Picturesque Views of the Pacific

Australia is the sixth-largest country by landmass, but much of the terrain is sparsely inhabited. Just 22 million people live in Oz. For perspective, 24 million people live in Texas! Two-thirds of the people living here are clustered around eight major cities. They all happen to hug the ocean, with the exception of the capital, Canberra.

I’ve now had a chance to explore three of those waterfront metropolitan areas: Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Also on the water, Melbourne is Australia's second-largest metropolitan area.

Melbourne and Perth were brief excursions while Sydney has been home. Here, I’ve been blessed to find warm, kind friends, a terrific yoga studio and have the ferry and bus schedules memorized. While I simply adore Sydney's architecture that makes me feel like a guest in Harry Potter’s world, I have a real love affair with Australia’s natural beauty and beaches.

47,000 students are enrolled at the University of Sydney.

Mom riding the ferry to Manly for a late breakfast and walk along the beach.

A storm threatens the surfers at Manly Beach.

Art Nouveau architecture along Manly's promenade.

Manly Beach offers sand and surf and more boutiques and cafes than you can cover in a few days. Bondi is more bohemian and for me, as a non-surfer, the best part is the walk/hike along the cliff from Bondi to Bronte. Bronte is more subdued and has a few delicious cafes but it’s far less commercial than Manly.

Bondi and North Bondi patrol for dangerous rescues.

Exploring the glorious cliffs between Australia's best beaches.

Just before sunset. En route with a friend back to Bondi from Bronte.

Recently, I found what I think may be the most beautiful place on the planet. Previously I thought it was the northern point of Kauai where the road stopped and whales appeared to be dancing in the Pacific; now I think it may be Australia’s Watson’s Bay. It’s a tremendous spot to get away from it all. There’s one well-known restaurant, a gelato shop, a general store, a bus stop and small dock for the ferry. My pictures don’t do justice to this relatively untouched area. In one direction you see sailboats in Sydney harbour. Then, turn 180 degrees and you’ll find steep cliffs, eventually the vast sea, and if the stars align, you may see whales since May-August is the busy mating season.

Watson's Bay: looking back at the Sydney harbour.

Watson's Bay: peering out to the Pacific Ocean.

Every opportunity I have, you'll find me by the beach, strolling along a promenade, having an ice cream by the sea or hiking and admiring the view. Last week I darted from the office hoping I’d make the sunset at Manly. I still have a childlike wonder when it comes to the scenery, while I noticed many of the residents commuting on the ferry were buried in their laptops, iPads, iPhones or iPods, rather than marveling at the sights passing by. Presumably since my time here is finite, I just can’t take my eyes off nature’s spectacular architecture in the most stunning place I’ve ever called home.

Manly Beach at sunset.

My friend Claire and her husband Jayson admiring the view along the coastline.

Royal National Park is Australia's first National Park. It's on the southern border of Sydney.