It’s a TRAVEL POST TUESDAY!
Today is the first of probably 576 posts on our Christmas break trip to Australia.
Settle in, folks 🙂 .
This year, we decided to do something new for our annual after Christmas/early January trip. Even though Andrew has been cleared to snowboard post-surgery, he went ahead and decided to take this year off as to not accidentally do something that could set him back. I have always wanted to visit Australia during their summer but my family has always wanted to hit the slopes. It didn’t matter how bad I skied, how often I complained or how miserable I acted, they didn’t want to give it up 😉 .
When we decided this year would not be a snowy year, the first place I named was Australia for our destination and my family jumped on it. We also decided to ask my parents if they wanted to come along too so that my dad could check off his seventh continent and they too jumped on the trip.
We had a super fun Christmas, but we were all really, really excited for the 26th to roll around so we could take off…
…non-stop from DFW to Sydney…
…we left on the 26th and arrived on the 28th ready for an adventure!
My sweet dad landed in Australia and marked off his SEVENTH continent! I love how much he loves to travel.
Side note: my mom is fine staying warm and not going to Antarctica and only checking off six. I’m pretty sure she considers that the real win, ha!
After a long, long flight we were excited to be at our hotel…
…we were also excited to see that they had their Christmas decor still up 🙂 .
We arrived at our hotel around 9:30ish, ate breakfast, dropped off our luggage, changed and headed straight…
…to Bondi Beach! It was sunny and warm and SUMMER. We were so so so excited to be there!
We grabbed food from the boardwalk and played in the ocean all afternoon. The water was crystal clear and warm…
Not a bad way to spend a December 28th…
…we were tired but happy to be at the beach.
We stayed at the Four Seasons in Sydney and when our rooms were ready…
…we went back, showered, changed and got ready for dinner. We had views from both sides of our room, and they were oh so good!
We were tired but in the pursuit of “staying up to get on their time”, we headed to our first dinner in Australia…
…and the restaurant, Margaret, did not disappoint.
They look happy to be there, no?
We all slept really, really well and then the next morning…
…we headed to The Rocks Markets. It’s only open on Saturday and Sunday, and I am so so happy we were able to visit!
Not only was it just flat out charming, but it had everything from yummy food to original finds too.
We were happy to be there on a beautiful sunny Sydney Sunday morning.
Here are some pics…
Ashby had sushi, Madeley and Smith had a grilled chicken and cheesy sandwich, but Kensington’s dumplings were my favorite thing to try! Andrew and I bought a piece of art that is being shipped to us here in Texas. I can’t wait to share it when it arrives!
After the market, we walked over to the other side of the harbor area…
…and you know I had a moment with the cruise ship in port 🙂 .
Look at what’s ahead…
…only perhaps the most famous building in Australia 🙂 .
We had a Sydney Opera House Tour scheduled for that afternoon…
So, here’s the deal about traveling…sometimes, you have to just roll with it. As you know from reading my blog, we do tours all the time and have amazing experiences. On the rare occasion that the tour doesn’t go as planned…well, we’ve come to realize that those end up being our favorite stories when the trip is over. Needless to say, this Sydney Opera House tour made us laugh for the next two weeks. I’m telling you, the eight of us could not stop laughing about this tour and at one point, my dad pointed out that the tour ended up being one of our highlights of our trip. SO TRUE! The tour wasn’t fabulous, but the many moments reminiscing together about it later were.
Hello from the Sydney Opera House!
We finished off our afternoon by walking to Hyde Park, doing some shopping and then…
…my parents and the girls wanted to go chill a bit in the hotel, so Andrew, Smith and I went to this place called Flight Club so they could play darts.
You know I’m not competitive or athletic in the least, but my boys insisted I play even though I said I just wanted to watch…
…so imagine OUR SHOCK WHEN I WON THE FIRST ROUND! This place sends you videos of you throwing the darts (there is a camera on the board), so I will post my amazing victory in Stories later today. We played six rounds, and I ended up winning TWICE. Who knew this was my sport?! Bahahaha!
We met up with the girls and my parents and finished off our full day…
…with dinner at The Cut…
…which was not only delish but in a very festive little part of Sydney.
So, that’s the first part of our trip 🙂 .
Clearly there is much, much more to come, but in a nutshell, we loved Australia and already want to visit again. Of course, if you want to visit, we want to send you! Contact my travel agency today for more info on an Australian vacation or to any of our other destinations around the world. We would be so honored to send you too!
If you want to read some additional travel posts, make sure you check out my 13 KEYS TO MANAGING JET LAG, my 12 KEYS FOR LEAVING KIDDOS WHEN YOU TRAVEL, my 9 KEYS TO RETURNING FROM A TRIP, and my 18 KEYS FOR PREPPING FOR A TRIP!
Happy happy Tuesday, friends!
I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Elspeth says
I can’t wait to read more! What was the flights like and how did you handle extra long days of travel?
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Long but doable. We slept, we ate, we read and watched a lot of TV. The flights were really manageable.
Polly Pover says
Thinking of a vacation that involves a long flight too! What steps do you take to safe guard against risk of blood clots? Aspirin? Walking and moving when you can? Would love your advice as a travel agent and also someone into health and wellness! Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
For me personally, I get up and walk often and drink a lot of water. I know many people take aspirin a few days leading up to it and wear compression socks as well, but I haven’t done those things.
Rita says
Y’all come on down. So happy for you that you had a chance to experience Sydney. I love it and wonder why I’ve only been 3 times and I’m only 1.5 hours flight away. I laughed when I saw the photo of you view from the room, looks very similar to the view we had when I was there 2 years ago. The Rocks is so beautiful and the market amazing. We were there for my sister’s 60th, with our mum and my daughter. My daughter purchased a ring for my sister from a vendor at The Rocks and I purchased rings for my daughter and myself. It’s a beautiful memory we will always have. Can’t wait to see the rest of your recap.
Mix and Match Mama says
We LOVED it!! I can’t wait to return!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Australia looks gorgeous!!! What did the weather feel like while you were there? Is their climate super humid like it would be in Alabama? Looks like y’all need to add a dart board to your game room now haha!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
Sydney’s weather was especially gorgeous. Very low humidity, 80-ish. It felt more like a Nantucket summer (we were even a little chilled on the patios at night). When we headed north to the Great Barrier Reef, more humidity, it was warmer (90ish) but not nearly as hot as July in Texas. It was just more humid and warm.
Diane Moore says
That looks like an amazing start to your trip! I am jealous of that warm weather this time of year!
Danielle says
Aw, I spent a semester in Oz while in college, so seeing your pics of the sights is extra fun for me! I’ve always dreamed of taking my family back for their NYE. Post as many recaps as you want, I’m here for the trip down memory lane!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bet that was an amazing experience! I hope my kids do things like that too.
Sheaffer says
What a great start to the trip! So far, that market would have been the highlight for me!
Carrie says
I have been waiting for this recap! I am here for all the details! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Melissa says
Looks like the perfect start to an amazing trip. Can I also say that your new blog picture is gorgeous… You look stunning!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well you’re very very sweet!
Kristen says
Looks like it was an amazing trip!! Can’t wait to read all the recaps this week!
Amanda Wilson says
I am so excited for all the Australia posts!!! I have a feeling you will be adding another spot to my bucket list!!
Kristin says
We’ve only been to the Melbourne area to visit friends, and definitely need to explore more of AU. The trouble is, if I go that far, I really want to spend most of the time in New Zealand!! Would you say that the Opera House tour itself is a bust, or do you think it was because of your particular guide or group? Just wondering if you’d recommend it or say to skip it.
Mix and Match Mama says
I want to visit Melbourne next time! The tour was a bust because of the very kind (but very underprepared) guide. I will do the tour again myself when I go back! I would try to hit it too if I were you!
Kristin says
Thanks!!
Kate Monaghan says
How long was the flight? Do you think it’s worth it to splurge and get a pod on the plane? We did that for Hawaii to Boston and it made the flight kind of amazing so thinking if we do Australia it might be worth it? It’s a splurge though so wasn’t sure if coach was bigger on these longer trips and doable?
Mix and Match Mama says
It was a 17 hour flight from Dallas to Sydney. We have a company that we work with at our travel agency that helps find affordable fares for long haul flights. If you can factor that into your budget, it’s great. I’ve also flown to Asia three times and many many times to Europe in economy and always thought it was certainly worth it for the trip.
Natasha says
We’ve never splurged for a pod. I always feel like one bad night of sleep (or a night with no sleep) is worth the savings of flying economy. For us, it means more money to do things when we get to our final destination! I’ve flown to Australia, New Zealand, and China on looooong flights, for what it’s worth. Now, given all that, I’ve never splurged for a pod so I don’t know how great they might be!
Gilly says
Hey there! Jumping in here to hopefully help! I am Irish, living in Western Australia so very used to long haul flights. We travel home and to US (mums family there) every year all in economy.
If you can afford a flat bed / business etc, go for it. But if it is eating into your holiday budget I would follow Natasha and use that cash for experiences. There is a lot you can do to combat jetlag and we usually get some sleeping aids that can help you relax and sleep on the plane and sleep the first few nights. Its often the jetlag when you get there that can be hard vs the plane. We’re off to France next week, in coach with kids, and no worries. So just a factor if you can afford it really. My mum travels in premium economy which can give you more space but its still pretty pricey. Shout if you have any questions. xxx
S says
Fantastic recap! Looking forward to reading more about your trip. I went to Australia for a month before I graduated from college, and it was a trip to remember! How old were you when your parents started traveling overseas with you? Also, can’t get over how tall Smith is. How does it feel to have your boy tower over you??
Mix and Match Mama says
A month?! THAT is an amazing trip to Australia! I love that! The first time my parents took me out of the US was to France when I was 14 🙂 .
Laura says
Good Morning! I cannot wait to read about the rest of your trip. Australia is a bucket list travel spot for me!! Seeing the picture of Madeley by the prints and reading about you and Andrew purchasing a piece of art got me wondering if you would consider writing a blog post on the art work you have in your home that you have purchased on your travels. I have started to do the same and would love to see how you mix and match the art pieces around your house (see what I did there! LOL)
Mix and Match Mama says
I always love ideas!! Jotting this one down. Thank you!
Hallie says
I am so happy that these recaps have started! I studied abroad in Sydney and Cairns my Junior year of college and absolutely loved it! We stayed on Bondi Beach and it was gorgeous. This post brought back so many great memories. I gotta ask, did anyone try kangaroo??? I never ordered it, but tried a little piece and it was not for me haha. Can’t wait for the next recap!
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew and Smith tried kangaroo. It was pretty much on every menu…but I wasn’t brave enough. What a beautiful place for you to study abroad!
Jennifer P says
I got so excited when I saw you were in Sydney for Christmas break! I absolutely adore this city and have had the privilege of going numerous times for work, though never during summer! Isn’t seeing the Opera House for the first time surreal, especially Harbour Bridge in the backdrop? Hoping to see you took a ferry out to Manly Beach! And you’re right, the flight isn’t bad and so worth it! What an amazing experience for your family!
Mix and Match Mama says
How blessed are you to get to travel there for work?! It was a GORGEOUS city!
Kelly S says
I’ve got six continents. Need a trip to Antarctica. Welcome home.
Mix and Match Mama says
YOU DO!!!!!! You totally need that #7! Maybe my mom can go with you? 😉
Tasha says
Hi Shay, thanks for sharing! How do you keep track of your itinerary on trips? Do you use a google doc, excel spreadsheet, etc? Do you feel like you’re constantly checking what’s next and trying to keep to the itinerary or more go with the flow?
Mix and Match Mama says
Our travel agency has an app we use for our clients, so that’s what I used 🙂 .
Maggie J says
Your trip looks like it was off to a great start! Can you share what your kids eat at these fancy dinners? A mom of picky eaters would love to indulge. Looking forward to the rest of your recaps.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well my kids are all older, so they eat just about anything. It was harder when they were younger. Australian food felt very similar to American food, so they ate the usual things: burgers, steaks, chicken, fish, etc. The food was delicious at every meal!
Laura says
Is Sydney a walkable city? Or did you have to Uber everywhere? It looks like a beautiful place to visit.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! I don’t know how I would describe Sydney. It’s like Honolulu in a way (a gorgeous city set on the water with palm trees), but the city itself had really pretty rolling hills and so much of the architecture leaned European…it was beautiful and very walkable.
Carol says
That is a LOOONGGGG non-stop fight! But I’m sure it was way better than one or two stops! Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Mix and Match Mama says
The good news for Andrew and me was that after flying to Bali, it felt short 😉 .
Laura says
How long did you initially plan to stay (minus the delay at the end). Is a week worth it from the US?
Mix and Match Mama says
We had planned on 9 nights but got a bonus night in thanks to the delay. We could have stayed an entire month. I know we barely scratched the surface but with our kids’ schedules, we stayed as long as we could and thought it was absolutely worth it. It was enough to make us want to visit again 🙂 .
Erika Opperman says
Shay, I cannot tell you how this post warms my heart. Prior to kids, my husband and I lived in Sydney for 3 years. It’s one of my favorite places on earth! I’m so glad you had a great trip to Sydney!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! That is awesome! I bet you have a gazillion amazing memories.
Natasha says
I was able to spend six weeks in Australia at the end of my first year of university. I took an extra semester off to work and travel. I loved Sydney and Cairns and also got to visit Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. It was definitely a trip to remember, even though I was doing it on the cheap as a 19 year old! I would LOVE to get back with my family — so many unique things you won’t find anywhere else — koalas, kangaroos, etc.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! What an amazing experience for you!
Cheryl says
Hi Shay! Welcome home!
Do you have a preferred airline that you’re loyal to? Does it differ from domestic to international?
My husband travels often for work and has loyalty with a particular airline, but is growing dissatisfied with their service. Would love to know if you have one that you prefer over others 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, we live in DFW where American Airlines is KING, so that’s our airline of choice.
Cheryl says
Ok, thank you!
Emma says
Your trip looks amazing! How did Andrew’s back do on the long flight? Would love to know more about what made the opera house tour so funny/terrible, those are the best stories 😂
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazing! He did a million times better than in May when we went to Bali. That surgery was life changing for him.
Jen says
Which airline did you fly?
Mix and Match Mama says
Qantas 🙂
Kari Miller says
The dart story made me LOL! I loved it. Looks like an amazing trip- just incredible. Can’t wait to read more.
karimillerblog.com
Brooke says
My husband and I stayed at the Four Season in Australia at the same time of year 21 years ago. So fun to see pictures of the area!
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?! That’s so fun!
K.K. says
CONGRATS on the darts game win!!! That’s so funny. I love that you killed it.
What a great start to your trip. Love that you included the lackluster tour as well. Sometimes – you’re right – that becomes an iconic part of the memories! ha
Francesca says
Wait… now I have to know what was so funny about the tour of the opera house? Or maybe I just had to be there! 😆
Mix and Match Mama says
You had to be there…but spoiler, come to find out, it was his very first day. Don’t worry, later, Andrew “googled” the top things one should learn about the Sydney Opera House. It’s basically the same thing, no? 😉
Bailey Morris says
Went two years ago and had the trip of my life. Was so excited to see you guys pop up there over the break!!
Question… and I know it’s your blog, not Kensington’s, BUT – any chance you have a link to her blue dress from night 1 in Sydney? Saw it in the background with the photo of your dad and M. Asking for a friend. (It’s me, I’m the friend.)
Mix and Match Mama says
I actually know the answer to that one! It’s from Free People. 🙂
Erika Slaughter says
That’s it! Our next date night out…DARTS it is!! hahahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
You are going to be so mad when I beat you. Hahahahaha!
Carley Myrick says
We just wrapped up our Sydney leg of our Australia trip with MMA. It was awesome! Loved seeing your pics of some of the same places we saw. We are heading to Melbourne this morning for the Australian Open!
Krista says
We took our family last Christmas to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (with a few days stop over in Hawaii, easy to do being in western Canada) and it was a bucket list trip of a lifetime!!!!! We hardly had any jetlag going because of the huge time change. Australians are truly one of the nicest people ever, and we did many of the same things you did
Unfortunately, we encountered much more rain but it was still amazing!! One of our top highlights of Sydney was a guided bicycle tour around the city, it was awesome! Highly recommend to anyone to visit Australia
Stephanie P says
In the last 2 years I’ve been to Sydney twice for work (in their winter) and was able to stay weekends both times. First time my local coworkers go “you must do the walk from Coogee to Bondi beach”. I google it, see it’s ~4 miles and think ‘one to 1.5 hour beach walk post redeye will be a great way to wake up. No problem’. Well, no one told me it was a hugely hilly course with like a thousand stairs. My Apple Watch told me I did 50 flights no joke. It was beautiful but took me hours to complete and my legs were on fire. I was reading your blog worried someone recommended you do the walk but a lazy beach day seems much nicer I also loved the Rocks market both times. It’s such an upscale crafts market. All curious what you didn’t like about the Sydney Opera tour? I did the official tour and found it fascinating due to the origin of the architect who designed it and the drama that went along with that, albeit it’s so much concrete inside it’s not all that pretty internally like it is externally.
Mix and Match Mama says
Our sweet guide was an older gentleman that could not have been nicer…but it was his first day, so we learned a lot about his new retirement plan and literally nothing about the Sydney Opera House 😉 .
R Watson says
Way back when (30 years ago) my husband and I honeymooned in Australia after marrying in Fiji. That first trip encompassed Sydney and Great Barrier Reef like you guys! Crazily enough since then, half of our extended family immigrated to the Central Coast so we now get to visit often! I’m loving seeing all of your photos it’s making me very nostalgic!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! What an amazing honeymoon!
andrea says
Did you spend NYE in Syndney?
Mix and Match Mama says
We did!
Krista says
I’d love more info on how you guys manage long flights and your hotel setup for a family of six!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have a few blog posts that might help!
https://mixandmatchmama.com/2017/02/inflight-routine/
https://mixandmatchmama.com/2017/01/traveling-with-kids/
https://mixandmatchmama.com/2023/10/kids-carry-on-bags/
Maybe I should do an updated one too? My kiddos have been doing long flights since they were all four babies, so taking them now feels like a breeze. I cannot tell you how much easier it is now than it was when they were younger. For a family of six in a hotel, we get two rooms next door/connected to each other.
Kristy Moore says
I feel like I’ve been waiting FOREVER for the Shulls to land Down Under! I consider Australia my second home and have been lucky enough to have visited 3 times (once for a year long teacher exchange). I’m so glad you got to experience it with your entire family. But I hope you get to return one day as you MUST experience the beautiful west coast and discover Perth. Truly a gem!!
Did you try any kangaroo? Surprisingly delicious! 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
Perth is on my list! I love that you have been fortunate enough to visit so many times!
Jeanette says
Australia is definitely a bucket list destination for me. This post and the ones to come are so exciting to read! Can’t wait to see the artwork as well.
Kacey says
Can’t wait to read all about the rest of your Australian adventure!!! I LOVE Australia and would love to go back one day. I can only imagine all of the fun you had!
Alison says
So excited to read all about your trip! Love that your parents also came along.