My Aussie Travel Dream

Après une journée lazy, petite ballade improvisée à Cairns. La vie nocturne sur le bord de mer est très animée avec de nombreux restaurants, des barbecues gratuits, des musiciens, quelques esplanades aménagées pour jouer au volley ou faire du skate, et enfin la magnifique piscine à débordement, en plein centre ville et face à la mer : "The Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon".

Aujourd'hui petite découverte de la ville dans laquelle je vais être installée pour plusieurs mois ! Je ne vais pas faire beaucoup de blabla...les images parlent d'elles-mêmes ! Océan, montagnes, grands espaces verts... n'hésitez pas à me rejoindre 😉

(PS : encore mille merci les amis pour l'appareil photo car vraiment, il est trop TOP !!)

Le périple a débuté sur la « Captain Cook Highway », une route mythique du Queensland longue de 75km au départ de Cainrs. En plus d'être un lien vital entre deux sites touristiques, la Captain Cook Highway est une route panoramique qui serpente le long de la côte, entre la forêt tropicale et le bord de mer. Premier arrêt pour admirer de superbes piles de roche, construites au fur et à mesure par les gens de passage sur la Captain Cook Highway. Occasion pour moi de poser une pierre supplémentaire et faire un vœu comme le veut la tradition. Nous continuons ensuite notre chemin, et nous arrêtons au Rex Point Lookout à 40km au nord de Cairns, pour un point de vue à couper le souffle sur la plage et l’océan. L’aventure continue vers la Daintree Forest et son Parc National. La région de Daintree offre non seulement la plus ancienne forêt tropicale sur terre, mais aussi la plus écologique, ce qui en fait un endroit vraiment remarquable. L’écosystème de cette forêt est fabuleusement riche, avec notamment la piscine sacrée et naturelle de Kaba Gada que j’ai eu la chance de découvrir (la chance de voyager avec des locaux qui connaissent les endroits cachés). Celle-ci est non répertoriée sur les cartes afin d’y conserver toute sa splendeur. Ce lieu est un des plus beaux que j’ai pu voir jusqu’à présent, et offre une piscine, aussi belle que mystique avec son bleu profond. Traditionnellement, ce site est réservé aux femmes aborigènes, ce qui signifie qu’elles seules sont autorisées à pénétrer dans ces eaux sacrées. Cela est dû à leur croyance que les eaux détiennent des pouvoirs de guérison spéciaux, notamment pour les nouveaux nés et les malades. Puis nous reprenons chemin et profitons du 4*4 pour parcourir la forêt tropicale, traverser la Daintree River, admirer des vues panoramiques à couper le souffle, pour finir dans la région d’Wujal Wujal occupée par une communauté aborigène. Nous y découvrons une très belle cascade en plein cœur d’un lieu verdoyant. Retour à la voiture…déjà 200 km de parcouru ! Sur le chemin de retour, nous passons par différents spots incontournables. J’y découvre un point de vue spectaculaire où la Daintree Forest rencontre la Grande Barrière de Corail. Nous continuons vers la ville de Port Douglas et ses magnifiques plages, et clôturons le périple sur une note typiquement australienne : la rencontre avec les wallaby !

My feeling : So exciting to begin this adventure but also quite afraid. It’s the first time I have travelled alone. When I found out that I had two weeks holidays (a big thank you to my lovely Aussie Family), I decided to do all the East Coast and booked the bus from Cairns to Sydney. The trip included all accomodations and two differents tours : 2 days/2 nights on a boat to discover the Whitsundays, and 3 days/2 nights to explore Fraser Island with a 4X4 car.

Two worries : First the weather because currently it’s the raining season. Secondly, I don’t know how this will happen, how to meet people, and precisely what I am going to do and discover each day… Let’s go on the adventure !

Let's go ! I took the bus in Cairns at 7.30 and spent 10 hours on the bus to reach Airlie Beach. Arriving there at 5.30 pm, I met Maike, a German girl (the beginning of a lovely story 😉 ). We realized that we booked the same guesthouse and went there together.

My first feeling : I realised very quickly how it’s easy to meet new people. Everyone is very open. Maybe 80% of the backpackers travel alone, and all want to spend time with others. I spent the night in a pub, with Maike and two others girls from Germany and Switzerland. So interesting to discover the story of each backpacker, why they decided to come to Australia, what they have done in here, and what they are going to do after.

Time to leave Airlie Beach. I discovered this morning the biggest frustration of each backpacker ! I experienced how it’s hard to leave a place where you met people, spending a lot of time with them, to go in other direction from each other, where you don’t know anybody. Quite sad, but also really exciting to begin my trip on Whitsundays.

What about this sailing adventure : I booked a trip about 2 days / 2 nights on a boat called Tongarra to snorkel, sail, swim and explore the Whitsunday Islands ! A trip with what Aussie would say as "roughing it", living conditions : First there are no bedrooms inside, so this meant we got to sleep under the stars ! I slept on the deck of the boat in the middle of the Whitsundays. Secondly : you have to come on the boat with only the bare necessities in a small bag (i.e. suncream, sunglasses, towel, bikini and some toiletries). Thirdly, no shower on the boat, so we got to bath in the ocean and her beautiful landscape 😉

What about the Whitsunday Islands : This is a collection of 74 breathtaking islands surrounded by fringing coral reef. The majority of the Whitsunday are uninhabited National Park.

Let's go : I went to the Marina in the middle of the afternoon, and discovered the 22 backpackers who will enjoy the sailing adventure with me. Waiting for the crew, we began to speak all together… the starter point of a wonderful experience ! I was very blessed to be in the company of many backpackers that were from many different places (none from France) ! My goal in Australia is to speak English only, so this was amazing and challenging !

On the boat : We began the sailing adventure on what was a cloudy and overcast day but this didn't remove the beauty of the landcapes ! Over three hours, we discovered beautiful virgin and uninhabited islands. At 6 o'clock we took our first drink with snacks, getting to know each other better and speaking about our adventures all whilst chillin' and laughing at the same time.

At the end of the afternoon, we stopped at a wonderful spot to watch this magical and most breathtaking sunset ! One of the best I have ever seen (#nofilter 😉). So lucky we are got to see this but also share this moment with new friends. Then we enjoyed a fish barbecue on the deck of the katamaran with fresh salads.

Gaming time : After the barbecue dinner, we had a lot of fun talking with the crew and playing a game that made us answer questions "all about us"., such as name, nationality, preferred colour, preferred cartoon, preferred superhero to see if we prefer good or bad guy, and finally the funny things we do after sex. Each backpackers had to answer, and to my delight (or not^^) I was among the first to answer, so not much time to think. So my answers were : Hélène, French, Blue, Pocahontas, Batman, and for the last answer I had to think quickly about a stupid and funny answer and said "Eating a fresh baguette with salted butter" --> lot of laugh "yeah guys I am French !!! 😉

After drinking, and a bit more drinking, we took a sheet and a pillow to sleep under the stars. What a wonderful experience, rocked to sleep by only the waves, not a noise, just a little wind to refresh, and the stars as a blanket... One of the best nights I have had since I have been in Australia !

Last moments on the boat : We woke up with a beautiful sunset, yet again. We spent all the morning on the deck, enjoying the last moments on the boat ! We were thinking about all marvelous moments we shared all together.

During this trip, I felt like I was in a different world. I was totally disconnected from reality. It was a tropical paradise, filled with snorkelling and adventures, marvelous indeed ! When you are under the water, you feel free, connected to the magnificant nature with coloured corals, fishes, and turtles... We admired the wonderful sunset and sunrises ! Thank you a lot to Mother Nature for your beauty !

The goodbyes : Once again, I had to say bye bye to my new friends. So hard to leave people which whom you have enjoyed such strong moments with. I went back to the guesthouse only for few hours, then to the bus stop to take an overnight bus. I was so happy to see Maike in Airlie Beach (the German girl I saw the first day), waiting for the bus too. I would be lying if I said this drive was a good one ! I hated this bus, the night, the driver ... It was impossible to sleep all night !

What about the Tour : I booked Camping Safari with a 4x4 car, for a 3 days and 2 nights. This tour comprised 4 cars with up to 8 passengers in each car. The lead vehicle is driven by a guide who show us the way around the island.

What about the World Heritage Fraser Island : This is the largest sand island in the world and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. This area constitute one of the most incredible islands on earth.

The team : At 7 o'clock we had to decide who we would spend the next 3 days with in our cars... I was european team. There were people from England, Germany, and France ! Once again, I was so happy to be able to speak only English in the car !

Departure from Pippies Beachhouse ! We have to drive to the coast, then take a boat across the sea, in order to reach Fraser Island. Once again, I was so lucky with the weather ! We have had a beautiful sunshine, which is perfect to discover the island !

Drive, fun, laughts, and music ! Arrival on Fraser Island, let this crazy adventure begin ! What a pleasure to drive on the sand, so close to the sea ! It was truly liberating to drive on the sand for 2 hours. In the car we had fun, laughts, and music. The "don't drink and drive " was not relevant here... 😉

The historic heart of Fraser Island. We stopped at Central Station on Wanggoolba Creek. Wanggoolba Creek was a traditional birthing place for aboriginal women where men were excluded. We explored carefully this mistica place which revealed a translucent river, surrounded by the green tropical rainforest. After this excursion, everyone was hungry. We enjoyed this beautiful landscape to have our lunch.

Fifty shades of Blue : After the lunch, we drove until we reached Lake McKenzie ! Once again, the "wow" effect !! The awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it the most visited natural site on the island ! The sand here is so pure. This is not only beautiful to look at but feels beautifully soft to walk on. The sand acts as a filter, giving the water its clarity and helping to make the water so pure. The blues and greens of the lake are endlessly fascinating ! This is certainly one of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen !

Before leaving, we took a picture with allof the group ! We are so lucky to be here !

After this wonderful day, it was time to go to our camp ! We drove along the beach for an other hour, and reached the camp at the end of afternoon. We discovered a nice camp with tents of two persons, a nice open living room with an outdoor kitchen.

Barbecue, fun, and crazy night ! This amazing day finished with a crazy party ! We shared a barbecue, salads, games, and drinks ! I discovered the famous backpacker wine called goon (only 12 dollars for 4.5L). On the box we can read : "Produced with the aid of milk, egg, nut, and fish products and traces may remain. Sugar added." No comments ^^

How is it the last day already ! I cant' believe it ! We packed our stuff, had brekkie, and cleaned up the camp, ready to go !

In the Great Sandy National Park to see Lake Wabby : Arriving on the beach, we had to walk one hour to see this emerald green lake. Before discovering it, we crossed lots of sand, it was like a mini Sahara Desert ! It was surprising to see this here.

What about the Lake Wabby : It's the deepest of Fraser Island’s Lakes and the ultimate spot for a swim! We enjoyed a lot our swim there, all together for the last time.

Last time all together ! It was one of the most craziest and funniest experience I have ever had ! We shared so many good times and laughs together ...! Unfortunately it was time to say goodbye !

Last picture of our legend team !

The goodbyes : Once again, everyone took a new path and we separated with this picture. Thankfully, Maike was also travelling to Noosa, as was I ! I was so happy to spend more time with her !

Rain, rain, ... and more rain ! saw me find the comfort of a French Bakery ! It would have been too good to have no rain during the entire stay ! When it's raining, the best thing we can enjoy it's food and restaurants ! When we saw the French Bakery I was so excited to enjoy a french breakfast with fresh baguette and pastry ! It was so delicious it was !

8 dollars for the baguette ! For the little story, the day before I saw a bakery and asked the price for the baguette : 8 dollars... The has to be a joke ! It's only water with flour ?!!. Of course I didn't take it, so I was happy this morning to have a cheaper baguette that was "only" 4 dollars !

As I tell you about the food, I have put the pictures about the brekkie, Abigail and I had the day after ! The best banana bread ever, along with passion fruit butter (yummy !!!) and strawberries !

Games night ! At the end of the day, that we had seen the night before ! we spoke and then, we decided to play cards ! A nice way to finish this journey in Noosa !

Exploring Byron Bay ! Despite it been hard to wake up (after a big night), I decided to walk all around the coast of Byron Bay. I explored all morning beautiful landscapes, beaches and panoramic views !

After 2 hours walking, I stopped at the lighthouse and met Rossella, an Italian girl who was also discovering Byron Bay. After only some words, we decided to continue exploring together ! It's amazing to see how we can quiclky have new travel companions ! We enjoyed all afternoon together and then came back to the Guesthouse where I introduced her to my new friends I met the day before. We enjoyed the night all together, drinking beers on the beach first, and then back to the guesthouse.

The funny last party 😉

This was one of the best experiences in all of my life : there were crazy moments, lots of fun and laughter, plenty of exploration and discovering of amazing landscapes. I got to snorkel, sleep on a boat for two nights, and safari on the beach with a 4X4 car... More new discoveries everyday, this adventure was a true social and emotinal experience ! I met marvelous people all along the way. I truly got to know who I am and what I like from this experience. Out of all the people I met, almost all travel alone... we lived and shared the journey together, like new friends becoming a family for justa few short days each time. I experienced excitement but also sadness everytime I had to leave a place where you had met people, and go in another direction to where you know nobody !

Definitely, travelling alone is completely incredible ! As a solo traveller, it is also a chance to learn about yourself, who you are and what you want from life ! It exposed me to a lot of new experience outside my comfort zone... so essential for growth. I came back home completely refreshed and more excited about life more than ever !

During 4 days, we went to Woodleigh Station, far enough off the beaten track to fully experience Aussie country life. A wonderful new week-end adventure with sun, river, camping, races, fashion, fishing, activities and fun !

On Saturday we ventured up to the Mount Garnet Races. The races were a great day out ! So proud of Courtney who was on stage for the Miss Competition. We enjoyed a lot the day, and the event.

After the racing and the fashion was over, we went back to camp to continue our activities, closely followed by a few cold drinks around the fire.