Australia has always been this magical place in my mind. After my dad went on a surf trip when I was a kid and my mom’s total love for it, even though she’s never been, there has been something fantastical about this kangaroo and diggeradoo packed place. Planning this trip forced me to research some of the cities and sights with a lot more detail and only intensified my blind love for all things OZ.
But, after two weeks, 5 plane rides, 3 rental cars, 2 bus trips and 1 ferry ride, I can whole heartedly say that every expectation was not only met, but exceeded beyond belief.
From feeding kangaroos to learning about penguins, watching seals play in the ocean to trying my first ever sheep’s cheese, walking amongst the tree tops of the rainforest to a road trip along the coast, exploring Melbourne’s hidden alley ways to being dropped off on a killer jellyfish inhabited beach, Australia is a feast for every sense. I imagined myself in Jurassic Park during the rainforest tree top walk and played out scenes from LOST while in Cape Tribulation. The scenery is beautiful everywhere you look and even though we were only in each place for a short amount of time, we lived it up.
Each city has it’s own vibe and character, but at the heart, the people and the soul are all the same. The Australian people are a particularly friendly and helpful bunch, getting over their dry sense of humor, will go out of their way to suggest and encourage exploration. Kangaroo Island is a perfect example, the island has a rotating population based on the season, but almost everyone knows everyone else. Most people too, were very knowledgeable about their city and hometown. They added tips and notable, oftentimes bizarre, tid bits. Even when we asked crazy questions about mexican restaurants, the people searched their brains to help us find one.
At first we were hesitant over deciding to travel down under in their fall/winter, but it was the best decision we could have made. Most tours were just us and the tour guides and the weather was almost perfect everyday we were there. Although, having said that, I can’t really imagine a bad time to visit Australia.
If you can’t tell by reading this so far, I’m absolutely in love with Australia. I fell hard, which only gurantees that I’ll be back for many more visits. Next time taking my mom, and well, anyone else who wants to experience magic, natural beauty and of course, feed kangaroos!
