Kangaroos, surfing, and the Outback were all I knew of Australia before I visited in January. I quietly hoped it would surprise me, and as you'll see below, there were no shortage of favorite moments!
Highlights –
- couchsurfing with Ben in Brisban
- doing nothing in Byron Bay (and watching Green Street Hooligans)
- 4×4 safari on Fraser Island (and swimming in freshwater Lake McKenzie)
- surf lesson in Agnes Water (and watching Bra Boys)
- impromptu porch party at Magnum Backpackers in Airlie Beach
- sailing the Whitsundays (and getting to steer the yacht)
- first SCUBA dive
- staying with Michael and Ann in Trinity Beach
- hugging a Koala Bear at the Cairns Tropical Zoo
- snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
- Sydney FC vs. Melbourne Victory soccer match at Aussie Stadium
- sipping wine outside the Opera House with the Germans – Andy and Constantine
- the views at Bondi Beach (and the cliff walk to Coogee)
- couchsurfing with Bonnie, Tom, and Eliza in Newtown
- hot milk chocolate at the Lindt chocolat cafe
- watching the 2008 Australian Open Men's Singles Final on the jumbo screen outside Rod Laver stadium
- taking in the amazing architecture (modern and Victorian) around Melbourne
Discoveries –
- Australia may well have the prettiest blonde women in the world (I'll keep you posted as I have to give California and Sweden a fair shot)
- Australians love their designer sunglasses (aka “sunnies”)
- Australians love to drink beer
- like New Zealand, mixed liqour drinks are sold in cans and commonly consumed (rum and cokes, gin and tonics, etc), yet I didn't manage to try them in one month's time
- it rains a lot in Queensland during the summer
# of Nights Couchsurfing –
4 – two in Brisbane and two in Newtown. I also spent 2 nights with a friend's relative in Trinity Beach, 2 nights aboard a sailboat, 1 night on Fraser Island, and 2 nights aboard buses. Couchsurfing was tough due to high demand, and the holidays (New Year's in early January and Australia day later in the month).
Eating –
Heaps of chocolate, one plate of nicely prepared kangaroo, meat pies, gelato, ham and cheese sandwiches, and almost daily cappuccinos.
Average Daily Budget –
$98
Planning a trip? The Go Backpacking team uses and recommends:
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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bali should remedy your daily budget! glad you liked my country, but dont tell my wife about the blondes ;)
bali should remedy your daily budget! glad you liked my country, but dont tell my wife about the blondes ;)
That’s an awesome picture! I’m glad that you enjoyed Australia so much, are you sorry you didn’t get into the interior?
-Suz
Nope – I have lots I want to do and Australia’s outback is not something that had me too curious.
That’s an awesome picture! I’m glad that you enjoyed Australia so much, are you sorry you didn’t get into the interior?
-Suz
Nope – I have lots I want to do and Australia’s outback is not something that had me too curious.
Hey, I just discovered your awesome blog! I recently traveled around the world for a year…spent most of it in New Zealand and SE Asia. Reading your entries makes me want to do it again. There is nothing better than travel!
I drank a lot of the mixed drinks in a can while in Fiji and NZ…you didn’t miss anything. Although, I will say that the gin and tonic one grew on me.
Have a great time in Indonesia…I shall be tuning in for more stories!
Thanks for checking out my travel blog! Please let me know if you have any advice for the places I’m headed – you can see the trip itinerary link on the upper left side (RTW Pre-Trip Plan).
Hey, I just discovered your awesome blog! I recently traveled around the world for a year…spent most of it in New Zealand and SE Asia. Reading your entries makes me want to do it again. There is nothing better than travel!
I drank a lot of the mixed drinks in a can while in Fiji and NZ…you didn’t miss anything. Although, I will say that the gin and tonic one grew on me.
Have a great time in Indonesia…I shall be tuning in for more stories!
Thanks for checking out my travel blog! Please let me know if you have any advice for the places I’m headed – you can see the trip itinerary link on the upper left side (RTW Pre-Trip Plan).