Okay, now the restrictions are being lifted and we can now at least travel locally within our own state or between certain other states.
Australians love to travel. We don’t mind going on long haul flights because to travel to many places around the world we have no choice, we are used to it! A 20 hour flight to Paris – bring it on! Of course, our remoteness to Europe, Africa and the Americas proved to be a blessing in disguise when it comes to fighting a pandemic!
It seems like it will be a long time before we can, once again, hit the long haul flights to a far off destination. So, it’s time to look local, to support Australia and come up with our Aussie Bucket List.
We live in a great country and there is lots to see right here! Last year I ticked off 2 of these must-do experiences.
I camped in a tent at Uluru in the middle of winter and hiked King’s Canyon and Kata Tjuta. Of course, we had to capture the money shot at sunset in front of Uluru and circumnavigated the rock on a Segway tour. Its approximately a 10km trip at the base so a Segway is a great way to take it all in.
The other great local experience from last year was a self-guided winery tour around the Barossa – with over 75 wineries, you can’t help but have a great time in this beautiful region. The winter adds another element to the tour and there’s nothing like sipping a Shiraz overlooking a vineyard in puffy jacket and beanie.
Here are some of the other amazing experiences I have had in Australia:
- Skiing at Perisher, Thredbo and Falls Creek. Conditions can be a bit unpredictable as it doesn’t (comparatively) get very cold, but if the weather gods are smiling on you there is a great time to be had.
- Watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean from the Sunset Coast north of Perth, Western Australia. The foreshore has been redeveloped and is an amazing place to visit. I was there in winter so will have to go back there one summer.
- Snorkeling the wrecks and feeding wild dolphins at Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Island
The Brisbane side of Bramble Bay is all mud flats, so when you get to the other side of the bay off Moreton Island it is quite stunning how its just like a tropical paradise. Set up a shade pergola for the day and grab whatever floating device you can. If you are staying on the Island, feeding wild dolphins each night is a must-do!
- Whale watching off the coast of Hervey Bay. August is peak migration season for the humpback whales. These curious creatures come and say hello to you so you can get extremely up close and personal. The boat I was in sat just off the northern tip of Fraser Island for an hour and let these magnificent creatures swim around and squirt water on us.
- Playing Beach Cricket on Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays. This is definitely one of the world’s best beaches and you can only visit on a day tour. Yes, you have to wear a stinger suit in the summer but that doesn’t take away from the sheer beauty of the beach.
- The Inland road to Sydney. It’s the long, scenic route from Brisbane to Sydney but its well worth the effort. You pass through some great towns along the way including Tenterfield (I love Peter Allen), Cowra (for the remnants of the Japanese POW camp and the liberty bell), Dubbo (Western Plains Zoo) and Coonabarabran (Australia’s star gazing capital).
I have done a lot but there is so much more to do… So what is on my bucket list?
The Great Barrier Reef – This is next! I have been to the lower reef about a 2.5 hour ride through very rough waters in a small boat out from the Whitsundays. Next is seeing the reef out from North Queensland, Cairns and Port Douglas to be exact.
Visit the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation – hey I’m there now as I write this blog!
Fishing for Tailor off the beach on the largest sand Island in the world – the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. I plan it for this August.
Go diving for pearls off Broome, Western Australia. A very remote part of the country but I am keen to see it.
Visit Kakadu National Park
Drive along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.
Visit Margaret River and Albany in WA, possible when I make it back for a summer holiday on the Sunset coast.
A driving tour through outback Queensland and Longreach
Go fishing for Barramundi in crocodile-infested waters in far North Queensland. I’m no fisherman but sounds like a great experience.
It’s great to travel locally to support the Aussies who have done it so tough over the last few months – so what’s on your Aussie Bucket List?
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