#whitehavenbeach

Australia is a country I’ve been wanting to visit for years, more than anywhere else in the world, so to say I was excited to finally have the chance to go would be a huge understatement.

I did the typical tourist route of Sydney through Cairns (or vice versa), and from there I flew to Melbourne for a few days. As with America, it would take a fair while to discuss everywhere I went, so I have again written about my favourite places (in no particular order).

First up is Newcastle, which I went to from Sydney. Tourists don’t tend to go to here, and that’s exactly why I liked it so much, not to mention the gorgeous beaches and nature walks it is home to. The reason I went there was to visit a friend from camp who was kind enough to put me up for a few days and show me around, and it was so refreshing to be somewhere a bit off the beaten track; somewhere that isn’t flooded with travellers. Places are definitely best seen from a local’s perspective as well. 

Next is Byron Bay, a picturesque beach-town north of Newcastle. There’s a very casual, laid-back vibe here, which differs entirely from the somewhat tenseness of the big cities. It’s a bit of a hippy haven, but that’s what I liked about it. The care-free attitude of the locals and travellers alike make it a great place to be, and there’s an abundance of stuff to do here; surfing, nature walks, kayaking, just to name a few. 

I’d heard mixed reviews about the next place, Brisbane. Some people I’d met along the way had loved it, whilst others had said it was mediocre or just didn’t like it at all. But, there was only one way to find out which side of the fence I’d be sat on, and that was to go there myself. It’s a thumbs up from me. Brisbane is a very sophisticated place, and there’s a certain degree of charm about it. It’s a modern metropolis, combining art, nature and nightlife to produce a quirky atmosphere. If I was to live in Australia, I think Brisbane would be my place of choice. 10/10. 

And to save the best till last, the Whitsundays, or specifically Whitehaven Beach. This was my overall favourite part of Australia, and potentially my favourite place from my entire trip across all countries so far. It’s similar to Lake Louise/Moraine in that you have to see it for yourself, because pictures simply cannot justify the idyllic, natural beauty of this place - especially not the one I’ve posted on here. Lush white sands are complimented by clear blue waters, and I found myself wondering how a place could be so sublime. There really is no wonder why this place was rated the number one beach in the South Pacific this year!