Australia Archives - Points, Planes and Passports

Review: United Global First Class Sydney to San Francisco

BySean August 1, 2014January 1, 2024

A review of our flight back to the States from Sydney to San Francisco in United Global First Class on the B747-400. United Global First is an extremely comfortable way to cross the Pacific, though the seat privacy and catering lags in comparison to first-rate international carriers.

Two Days in Melbourne and the Park Hyatt Melbourne

BySean July 31, 2014September 4, 2014

We spent three nights at the Park Hyatt Melbourne, where we watched Auburn play in the BCS National Championship Game before touring the city.

Review: Qantas Economy and Business Class Cairns to Sydney to Melbourne

BySean July 28, 2014September 6, 2014

We flew a couple of great domestic flights on Qantas — Cairns to Sydney in economy class and Sydney to Melbourne in business class. Both flights were fantastic domestic flights with good onboard product, and great service!

Review: Spirit of Freedom Live-Aboard Dive Trip

BySean July 24, 2014September 4, 2014

We spent four amazing days diving the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef on the Spirit of Freedom live-aboard dive boat. The diving, crew, food, boat, and experience all exceeded expectations.

a body of water with a dock and buildings in the distance

An Evening in Cairns and a Flight to Lizard Island, AU

BySean July 22, 2014January 1, 2024

We spent an evening in the NE Queensland city of Cairns before flying to Lizard Island on Hinterland Aviation to meet our dive boat, the Spirit of Freedom

Review: Virgin Australia Economy Class Sydney to Brisbane to Cairns

BySean July 16, 2014September 4, 2014

A review of two Virgin Australia domestic flights from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane in economy class.

New Year’s Eve at Sydney Harbour

BySean July 13, 2014September 4, 2014

We spent New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour at the Italian Village on Campbell’s Cove with a perfect view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House for an amazing NYE fireworks celebration.

Five Days in Sydney: Days Three and Four

BySean July 10, 2014September 4, 2014

The next 2 days in Sydney, we visited the Sydney Opera House, took a Ferry to Taronga Zoo, went to Bondi Beach, had lunch in The Rocks, went through the Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens, ate dinner at Harry’s Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo, and went to the Sydney Fish Market.

Five Days in Sydney: Days One and Two

BySean July 9, 2014September 4, 2014

During our first two days in Sydney, we took a free walking tour of the city, had dinner in the Rocks, took a ferry to Manly Beach, and spent an evening in Darling Harbour.

Review: United Global First Class Los Angeles to Sydney

BySean July 7, 2014September 4, 2014

Our United Global First Class flight from Los Angeles to Sydney on the B747-400 featured very good service, an extremely comfortable seat, and simply dismal catering.