iPhoneography Oz Is Dead, Long Live iOz


39,014 km, 340 days, nearly 4,800 photos captured with an iPhone including more than 800 photos edited via instagram. These are the standout figures of the iPhoneography Oz road trip around Australia which ended today in a Brisbane Airport parking space (photo)... where it all began on January 1st. From Brisbane to Cairns via Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, we traveled across the continent visiting Australia's landmarks and going off the beaten tracks too. We obviously have a lot of memories associated with this trip. We will need a little time to digest all these encounters, these discoveries, these idyllic and breathtaking landscapes. And all of the trials and tribulations that went with it too. In the end, like after any experience, we have grown, we are more open-minded and especially keen to continue our travels and visit more countries. Australia is a unique country and we hope that everyone gets the chance to visit Australia the way we did it for almost 12 months. We will not bore you with an endless thank you speech but we still want to express gratitude to all those who participated directly or indirectly to the realization of this great adventure: our partners who believed in the project and allowed us to have extraordinary experiences, and all of you who have been reading the blog and following us on social media. Note that you were doing all of this reading and following from 112 different countries!

Apart from fixed pages (About, Media, Contest, etc..), the most popular articles of iPhoneography Oz English version were:
In one year, iPhoneography Oz has created a community of nearly 4,000 fans interested in travel, photography and obviously Australia. It would be a huge shame to end it on that note, so we are determined to continue this adventure... powered by you from now on! Here's how:

1/ iOz on Facebook & #iOz on twitter: we plan to organize virtual recurring events to have conversations about travel, Australia and mobile photography. Travel to Australia? Immigrate, live and work in Australia? Study in Australia? Tips for customized holidays in Australia? Facts about Australia? Photography techniques? Together, we will answer all these questions and many more. Do not forget to use #iOz to tag your Australia-related tweets to get the attention of other #iOz community's followers. Share stories. Ask questions. Ask for travel related help. Join the fun, be social and let's tweet about our passion for Australia!

2/ #iOz on instagram: Are you in Australia? Do you have an iPhone? Then submit your own iPhone photographs through your instagram account using the hashtag #iOz. Every day, from all the submited photos, we will pick a winner and repost the "iOz of the day" on the different iOz accounts on social media. Its author will be invited to write an article or be interviewed on the iOz blog.

3/ Guest-Blogging: Do you have a blog? Do you have your visa for Australia, are you on a flight to Australia or are you already in Australia? Would you write a post on the iOz blog? If so, contact us soon!

4/ Promotion and Advertising: Would you like to promote your products and services through iOz? Whether it is for writing sponsored articles, running contests, press trips, ads banners or something else, please contact us immediately. We are particularly interested in tourism businesses (tourist activities, travel agencies, accommodation, restaurants) and event organizers based in Australia.

5/ Suggestions: since everything moves and everything changes all the time, we are always open to new opportunities. Know that we are always delighted to read your ideas and suggestions in order to improve your iOz experience. This community is yours too! Send us your comments at any time via this form.

Thank you for being there!

Join the iOz community on facebook, twitter or instagram.

Jet Ski Tours On The Sunshine Coast


We have already tried several water sports since the beginning of our adventure (which is nearing the end...), be it surfing, kitesurfing, surf kayaking, sailing and snorkelling. There was at least one more activity we did not want to miss on the Sunshine Coast. And this activity is riding a Jet Ski. Whoever has never tried it before should do it as soon as possible! In Maroochydore, Maroochy River Jet Ski Hire & Tours is a small family business yet one of Australia's most experienced water sports businesses. Their guided jet ski tours are for people of all ages and experience (no license or experience is required for jet ski rentals). Beginners can ride their Sea Doo through the Sunshine Coast hinterland on the beautiful Maroochy River (photo). The more experienced might prefer the thrill of the ultimate jet ski adventure on the Coral Sea. We have tried both and in all cases, it is a barrel of fun. Jet skiing allows you to explore the Sunshine Coast from a whole different angle. Maroochy River Jet Ski Hire & Tours will soon offer the Flyboard, a new insane activity! Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend this premier, the official launch which will be held on February 2. Is there anyone who would be kind enough to cover the event for iPhoneography Oz?

Have you tried Jet Ski or Flyboard before? What is your best Jet Ski memory? Your worst? Tell us your stories in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Maroochy River Jet Ski Hire & Tours.

Kitesurf Lesson On The Sunshine Coast


We have been waiting for weeks and months to have an introduction to kitesurfing (or kiteboarding), this water sport is halfway between surfing and windsurfing. It is now something that we can tick off our bucket list after our recent return to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, where we left in February (it also means that our adventure is coming to an end). But let's focus on the topic of the day! We had our first kitesurfing lesson with the experienced instructors of the Adventure Sports Kitesurfing School in Noosa (which is also a kite shop). This first lesson is an introduction to kiteboarding in order to learn the behaviour of the power kite, thus there is no board at this stage. But let us tell you something: even without the kiteboard, the sensations are excellent on the water when you start feeling the power of the wind (which can easily have you airborne in no time at all). The lesson takes place on a huge lake nearby which offers ideal conditions for kitesurfing (and the water is so warm!). Depending on your budget, a one on one lesson is preferable rather than a group lesson. With this option you have the kite for the entire lesson and do not have to wait your turn. Honestly, we just want more and cannot wait for our next session of kitesurfing training!

Have you heard about kitesurfing before? Which are the extreme sports that you want to try? What would you recommend to a beginner who wants to learn how to kitesurf? Let us know in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Adventure Sports.

Bundaberg, Home Of Australian Rum


Bundaberg is a small town surrounded by fields where sugar cane is grown. Brisbane is 4 hours drive south. The town is best known for having given its name to one of Australia's most iconic brands. Each year, more than 100,000 tourists and rum fans make the journey to this part of Queensland, home of Australian rum. Bundaberg Distilling Company is the place where you can explore more than 100 years of rum making expertise. The facility is open to the general public. On site, you can go for an interesting self guided tour with interactive and sensory display. Or you can go for the BDC Distillery Experience, a guided expedition deep into the working distillery. This second option is a real gem. Not only you can explore the entire rum-making process, but you can also relax in the Bundy Tasting Bar and sample rum delivered direct from the Distillery (Bundaberg Rum Royal Liqueur served with cream is simply to die for). Seriously a trip to Bundaberg is not complete without a stop at the Distillery, consistently ranked among the favourite tourist destinations in Queensland.

Do you belong to rum aficionados? Have you tasted any Bundaberg Rum before? What is your favourite Bundaberg Rum? What is your favourite rum-based cocktail recipe? Share it with us in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Bundaberg Distilling Company.

Introductory Course In Surf Kayaking


We have often talked about surfing on the blog (it was only yesterday that we mentioned our last surf lesson). Today we join 1770 Liquid Adventures to surf waves... on a kayak. A whole heap of great fun, that is what surf kayaking is! The tour also includes a more relaxed pace of cruising through the beautiful waterways of Seventeen Seventy and complimentary drinks and snacks on a wild secluded beach. 1770 Liquid Adventures offers a few different tours, but we highly recommend the Sunset Kayak Tour, which finishes by sea kayaking facing an amazing sunset (photo). Actually, it is the only place on the east coast of Australia, where you can actually watch an ocean sunset from a kayak! For a fleeting moment, we travel back in time imagining just what James Cook saw when he discovered Queensland...

Have you ever surfed on a kayak? What are the activities you have taken part in Seventeen Seventy? What would you recommend to do or see in the area? Let us know in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of 1770 Liquid Adventures.

Surfing In Agnes Water


Agnes Water, in addition to being a quiet and charming seaside community, is the most northern surf beach in Queensland. And as we have come from the north (Cairns), we could not pass up the opportunity to jump in the water and get back on a surfboard again (there are fewer dangerous jellyfish here). The conditions are ideal: beautiful weather, deserted beach and perfect waves to learn how to surf. So we head to Reef 2 Beach surf school for a 3 hours surfing lesson. The least we can say is that beach and surf culture are in the air! The look, the style, the cut, all leat to thinking that our instructors, real surf enthusiasts, are direct descendants of Patrick Swayze in the movie Point Break. From here, we would like to apologize to the other surf schools who introduced us to surfing in Australia, but Reef 2 Beach is by far our best surf experience (this is also the last, as our adventures are coming to an end). This is certainly the cheapest surf school in Australia too: $17 to learn to surf is somehow hard to beat. It is no wonder that Reef 2 Beach's reputation is the size of the continent. Someone in Perth (which is on the complete opposite side of Australia from Agnes Water) recommended the place to us! Book with your eyes closed, you will not regret it and you will have a great time!

What do you think? Did you book a surf lesson while in Australia? Which surf school would you recommend? Let us know in the comments below!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Reef 2 Beach.

When James Cook Discovered Queensland...


We have to admit that British explorer James Cook had a job that was not too bad at all. Not only was he behind the discovery of Australia, but during his northward journey along the east coast that followed, he also became the first "tourist" to set foot in Queensland. On this occasion, Cook discovered a treasure (for the eyes at least). It is partly thanks to James that today, we can explore the charming twin seaside communities of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy (named after Lieutenant - not Captain yet - James Cook who came ashore on 24 May 1770). We are about a hundred kilometres north of Bundaberg. Being here, it would be apt to read Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World. The setting is perfect. The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast. The beach in front of us is rather picturesque and particularly appreciated by surfers (Agnes Water is the most northern surf beach on the East Coast of Australia). The climate is perfect today (as well as most of the year with nearly 300 days of sunshine). This location certainly has a high tourism potential. However, there is no commercialization and the area's natural beauty has been preserved, just like at Mission Beach. Ah, it feels so good being here! Only the sound of helicopters landing at nearby luxury villas might disturb our tranquility. We heard through the local grapevine that the passengers are Quiksilver and Billabong's founders who own a holiday home in the area. No matter who they really are, we must be right in thinking that Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy are, in their own way, a dream destination.

What do you think? Have you ever been to Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy? What is your dream destination? Let us know in the comments below!