Final Thoughts: Australia

Posted by Dave on 05 February 2008.

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Afternoon swim

Kangaroos, surfing, and the Outback were all I knew of Australia before I visited in January. I quietly hoped it would surprise me, and as you’ll see below, there were no shortage of favorite moments!

Highlights -

couchsurfing with Ben in Brisban
doing nothing in Byron Bay (and watching Green Street Hooligans)
4×4 safari on Fraser Island (and swimming in freshwater Lake McKenzie)
surf lesson in Agnes Water (and watching Bra Boys)
impromptu porch party at Magnum Backpackers in Airlie Beach
sailing the Whitsundays (and getting to steer the yacht)
first SCUBA dive
staying with Michael and Ann in Trinity Beach
hugging a Koala Bear at the Cairns Tropical Zoo
snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
Sydney FC vs. Melbourne Victory soccer match at Aussie Stadium
sipping wine outside the Opera House with the Germans – Andy and Constantine
the views at Bondi Beach (and the cliff walk to Coogee)
couchsurfing with Bonnie, Tom, and Eliza in Newtown
hot milk chocolate at the Lindt chocolat cafe
watching the 2008 Australian Open Men’s Singles Final on the jumbo screen outside Rod Laver stadium
taking in the amazing architecture (modern and Victorian) around Melbourne

Discoveries -

Australia may well have the prettiest blonde women in the world (I’ll keep you posted as I have to give California and Sweden a fair shot)
Australians love their designer sunglasses (aka “sunnies”)
Australians love to drink beer
like New Zealand, mixed liqour drinks are sold in cans and commonly consumed (rum and cokes, gin and tonics, etc), yet I didn’t manage to try them in one month’s time
it rains a lot in Queensland during the summer

# of Nights Couchsurfing -

4 – two in Brisbane and two in Newtown. I also spent 2 nights with a friend’s relative in Trinity Beach, 2 nights aboard a sailboat, 1 night on Fraser Island, and 2 nights aboard buses. Couchsurfing was tough due to high demand, and the holidays (New Year’s in early January and Australia day later in the month).

Steady diet of chocolate

Eating -

Heaps of chocolate, one plate of nicely prepared kangaroo, meat pies, gelato, ham and cheese sandwiches, and almost daily cappuccinos.

Average Daily Budget -

$98

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This post was written by:

Dave - who has written 994 posts on Go Backpacking.

Dave Lee (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing, and lamenting his untimely departure from Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave

Contact the author

alison

Hey, I just discovered your awesome blog! I recently traveled around the world for a year...spent most of it in New Zealand and SE Asia. Reading your entries makes me want to do it again. There is nothing better than travel!

I drank a lot of the mixed drinks in a can while in Fiji and NZ...you didn't miss anything. Although, I will say that the gin and tonic one grew on me.

Have a great time in Indonesia...I shall be tuning in for more stories!

Dave

Thanks for checking out my travel blog! Please let me know if you have any advice for the places I'm headed - you can see the trip itinerary link on the upper left side (RTW Pre-Trip Plan).