Australia

Having completely underestimated the size of Australia and from strict advice from parents, we booked a Greyhound Bus pass taking us from Sydney to Cairns, the distance of 1,539 miles. Having spent two months visiting nearly every destination on the West coast, it would take an incredible amount of time for me to write everything I saw whilst being in Australia, so once again, I've highlight three of my top moments. 

Sydney is one of the best cities in the world, the expanse of the harbour and the beauty of the Opera House and the Bridge give the city breath-taking views. We spent three days wondering around the city, enjoying the thrill of trying to work their public transport system and visiting Bondi and Coogee Beaches.

Sydney Harbour

Half way up the east coast we stopped at Airlie Beach, which is the port for every trip to explore the Whitsunday Islands. With my birthday falling at the same time we were there, what better way to celebrate than going to visit the Great Barrier Reef? Our boat took us around the islands, anchoring at various isolated spots so we could snorkel and explore the breath-taking views under the sea. The highlight of the three day expedition fell on the last day when our boat anchored at a relatively small bay, we were taken ashore and trekked through a small forest, as we climbed over the hill gasps were heard, and we were all dumb-founded at the view in front of us of Whitehaven Beach. 

Lulu and I at Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays

When we had finally reached Cairns, our group had increased to four, traveling with two girls that we had met on the way. Before we had left England, all of us had this idyllic plan of hiring a camper-van and visiting every corner of Australia. Although, we had all travelled Australia by this point, I didn't see any reasons why we couldn't fulfil our dreams for the last week. After a bit of difficulty finding a company that would take the risk of loaning a car to four 18 year Old’s, we finally found Wicked camper-vans, and we set off finding our own version of Cairns. For five days we drove with no plan or map, stumbling across Josephine Falls and the town of Port Douglas.  Wicked camper-vans website