Travel stages and how to plan it: my way

At the beginning of this year I knew I could take the benefit of a 4 weeks sabbatical leave from work, and at first was hesitant to do so, because I had a relationship, didn’t want to stay away for so long, didn’t want to leave my cats for so long, etc. Then I realized that, wtf, i won’t have this type of opportunities that often in life and decided to request my leave.

And I am so grateful I did. My relationship ended, and I found myself in the aftermath of it. So I decided to go far and alone, to meditate on my life, my priorities, and in a way find myself again.

This is when Australia comes along. To be fully honest, I never considered it in my bucket list before, for several reasons: bugs, deadly snakes, sharks, jellyfish, a very long flight from Europe, and the list goes on.

But, isn’t it a breakup the best time to get out of your routine and your comfort zone? So, Australia it is.

I started to plan my trip on Wanderlog. It’s a fantastic app and (I swear this is not an ad and they are not paying me to say so), I definitely recommend it if you have to plan a trip and need a place where to keep everything together: flights, hotel bookings, expenses, places to visit, bucket lists, car rental reservations and more.

Here are some snapshots of my plan:

Now, Australia is big, and even with one month, I needed to plan carefully and still won’t be able to see everything I would want to see. I split the trip into 6 blocks:

1. NSW & ACT: Sydney and Canberra
2. VIC: Melbourne & Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles
3. SA: Adelaide & Kangaroo Island
4. NT: Kings Canyon & Uluru (Ayers Rock)
5. QLD: Brisbane & Whitsundays
6. TAS: Hobart, Cradle Mountain & Freycinet

First part from Sydney to Adelaide I will travel exclusively by car, so it will be 11-day road trip. Then I will fly to Alice Springs and take another 3-day road trip into the outback. After this I’ll fly over to Brisbane and explore the Whitsunday by sailing. Then finally flying to Hobart for another 5-day road trip in Tasmania.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to visit Western Australia (Perth and the western and northern coasts), as time won’t be enough, but hopefully I can return one day to see those.

Let me share my itinerary with you. No images because it’s in my resolutions to never share in this blog photos that are not my property, so I will keep posting while travelling with pics of every place I see 🙂

Day 1-7: New South Wales, Australian Capital territory – Sydney and Canberra

I will fly in and out from Sydney. So that’s where my trip starts. After almost two days of travel and laying over in Dubai, I am going to spend a few days in Sydney, exploring the city with its must view tourist points (Opera house, Harbour bridge, the rocks, etc), its beaches (Bondi, Congee, Bronte and Manly) and of course catch up with a couple of friends I met in Phuket back in April (see my post about that trip here).

I will take a half day also to visit Wild Cat Conservation Centre – one hour drive from Sydney.

Still haven’t decided whether to use the car to move around or just public transportation, any tips?

After that, I will make my way to the Australian Capital Territory to visit Canberra, and stay over one night.

Day 7-11: Victoria – Melbourne & Great Ocean Rd

After Canberra, I’ll drive to Melbourne and spend a few days there, visiting the city, friends and taking a class with pole dance queen Miss Filly, that I met in Phuket. I’m open to suggestions on what to see there. I will take a detour to Phillip Island and visit the city centre (including Rose Street Artists’ Market).

Then I’ll drive to Port Campbell National Park through the Great Ocean Road to stop in Twelve Apostles to admire the cliffs.

Day 11-13: South Australia – Adelaide & Kangaroo Island

Leaving Twelve Apostles and driving to Adelaide, I will first stop on Kangaroo Island for one night and relax at Vivonne Beach as well as visiting the Wildlife Park of Kangaroo Island. Then off to Adelaide!

When in Adelaide, I’ll wander the city center and visit the Botanic Garden. Then I’ll spend some time at Glenelg beach.

Day 13-16: Northern Territories – The Outback – From Alice Springs to Uluru

Very excited indeed for this leg of the trip! From Adelaide I’m flying to Alice Springs, stay one night in a Airbnb and drive to Kings Canyon where I’ll stay in a bush tent. Can’t imagine spiders fest there…

Can’t wait to see the outback and the wildlife though.

Also, I am thrilled to see one of Australian symbols, the Ayers Rock. I will stay in a hostel and hopefully see sunset and sunrise on Uluru. Still undecided if booking a walking tour at the base of the rock. What do you think?

Day 16-20: Queensland – Brisbane and the Whitsundays

Leaving the outback behind, after Uluru I’ll leave from Ayers Rock airport to fly to Brisbane. I will spend one night there and then straight to Proserpine – Airlie Beach to enjoy the start of summer in Whitsundays.

I’ll take a two-day sailing trip to Whitehaven beach and relax a bit on the white sands and take a dip in the pristine waters of those islands.

Last day in Whitsundays I also booked a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef to see that beauty from above.

Day 20-25: Tasmania – From Hobart to Freycinet keeping an eye for the Southern Lights

Last stop of my trip takes me to Tasmania. I have such high hopes for that part!

Starting in Hobart, I will then move to spend the night in a homestay in Mt. Wellington, hoping to be successful in chasing the Southern Lights, even if in summer it would be harder to see them, but I have hope.

I will drive to Russell falls and after to Cradle Mountain to trek in the park and try to see a bit of wildlife. I will stay in a church 😅 which has been converted to a B&B. Following, drive to Freycinet National Park and hike through the Wineglass bay lookout and down to Wineglass Beach. I am really undecided if trying to get to Mt. Amos but from the web it looks much harder than Wineglass Bay lookout. Anyone who has been there and knows?

That would be my last stop. I will stay in a hotel halfway between Freycinet and Hobart, and then fly back to Sydney, get my tattoo at Ink Zù and then travel back to Switzerland 🥲

Let me know if you have any suggestions or tips to share or questions!

Erli

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