Today’s Friday Travel Photo takes you to the Sydney Harbor in Sydney, Australia, on New Years Eve. Sydney is home to one of the world’s greatest fireworks shows on New Years Eve with two displays – one at 9pm and one at midnight. This photo was taken from Bradley’s Head and was submitted by Nancy (@nancyunderstars).
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If you’re visiting New Zealand’s West Coast and have tired of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, consider spending a half-day driving to Gillespies Beach. It’s an epic beach and there is plenty to keep you busy on the drive there. Gillespies Beach is found 30 minutes from Fox Glacier Village and 60 minutes from Franz Josef Glacier Village.
As you leave Fox Glacier Village, you pass first through flat, West Coast farmland filled with dairy cattle and sheep. Consider stopping at Lake Matheson.
This lake was formed almost 14,000 years ago as the Fox Glacier retreated and left in its wake a massive crater. It’s a kettle lake and has no streams running in or out of it – essentially, it’s a big puddle which is topped up by rain. Thanks to Lake Matheson’s dark brown water, you can get excellent reflections of the Alps on a calm day. From the carpark, it’s about a one hour walk around the lake. After your walk, check out the Lake Matheson Cafe which has excellent views, does great coffee, and offers West Coast themed food.
As you leave Lake Matheson, watch behind you for a chance to view Fox Glacier. Shortly after leaving the lake, the condition of the road deteriorates quickly. It’s a single track, unpaved, and windy road through dense Westland National Park rainforest. Gillespies Beach is about 10 kms past Lake Matheson.
This windswept, black-sand beach is scattered with driftwood, massive boulders left by the glaciers, and has a torrential surf on a stormy day. Even on a calm day there are dangerous riptides, so swimming is not recommended (assuming you could brave the frigid water). If you arrive on a clear day, you’re afforded beautiful views of the Tasman Sea on one side, and the magnificent Southern Alps on the other. The view of Mt. Cook is the greatest I’ve seen anywhere on the island.
From the beach, you have a couple of different walks available to you. I recommend the three hour return walk to Galway Beach where you can view a seal colony. Otherwise, consider spending the night at Gillespies beach where the Department of Conservation manages a donation only campsite.
You’ll go to sleep with the sound of the surf and an unforgettable sunset.
New Zealand’s Bridal Veil Falls are located on the North Island’s west coast in the Waikato Region. At 55 meters high (180 feet), they are often regarded as being the most spectacular waterfalls on the North Island. It’s a beautiful area of New Zealand, with vast expanses of green, rolling hills.
While the Huka Falls near Taupo are impressive for the sheer volume of water that gets pushed through such a narrow opening, I don’t think they can compete with the views of the Bridal Veil Falls. They’re very easily accessible, yet chances are they won’t be overrun by tourists like the Huka Falls in Taupo.
You can get to the falls by driving about 15 minutes from Raglan – a quaint, seaside, surf town. Once you arrive at the car park, a quick ten minute walk through native bush brings you to the top of the falls. The path takes you through dense bush filled with New Zealand ferns. You’re separated from the lip of the falls by only a small, wooden fence and can feel the cool mist blowing off the rushing water. There are excellent views down the entire length of the falls.
From here, you have the option of continuing to the base of the falls. A ten minute walk down a steep set of stairs brings you to the pool at the base. If the sun is right, you’re guaranteed some great rainbow pictures in the waterfall’s mist (it wasn’t right for me!).
The Maori name for the falls is Waireinga. This means, “water of the underworld.” As the water plummets off the hard, basalt rock lip, it lands in a pool of sandstone which has been slowly eroded over time. The water then disappears into the thick bush.
There are no public transport options from Raglan to get you to the falls. If you’re traveling without a car, I imagine hitching wouldn’t be a problem. From what I’ve heard, it’s not a problem anywhere in New Zealand – especially near a surf community such as Raglan. It’s a quick, half day trip and well worth your time.
On my interrail trip across Europe in 2008, I decided to begin my journey across the continent in Amsterdam. Amsterdam was a ‘must see’ for me and should be for any backpacker.
Considering its location, Amsterdam is a logical place to start your interrail trip. You can head south to France via Belgium, or you can head east to Germany. Whichever path you decide to take, Amsterdam is beautiful city and well worth a couple days of your time.
Amsterdam is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North.’ It’s full of picturesque canals, 17th Century cobblestone streets, beautiful parks, famed coffeeshops, and terrific museums. And, well, prostitutes. With decriminalized drugs and legalized prostitution, Amsterdam undoubtedly has quite the reputation among backpackers. But if you visit Amsterdam and walk away only knowing the Red Light District and a couple of coffee shops, you’ve missed out.
Don’t miss …
Find more more Amsterdam pictures here.
Each summer, my family spends one week in Northern Minnesota. It’s a chilled out vacation – the relaxing, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, card-playing, eating, drinking, reading, catching up with old friends, and spending time with family type of vacation.
I love adventure travel. I love backpacking to new places. I love venturing off into the unknown. Yet this annual week-long holiday provides some great memories. There is something to be said for a trip that is routine, relaxing, and refreshing.
Lake Vermilion is found in Northern Minnesota. It’s Minnesota’s fifth largest lake, and is found a short hours drive from the Canadian Border. Lake Vermilion is a freshwater lake filled with rugged islands and miles, upon miles of untouched coastline. It’s a special place in a beautiful part of the US.
Nicole snapped this photo early one morning before we went fishing with my Dad. She calls it, ‘Misty Morning.’
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