Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 101)
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4 Things You Need for a Safe, Healthy Holiday
I am in serious travel planning mode. I have bought packing cubes, new locks, a carryon suitcase, a new passport and the list goes on and on. It is so exciting preparing for a new trip and this time I’m heading off with my boyfriend, which will be a treat in itself. After 30+ countries, 2.5 years on the road and a number of horror stories, I would consider myself to be well travelled. As such, I think I know what I need to travel safe and healthy:
1) Travel Insurance
I can’t believe people fly out without this, especially to countries where their medical costs aren’t covered. It just seems like a bad idea! I have seen too many horror stories in the news and on Facebook about people who had accidents (even if they weren’t their fault) while traveling and their family have had to raise tens of thousands of dollars for their treatment. It just seems stupid! Now there are lots of benefits to getting travel insurance, too many to list here, as well as travel insurance for over 60s benefits. Whatever you do, don’t leave the country without properly protecting yourself and insuring your health and safety.
2) Activated Charcoal
If you’re heading anywhere where you might find yourself with an upset stomach or food poisoning, please take some activated charcoal. When I have been traveling in Asia, an upset stomach is a fairly regular thing for me, happening every couple of months. I used to take a few heavy doses of antibiotics and hope that things disappeared as quickly as possible. However, antibiotics can be quite hard on your body and interfere with other medication, so I prefer to avoid them where possible. Activated charcoal is a great natural alternative and can help with other stomach aches, as well as hangovers too – magic.
3) A Spare Credit Card
I suggest traveling with at least one spare credit card and a spare debit card as well if you can. So many of my friends have had their bags snatched or stolen and found themselves with no spare cards or cash in a foreign place. That doesn’t sound like my dream holiday. Having a spare card is great because if one gets stolen or used online for fraudulent purchases, then you have t least another spare when you need it most.
4) A Neck Pillow
Honestly, I thought neck pillows were gimmicky and stupid and I couldn’t understand why people carted them around with them until I bought one out of curiosity. Wow – what a difference it makes, it really helps me sleep a lot better on planes and also ensures my neck doesn’t get too cramped. They are definitely a wise investment.
5) Noise Cancelling or Reducing Earphones
Ever been stuck on a plane with a crying baby while you’re traveling to sleep? It’s not really ideal. I finally invested in a pair of noise reduction earphones and have already noticed the difference, they are amazing. I can’t wait to test them out on a noisy, confined airplane.
What are your essentials for a great holiday? Let me know!
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A Guide to the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is truly a hidden gem. Statistically sunnier than anywhere else in the UK and only an hour away from London – the Isle of Wight should theoretically be fit to burst with tourists. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. What it is filled with however, is an array of water sports and activities to pursue, beautiful beaches and great local food.
Here’s a guide to the gorgeous Isle of Wight…
Local Cuisine
Foodies will simply adore the culinary delights that hail from the Isle of Wight. Take your pick from the island’s garlic farm which is home to locally-made jams, chutneys and generously-sized garlic bulbs or take a trip on the Wight Taste Trail. Here, you are invited to taste local produce by the island’s leading food producers and learn how it is made.
When you consider that there is one pub every square mile, there really is no excuse not to try some of the local fodder here.
Feeling Adventurous?
Part of the Isle of Wight’s big attraction is that it makes holiday makers feel as if they are a world away and this is largely down to an unexpectedly large selection of adventure sports on the island. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy everything from tree climbing and horse riding to sea kayaking and kite surfing. You can happily spend one day in the Isle of Wight learning the kind of skills you would normally only travel abroad to experience!
Nightlife
Whilst the island is not hugely known for its nightlife, locals like to improvise with the help of glamping and beautiful coastal scenery. There are plenty of events throughout the year that may take your fancy from open-air music festivals such as the popular ‘Bestival’ which runs from the 4-7th September to the many ‘Electric Woods’ events which stage outdoor concerts and light shows in the picturesque setting of Robin Hill Country Park.
Beaches
The beaches on the Isle of Wight are considered as some of the best in Europe – 17 of which are award-winning. What makes them so special? As well as being home to many great facilities and large family-friendly stretches of open sand, the Isle of Wight beaches have an annual appeal. Ramblers and holiday-makers alike flock to the island’s rural beaches during autumn and winter to get a glimpse of the unspoiled heritage coastline in all its breathtaking natural beauty. The Tennyson heritage coastline is particularly recommended for postcard picture-perfect views.
There you have it. An other-worldly home so close to home in the UK that can truly offer something for everyone – the Isle of Wight should feature on everyone’s travel wish list.
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The Biggest Lesson Travel’s Taught Me
As we prepare for our adventure without an expiration in three and a half weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about past trips.
I spent the better half of 2.5 years traveling, mostly alone but never really alone. If you’ve traveled you’ll know what I mean, but for those who don’t: I set off on my adventure solo and didn’t have the same companion the whole trip, but in each destination I made friends. Whether it was the shop keeper in India, a few fellow travellers I just happened to meet on a bus (or in a hostel, a restaurant, an airport, walking down the street looking equally as lost and confused as me) or friends I met up with along the way.
I learned so much from travel that it transformed me.
It changed what I want from life.
It allowed me to be more fearless, confident, secure.
It taught me to trust in my abilities to deal with ridiculous, uncomfortable and dangerous situations; from being stabbed to dealing with food poisoning on a bus with no toilet for 36 hours.
I learned how to communicate with people without words.
I learned to ‘trust’ in uncertainty and live in the moment.
I learned to say goodbye way too many times to people I didn’t want to say goodbye to.
I learned a hell of a lot more than I could have ever packed into 2.5 years at university, school or any academic institution.
As I unpack an apartment, filled with possessions I bought to make my time in my hometown, Christchurch, more comfortable, I have realised the biggest lesson travel’s taught me is:
I learned to value experiences over possessions.
I once was a girl who collected expensive handbags, shoes, clothes. I wanted to look my best and I knew that an expensive label showed I was really committed to this cause. I used to spend oodles of money on getting my hair done. There’s nothing wrong with any of this, but for me personally it now feels so shallow.
For the price of a handbag I spent a month volunteering my time in Cambodia, enriching the lives of some of the sweetest kids in the world.
If I’m honest, it’s quite depressing clearing out an an apartment of things I bought: a TV, pots, a jug, blender, juicer, vacuum cleaner, blah blah blah. Those things that you need to buy to be still.
I think about how much money I spent on them all and shudder.
Soon my life will be crammed into a backpack and a small carry on suitcase and I can’t wait.
It’s so liberating having a small amount of things.
Honestly, a lot of people feel like they own their things, but for me – someone who loves the freedom of movement – I have felt like those things I bought have owned me. They have weighed me down.
The other day I listed my camera, my old 5d mark ii, on an online bidding site. It sold within hours and while a part of me was sad to see it go, the rest of me was liberated.
Here’s to living light, to investing in experiences, memories and adventures instead of things and, perhaps most importantly of all, living my dream.
If you’ve traveled, tell me in the comments what the biggest lesson you have learned is. I’d love to hear.
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One Month to go!
It’s exactly one month until we leave (my boyfriend, Ben, and I) and we’ve got so much stuff to do. We’ve gotta:
* Pack up our apartment – sell our things, clean it, do the carpets and hopefully collect our bond back
*Get new passports – mine expires in a year but I think I’d rather just get a new one now while I’m home
* Get vaccines – I’ve had a lot of mine but need Hep A again
* Apply to be non-tax residents – yay!
* Ensure all our banking and cards are in order
* Get bits and pieces – packing cubes, headphones, etc to make the trip comfortable
* Say goodbye to friends and family
It’s weird leaving with a plan to be away for a long time. We have no end date in sight, but we’re going to take it as it comes.
This time is the first time I’m leaving knowing I need to balance work, travel and a relationship. It’s also the first time I’m traveling without a shoe-string budget. Because of this I’ve spent a little more time getting things more comfortable for me.
This is what I’m going to do differently from my previous trips:
1) I’m selling my dSLR camera
Yes, my previous 5d mark ii that has been my travel companion through it all – when I was stabbed, the lonely days in between the fun, it helped me capture memories of my favourite places and it almost feels like a limb. But it’s heavy and bulky and the truth is – I simply don’t use it as much as I used to so it’s gotta go. I’ll be “downgrading” to a Fuji x100s. I’m excited and relieved, it was a long time coming.
2) A Samsonite Carry on Suitcase
It’s going to be my mobile office – it has a sleeve for my laptop, enough space for other work stuff such as my wireless keyboard, camera, Kindle (for reading books), a notebook and pens and pencils. I can also carry a few changes of clothes inside the suitcase so that if my backpack goes missing I’m still covered – literally.
3) PacSafe Handbag
I didn’t love the look of this bag but it’s a great size for me and has a lot of extra security features that I think will be helpful – such as a way to lock the bag’s zipper, a slash proof design and you can even fasten it to your chair at a restaurant. It’s practical, but a little ugly.
4) A Mighty Purse
This little clutch charges my phone – so amazing. For every charge of the clutch it charges my phone about 2.5 times. I have used it so much since getting it and know it will be invaluable on the road.
5) Packing Cubes
How did I survive so long without these? They make a real difference in keeping everything organised and tidy. I have an irrational fear of having my bags checked at the airport by security and having underwear and bras flung around. You can also fit so much more in them – I’m impressed.
So there’s a few things I’ve added into my essentials – all of them were paid for by me (non sponsored) and stuff that I’m really going to use to make travel, working on the road and exploring even easier.
6) An Alarm System that Actually Works
You heard me right! I always get so nervous when I leave my house for any extended period of time for fear that it might fall victim to burglars. However, I had a pretty awesome home security system installed that has this cool little interactive messaging hub. Makes me wonder why someone didn’t do this sooner? Anyhow, it makes me much more comfortable leaving my home now.
The final countdown is on. We’re packing and planning and soon I’ll have that familiar feeling of being at the airport, stomach in knots, knowing that there’s an adventure before me I can’t even imagine. Depending on the type of trip we may even try and find our fishing gear ourselves. This will help to save us money and we could always reuse it.
I’ve stopped saying “I can’t wait to be in Asia” because I know I can wait and I know that time is going to fly by at a crazy speed, so I’m not wishing it away.
What are your travel essentials? Is there anything you can’t travel without? Let me know!
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An Introduction to Location Independence
What could be better than traveling the world, sampling the best this planet has to offer, all while earning an income online?
Ummm… nothing?
Traditionally, if you wanted a job that would allow travel then you would probably look to become a pilot, air hostess or traveling salesperson. There’s nothing wrong with these careers, but you’re not really your own boss and you have to work to other people’s schedules. Your level of freedom is limited.
For the past 15 months I’ve been living in my home town of Christchurch, New Zealand, spending time with family, working on my relationship and building up my work to the point I can leave and earn a good salary no matter where I am.
This is an introduction to location independence:
This is the essence of location independence; being able to be anywhere, while still earning an income.
The Internet has been a big game changer with entire companies based solely online and individuals being able to freelance their skills online.
In the past, the only real way you could obtain location independence is by having some assets that earn an amazing income stream. Even if you saved a small fortune for travel, there probably would be a point in time when it ran out.
On the 30th of July I’m leaving to travel indefinitely.
Wanna know something surprising? Traveling, or living overseas, actually costs me less money than living in New Zealand? Food, petrol, even accommodation is really expensive in this country. I spend less money when I’m overseas (granted I choose “cheap” places) and enjoy it way more – it might have something to do with the $7 hourly massages…
How is Location Independence Different to Long Term Travel?
The main thing is that I’ll be working. So each week I’ll need to pencil in some time to sit down and work on new projects, organise my virtual assistants and writers and make sure everything’s running smoothly. On top of that, I’ll get back into managing my social media for The Wrong Way Home. I’ve been a little bit slack!
One of the key differences between location independence and long term travel is that with location independence you don’t have to be moving around, but you have the option to. I’ve found, naturally, now that I am working while I travel I don’t like moving around so much because I need to settle a bit before I can get into work mode.
What Do I Like About Being Location Independent/ An Online Entrepreneur ?
Well, I can work in my pajamas… that’s a pretty cool bonus. I like that I’m my own boss. That all I need to make money is a laptop and an internet connection. I can schedule my day or week however I want, to maximise time with friends or family or just doing activities I love.
A huge bonus is that I can leverage the lower costs of other countries and live more comfortably than I do in New Zealand for a lesser price, saving more money. There’s also the fact I can travel… as much as I want, which is pretty cool. I’m no way near done traveling there’s still so many places I want to go and plenty I want to re-visit.
Basically, I can do whatever I want. My partner wants to go surf, so we’re planning to spend some time in Bali, visit Hawaii next year, maybe basing ourselves in Central America. I want to learn Spanish and volunteer, so I’ll be hoping to spend a fair bit of time in Spanish-speaking countries.
Many people set their eyes on retirement – it’ll be a chance for them to do what they want, finally. I’d rather work a little (10 hours a week) and get to do whatever I want now while saving a decent amount of money.
Where Are We Going to Go?
Wherever the wind takes us.
It might sound a little silly, but I really don’t know. We have a few loose plans and a few things set in stone. For example, we’re definitely flying to Denpasar on the 30th of July, so we’ll probably visit some of my favourite places around Bali and might even venture to Lombok. After then, we’ll head to Singapore for a few days so I can show my partner around and he can catch up with a friend. Then we’ll be off to Dubai to set up our banking there, and then making our way to France for a couple of weeks to spend some time with my partner’s family.
After then, who knows? Anywhere with a decent beach, warm weather and that is relatively inexpensive, compared to New Zealand, appeals to me.
I am personally drawn to Asia and would like to base myself there for a few months, probably either in Thailand or Bali. We have been looking at Central America a lot. Next year I want to go back to Coachella festival and we want to see Hawaii and stay in one of the Hawaiian beach rentals, so we might save Central America until after then. We don’t really know! We can just do whatever feels right at the time, which feels pretty cool.
How Do You Work on the Road?
All I need is the Internet and my laptop… so I can work almost anywhere. I tend to spend a couple of hours in a cafe in the morning getting my work done and then I’m out for the day. A big thing I’m working on before we leave is outsourcing, so most of my work can be done without me so I can focus more on travel.
I often buy a local sim with credit and an Internet allowance and tether it to my laptop. That’s allowed me to work on trains and buses throughout South East Asia.
I quite enjoy my work so look I don’t find it hard to self-motivate, even when traveling.
Long trips on buses, trains and planes are excellent opportunities to get some posts written.
I can’t wait to jet off and try this new lifestyle out. I’ve had a bit of experience working online and traveling, but nothing with this much freedom.
Would you ever consider being location independent? Or do you prefer to work in one place and take holidays throughout the year? I’d love to hear your feedback.
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My London Checklist
So we’ve booked our flights to Bali and we’re in the midst of finalising our trip’s itinerary. We’re planning to head to Europe for a few months before probably relocating to Central America – exciting! We’ll literally be traveling across the world. While we’re in Europe, I really want to revisit London although I’ve been there a few times before. I have a lot of friends living in London, both New Zealanders living overseas and also friends I met across the globe traveling. It will be my partner, Ben’s, first trip to Europe so of course London is a key destination.
When we head back to London, this is what we’re planning to get up to:
People Watching in Hyde Park:
Unfortunately when I was in London last time the weather was pretty miserable, which apparently is quite normal, so I did a quick dash through Hyde park and admired it in a bit of a rush. I’ve seen photos of Hyde Park on a summer’s day and it looks so lovely. I think it’d be really fun to grab a picnic, pop down on a nice patch of grass and people watch. The next time I’m in London, I’m hoping to stay in a hotel close to Hyde Park, because I love the feel of the area.
Tate Modern:
New Zealand is seriously lacking in good museums and galleries – sorry to be frank – so for us kiwis traveling to London is a real treat. Tate Modern was highly recommended to me by numerous friends who live in London, but I simply ran out of time and didn’t make it here. One thing that I really love about many of the museums and galleries in London is that they are free – perfect for the budget traveller who’s trying to keep costs down.
Going on the London Eye:
I know this is so touristy and cliche, but I think the view would be unbeatable. Last time I was in London I was literally living penny to penny so skipped a lot of the touristy things I figured I could do next time. Fortunately, the flight I took out of London provided me with a pretty incredible view of many of the famous landmarks, but I think it’d be very special enjoying London from the London Eye – also a little bit romantic.
Visit More Markets:
London has a wonderful reputation for excellent food markets as well as high quality second hand clothing stores. I visited the Borough Market which I really enjoyed – there were so many delicious things to sample, but I feel I missed out on so many. I’ve heard so many great things about Camden’s market that I am determined to go on my next visit. The vintage shopper in me also has her eyes on Alfies Antique Market. I love the feel of visiting the markets in a new city, I think it’s a great way to really experience the culture of the city and to find some great bargains, too.
London is such a diverse and interesting city that has a lot to offer. Choosing what to do when you’re only there for a few days can feel really restrictive, but I think it’s good to make a shortlist so you can pack in as much as possible.
Do you have any suggestions of places I must see in London? Let me know!
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Tips for Keeping Track of the Time on the Road
On my first trip around South East Asia, I decided not to take a cellphone which I generally used while at home to set alarms. It was a liberating trip; it was so nice to not always be contactable and to spend my time engaging with the people around me, rather than using a smartphone to constantly check Facebook and what others were up to. There were downsides to not having a phone, though and the main thing was not having an alarm feature. Not long into my trip I decided it wasn’t possible to travel without the time, especially with a large number of early morning flights, and eventually settled on buying a watch.
Get a Watch:
Many of us no longer use watches because we constantly have our smartphone with us. However, there are lots of times when watches are simply invaluable, both on the road and back at home. For starters, watches tend to last indefinitely longer than cellphones, especially smartphones. I currently have an iPhone 5s and the battery barely lasts a day if I am using a lot of apps on it. Because of this battery inefficiency, for the purpose of timekeeping watches are simply a lot more efficient.
Set a Few Alarms:
There have been a number of times when I’ve had an early morning flight, train or bus to catch and accidentally slept through my alarm. Thankfully, I’ve not missed anything yet but there’s nothing worse than waking up when you were planning to leave, having to pack, get dressed and sort out how you’re getting to your place of departure. I have a wonderful talent of being able to turn off alarms without even realising I’m doing so and remaining asleep. Setting a few alarms helps alleviate this problem.
Switch to Your New Time Zone:
If you’re traveling across time zones, especially by way of plane, it can be very disorientating. Before I’m even on the plane, I like to set the time on my watch to my destination’s timezone. This allows me to start adjusting much quicker than usual and ensures it is less stress on my body. The day before I leave I will start thinking about what time it is in my destination, whether I should be sleeping, awake, eating or having dinner. Once you’re on your flight, and your watch is set to your destination’s time, spend some time glancing at it. If your watch says 2pm, start thinking about the sunshine at that hour, how long until you’ll have to go to sleep and even try to organise your sleep and wake times on the plane in accordance with your destination’s timezone. Using a watch to switch to your new time zone is one of the biggest things you can do to minimise jet lag.
Watches can be a very simple tool that makes traveling easier, more comfortable and just a lot less stress! Do you travel with a watch? Let me know in the comments below.
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5 Tips for Saving For Your Overseas Holiday
For many people, money is the biggest barrier to holidays. Holidays are often thought of as a luxury and the first thing to go when the budget gets tight. For me, personally, I think travel is a bit more important than that. You can learn so much from exploring the world, about how other cultures work and what you want from your future. Saving for travel doesn’t have to be a nightmare or a big stress; small changes can quickly add up to a big difference over the course of a year. Here are my 5 tips for saving for your overseas holiday:
1) Ask Yourself Can I Afford It?
Take a closer look at your budget, what are your biggest expenses? How much money are you actually spending each week? Where could you cut back? I have started tracking my spending in the past few months and I was so surprised by how much I was spending on eating out – it was really a crazy amount of money. Since realising how bad my grocery bills were I’ve started asking myself if I can really afford it before I spend my money on frivolous things.
2) Cut Down Your Coffee Consumption
I love a well made latte or mocha from a cafe. The full milk drink seems so luxurious compared to those made at home. The coffee itself tastes bolder, creamier and just overall more delicious. At £2.50-4 a coffee, they quickly add up. I started buying coffee for at home and a takeaway coffee cup that I can reuse and the majority of my coffees are now made at home for a tiny fraction of the price of buying coffees.
3) Sort Your Priorities Out
I love shopping, new clothes, make up, handbags and all of those things. I could have easily frittered away a lot of money each week on buying things, but I know for me, personally, I value experiences more than stuff. Whenever I’m tempted to buy something new, I ask myself how far that money would go overseas and then weigh up where I’d rather spend it. Most of the time, the holiday wins out.
4) Open a Separate Account
I have a separate bank account called “Overseas Adventures” that I funnel money into when I can. I don’t actually have an automatic payment set up – but if you get a regular pay cheque that can be a really easy way to save the money before you’ve even had a chance to spend it. I personally find that keeping my money separate makes it a lot easier for me to build up a good amount of savings.
5) Get Excited
It’s much easier to be dedicated to saving when it’s something tangible. In my room right now I have a large map of Europe with a little tact on where we’re planning to go. Every day when I get up, I see it and it really motivates me to save for my trip. You mind find it motivating to print out pictures and stick them on your wall, or just have photos of your destination on your phone, if you can visualise where you’re going it will seem a lot more real and easier to save for.
Saving is one of the biggest barriers to travel, but when you get past it you’ll be able to travel more often, for longer and to unique destinations. Do you have any saving tips? Share them in the comments below!
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Travel Announcement: We’re Leaving For Good
Well, things have been awfully quiet around here. I’ve been busy with a lot of family stuff. My partner and I have been planning a trip for a long time, but this trip is special: we don’t have an end date in sight. So tickets are booked, plans are setting into shape and we’re really heading off. I’m very excited, but now we have the challenge of getting everything sorted before we go.
I’ve become a bit of a pro for getting ready to travel, but my partner is new to overseas travel and hasn’t had many of the vaccinations he’ll need, has never had to worry about travel insurance and never needed a visa. There’s still a lot of work to be done before we leave, as well as completely unpacking a whole apartment that’s filled with bits and pieces we’ve both collected over the past year.
Here’s my list of things to get sorted before we jet off:
1) Get Comprehensive Travel Insurance
I wouldn’t travel without it, especially as we’re going to South East Asia and Europe. If we wind up in hospital for any reason, I wouldn’t want to deal with the hospital bill which can often be financially crippling. Travel insurance also helps if things, such as laptops, get stolen. It provides a peace of mind that I’m not prepared to travel without.
2) Get Travel Gear Sorted
I already have a large backpack which I travel with, but as I’m taking my laptop, camera and working overseas I wanted a little carry-on suitcase that I can easily pull around. Ben doesn’t have a backpack, so we’ll be looking for one for him. Fortunately I have all the adapters etc we’ll need, but little bits and pieces such as a travel pillow and extra locks are important.
3) Get Vaccinated, Again
I’ve had all my vaccines, but was told I needed to get a Hep A booster, but never got around to it. Before we leave I’d like to get another Hep A shot and Ben needs a few other ones such as Typhoid. Getting sick overseas is something I want to avoid at all costs, so spending a few hundred dollars for the protection vaccines provide is worthwhile.
4) Sell Our Stuff
One of the hardest things we’ll have to do before we go is pick and choose what we’ll keep and what we’ll sell. We have an apartment worth of stuff, which is actually quite a lot of stuff. Things like dishes, a blender, pots and pans, bedding, TV, couches… it all adds up quickly. It’s gonna be hard to sell some of our things, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end.
It’s so exciting and scary preparing for a trip without an expiration. I can’t wait. We’re departing on the 30th of July so expect lots of travel posts after then!
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My Dream Australian Road Trip
Living in New Zealand, Australia is one of those destinations that is so close that you kind of take it for granted. I’ve spent a bit of time in Australia, but just visiting friends and family in Sydney and Brisbane. There are so many different places in Australia I’ve never been to but would really love to. Someday soon I’d love to set aside 6 months to do a road trip across Australia. I’ve seen friends posting photos of their trips across Australia and I can’t get past how diverse the country is – from lush rain forests to stunning beaches and of course some of the world’s greatest cities.
So where would I go if I had six months spare? I’d head straight to Queensland and get started there. I love Queensland’s warm climate; it barely deviates from summer temperatures even in the winter, making it the perfect road trip destination. I’d fly into Cairns and collect a rental car at DriveNow car hire Cairns airport and get my trip started.
The Great Barrier Reef
This is one of Australia’s most famous destinations and for good reasons, if you love diving or snorkelling you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice as this is one of the best diving destinations in the world. Rich with marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral system, offering a striking, alien-like landscape. A large part of the reef is protected to ensure that it is not too damaged and retains it’s splendour. I’d love to spend a few days here enjoying the great dives, great weather and hopefully spotting a turtle or too!
The Whitsunday Islands
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef there are 74 little islands that are absolutely gems. From the photos I’ve seen, they are as close to paradise as you’ll ever come; bright white sand, contrasted against the deep blue ocean. Many of the islands are not inhabited, which makes for a very special escape. Whitehaven Beach is routinely voted as one of the best beaches in the world and I’d love to spend some time working on my tan there. There’s no better way to enjoy the Whitsunday islands than by boat, as you can tour around the different islands easily.
Paronella Park
For something completely different, I’d head to this beautiful natural reserve. Here you’ll find a Spanish castle hidden amongst over 13 acres of lush rainforest. There’s also the striking Mena Creek Falls as well as a number of excellent walking tracks for you to enjoy. This is a completely different side of Queensland, but is worth a visit too – it helps showcase the diversity of Australia.
Brisbane
Not quite as famous as Sydney, but Brisbane has its own charm and is a wonderful place to visit. My favourite area of Brisbane is Southbank, which is near the river, has a fake beach and is dotted with high quality cafes and restaurants. It’s a great area to stroll around. Not far outside of Brisbane there are also the theme parks located in the Gold Coast, which are a must see for any thrill seeker! The great thing about traveling to the theme parks is they cater to all ages and make for a great family holiday destination.
There’s so much to do and see in Australia that you might find it a little overwhelming planning your road trip around this large country. Use these tips to get your dream Australian holiday started!
