Those who have followed me for a long long time will know that 5 years ago, I was lucky enough to call Australia home. I had a 12 month visa, and boy did I have a fantastic experience.
Australia is the world’s largest island, yet its the smallest continent. So many people move to the land down under, and for good reason, in my opinion! I often reflect on my time there with regret, wishing I had pushed for sponsorship, or a way to give me the green light to go back.
We all know that Australia can be a tough place to stay. Lots of people I met during my travels did the 3 months of farming work as a ticket to stay in the country – if only for another 12 sweet months. You start with applying for an Australia visa, and then see how you like it over there, which opens up discussions on how long you can/wish to stay.
Australia has something special to offer every visitor. For me, it proved 10 months of life changing travels, meeting new people, experience a different work ethic, a nicer life, and experiences that will stay with me for life. Some people want to explore the traditional lifestyle of the nation’s Aboriginal people, others want to do nothing but relax on a sun-kissed beach.
Let’s not forget that Australia is home to some amazing national parks dotted around the country. And, if you’re into travelling to other amazing islands and destinations, you have Kangaroo Island which is home to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and then further afield, you have Bali and New Zealand close by — not to mention the Whitsundays, where operators like Whitsundays Sailing Adventures run multi-day sailing packages that take you out to Whitehaven Beach and beyond.
If a visa for Australia is something you’re looking at applying for, it could be for a short term travel, or to seek opportunities to stay. Whatever the plan, here are 6 incredible places worth checking out in good old Oz.
Cairns
Although Cairns itself felt quite an unattractive place at first when we hopped off the coach and exploded a very busy and slightly run down street, we actually discovered just how lovely this high point place is. The rainforests that surround it and the beautiful turquoise waters that crash against its beaches more than make up for the lack of sights in the city.
It’s filled with travellers and low budget hostels, yet has a small slice of cute-ness and quirky vibes. You can some real unique hostels and accomodation here, along with local cafes and a slight hippy vibe.
It’s a popular tourist destination due to being the city considered to be the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This is the primary reason why Cairns is so inundated with tourists. Australians and travellers alike head up north for snorkeling in Cairns opportunities, as you get to see some of the most beautiful and fascinating sea life.
Away from the reef, there are loads of amazing natural sights nearby, and lots of people stop by Cairns on their way to visit Daintree National Park or the Wet Tropics of Queensland. Flights from Cairns to Sydney are also quite cheap, and you can decided to start or finish your Eastern trip from or to Cairns.
Perth
This was a place I never got to visit while travelling on my visa, but I’ve heard so many fantastic things about Perth. It is the capital of Western Australia, a rather isolated place from the rest of the country. That being said, it’s a place a lot of English people emigrate to, and is routinely considered one of the most livable cities in the world thanks to its laid-back vibe.
It’s attractive as Perth is nearly always bathed in sunshine, and its stunning beaches are perfect for kicking back and relaxing on. Away from the beach, there are lots of outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
There are loads of fantastic museums on offer as well as some great shopping options in this city of nearly two million people. With a huge of variety of bars, cafes and restaurants, isolated Perth is the perfect gateway to the rest of the west.
Brisbane
I breezed through Brisbane on my Australia travels, as the place was completely fully booked as we decided to swing by last minute. It’s quite a busy city with tall buildings and that concrete jungle vibe.
If I had landed in Brisbane before Sydney, I may have fallen in love with it. However Sydney has stolen my heart first. That being said, it’s a popular tourist destination for many reasons. Brisbane is a lively, dynamic place, filled with a sunny climate all year round and a population of about 2 million people. It’s the third-largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne.
A fun and friendly city, Brisbane’s vibrant music scene has made it one of the music capitals of the world and there are lots of venues in town where you can enjoy a great show. With loads of brilliant restaurants and bars for you to choose from, Brisbane is not to be missed. It’s an ideal place to spend a few days in while travelling between Byron Bar and the Great Barrier Reef.
Melbourne
I would say this place is second only to Sydney, and is said to be like the UK’s version of Manchester. Melbourne is a cool, cosmopolitan city that is seeped in culture. It has one of the best voted food and drink scenes, along with lots of great art galleries, museums, and a lively music scene. If an outdoor cafe culture and vintage shop scene is for you, you’ll love the place. You can find Melbourne in the Victoria state, which is often known as the ‘garden state’. If you didn’t want to stay in the hustle and bustle of this large city, there are lots of stunning towns in other areas in Victoria which make great based for exploring Victoria. Check out hotel warrnambool in Warrnambool, a city situated on the rugged coastline of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast, just 45 minutes from the iconic 12 Apostles or a direct 3 hours from Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge.
Due to its high quality of life, people from around the world have flocked to the streets of Melbourne. Its multicultural population is reflected in the delicious cuisine on offer and the unique neighborhoods that make it such a fascinating place to explore. With a European feel about it thanks to the architecture on show, wandering around the city’s streets and numerous green spaces will inevitably make you fall in love with Melbourne.
Great Barrier Reef
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef has to be one of my biggest highlights ever ever ever. It’s the dreamiest experience that you must do when in Australia! You’ll experience the largest coral reef system on the face of the earth, which stretches for over 2,300 kilometers. It is remarkably visible from space, and nine hundred islands dot this enormous ecosystem, which is actually comprised of 2,900 individual reefs.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a humbling experience, and for many travellers, an Airlie Beach day tour is how they experience this natural wonder that attracts around two million visitors each year.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best ways to experience the joys of the rich underwater world, while boat trips, kayaking, and even helicopter rides offer another view of the reef’s gargantuan proportions. Gently sailing through the perfect turquoise waters, dolphins, sea turtles and the reef itself are visible below the waves – an unforgettable experience.
Sydney
Potentially my favourite city in the world, although I haven’t visited every city of course! But my time in Sydney was incredible and I can only say that it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Potentially my favourite city in the world, although I haven’t visited every city of course! But my time in Sydney was incredible and I can only say that it’s hard not to fall in love with it.Sydney is defined by its scenic harbor, luscious beaches and relaxed lifestyle, mixed with job opportunities and a multicultural vibe. One of the best little trips is taking the ferries under the famed Sydney Harbor Bridge and past the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Beyond the famous harbour sights, Sydney’s calendar is packed year-round with live music, theatre runs, festivals and pop-up nights that showcase the city’s multicultural energy.
For visitors wanting to time their trip around a concert, gallery opening or late-night dance event, it’s useful to have a single place to check what’s on across venues. Local listings sites like Loopyah aggregate upcoming events across neighbourhoods, making it easier to discover things you might miss wandering the streets. That way you can plan a day at Bondi or a night by the Opera House and still catch something memorable nearby
Have you ever been to Australia? Do share your hot spots with me!
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