Welcome to my new guest post series, WHV Australia Interview, on real travelers from around the globe who have decided to come to Australia on their working holiday visa (WHV). I just finished up my year in Australia and it had a huge impact on my life and future life choices. As an American, taking a gap year, or career …
WHV Australia Interview: Claire’s Footsteps
Welcome to my new guest post series, WHV Australia Interview, on real travelers from around the globe who have decided to come to Australia on their working holiday visa (WHV). I just finished up my year in Australia and it had a huge impact on my life and future life choices. As an American, taking a gap year, or career …
Great Escape Monthly Review: March 2017
They say March is “in like a lion and out like a lamb.” While that might be true back home in Maine, my March was a little different in Australia. You could say it went a little something like “in like my 20s and out like my 30s.” On March 8th, I turned the ripe old age of 30. My …
My Secret Goal: 30 Countries By 30 Conquered
Today is my birthday. I’m now officially 30 years old. I still can’t believe it. I swear I just graduated high school yesterday. As a child, I remember the summer school holidays lasting for months. But, now as an adult, I blink and a month is gone. My 20s were filled with lots of up and downs, but I can’t …
Hostel Review: Bounce Hostel – Sydney, Australia
As Australia’s largest city, Sydney offers a wide variety of hostel options. Whether you prefer a party hostel, a quiet hostel, or one in between, you’ll find a hostel for you. I’ve stayed at several hostels in Sydney and my favorite so far as been Bounce Hostel. With a modern and fun design, great location near Central Station, and a …
Top 10 Things to Do in Alice Springs, Australia
People often come to Alice Springs as a starting point to their Uluru trip and then quickly leave just as fast as they came. That’s a big mistake. Alice Springs has lots to offer travelers regarding history, food, and activities. Alice Springs is one of Australia’s most popular Outback towns. With deep pioneer roots, this historic red center town is …
Where I’m Heading Next: Tentative 2017 Travel Plans
Flickr image by FarbenfroheWunderwelt 2016 was an incredible year of travel for me. I traveled through Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. With so many new experiences and memories, I can’t imagine how 2017 will top it. My 2017 travel plans are still a bit up in the air at the moment as my heart and bank account are …
My Top 5 Favorite Travel Moments of 2016
Everyone always says to follow your dreams, but most of us don’t. We make too many excuses. I don’t have time. I don’t have enough money. I’m too afraid to risk it all. Well, 2016 was the year I finally followed my dreams. I left my boring 9-5 job back home to travel the world on my “Great Escape.” My …
That One Time I Became a Model in Australia…
I will admit, one of my guilty pleasures is America’s Next Top Model. But, I’ve never thought I would be the one to become a model in Australia. During my short stay in Alice Springs, I noticed a sign in the Alice Springs YHA hostel looking for models for an upcoming photo shoot for the hostel website. In exchange for …
Hostel Review: Alice Springs YHA – Alice Springs, Australia
Alice Springs, Australia is the launchpad to Uluru and Kings Canyon. While most people tend to leave Alice Springs just as quickly as they came, Alice Springs is a “bonanza of a town” (Side note: If you’re heading to Alice, I highly recommend reading Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice). Alice Springs, often just shorten to Alice, offers a variety …
The Best of Anglesea: Surf, Splash, & Play
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic and scenic coastal drives. Running 243 kilometers (151 miles) from Torquay to Allansford, the highway is home to the famed 12 Apostles, wild koala bears, lighthouses, waterfalls, and kilometer upon kilometer of sandy beaches perfect for swimming and surfing. Anglesea, a small surf town nestled on the banks of the …
Photo Essay: The Incredible Biodiversity of Kakadu National Park
Situated at the top end of the Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest national park covering close to 20,000 square kilometers. Made famous in the 1986 Crocodile Dundee movie, Kakadu National Park became a national park in 1979. Kakadu National Park is a special place for many people. More than half the land belongs to the Aboriginal people, and you …