This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
How to Spend 3 Relaxing Days in Moorea - Complete Itinerary
How to spend 3 days in Moorea, French Polynesia! Check out our full itinerary listing about how we spent our days on our Moorea Honeymoon Trip! What to do in Moorea, where to go in Moorea, and how to get to Moorea!
What to do for 3 Days in Moorea, French Polynesia - Complete Itinerary
On our Honeymoon, we stopped in French Polynesia on our way back to the States. We were ready for some relaxation after going nonstop for over a week in Australia & New Zealand. We spent 3 nights in Moorea in an overwater bungalow and it was fabulous! Here’s everything you need to know about Moorea!
How to get to Moorea
Getting to Moorea requires a few transfers. We booked our Moorea portion through Tahiti Legends, who booked everything including our transfers from airports and hotels (we booked our own flights). We stayed at the Sofitel Moorea, in an overwater bungalow, which is something everyone must do in their lifetime! We flew via Air Tahiti Nui in business class (from New Zealand) using our miles, which was a comfortable flight with big seats and great amenities. Air Tahiti flies from Paris to LA to Tahiti to New Zealand and back. We didn’t go to Paris on this trip!
We had to stay in Tahiti overnight because our flight got in so late from New Zealand, there wasn't an option to get to Moorea after 8pm. We used our points to stay at the InterContinental. This was the view from an “average” room:
InterContinental Tahiti Room with Garden Views
Day 1
Morning in Tahiti
We had a car pick us up bright and early from the InterContinental in Tahiti to take us to the ferry. Driving around in the daylight unmasked the island and certain areas were definitely not paradise.
Aboard the Ferry from Tahiti to Moorea
We boarded the ferry around 8 am and the ride was about 20 minutes to Moorea. On the other side, a car picked us up (previously arranged) and took us about 10 minutes down the road to our hotel, the Sofitel Moorea.
We were too early for check-in when we arrived in Moorea, so we wandered around the resort to get our bearings. We walked over to the spa to check it out and made reservations for a couples massage for the late afternoon.
Entrance to our Overwater Bungalow Room
After about an hour, our room was available and we were so excited to check out our overwater bungalow. The room was spectacular and unlike any hotel we had ever stayed in!
Sofitel Moorea Overwater Bungalow Bed
The room felt like a suite. Walking in, you first notice the giant windows leading out to the water, then the high ceilings making the room feel enormous and spacious. The bed was perfectly placed in the middle of the room facing the water with a fantastic view. It had mosquito netting to which Josh said, "It's like a fort!"
Once you step in front of the bed, there is a part of the floor that has a glass square, where you could see the fish swimming under the bungalow.
Floor to see fish under our room!
Afternoon - Swim and Snorkel
Although we REALLY wanted to, you can't really jump off the deck of the bungalow, since it's pretty shallow and there is a lot of coral below. BUT you can go for a swim and there is a ton of marine life to see if you snorkel.
Just a small fish in a big pond
After a leisurely snorkel, we decided to switch it up and go over to the main pool to do more swimming (more like wading) and grab a bite to eat at the bar-restaurant.
Fish in Moorea in front of our Overwater Bungalow
In the late afternoon, we had our couples massage appointment. The spa room was huge, complete with a shower and bathtub. We only signed up for a massage but realized we could have spent an entire day at the spa. The massage was soothing and relaxing. After being in the sun all day, there was a slight burn to which aloe vera was offered. I was soothed and comforted, I could have laid face down on that table for the rest of the evening.
Day 2
WAKING UP IN MOOREA!
Sunrise in Moorea - View from Sofitel Moorea
Here's how to properly wake up in Moorea:
Not a bad way to start the day! Am I right?! From the Sofitel Moorea, we could see sunrises but the us would set on the other side of the island.
Morning - Drive around the Island of Moorea
We rented a little 2 seater buggy through Moorea Fun Roadster, which was like a small go-kart that went faster than you would expect, zooming around the island in about 4 hours. The road was bumpy at parts, but overall it was a blast! Since the island is so small it was nice to take the time to experience it on our own, checking out all there is to do!
See our post all about our buggy ride here: How to Rent a Buggy in Moorea
Afternoon in Moorea
After returning from our island tour, we were ready for some relaxation. We jumped in the water from our patio, and cooled off.
Patio stairs to the water
We spent the rest of the day on the patio of our deck playing cards with some fun drinks!
Pro tip: Buy alcohol at duty-free store at the airport and mixers if available. On our buggy ride, we stopped and bought concentrate (which we thought was juice) at the grocery store on Moorea. The concentrate was an ok way to go since you can get TONS of drinks out of it, but they get old after awhile.
Once we got too hot, we'd jump in the water, swim around, and come right back to our card game. I don't think I changed out of my swimsuit that day.
Sofitel Moorea - Overwater Bungalows
Once we needed a break from the cards, we decided to feed the fish under our bungalow which was great entertainment for at LEAST 20 minutes.
Evening in Moorea
We grabbed dinner at the bar restaurant and took it back to our room so we could do some star gazing. Since it is so quiet and so dark, there were thousands of stars to see. I don't think I've seen that many before in my life!
Stargazing in Moorea
On average, we seemed to go to bed when the sun went down (around 9-10 pm) and woke up as soon as it came back up (around 6:30-7 am). We weren't on any time zone in particular as we had been bouncing around so many places the previous week (we were in Australia and New Zealand).
Day 3
Morning in Moorea
We got up early to catch the sunrise! Since we didn’t get many sunsets here, it was nice to catch the sun coming up!
Sunrise in Moorea - Sofitel Moorea
We might have gone back to bed and then got up just in time to catch the end of breakfast at the main restaurant. The food was delicious, they offered a large spread of almost anything you could think of - eggs, omelets, french toast, pancakes, juices, coffee... and the view wasn't half bad. The only problem was the birds would try to snatch your food if you looked the other way!
Breakfast at the Sofitel Moorea
Afternoon
We packed up and checked out. Although we weren't hanging our heads quite yet, it was time to head to our next destination, Bora Bora!
Don’t forget to pack some of our favorite things:
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
More Moorea and French Polynesia:
Virunga Lodge - Most Charming Place to Stay in Rwanda
We stayed at the Virunga Lodge when we ventured to Rwanda to go gorilla tracking, and it was the most charming place to stay in Rwanda! The staff was so nice and accommodating, making us feel at home halfway around the world.
For our first lodging adventure in Africa, we stayed at the Virunga Lodge and couldn’t have been happier! This gorgeous lodge was colorful and the stay went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We went gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park and spent three wonderful nights at the lodge!
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
Views from atop the hill where Virunga Lodge lives
Guest Rooms (also known as Bandas)
Virunga Lodge - Kivu Banda
Our banda was incredible! We stayed in the Kivu banda which had a nice view of the lake and volcanoes. The room was decorated in vibrant colors with a homey design that made us want to move in!
The bed was a little firmer than I like but we were so exhausted we slept just fine!
The bathroom was very large and had what Josh called a Flintstones bathroom, which I definitely agree!
You’re not supposed to drink the tap water or brush your teeth with the sink water, so fresh drinkable bottles were supplied.
The great thing about our Africa trip was that they did our laundry for us complimentary, as part of the room charge. Some lodges won’t wash women’s underwear since the men do the laundry! They’ll provide detergent in most bathrooms to wash your underoos in the sink.
We had a private butler assigned and she gave us a cell phone to call her if we needed anything as there weren’t phones in the rooms. The only time we really called her was to replace the batteries in the safe!
Main Lodge
The main lodge was the place to hang out. There was a bar that you could get drinks at any time during the day. Most importantly, the wifi only worked in the main lodge and was not available in our rooms. It was nice to disconnect, but we also wanted to share our Gorilla Trek experience with our family and friends!
Main Lodge
They had games to play, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
Food and Meals at Virunga Lodge
All of our meals were held in the dining room or on the veranda. right next to the main lodge. My favorite spot was the corner table of the veranda set for two with a view.
All of the meals were excellent and very “Americanized.” Options like spaghetti or fish and chips for lunch and a hearty choice of meat for dinner - chicken, steak or fish with different sauce/side options. Dessert was different every night with options such as lemon meringue and sweet crepes. My favorite meal was breakfast! I’d get a smoothie, scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, and bacon!
Every morning a wake up service was provided where the staff would come with coffee and biscuits (cookies) and wake you up!
Massages at Virunga Lodge
We each had a complimentary 30-minute massage and after our hike with the gorillas and carrying our bags through the airports, a massage was just what we needed!
Massage Lounge and Reception
We checked in and they gave us a basket with a towel, robe, slippers, and lotion. We were instructed to use the bathrooms in the next rooms over and put all of our things in the basket.
Getting massage ready!
The bathroom was large with a bathroom stall, shower and some cabinets on the side to put your things in.
I had put my phone away for complete relaxation but the room we had massages in had large windows with a fantastic view overlooking the mountains. Since it was only 30 minutes, the focus was on my back, neck, and legs, which was fine by me! After 30 minutes, the male masseuse announced, “the massage is done.” Ahhhh, it was so nice and relaxing.
Gorilla Trekking
The main reason we stayed at the Virunga Lodge was to go track the gorillas and see them up close in their natural habitat! We had the most AMAZING time and highly recommend this experience to all! Just make sure you get out of the silverbacks way when they come through!
Please see more in our post: How we got pushed by a gorilla when we went Gorilla Trekking
Read all about our Gorilla Trek when we tracked gorillas up close and personal by clicking the photo above!
Other Fun Activities
There are many hikes you can take around the lodge and even hike down to the lake (the only problem with that is you have to hike back up).
There were also bird trails and the locals came by one afternoon to perform a traditional dance for us!
Traditional Dance from the locals
I can’t recommend this trip more! We booked through our favorite travel agency, Scott Dunn! Let them know we sent you!
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
More Africa Posts:
Rhino Trekking in Kenya, Africa and Lodging with Saruni Rhino
Rhinos are rare to find in Africa and the best way to see them is by foot! The Saruni Rhino will give you the best experience both in lodging, food, and getting up close with the rhinos. Where to stay and go in Kenya, Africa.
When we were researching where to stay in Kenya, our travel agent from Scott Dunn highly recommended staying at Saruni Rhino and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t realize how the Rhino is hunted for it’s horn and poaching is a severe problem. These magnificent creatures look like dinosaurs and are so exhilarating to see in person.
Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino!
Is there something behind me?
Where to Stay in Kenya
The Saruni Rhino is an intimate place to stay! There are only 3 rooms (also called Bandas) available, and with the location right along the river bed, you are sure to see animals visit the waterhole at all times during the day or at night. There is even a light by the waterhole at night to see who is visiting while you’re eating dinner in the main lodge.
Our Banda had a bed on a swing out front, which was perfect to relax and watch the animals approach the waterhole.
Tracking the Rhino in Kenya, Africa
Rhinos would look like rocks with eyes - Moseku the Rhino
Our guide would take us out in the morning or afternoon to go Rhino trekking. The rangers in the conservatory would keep an eye on where the Rhinos are located, knowing their habits and behaviors after years of observation. We’d hop in the car and drive about 30 minutes to the Sera Conservatory front gate, then typically another 30 minutes to the rhinos.
After we’d meet up with the ranger trackers, we’d hop out of the car and walk with them by foot to see the rhino. Typically we would stay pretty far away so that the rhino wouldn’t feel threatened and charge at us. The rhinos seemed more scared of us anyway and would run away if they heard us coming too close. We first found Moseku, a 7-10 year old rhino.
Rhinos can hear and smell very well, but they can’t see very far. Our guide would see which way the wind was blowing by kicking up dirt to see which way it would blow so we could make sure that the rhino(s) couldn’t smell us. As we would get closer, we’d tread carefully and as quietly as possible, which can be very hard when walking on gravel and branches.
Baby Rhino at 3 years old
Our guides would find the rhinos by sound, following footprints, or finding their poop! We walked around for an hour one morning and barely saw a rhino through the bushes. We were lucky enough to find the baby named Lojipu, the 3 year old “baby” rhino. His mother left him after he was a few days old, so the rangers bottle fed him and are hoping to release him back into the wild. He was very playful and acted almost like a dog running around. We weren’t allowed to touch him, but it took everything in me not to run up and hug him.
Scroll down to watch our video of Lojipu!
Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino:
What to Pack, Wear and Bring for Rhino Trekking
You never know when you’ll run into elephants,
What to Wear
Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece sweater for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.
If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!
Safari Essentials:
Don’t forget to bring these with you:
Camera - have batteries and extra memory cards on hand just in case
Binoculars
Water (your guide might already have some)
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Hat
Snack - granola bars are easy to bring with you
I highly recommend this excursion if you’re on your way to Africa! Don’t miss out! We booked our trip with Scott Dunn, tell them you were recommended by Kathleen at the Sweetest Escapes!
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
See more of our fabulous trips here:
HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - Orlando, Florida
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! Not only do they have everything you need in a resort, but it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Address: 1 Grand Cypress Blvd, Orlando, FL 32836
Website: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
Hyatt Regency GRand Cypress
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! if you’re looking to stay off Disney property but wanting to keep close to it, it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Here are some of my favorite dresses I highly recommend!
Hotel Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with a couch that’s also a bed! There are small balconies that aren’t really big enough to do anything on, just a nice touch.
I love that they prepared these rooms for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. After a long day at Disney World, my batteries were drained (physically and electronically).
The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock.
Hotel Bathroom at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The bathroom was a decent size with a giant rain shower! The tiles were iridescent, looking like mermaid scales up close. That’s a win in my book! There was also a big shelf in the shower for all my toiletries.
I loved the mirror and lighting, it was perfect for putting on my makeup and realizing I needed a few tweezers on my eyebrows! The closet was an ok size, a little small for my taste, but we managed!
Food and Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a restaurant called the Lakehouse in the back of the lobby and down a flight of stairs that offers a decadent breakfast buffet. For $29 you can get anything you’ve dreamed for breakfast! Things like quiche, eggs, breakfast potatoes, donuts, oatmeal, BACON, waffles and pancakes made to order or even an omelette station! I really liked their coffee too, all 3 cups. They also serve lunch and dinner.
If you’re looking for a quick to go kinda place, there’s a Market that is like a Starbucks with lattes, coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and options in the afternoon like sandwiches, wraps, and WINE!
Market at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
The lobby is MASSIVE and has a cute little parrot by the check-in desk! You’ll also find the lobby bar on the opposite side from check-in. They have food options as well!
Parrot in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Beware of the elevators, it can take a while early in the morning and at night when it’s crowded. We stayed on the 14th floor and I stopped on every floor on the way down. Stairs would have been better. Luckily they have nice chairs and views while you wait on your floor!
Resort at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a ton to do here on the property which is all included in the daily resort fee.
The pool is large and even has a water slide! The pool and spa are open until midnight, however the slide closes earlier. Other activities include put put golf, kayaks, bikes, rock climbing, driving range, and a tennis court.
Pro-tip: A lot of things are included in the resort fee, make sure you check the fine print of the paperwork given at check-in or on the desk in the room!
Shuttles to the Walt Disney World Resort and Parks from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Epcot Center - Walt Disney World
The shuttle service couldn’t be easier! All you need to do is check-in with the concierge in the lobby to reserve your spot on a shuttle the day before you need it. THE SHUTTLE IS FREE!!! The shuttle drops you off at the main hub (Transportation and Ticket Center) where you can take a monorail or bus to any of the Disney theme parks or hotels. You can even buy your Disney World tickets/Magic Bands here as well.
There are also shuttles for Sea World and Universal Studios, ask the concierge for more information.
Complimentary private car is available, there may be a wait for it.
Parking at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Self Parking is $10 a day or $22 a day to valet. They were working on one of the parking garages and had a discount on parking in Dec 2018. Check their website for the latest prices here: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
Here are some of our most popular posts:
Best Restaurants and Where to Eat in Paris
Some of our favorite places to eat in Paris, France! Check out these great restaurants and where to find our favorite dessert, profiteroles! #Paris #Restaurants
Best Restaurants in Paris
If you're as starving as a gargoyle (I mean, come on, they HAVE to be hungry), then you've come to the right place. Here is a list of restaurants/bars and the neighborhoods to find them:
Breakfast
Get a croissant (chocolate croissants are my favorite) or a crepe wherever it smells good. A few places make crepes near the window leaking that delightful smell of sweetness in the air. It's hard to resist!
Best Restaurants in Saint-Germain des Prés
It seems we ate near here more than any other area! It's been awhile since I've been to some, but they still deserve recognition.
Le Bon Saint-Pourçain
Address: 10 bis r. Servandoni, 75006 Paris
I still remember this meal like it was yesterday. This was the best meal in Paris. It was off the beaten path and was authentic inside and out. Even our chef looked like a cartoon character with his thick eyebrows and long white apron. For our entrees, I had a chicken with wine sauce served with the softest potatoes. Even though we were full, we ended the meal with an incredible creme brulee, with the consistency having the perfect amount of sticky and goodness. Apparently, new owners took over in 2015, and it has been re-vamped. I hope the food is still just as good.
Les Deux Magots
Address: 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France
This was a great bistro in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area. So nice, we went there twice with my family. It once had a reputation as the rendezvous of the literary and intellectual élite of the city. The waiters were very nice and helpful on our first night in Paris. No, they don't serve maggots - don't let the name get to you. They actually had a chicken dish that was delicious. To end your night, make sure you try their sorbets and chocolate mousse!
Relais de l'Entrecôte
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris, France
Relais de l'Entrecôte has a few locations, but you must go for their steak frites. What's better than steak frites? They have even better desserts! We went to the one on RUE SAINT-BENOÎT. Like most of the Parisian restaurants, the tables were really close and it was pretty loud, but the price wasn't bad for the amount of food you basically inhale. The Chocolate Profiteroles were the highlight of the meal in my book!
CHOCOLATE PROFITEROLES - ONE OF THEIR MOST POPULAR DESSERTS: DELICIOUS DONUT LIKE CAKES WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM, ALL SPRINKLED WITH HOT CHOCOLATE AND TOASTED ALMONDS.
VACHERIN DU RELAIS - A SUPERB DESSERT WITH MERINGUES, VANILLA ICE CREAM AND PRALINE ICE CREAM, COVERED WITH HOT CHOCOLATE AND WHIPPED CREAM
We found the cutest little Cupcake and Macaron stand. Literally!
Restaurants Near the Eiffel Tower
Au Pied De Fouet
45 Rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris, France
The translation means “At the Whiplash,” I don’t quite know what that means but the FOOD WAS AMAZING! As a traditional French meal, many courses came out and the place looked like it had been there for years! It was small and crowded but we enjoyed the authenticity of the restaurant (and the wine).
Alfio
43 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France
We were watching the lights twinkle on the Eiffel Tower and felt rumblies in our tumblies. We walked along the cobblestone streets and after walking 10 miles that day (see our How to Spend 24 hours in Paris post), pizza sounded good. We stumbled upon Alfio after watching the Eiffel Tower light up at night. It's a small quaint place but the pizza and pasta were delicious. I ordered spicy pasta and it was pretty spicy! Decor is great too, they melted wine bottles down and hung them around the restaurant. Highly recommend for those looking for a non fancy, great food, decent price kinda place.
More Paris Guides:
Ice Cream Review: Café Kantary, Cape Kudu Hotel in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
My favorite hotel in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand, had the cutest and most colorful ice cream! See the fabulous Cape Kudu hotel and their food joint, Cafe Kantary. Places to eat in Thailand | Where to go in Thailand | Places to stay in Koh Yao Noi #thailand #icecream #kohyaonoi
Café Kantary in the Cape Kudu Hotel on Koh Yao Noi
Address: Tambon Ko Yao Noi, Chang Wat, Phang Nga, Thailand
Website: Cape Kudu Hotel - Café Kantary
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Scoops
Beach day and ice cream? I think that's all you need in life. Or maybe that's love and ice cream... Anyhoo, when we went to Koh Yao Noi in Thailand and stayed at one of my favorite hotels ever (Cape Kudu Hotel – new blog post coming soon), there was an amazing cafe called Café Kantary that served pizza, pancakes, desserts and ice cream! After all the other food that wasn’t agreeing with me in Thailand, familiar food was super comforting! Make sure you pack your Pepto even if you don’t think you’ll get sick!
Inside this place was adorable! Much like the Cape Kudu hotel that it is connected to, it had an upscale cafe vibe with a splash of seaside decor. A full coffee bar, to die for pastries on the right and 12 ice cream options on the left, the sensory overload made it very difficult to choose my snack!
Koh Yao Noi is a pretty small island! It was hard to research where to go and what to eat. This place was everything I needed! From fruit sorbets to green tea ice cream, there was something for everyone here.
Again, as we saw at Ice Love You Cafe in Chiang Mai, Café Kantary also had a blue mint chip ice cream!
All cones were homemade! Strawberry, chocolate, or plain waffle cones were all superb options. Of course, I simply couldn't turn down a PINK cone! Like geometry, that was a given. As for the ice cream, I tried a few of the local flavors including the green tea ice cream, which tasted like iced tea. I tried a few of their sorbets which were fine, but I was in a chocolate mood so I got a Double Chocolate Chip with a blue Mint Chocolate Chip on top!
It was a perfect sunset snack after our buggy ride around the island! So good that we took it to the pool side and enjoyed the island views (and those comfy lounge chairs)!
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
10 Things You Must Do in Sydney, Australia
Here are 10 things you MUST see and do in Sydney, Australia! Quick Sydney Guide | Where to go in Sydney | What to do in Sydney #sydney #australia #animals
We had a BLAST in Sydney, Australia! See what made our Top 10 list of things to do!
This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
1. Take a Tour of the Opera House
As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes!
You can even book the tour through Google: CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS
2. Get up close and personal with the Animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park
I love animals and this was probably my favorite day in Sydney. You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala in the sanctuary. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him everyday. Also, there are kangaroos that are just hanging out and they'll let you pet them!
Make a day out of it and book the Blue Mountain and Wildlife Tour - More info here - they’ll even pick you up and drop you off!
3. Take a Beachwalk Along the Australian Coast
We did the 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. It was a beautiful walk on a summer day! This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was more intense than California sun and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt. I recommend hats and something to cover your shoulders if you go in January!
4. Sydney Harbor Bridge
It's especially stunning at New Years with fireworks shooting off of it, but you can also do a bridge climb during the day. Or, you can get on a ferry and go under it, or even walk across it. The possibilities are just endless. The bridge is located directly across from the Opera House.
You have to check it out on New Years Eve!
5. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish. Also, the high point were the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.
6. Visit the Blue Mountains and Scenic World
Check out what makes the blue mountains blue and hear the tale of the sisters trapped in the rock formation in this Aboriginal legend. My favorite part was visiting Sceneic World and taking a gondola over the beautiful Eucalyptus forest! We had a blast with our tour that picked us up from the hotel and took us to the mountains, Scenic World and the Wildlife Park to visit the animals up close and personal!
Book your tickets here for the BEST tour on Viator: Blue Mountain and Wildlife Day Tour
7. Visit the Taronga Zoo and Take in the Views!
The zoo is built into a hill, leaving you with breath taking views of Sydney and lots of fun animals to visit!
8. Visit Olympic Park
The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.
9. Find the Speakeasy, the Baxter Inn
It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail!
10. Play in Luna Park
We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival like amusement park with a scary entrance and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the fun house. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. We were definitely the biggest kids there!
Buy tickets ahead of time here through Google Maps: Luna Park Tickets
I think it goes without saying, HAVE SOME ICE CREAM!
Messina Ice Cream is my favorite!
Gelato from Gelatissimo is sooo good!
If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends and family and pin one of these to your favorite Pinterest board!
More Australia Posts:
9 Reasons to Visit Bora Bora on your Honeymoon or in your Lifetime! We spent a few days in Bora Bora in French Polynesia on our Honeymoon and see what our favorite things were to do! Definitely bucket list worthy!