Down Under: A Month in Queensland, Australia [Photo Album] — A Travel Tale — Description

It’s been five years since I went to Australia. I was there for a month (though I was meant to be there for six more). It’s incredible how time flies, and since I’ve never shared anything about my travels Down Under before, I thought posting a photo album of my trip would make up for it (winky face).

An ocean-side beach framed by leafy greenery, seen while travelling Down Under in Queensland.
View of Alexandria Beach from Noosa National Park.

When I left for Australia, armed with a working holiday visa, my intention was to find work within a month, work for about five months, then travel the rest of the country for a month or two. With this in mind, a lot of my time Down Under was spent job hunting and training.

For this reason, even though I spent a whole month in Oz, it doesn’t seem like I did a lot. But no worries, I still got around! Browse my photo albums below for proof (winky face).

Brisbane

I first landed in Brisbane and spent most of my time there, overall. I had pre-arranged to stay with a CouchSurfer named Ron, who ended up being a lot of fun, a great tour guide, and really helpful in a crunch.

Australia Zoo

After spending a few days job hunting, I wanted to make sure I got to make the most of my time Down Under, so I visited the Australia Zoo, legacy of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.





Alexandria Beach

Ron took me to Alexandria Beach, where he was headed to do some surfing. I took some pictures but, finding out there was a park with trails nearby, I preferred to get my heart pumping.

Noosa National Park

Leaving Ron to do his thing, I took off by myself and spent an afternoon enjoying the wildlife and the scenery.

Byron Bay

Thinking of finding work elsewhere, I made my way to Byron Bay, but it didn’t have the atmosphere I was looking for so I moved on.

Bundaberg

I might have been happy here, working as a fruit picker on a farm, but I wasn’t able to find a job so I returned to Brisbane.

Conclusion

Leaving Australia was completely unexpected. I had just passed Australia’s one-day Responsible Service of Alcohol course in Brisbane. It hadn’t taken me long at all to find a job, and I was set to head into the north of Queensland, where I would work tending bar. But things had changed back home. For the first time in my life, I had to consider someone other than myself in making a decision — Marc.

These parakeets likely had an easy time of getting to this travel destination, Nimbin, Australia.
On a Nimbin road trip with CouchSurfer Ron

He and I had only been together for about two months when I left for Australia. My one-way flight Down Under had been booked for a week when we started dating, but by the time I boarded the plane, we were already inseparable.

While I was away, Marc went through some trying times. He told me over Skype that it would help him get through it all if I was there with him. I took a gamble and bet on a future with Marc. So, the same day I should have ridden the bus into the Outback, I instead caught a plane to return home.

Five years later, it looks like I made the right choice!

Comments

2 Thoughts on “Down Under: A Month in Queensland, Australia [Photo Album]

  1. Marie-Paule Dupuis:

    Awesome pics with a romantic story. Love it!