Travel Yourself is going to Australia!

If you flip through the pages of my passport you will see that I have 6 entrance stamps for Australia and now I am going back again for the 7th time. The first time I visited Australia was in April of 2008 after meeting 30 Australians that I was stuck with on a bus for two weeks on a Contiki tour that previous winter. While there, I spent some time in Sydney and I took another Contiki tour along the East Coast of the country from Hamilton Island to Sydney and I immediately fell in love with this country that had long been a place to cross off of my bucket list.

Contiki Class Photo, I’m on the right in a green-ish hoodie.

That quick 3 week trip wasn’t enough and I found myself back again in November of 2008 where I explored more of Sydney, climbed the harbour bridge, visited the Blue mountains and the famous Jenolan Caves. On that trip I also left and visited New Zealand for 8 days and then returned giving me 2 more passport stamps. Back home the winter was getting me down and by the end of January 2009 I was back again this time getting to explore Melbourne as well as more of Sydney, I visited New Castle and celebrated Australia Day almost as if I was a true Aussie. On that trip I also spent some more time in Surfer’s Paradise where I happily got to stay in a second cousins “pricey” condo on the beach, with a friend, no complaints here.

At this point my family was curious about my obsession with this country and they flew over for a visit during this trip and I showed them around Sydney like a local. I sadly left with them and didn’t make it back again until that following February 2010 when I hung out in Sydney with friends and visited Fiji during the middle of my trip giving me my final two passport stamps for Australia.

It is now more than 2 years since I have visited Australia and I am finally going back again! Yay! The last time I went I had just begun traveling and unless you call THIS a good travel video I have never really made any “real” travel videos in Australia so this now makes me even more excited to go back.

I am planning on going around the beginning of April and visiting places I haven’t been yet like Tasmania, Perth, Alice Springs, Uluru, and even Adelaide to possible take “The Ghan” all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territories. I will be in Sydney from April 15th – May 7th happily house sitting for a friend and may go somewhere else after those dates. I’m dying to get back to Fiji… hmmm.

My big question for you is what videos would you like to see from my trip to Australia? Ideas to get you started might be a video on how many different ways can you cook and eat kangaroo? Documenting my train journey on the Ghan, a “Sydney in a Minute” video, “How to do Australia for cheap“, “How to Surf” things like that. Let me know what YOU would like to see.

Have you ever been to Australia? What is your favorite thing to do there?

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    Things I love about Australia | Cailin Travels
    May 26, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    […] you my more pleasant post “Things I love about Australia”. As I have said before I have been to Australia many times and of course its quite simply because I love this place (aside from the expensiveness of it), I […]

  • Reply
    Don Faust
    April 10, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I would love to visit Australia! Which did you like better – Sydney or Melbourne?

    • Reply
      Cailin
      September 12, 2012 at 7:53 pm

      I’ve only spent 3 days in Melbourne and I’ve spent A LOT of time in Sydney so I’m partial to Sydney. I’ll have to give Melb another chance some day haha :)

  • Reply
    Tammy
    April 6, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    Hi Cailin, I am an Aussie, living in the Whitsunday’s, I have travelled Australia extensively, and can truly say that I nowI live in paradise, Have you thought of coming back to the Whitsundays to visit the rest of the Islands, Hamilton island is the busiest of all the Islands and the islands are all so very different, and there is so much to do in Airlie beach on the mainland as well, Did you see the Great Barrier Reef and go snorkelling or diving, the Whitsundays are the closest vantage point, there is also the iconic Heart Reef and Whitehaven beach, boasting some of the whitest most pure silica sands in the world, you can Sail, take a cruise, or catch a sea plane to see them. The Whitsunday’s are famous all over the world for it’s romantic Island and Beach weddings, not surprising though, it is so picturesque and we are all so friendly here because we are so happy to be here.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      September 12, 2012 at 7:54 pm

      It is such a gorgeous place and I have not spent enough time in the Whitsundays! I hope to make it back there on my next visit :)

  • Reply
    Things I hate about Australia | Cailin Travels
    April 6, 2012 at 10:35 am

    […] am currently in Australian for the zillionth time and I LOVE THIS PLACE. However I’ve never found the perfect destination where there […]

  • Reply
    Candice
    April 3, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    What you DIDN’T mention is that you left me. Damn you.

    Come back. :(

    BUT HAVE FUN!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:38 am

      ummmm you left me in Halifax! hahaha I’m going to have sooooo much fun :)

  • Reply
    Andrea
    April 3, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Seven times! Wow – fantastic. I became an Australian citizen after living there for several years (my husband is Aussie). Still have more exploring to do though – we travelled a lot over the years but there is so much to see. HAve a great time! I highly recommend Tasmania.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:39 am

      Thanks Andrea! I would love to marry an Aussie, let me know if he has any single brothers ;) I don’t know if I will get to Tasmania this time but I have been dying to visit there! :)

  • Reply
    Abby
    April 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I’ve never been. :(

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:39 am

      Come visit me! You would love it here!

  • Reply
    Christy
    April 3, 2012 at 3:05 am

    Geeze girl. That’s a lot of trips to OZ! I’m looking forward to some video of Tasmania.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:40 am

      I can promise you lots of video! Not sure if I’ll make it to Tasmania now though :(

  • Reply
    Alexa Meisler
    April 2, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    I would definitely go back there again and again just to see the koalas! Haha I am not surprised that you fell in love with this place because I am too and I wish I could go there more often. Great post!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:40 am

      thanks Alexa!

  • Reply
    Luke
    March 21, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Hey Cailin,
    No one has mentioned the Great Ocean Road yet. That’s where I am from (now living in Canada ironically enough). The whole Vic coastline is amazing from Warrnambool to Malacoota and Melbourne is a great city for both living and visiting. Be happy to offer you some great local advise if you make your way down there.
    Cheers
    Luke

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:41 am

      Oooohh I have yet to do the Great Ocean road, that is on my list as well! Good one :) I’ll let you know if I make it that way I still have a week of my trip not figured out yet. :)

  • Reply
    Audrey | That Backpacker
    March 18, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Sounds like such an exciting trip! The most I’ve ever visited one country is five times, so it sounds like Australia made quite the impression on you! I’d love to see videos from Uluru and the more remote destinations. :D

    • Reply
      Cailin
      April 6, 2012 at 5:42 am

      Thanks Audrey! What country was it that you visited 5 times? I think I’ve been to the UK now about as many equal times as Australia now if not more and I think the US is where I’ve visited the most. :)

  • Reply
    Christine
    March 15, 2012 at 11:02 am

    bah JUST missed you..yet again! When are our paths going to cross??!!? But yay so excited that you’re going to Oz–hit up Tasmania! It’s incredible!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 15, 2012 at 11:36 pm

      I know Christine! Maybe we will never meet? hahaha
      I hope I make it to Tasmania this time! :)

  • Reply
    Beverley | Pack Your Passport
    March 15, 2012 at 3:07 am

    So excited for you!!! I’m so sad that I have to leave Australia in June – been travelling/working/living here since June 2010 but my visa runs out in 3 months :-/ Still in Sydney if you happen to be around in the next few weeks :-)

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 15, 2012 at 11:37 pm

      Hey Beverley! I wish I could spend as much time there as you! Someday maybe :)
      I will be in Sydney for at least three weeks from April 15 – May 7 lets meet up for sure!

  • Reply
    jan
    March 14, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Hi Cailin, I am Australian and live in far North Queensland – further north than Hamilton Island. I think that Australia on the Cheap would be good because the only complaint I have heard about Australia by travellers is that it is expensive. Which of course it is. But there are always cheap eats, drinks, experiences and places to stay.

    I have lived in Perth for two years. As Gev says it is a fantastic place, and I also love Broome as well. Darwin is good and hot! I haven’t done the Ghan trip but would like to!

    One thing I have never done is eat kangaroo. My son has though and really liked it. It is a very low fat meat. But kangaroos are so cute!

    Have you thought of going to Cairns and the Daintree River. Cross over the Daintree into the wilderness of Cape Tribulation. There are lots of boat trips to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns and Port Douglas. Port Douglas is an appealing small town with a Marina full of big boats (for the Reef) and although it is very touristy has a nice vibe to it. Think Palm Trees, untouched beach, icecream, beer gardens, good food, Sunday market and reef trips!

    Let me know if you come up our way (Townsville).

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 15, 2012 at 11:43 pm

      Thanks for the comment Jan! Great suggestions for things to do too :)
      I can’t believe you haven’t eaten Kangaroo yet! I have had it more than once now. There is a place in the Rocks in Sydney called the Australian hotel and they have a delicious kangaroo pizza! Its true they are very cute though haha.
      I hadn’t looked into the Daintree or Port Douglas but you are making it sound very appealing, I will let you know if I make it up that way. :)

  • Reply
    Caroline Eubanks
    March 14, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    So excited for you! Wish I was still there. I didn’t make it to Tasmania, Darwin or Perth so I would love to see footage from there! Have fun girl.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 15, 2012 at 11:44 pm

      You were there forever and you never made it to those spots? haha I need to make it to Uluru too!
      Will definitely make videos of whatever I can :)

  • Reply
    Gev
    March 14, 2012 at 10:09 am

    I lived in Australia in total for over two years on two separate trips. Have you thought about a working holiday visa or sponsorship? So you can spend a lot of time in this wonderful country. I love Aus and we last lived in Melbourne, however it wasn’t my Australian dream. I love Western Australia, I think it has everything; sunshine, beaches, great food and drink (especially the wine region of the Margaret River), I would really recommend a trip from Perth to Broome. I saw the most amazing scenery and wildlife, it was such a highlight for me.

    Two things I haven’t done is visit Tasmania and the Ghan, I can’t wait to hear about you travels, these are definitely on my list for my next trip.

    You mentioned ‘Sydney in a minute’ and ‘cheap things to do’, one of my favourite things about Sydney is all the free stuff to do in this great place!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 15, 2012 at 11:48 pm

      I honestly should think about a holiday visa or sponsorship, just hasn’t fit in my schedule / plan for life yet, but I can see it happening in the next couple of years. :)
      Let me know your suggestions of free and cheap things to do in Sydney :)

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