The first leg of our T-Qual Tick Race started with a spectacular morning on Sydney Harbour.
Waking up to the sun quietly rising over the world’s most beautiful harbour (Yes I am calling it) is almost the perfect way to start any day.
Good Morning Sydney
Pullman Quay Grand is where we spent our first night of the adventure. The hotel is T-QUAL accredited and has an awesome location right on the harbour. It was also only a few doors down from where we were kicking off the event at Aria Restaurant.
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney
The T-QUAL Tick Race
Joining me in the race is the lovely Sarah from A Beach Cottage and Nat from Mummy Smiles. Lauren E.P Bath, instagramming extraordinaire was also joining us as the official photographer. (Instagram #TQUAL)
With Matt Moran and Craig Davidson from Tourism Australia
We were all excited, although a little nervous about what lay ahead of us for the next three days.
The T-Qual Race is a big mystery to us. We participate in challenges and only find out what the next event and location is with a clue at the end of each challenge. Points are given to those who guess the clue first and win the challenge.
The T-QUAL initiative is perfect for those time strapped travellers who want to have amazing experiences yet don’t have time to research them. Travellers can be assured that Australian tourism businesses that carry the T-QUAL tick have gone through rigorous accreditation to ensure they are quality.
Day 1 – Sydney
Media Launch at Aria Restaurant with Matt Moran
Challenge: Creating a tuna sashimi dish
Aria’s is owned by celebrity chef Matt Moran. Kalyra was most excited to hear that I would be preparing one of Matt’s dishes and he would be judging it!
I am really glad that it was simply copying his design of the dish rather than actually cooking something or I would have been out at the first stir.
Not really knowing what I was doing, I relied on the power of flowers to pretty something up. All three plates were very similar and I was shocked when Matt judged mine the winner by a thin whisker.
Lunch – Mickey’s Cafe, Oxford St Paddington
On the much quieter, trendier side to Oxford St is Mickey’s Cafe , a funky and comfortable cafe to while a way a few hours. We didn’t have that much time, but enough to enjoy a delicious crispy skin salmon with green vegetables and freshly squeezed juice.
Mickey’s is well known for their pizzas, thick shakes and cappuccinos. The menu here offers a range from Mexican to burgers, salads and mains. Gluten-free and vegetarians are well catered for. Highly recommend it as a place to eat on your travels to Sydney.
Kayaking on Sydney Harbour with Life’s an Adventure
Challenge: Best GoPro photo
The perfect afternoon for kayaking on the world’s most beautiful harbour.
I have kayaked before on Middle Harbour, but this time we set adrift from Elizabeth Bay on the south side of the harbour .This is the area where the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts and there are many touring options.
We paddled out to Clarke’s island. The tide was too low for us to disembark and investigate the tiny harbour island, instead we circumnavigated it, and took some great harbour photos from the kayak.
I felt incredibly vulnerably sitting so close to the surface of this immense body of water, but it was exhilarating.
“Isn’t this so beautiful?”
Mike, our guide and owner of the company enthusiastically repeated this question throughout our tour. His enthusiasm was contagious. “The water is so calming, you just come out here and any bad day you may have been having is just wiped away.” I couldn’t imagine how you could have a bad thought out here.
When we received our next clue, it took me two seconds to yell:
Barbecue at Sydney YHA the Rocks
The great dig Photo: Lauren EP Bath
Challenge: Dig out the clue from the YHA’s archeological site
My favourite recommendation for places to stay in Sydney . Visiting again verified for me what a cracker of a place this is to stay. Best location, awesome harbour views, modern amenities all with hostel prices. You can’t beat it.
We had a little archaeological dig for our next clue and headed to the rooftop for a bbq, some wine and magnificent sunset views.
Searching in the archeological site for clues
Read our review of Sydney Harbour YHA The Rocks
The evening wasn’t finished with us yet. Nothing real exciting to report just a flight to Brisbane and a transfer to the Quest Ipswich.
DAY 2 – Brisbane
Hot Air Ballooning over Fassifern Valley with Floating Images
Challenge: Most likes on a photo uploaded to Facebook
I don’t really like being ready for lift off at 5:30am, but once I was soaring above the Fassifern Valley serenely welcoming the day I was happy I was forced out of bed so early.
The sun gently rose above the clouds shrouding the valley and the nearby D’Aguilar Ranges in mist. It was so beautiful.
Coming in slowly to land, when you are just high enough to to be on level with the trees and mountains is my favourite part.
The earth looks greener and fuller. You can see the cows being mustered and the kangaroos bouncing around the farm paddocks so much clearer. It is also a little thrilling as you glide over the treetops and land with a gentle thud to the ground and a shaky baby roller coaster ride when the basket drags to a holt along the grass.
Grahame, pilot and owner of Floating Images made the experience even more enjoyable with his knowledge of the local area and his gentle, humorous spirit.
Novotel Lunch and Accommodation
I really loved the funky decor of the Novotel Brisbane and that they have a channel on the TV dedicated to yoga workouts! The staff here could easily win the award for happiest and friendliest service in Brisbane, I was so impressed.
Funky rooms
We filled our energy reserves with a delicious 3 course lunch before rolling out to abseil the cliffs at Kangaroo Point.
Yum
Abseling at Kangaroo Point with Riverlife Adventures
Scary!
One of the best things about today was discovering Kangaroo Point, a tranquil area by the Brisbane River. There are plenty of activities here to do like cycling, kayaking or boardwalk river walking.
We opted for the adventurous abseiling with Riverlife Adventure Centre .
The sheer cliff face is about 15 metres high and I found myself frozen at the edge of it. Terror engulfed me, which is highly unlike me. I was so pleased to have a supportive guide and encouraging friends convincing me that I could do it. As soon as I took those first few steps over the edge, the fear evaporated and I really loved it.
Dinner at Aria in Brisbane
Day 2 finished full circle with an amazing dinner at Aria restaurant in Brisbane. We had an awesome surprise with Matt Moran flying up from Sydney to join us.
We had an enjoyable evening sharing travel stories with media representatives and learning about Matt’s success as a chef and TV personality. The views of the Brisbane River with the Story Bridge provided a perfect backdrop to the evening and gave us an insight into the elegant, yet casual atmosphere of this city.
The food was outstanding — possibly the finest dining I have ever experienced.
Disclaimer: I am part of a sponsored campaign with T-QUAL and Tourism Australia
