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My Australia Bucket List

Almost exactly two years ago, I hit “publish” on a blog post entitled, “My New Zealand Bucket List.”  I had received a New Zealand working holiday visa, purchased a one-way plane ticket, and attempted to prepare myself for a completely unexpected solo journey ahead.  Before this point in my life, I had studied abroad in London for four months, taken part in an immersive Gaelic homestay for one month, and backpacked through a few countries in Eastern Europe by myself for two weeks.  To some that might seem like quite a bit of traveling for my then 22-year-old self.  Looking back now, I see it was merely a toe dip in the bottomless ocean that is my hunger for seeing the world.

The first sentence of that bucket list post I published so long ago was, “There’s something magical about embracing spontaneity.”  I stand by this belief still.  My spontaneity led me to countries like Malta and Hungary, to pick up and go to Ireland with two weeks notice, to move to a small island off the coast of Auckland and crash on the couch of a girl I met on Facebook.  It led me to agree to go on a date with the person I’m now wildly in love with and to plan a future USA road trip with that person after only a few months of knowing one another.

 

 

It’s been a year now and we’re moving to Australia!

I’ve mentioned Australia here and there on different social media channels without officially making the announcement.  We’re moving to Australia and, per usual, I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what we’re going to do.  I love that.

do know that our first stop in the adventure is Adelaide.  Admittedly, I actually don’t know much about Australia at all.  I know that it seems like every backpacker goes there at some point in his or her journey, that it’s seemingly full of blonde surfer babes in Billabong and bohemian attire, and that it’s much larger than the maps have led me to believe.

Without further babble, here are the handful of places and activities that I do know of and want to experience!

 

1. Find the best coffee in Melbourne

2. Drink our way through the Barossa Valley

3. See Uluru

4. Indulge at Charlie’s Dessert House

5. Hike around Lord Howe Island

6. Hike the Three Capes Track

7. Take a road trip through Tasmania

8. Visit Norfolk Island

9. See Wine Glass Bay

10. Understand what the deal with Pavlova is

11. Brunch, Brunch, BRUNCH

Images 1/2/3/4

If there’s anything (and I’m sure there is) that isn’t on my list that you believe is a must-do while in Australia, PLEASE enlighten me! Otherwise… wish me luck!

 

Tara Higgins

Tara Higgins

Tara loves all things London and wants to spend the rest of her life reading books in beautiful places. She can often be found nestled up in a bookshop, drinking a pint at the pub, or searching for the best pizza slice in town.

14 Comments

  • Eloise

    Diving!! Australia has fantastic dive sites (on the reef of course, but not only).

    February 2, 2018 at 10:15 AM
  • Rachelle

    The road trip through Tasmania sounds like it would be super fun. And I agree with Eloise – getting into the water in Australia…pretty much anywhere…would be a dream and is on my bucket list. Your list looks pretty awesome and hope you can cross a few things off!

    February 2, 2018 at 12:25 PM
    • Tara Higgins
      Tara Higgins

      Thank you!! Tasmania is definitely high priority for me.

      February 4, 2018 at 5:45 PM
  • jithin

    Great list. Hope that you will strike each one very soon. I will definitely pick few from your list on next trip to Australia.

    February 3, 2018 at 11:18 AM
  • Marquita

    Perfect timing! I’m going to Australia in a few months and this post just made me even more excited. So far I know: Port Douglas (there is a rainforest near there), diving at the Great Barrier Reef, you got the coffee in Melbourne, Alice Springs (there is 4WD through the Outback) and much more! Enjoy your Aussie move!

    February 3, 2018 at 4:42 PM
    • Tara Higgins
      Tara Higgins

      I had no idea about any rain forests in Australia! Thanks for the suggestions. Definitely connect with me when you head to Australia, would love to hear about your adventure.

      February 4, 2018 at 5:46 PM
  • Annie

    I hope you enjoy Australia! You’ll have plenty of brunch, I’m sure!
    x
    http://www.latteandluxe.com

    February 8, 2018 at 1:45 PM
    • Tara Higgins
      Tara Higgins

      I’m going to be all OVER the brunch scene.

      February 10, 2018 at 11:02 PM
  • chelsea

    hi there!! I loved in Australia for a year as well! definitely hit the great ocean road! you will not be upset you did!!! diving or snorkeling in ningaloo reef (outside of exmouth) Broome, crocasorus cove in darwin, sailing around whitsundays, climb the bridge in sydney, full day in the blue mountains, 3d/2n in Fraser island, day trip out to the outter great barrier reef in cairns, surf in byron bay, visit the rainforests and waterfalls around cairns, eat at lilly pad in cairns (huervos rancheros for me please!!), green ant cantons in cairns, tapas bravo in Brisbane (kangaroo loin), lone oome sanctuary in Brisbane where you can hand feed kangaroos, the lost can go forever.. those are my top experiences x)

    February 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM
    • chelsea

      green ant cantina**
      lone pine sanctuary**
      the list**
      wow so many typos lol

      February 10, 2018 at 11:18 AM
    • Tara Higgins
      Tara Higgins

      Wow thank you thank you thank you!! So many wonderful suggestions I really appreciate you taking the time to write all of that out for me.

      February 10, 2018 at 11:03 PM
  • chelsea

    @adventuretravelchels

    February 10, 2018 at 11:16 AM

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