest way to get to the Sea Cliff Bridge is to catch the train to Scarborough Station and then the rest of the way is walking.

I wouldn’t bring anymore than you really need – Camera, phone? – There are no cafés or places to get something to eat but a there are a few areas where you can sit down to eat and eat food that you’ve brought with you. There are not a lot of sitting areas along the actual Sea Cliff Bridge walk however there are some before, and towards the middle of the walk.

The walk can be quite long, especially if you stop to take photos every five seconds – like me! – but it’s a relaxing walk under the hot sun – I would take a hat and sunblock. Even when the weather says it’s about 15˚c the hot sun still beams down.

When waking towards the bridge from the station, you first turn down a road that goes in the opposite direction, but once you cross the road, you are able to walk back in the right direction along the pedestrian pathway. This path goes on for quite a while, until you reach a short unmarked road area. If you continue this way you eventually reach a pathway again. Just before you reach the fenced area that is the beginning of the bridge walk, there is a cute little picnic area that has great views of the ocean – This is Maronga Park.

From there it is all downhill – but remember, the further you walk down the more you will have to walk up on the way back. It took me about an hour to slowly dawdle towards the end of the bridge, as the views are just amazing.

This is also a great spot for spotting Dolphins and Whales, as the water is so clear. ”Humpbacks travel north along the east coast in June and July each year, and return in October and November… Dolphin sightings are possible year round” To spot a whale, there will usually be a random splash of water, so if you think you see something just wait a while and it is likely to resurface. As well as this, usually if a whale has been spotted there will be a cluster of boats in one area.

Something you will not miss is the constant stream of Harley Davidsons that pass by. When returning back to the train station, if you continue to walk past the turn-off there are a few lookouts dotted along the road where you can see Wollongong’s steelworks district.

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Wollongong Steelworks from afar

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Where To Stay in the Gold Coast

Sofitel Broadbeach; A truly luxurious experience, Sofitel is an amazing place to stay whilst visiting the Gold Coast. With even a My Bed pillow menu you can be as comfortable as you’d like. With a choice for breakfast in the morning, and a pool and gym to visit, you’ll never get bored.

Vibe Hotel; A hotel very popular with the families, Vibe and its very green theme is a warm and welcoming environment. With a pool and gym, as well as access to the canals behind it, Vibe has a lot to offer.

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Warner Brother’s Movieworld

A popular Movie themed park.

The Guide To Rides

Superman Escape – although it was closed when I visited, the superman escape is an amazing experience with a huge force that sends you flying over a large incline.

Arkham Asylum Coaster – previously, the Lethal Weapon ride, the new and improved Arkham Asylum, a known home to the Joker, has really improved from the head banging ride it used to be. With newer, refurbished seats the ride is a lot more enjoyable.

Batwing Spaceshot – Although the Batwing may seem small from above, its an incredible 61metres tall. Unlike the classic ‘Giant Drop’ the Batwing shoots you up to its incredible heights and then bounces you up and down a few times. It’s a great way to get your bearings of the park, as well as a unique way to get an amazing view.

Justice League 3D – The Ride – One for the littlies and the competitive teens, this ride is a journey through a Justice League experience. With laser guns and individual score boards, everyone can keep track of how many baddies they kill along the way.

Green Lantern Coaster – a definite thrill ride, with a few loops upside down, the green lantern is a must-do for those thrill seekers.

Wild West Falls Adventure Ride – Bring the littlies along for this ride – the king of all those rides that intentionally try to get you wet, this ride is an amazing trip through a few wild west territories and then down a steep drop into the splash zone – you will get wet.

Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster A favourite in my family, the Scooby doo ride takes people back to that classic moment when we all watched Scooby Doo Spooky Island, and takes you spinning through the abandoned Spooky Island Castle.

For the littlies

Road Runner Rollercoaster

Speedy Gonzalez Tijuana Taxis

Yosemite Sam Railroad

Sylvester and Tweety Cages

Other Things To See Movieworld is always home to some amazing 4D Movies and at the moment the Roxy 4D Theatre is featuring a great little snippet of Journey 2 The Mysterious Island. Whilst getting a little run down of what happens in the film, your seats will move around and even the occasional splash of water will come your way. Non-moving seats are available for parents who wish to sit their child on their lap or for people with back problems or similar.

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Dreamworld and Whitewater World

Dreamworld 

Guide To Rides

The Claw; a family favourite for those thrill seekers. It may look smaller from below but once you’ve spun up to the top you’ll definitely be thinking differently.

Wipeout; currently under construction after being a favourite for many years, wipeout is a ride you absolutely don’t want to eat before.

Cyclone; One for the younger thrill seekers

Escape From Madagascar Coaster; This ride has been a must do for children and parents for years since the park opened however it started off as a Rugrats ride, now reformed to a Madagascar ride. A few paint jobs and design this ride is the classic it has always been.

Tower Of Terror II; A ride I only recently tried myself, this ride has an incredibly long line yet an incredibly short ride time. You get blasted up the Giant Drops tower, to half its length, and then shot back down so quickly that you can feel your face pulling back. I would tie your hair up or you’re going to miss the view.

Motocoaster; every kid wants to ride a motorbike

Rocky Hollow Log Ride; prepare to get wet

Thunder River Rapid Ride; prepare to get wet

Giant Drop; I’m not brave enough to do this myself but I think we all know how this one goes

Buzzsaw; a ride upside down for those adventure seekers

Shockwave;

For a little extra

Flowrider; a great way to surf without visiting the ocean

For the littlies

Big Red Boat Ride

Big Red Car Ride

Dorothy’s Rosy Teacup Ride

Puss in Boots Sword Swing

Other things to see; Dreamworld also has some Dreamworks themed 3D movies that change after a few weeks. Currently playing Bob’s Big Break it’s a little sequel to Monster’s vs Aliens

Whitewater World One of the greatest ways to experience Dreamworld and Whitewater World is by purchasing a World Pass that allows you to pass through both parks as much as you’d like. One of the most popular experiences is to spend your day at Dreamworld and then cool off in the afternoon at Whitewater World on the exhilarating water slides.

Rides to go on;

The Green Room

Super Tubes Hydrocoaster

The Rip

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Shopping In Melbourne

Melbourne is an Independent fashion capital. Host to various Fashion Weeks and Runways, shopping in Melbourne is one of tourism’s largest attractions.

Melbourne Central With over 300 shops within its walls, Melbourne Central surrounds The Coops Shot Tower and is also located above one of Melbourne’s busiest train stations. Coop's Shot Tower is located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, It was completed in 1888 and is 50 metres high. The historic building was saved from demolition in 1973 and was incorporated into Melbourne Central complex in 1991 underneath an 84 m-high conical glass roof. And it is also a very popular tourist shot, so be sure not to miss it. Just beside the Shot Tower is the very popular meeting spot ‘The Fob Watch’ nicknamed ‘The Clock’, which was designed by Seiko and was given as a gift to the people of Melbourne. Every hour, on the hour, a marionette display drops down from the bottom of the watch with Australian galahs, cockatoos and two minstrels performing Waltzing Matilda, under the watchful gaze of some koalas. Shopping in Melbourne Central;

Armani Exchange

Alannah Hill

Bardōt

Blackbook Tees

Calvin Klein

Colette

Converse

Country Road

Cue

French Connection

Guess

Kookaï

Mimco

Portmans

Saba

Superdry

T-Bar

Windsor Smith 

And so many more It is also home to Hoyts and various grocery stores. Melbourne Central is connected to Melbourne Emporium via pedestrian bridges and tunnels.

Getting a Stylist / Personal Shopper in Melbourne Central With experience in personal shopping, styling, wardrobe consultancy and trend forecasting, there's no-one more equipped to guide you through Melbourne Central's fashion offerings than Melbourne Central’s Styling & Personal Shopping Service. No matter the season or gender the various stylists available are able to make suggestions and recommendations to suit your taste, body and budget.

Raquel Ryan, my personal stylist for the day, walked me around Melbourne Central for about 3 hours trying on different outfits fitting different styles and tastes. Before you begin, the journey starts by taking a seat and discussing what sort of outfit you are looking for (for example; something for a job interview or promotion) and then what kind of stores you usually shop in as well as what budget you would like to stick to.

With no obligation to purchase something, it is a great way to get a good idea on what you should be looking at (if you needed the outfit for a cause) and where you can find them.

Raquel Ryan is available: Tuesday 10am-6pm Friday 10am-9pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 10am-5pm

Pricing: 1.5 hours $150 2 hours $250 3 hours $320

2 or more people 2 hours $290 3 hours $400

Raquel’s Bio; Raquel Ryan is the director of Style Space, a business that draws on her years of experience in the retail industry, working with top Australian and international brands and designers. "Inspired by my love of style and wardrobes, and my slight obsession with organising, I have decided to channel all that energy into tips, solutions and inspiration… I truly believe that your style can express your creativity without making a sound. Your wardrobe should inspire you to get dressed every day. No matter your shape or budget, today's options are endless, you just have to find them. It’s not just about following trends, it's about translating the trends that are right for you

Melbourne Emporium Melbourne Emporium is accessible via Melbourne Central, Myer Melbourne, and David Jones by Pedestrian bridges and tunnels.

Shopping in Melbourne Emporium;

Angus & Coote

Adventure Megastore

Braun Buffel

Jac+Jack

Joe Black

Kookaï

Kathmandu

Leona Edmiston

MUJI

Nespresso

UNI QLO – A personal favourite

Zoo York

Where To Eat;

Melbourne’s Emporium has both a major food court and smaller food courts that are dotted around each of the shops. If you are wanting to avoid the busier areas, I would recommend tracking down Pho Nom a quaint shop that has a classic take on Asian street food, or The Tea Salon which is a great place for a High Tea or a nice cup of coffee.

It’s major food court is home to both Charlie & Co and THR1VE which would be my personal recommendations; THR1VE with its incredibly nutritional menu and delicious smoothies, and Charlie & Co with its wonderfully massive burgers and chips.

Note: If you have arrived straight from the airport, or you have quite a lot of bags from shopping, the Concierge can drop them at your hotel for you.

Bourke Street Mall Home to MYER’s famous Christmas Windows that have been a tradition for the last 59 years, Bourke Street is most recognised for this event. Also home to the new H&M, the first in Australia, has recently been opened on Bourke Street and is still welcoming in queues and queues of people every weekend – this is why you should visit on a week day.

Prahan Prahran Market is Australia’s oldest continuously running food market, proudly being in operation since 1864. Experience the tastes, sounds, smells and above all freshness of the buzzing market stalls and meet some of the passionate personalities behind the scenes

Not to far away in South Yarra is TopShop + TopMan