Welcome to Megan's Australia Web page!

Check out some photos of my trip so far!

Sydney

Megan in front of the Opera House in Sydney
At Sydney's oldest area, the Rocks, in front of the Harbour Bridge
In the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney, with the Three Sisters rock formations in the background
At the famous Bondi Beach
In a park in North Sydney, enjoying the jacaranda trees
Australians seem to enjoy giant replicas of various items; this is me with a giant prawn!
Another Aussie character, the koala (I got to pet the koala, but that photo didn't come out as well!)
Here I am in the courthouse at the original police station in Sydney. Prisoners were kept in this enclosure while in the courtroom--as far away from the magistrates as possible, as prisoners didn't smell very good! Ben also enjoyed the police museum.
This is an "old-time" advertising from the Fox Studios Australia backlot--obviously Firestone would no longer find this slogan amusing! Also at Fox Studios, I got a chance to sit at a replica of Fox Mulder's desk from The X Files. Ben used his time to peek into the filming of the new Star Wars movie!
Visiting the Olympic Park at Homebush Bay, I got to stand on the actual Olympic medal podiums used during the games! I think I won my gold in applying sunscreen, as that is what I do most here. I also got to swim some lengths in the Olympic pool. I don't think my crawl was up to Ian Thorpe standards, though!
More fishy stuff--Megan visits the Sydney Aquarium.
We spent a day at Manly Beach on the north shore, which is nowhere near as crowded as Bondi, with better waves. Also walked out to the North Head, where the Harbour meets the ocean.
Here I am on my birthday, enjoying a nice Jaffa slice at Starbucks! At the time, there were only two in Australia (both in Sydney), and fortunately one was only about 3 blocks from me! They are multiplying, though, and there are now at least four Starbucks, with more to come.
A night out on the town, at the Three Wise Monkeys pub in Sydney. L-R, Jenny, Megan and Ben.

Melbourne

Megan and the Melbourne skyline, as viewed from the river Yarra!
On the ferry in Melbourne, with the city skyline behind me. Yes, it is overcast and windy--Melbourne is know for its very unreliable (Seattle-like!) weather.
Visiting the waterfront in Williamstown, a fishing village on Prince Philip bay outside of Melbourne.
Williamstown boasts a lighthouse, and Melbourne's first timeball (used to set the chronometers on the ships). I met lots of great people in the Melbourne hostel. L-R, Nick, Megan and Kate.
A night out at La Porchetta pizza in Melbourne, near the Queen Victoria Market--largest market in the southern hemisphere! L-R, Ginger Andy, Blond Andy, Verite, and Megan.
I visited with family friends Pat and Roger Saunders, who took me to the top of "Mount" Dandenong. It's not really that tall, only 300m or so, and it had a traditional-Melbourne-weather view!
On Australia day, I was one of the first 100 "Australians" to march under the new Federation Arch, which was specially designed for the Australia's Centenary of Federation.
Ben and his parents visited on Australia Day, as well.
We went to see the finals of the Australian Open tennis tournament held in Rod Laver Arena, and watched Andre Agassi win the men's final! They then celebrated by going out to dinner in Andre Agassi t-shirts!

Want to know what the weather is like today in Melbourne or elsewhere in Australia? Then use this converter to find out what that is in Farenheit.

Want to know what time it is right now in Melbourne? Generally, they are +19 hours from Pacific Standard time (think the next day, minus 5 hours!).

Want to know what the US/Australia exchange rate is? Not too bad, but not as good as it was a few months ago.


Megan Taylor
Last updated: January 30, 2001