I'm going to Australia!

I am going to Australia for 20 days!

Yes, it is amazing.  I am so excited about this trip.  It is going to be my last trip based out of New Zealand, and it is going to be an incredible way to end my time down under.  I couldn’t come to New Zealand without going to Australia, and I have been planning on going at this time since before I arrived.

I start with 5 days in Sydney.  I was originally going to start in Melbourne, but I ran out of time and had to cut it out.  I am pumped about being in Sydney.  I have heard that it is a fun city to explore, and the more I think about it, the more excited I get.  While in Sydney, I will be (among other things):

• Checking out the aquarium and zoo.  You get to the zoo by ferry across the harbour, so I am also going to do a harbour cruise at the same time.  


• Learning to surf!  I am booked in for 2 2-hour surfing lessons (it’s a day long surf school) about 45 minutes outside of Sydney.  


• Getting in touch with nature.  I am spending a day on the Blue Mountains Day Tour enjoying Australian nature.  This includes bushwalking, views, kangaroos, and other Aussie things.  It also includes a river cruise.


• Exploring the local heritage night life.  The Rocks is a historic district in Sydney that is also home to many bars and pubs, and I am taking a Pub Tour through the area.  


• Viewing the whole city from the top of the Sydney Tower.  Self explanatory.

After this time in Sydney, I leave for a 15-day trek up the east coast to the Great Barrier Reef.  I am on a tour, so I stay with the same people the whole time.  This company is highly recommended by the same STA advisor who helped me with my Fiji trip, so it should be really good.  If I was old enough to rent a car and had someone to travel with, I would definitely be more independent and just go at my own pace up the coast.  However, I am travelling on my own, so this is a better option.  I already have all my accommodation booked in, most meals paid for, and I have guides and travel companions built in.  It’s a really good option for me.  Now, the breakdown.  A map might be helpful while reading this.

• Day 1: Sydney to Byron Bay.  


• Day 2: Byron Bay.  This city has a lot of water-related activities and seems to be a popular destination.  I currently plan on doing some sea kayaking here and either lying on the beach or checking out some local craft shops.


• Day 3: Byron Bay to Gold Coast.  We get into Queensland on this day, going through a city called Murwillumbah.  Man, the Australians have some crazy names.  This area is also known as “Surfer’s Paradise.”


• Day 4: Gold Coast.  Apparently, this whole area is becoming quite commercialised and has a lot of activities for the many holidaying visitors.  I envision this to be a sort of Panama City, so I’ll keep you updated.  I might get away from the crowds on this day and head into the national park, but chances are the beach will draw me to it.


• Day 5: Gold Coast to Fraser Island.  We stop in Brisbane for much of today, as well as Kangaroo Point.  


• Day 6: Fraser Island.  This is the world’s largest sand island.  It is supposed to be spectacular, with picturesque and pristine beaches.


• Day 7: Fraser Island to Capricorn Caves.  We stop in the beef capital of Australia today, something I think will make great trivia one day.  


• Day 8: Capricorn Caves to the Whitsundays.  Apparently, we have breakfast with kangaroos in the morning at the caves before leaving for Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast.  I have heard that these beaches are amazing, so I am looking forward to some serious lying in the sun.  We’re staying on Long Island.


• Day 9/10: The Whitsundays.  Two complete days just to chill out on a beautiful beach.  I can’t wait for this vacation.


• Day 11: The Whitsundays to Cairns.  Cairns is a pretty popular launching point for going to the Great Barrier Reef.


• Day 12/13: Cairns.  I am absolutely heading out on a snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef.  That is one thing I have wanted to do the entire time I have known that I was moving to New Zealand.  There’s good shopping here as well as countless other activities to interest the tourists.  I might also do some horseback riding here.


• Day 14: Cairns.  Rather than hanging around the beach, we turn inwards to the rainforest.  We get to check it out on the Skyrail, which is gondolas floating above the rainforest, before exploring some of the local villages.


• Day 15: Daintree World Heritage Area.  It’s an early start this day, but it is sure to be one of the most spectacular days.  We hope on 4WD vehicles for a trip up the scenic coastal Cook Highway before getting on a river cruise at the Daintree River.  The cruise takes us into the rainforest, where we will go swimming and exploring.  We go on to Cape Tribulation for another chance for swimming and just enjoying the sights as the rainforest meets the tropical waters of north Australia.

The next morning I fly from Cairns to Sydney and then on to Wellington.  Every time I describe this trip to someone, I get a little more excited.  I can’t imagine that I could be more excited, but it happens!  I can’t think of a better way to cap off my time down under on the Ambassadorial Scholarship.