Top 5 Reasons To Go To Australia

5.  People and Culture:

Australians are known for their laidback attitudes and surfer personas. As cliché as it sounds it is true; as an American visiting I met numerous people, both at work and leisure, and can honestly say everyone seemed to have a calmer and more friendly demeanor than those of my home country. Perhaps it is the countless beaches. But I think it is the outdoor lifestyle most lead and the values that they place on family. For instance the stores (i.e. shopping malls) close at 5pm in Sydney; I asked a coworker why and his response was, “It’s the evening its time to go have dinner with family and friends.”

4. Whitsundays

 A group of 74 islands along the Queensland Coast of Australia set in the calm Coral Sea. As incredible and pure as these islands are, they are not frequently traveled, probably due to hard-to-reach locations. It is worth the flight, drive, then boat ride if you are ever in Australia’s East Coast. It is also very accessible to young people (those on a budget) with numerous hostels with views of crystal blue water, white sands and wallabies. Whitsundays also offers a clear view of the stars; with not a light for miles and nothing but the moon to light your way, it is breathtaking.

3. Beaches in Sydney

 Bondi, Manly, Cronulla, Palm, Marubra, Avalon, Coogee; the beaches stretch across the eastern coast of New South Wales, Sydney for miles. These beaches are well known for their world class surfing waves and natural beauty. The great thing about having so many beaches is there is rarely overcrowding; certain beaches are the “be seen” beaches while other are quiet and more family friendly. The boardwalks are lined with food huts and skate parks, snorkeling shops and surfing schools. There is something, literally, for everyone.

2. Sydney Harbour

Yes, I said Harbour because that is what how they spell it down under. Sydney’s Central Business District is located in the Circular Quay (equivalent to our SF Bay). Along side the CBD is the awe-inspiring Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which tourists climb on a daily basis to catch a unique view of the harbour. On one side there is the hustle and bustle of city and across the way there is the zoo and national park. You can spend an entire week just in the Quay.

1. The Great Barrier Reef

The countdown ends with the world’s largest natural living structure. The reef is approximately 1.600 miles long and spans the coast of Queensland. A day on the reef is indescribable. If you have ever seen the movie Finding Nemo, well, that has nothing on the real thing. The fish are brighter, the coral more vibrant, and the sea life like nothing I had ever witnessed with sea turtles, eels and sharks. The water is so clear that you can see the fish while in the boat, but diving is a must. Sadly, greenhouse effects are taking their toll on the reef and some are becoming bleached, killing all of its inhabitants. My advice to everyone is to see this marvel as soon as possible.

Australia is a great place to visit, but as a young woman I would say to other young women to go now in your early 20’s, even if on a tight budget. There are hostels, buses, and numerous other affordable ways to backpack up the coast and see some amazing natural beauty. It will change your mindset and general view on life. Take a lesson from the Aussies and go on walkabout.*

*walkabout- an aboriginal term used when referring to a coming-of-age time when you leave home and wander to learn about life and yourself.