On November 8th, I set off on my first trip ever to a country below the equator –…
Times visited: 1
States and territories visited: Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland
Cities visited: Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane
Villages visited: Ferny Creek, Ferntree Gully, Belgrave, Cowes, Glenelg, Semaphore, Cape Jervis, Penneshaw, Katoomba, Airlie Beach, Logan City, Byron Bay
Islands visited: Phillip Island, Kangaroo Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Whitsunday Island
National parks visited: Blue Mountains National Park, Flinders Chase National Park, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Springbrook National Park
UNESCO sites visited: 3/20
I originally travelled to Australia in November 2015 to attend a birthday party – specifically, for my favourite clothing brand, Black Milk Clothing. But what started as a themed celebration turned into a full month of adventure along the country’s stunning East Coast.
My journey began in Melbourne, where I stayed with friends in peaceful Ferny Creek. I spent my days exploring the vibrant city, visiting the penguins at St. Kilda, road-tripping through Phillip Island, and enjoying the tranquility of the countryside. From there, I headed to Adelaide for two days of sightseeing, including a magical day trip to Kangaroo Island – an animal lover’s paradise and easily one of the best day trips I’ve ever taken.
Next was Sydney, which I couldn’t possibly skip. I spent six days discovering the city’s many sides: hiking from beach to beach, exploring iconic landmarks, visiting the Blue Mountains on a day trip, and even squeezing in a quick journey to Canberra. Then it was off to Queensland. I kicked things off in Airlie Beach, a lively backpacker town where I took a boat trip to the Whitsundays, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, and partied with friends. Finally, I made my way to Brisbane, where I stayed with a lovely family, celebrated at the Black Milk party, explored the city, and took day trips to Byron Bay and Springbrook National Park.
Australia broke my budget about ten times over (despite staying with friends and couchsurfing), but every moment was worth it. The landscapes, wildlife, cities, and people made it an unforgettable adventure.