Australia

Australia is incredibly diverse, and one of the most beautiful locations I have ever visited. With award-winning beaches like Whitehaven, and cities like Sydney packed full of activities. Australia has something for every traveller. That hardly comes as a surprise, Australia is massive, so it’s natural that it leads to some diverse locations.

From the bustling cities down south to exotic hidden waterfalls up north. Everywhere I went I was constantly learning and discovering. And even on the rare occasions some locations didn’t live up to my expectations, I still felt sad to be moving on. Australia is fun, its full of activity, amazing people and stunning scenery, it is exactly what travel should be about.

This coastal town is the heart of the Whitsundays, making it a popular stopover with tourists. Many of whom are making their way up or down the east coast of Australia. I stopped here after catching a train from K’Gari, a route I would later pick back up to visit Cairns. It’s a popular route with tourists and backpackers alike. The accessibility of public transport, as well as the variety of places to stop off and explore attracting thousands each year. 

What I loved is that not only is the Daintree full of stunning natural wonders, but that they can be explored on a shoestring and still leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. You can pull over at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, and have some of the best gelato you can find (outside of Italy). Made with ingredients grown just metres from the benches you enjoy them on.

If you are in need of a spot of lunch you can pull over and eat a crocodile burger. Before dipping your toes in a swimming spot exclusive to cafe patrons at Mason’s Swimming Hole. If you want to keep costs down low then simply enjoy a picnic with food you grabbed in a Woolies. The hardest part of this would be deciding which beautiful spot in the Daintree to pick and have your lunch at. 

Getting to discover K’gari (Gurrie) is an incredible opportunity that I’d encourage any traveller to grab with both hands. The authorities made a landmark move by renaming Fraser Island to K’gari. Recognising the Butchulla People’s connection to the island, and the creation story that gave it its name.

The name K’gari means paradise and originates from a Dreamtime story passed down by the Butchulla people. The great god Beeral sent the goddess K’gari and Yendingie, his messenger, to Earth to search for a place where humans could settle. K’gari fell in love with the earth and never wanted to leave. They transformed her into the Great Sand Island, honouring her wish to remain in her true form. The great god Beeral then lakes and forests, filled with plants, animals, birds and humans to keep her company.

I flew to Melbourne after my adventures in the Tablelands. It was my first big city in Australia since I landed in Brisbane nearly two weeks before. During my stay I would be at the Base X hostel in St Kilda. I can’t say it was the worst hostel I stayed at during my adventures, but it damn well tried its hardest to win that title. I will admit the majority of the problems I had were caused by bad roommates.

Melbourne was originally called Batmania and got its name after Batman. Sadly not Bruce Wayne, but one of its founding fathers John Batman. My time was short in Melbourne, so I focused on relaxing. But I knew I had to spend a day on the Great Ocean Road. Not only had I been assured it was the road trip of a lifetime.

Whether you decide to rent a car and drive yourself, or join a tour, you will encounter the most stunning scenery in your life. Make sure to get a sample of Vegemite ice cream while you’re there too, although they give away more free samples than they sell. 

Throughout my journey, Sydney will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my final stop on my tour of Australia, and the city I was most excited for. I had spent almost a month exploring the country, and had experienced so much. Sydney offered the perfect viewpoint to sit down and reflect on my journey. But of course I was still able to squeeze in some last minute adventure. 

For relaxing strolls I would head down to the Opera House, taking a long route through the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens are stunning and the perfect place to relax in the sun. I was often spending my afternoons here with lunch. The nearby Opera Pier had some beautiful restaurants, so I would spend my evenings trying a new one every night and admiring the view.

They say that the best things in life are free, and the Tablelands (or Atherton Tablelands) certainly proves that. This area north of Cairns contains some of the most stunning landscapes I have ever been fortunate to come across. The Tablelands were my final territory in my Queensland adventure. After exploring the Daintree I drove down here to spend the night before exploring fresh in the morning.