Kroombit: The Real Outback Experience!

The next stop north, saw 15 hungover backpackers and one very excited and slightly quirky driver board the Oz Experience bus at 7 in the morning. Although we were sad to say goodbye to 1770 and it's relaxed vibe, we were all itching to get to the farm to act out our inner cowboy or cowgirl. 

When we arrived at Kroombit, we were kitted up with one akubra and one 'yeeeehaaaaa scarf' as I liked to call it.

First activity on the farm was to mount our chosen horses and muster up the goats on the property. I was given Grace, who was very beautiful and yet very grumpy. And although I hate to admit it, I feel like they specifically chose Grace for me as at times, I too can be stubborn. During some stages of the muster, she refused to move when kicked repetitively, and even begun biting other horses and humans when they walked near her.

Next activity was to lasso goats and then brand them. This was definitely the funniest activity of the day. There were a lot of girl screams, coming from guys and girls haha and a lot of laughter. I also was surprised at how difficult it was to hold the goat while it was getting branded.

After the branding, we made our way back to camp to try our hand at whip cracking. As predicted, I was dreadful at it and couldn't master the technique. Some girls in our group, did however master whip cracking and linked their success to a lot of built up anger and frustration that was being let out on the ground and whip. Note to self - let anger build up so that I can kick butt at whip cracking next time.

The final task of the day was to have a good feed, make the most of the $10 "Giggly Juice" that was stocked in the bar and most importantly to ride the infamous mechanical bull.

We were lucky enough to be the first group to 'break in' the new bull. As you can imagine, I had no balance or riding skills what so ever and ended up falling off within the first 6 seconds of riding it every time. Although admittedly my riding skills were a major fail and slightly embarrassing, I did have an amazing time and have never laughed more in my life. 

5 tips for Camping on Fraser Island

Fraser Island was definitely one of my favourite locations however the camping situation was unlike anything that I have EVER experienced. These tips are to get you prepared for an amazing camping adventure on Fraser.

1.  Bring insect repellent!

Fraser is renown for its large march flies. These flies are larger than the average fly and although quite slow to bite, if theft long enough on your skin, hey will end up biting you. The insect repellent somehow stops the March flies from landing on you in the first place. This was definitely my saviour on Fraser.

2. Try to avoid using the public toilets.

If you can, try and avoid toilet facilities while on Fraser Island. As most of the toilets are pitt toilets, you can imagine the smell that wafts up from the pitt. I found myself almost throwing up, just from the smell.

3. Bring playing cards 

The perfect camping game for Fraser Island is Spoons. This game is great for getting to know the other people on your tour as well as a good excuse for communal goon drinking. 

4. Bring a spare battery for your camera 

 As you won't have anywhere to charge your camera, be sure to pack a spare. If your anything like me, you will exhaust your cameras battery within the first two days, due to over use.

5. Dingos aren't always dangerous!
However, be careful with food around your campsite and do not bring food into your tent.

After all all is said and done, I hope that you aren't turned off by my tips. Fraser has been a highlight of my East Coast adventure and a renown beauty within Australia. .

Fraser Island in a 4WD

My next adventure saw me make my way up to Rainbow Beach where I was to undertake the real Fraser Island Experience.

After a short ride on the Oz Experience bus, only a two and a half hour journey, made a lot quicker by the knowledgable commentary from the tour guide, we were dropped off at our accommodation. I stayed in Fraser's on Rainbow Beach for two nights which was perfect, as it provided me with the opportunity to meet some amazing people from all corners of the globe, and also to bond with the group that I was going over to Fraser Island with.

The next day consisted of an early rise so that we could pack the cars and head over to Fraser island for our Fraser Island Four-wheel-drive Adventure. Usually this early start would of bothered me as I love my sleep ins, however, this time around I was definitely too excited to sleep. 

First stop in Fraser Island was to our Campsite where we set up our tents and cooking areas, and then straight onto Lake Mackenzie for a swim to cool down. Lake Mackenzie is by far one of the most beautiful places that I have ever experienced and definitely a MUST SEE for any backpacker or tourists traveling around Australia. The cooling freshwater, soft, talcum powder-like sand and beautiful aqua colour of the water was definitely difficult to say goodbye to at the end of the day.

The second day was full of activities, including a visit to the champagne pools. These pools are large rock pools that filter out anything from the ocean, causing beautiful aqua pools of water.
After a quick stop at the rock pools, we then made our way to Indian Headland beach, where we had a quick lunch stop and then a hike up to the headland. The view was spectacular and we easily found ourselves staring out onto the ocean for over two hours.

The next stop for the day was at Eli Creek. This was probably my second favourite location of the trip - big call I know. Eli Creek is a cold freshwater creek, that runs quite quickly from a natural spring out into the ocean. The creek is so clear and refreshing that our driver said that you could even drink from it.

The final day of our Fraser Adventure was made up of what felt like a 5 day treck to Lake Wabby. Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, the walk was only 45 mins there and 45 minutes back, and yes, the scenery was well worth it. However we were definitely relieved when we arrived at the fresh water lake that was surrounded by never ending sand dunes and bush land.

On the final journey back to the barge to leave Fraser, we came across a friendly turtle that was resting on the beach. The driver mentioned that the Turtle had made its way onto the beach to die, however in this case, lets just say this beautiful Turtle was simply having a rest.

First Leg of My East Coast Adventure - Sunny Noosa

After finishing the final exam for my Tourism Degree and desperate for a well earned break, I packed up my things and boarded the Oz Experience bus for Cairns. 

As the weather had been miserable the last few days in Brisbane, I was definitely hoping that the rain wasn't a sign of things to come for the rest of my trip. To my surprise, the moment we pulled into Noosa, the sun came out and there was nothing but clear skies. I definitely used this opportunity to make my Brisbane friends very jealous.

 As always, I wasn't very organised and hadn't yet booked my accommodation or any tours. The Oz Experience tour guide must have heard my plea for help because he suggested some accommodation, tours and then booked them in for me.

While in Noosa, I stayed at Halse Lodge, which is a beautiful old Queenslander that has been converted into a backpackers lodge. Considering it is a budget hostel, I was very impressed with the lodges beauty, it's facilities, location (right near Hastings street), it's relaxed vibe and most importantly it's free glass of wine at the welcome meeting.

On my second day in Noosa, I joined an Everglades Tour with the Discovery Group. 

The Everglades Tour showed us around the Noosa River and then out to the Everglades where we had a quick bush walk and break. We then boarded the boat and continued down the Everglades onto Harry's Hut, an old loggers cabin where we had a delicious lunch that was cooked by our guide. After all, there is nothing better then a lunch that you don't have to prepare or help out with.

The tour was very relaxing and with only a small group, it meant that we could go at our own pace and see things that we were actually interested in seeing. The only negative about the whole day was the lack of sunscreen that I had used. I came back to the hostel at 5pm with a very burnt and sore back. Ouch!!

For the rest of my time in Noosa, I definitely didn't make the same rookie mistake. Suncreen is my friend!

2012 – The Year for Travel!

As with every New Years celebration, the infamous New Year resolution follows. These goals or resolutions are usually unrealistic and sometimes difficult to achieve. How many times have you planned to lose weight, change jobs or save money….successfully?

Cruising down the beautiful Noosa River and slightly hung-over on New Year’s Day, I decided that instead of creating another unachievable and dull New Years Resolution for 2012, I will instead aim to travel and let myself loose on the world. If resolutions are meant to be about self-fulfillment, travelling the globe is surely a suitable path to achieve this.

 

With savings in my bank and an urge to travel, I have decided to lows the pictures from the Cwhich is more than capable of fufilling d eye-openingreer contributing!backpack the East Coast of Australia before heading off on a European Adventure. Having just completed my studies, there is really nothing holding me back - so no excuses! Plus it would be a great compliment to my tourism degree. Both life enriching and career contributing.

While a lot of my itinerary is still in its drafting stage, I will give you a sneak peak of what looks to be an amazing year of travel.

East Coast of Australia

Although I have lived in Australia my whole life and have visited many of it’s capital cities, I am still yet to actually see and experience what my beautiful country has to offer in its more remote locations.

I figured the best way to experience the typical Aussie backpacking trip was to book myself onto an Oz Experience bus that will take me from Brisbane to Cairns at the end of Jan. This hop on, hop off form of tour will stop at all the iconic Australian hotspots such as Noosa, Rainbow Beach/Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach and Cairns. Supposedly I will even get to try my hand at being an Aussie cowgirl at Kroombit Cattle Station, where I can participate in a goat muster and ride a mechanical bull. Keep an eye out for the pictures from the Cattle Farm, they are sure to be amusing!

London

Late April, will find me making my way to London, where I will spend a week sight seeing and experiencing the best of what London has to offer. Some of the must do’s while in London will include a Monopoly Pub Crawl, visiting London’s Portobello Road Markets, seeing the Queen, spending some pounds in Harrods and finally finding out what all the fuss is about mushy peas. I have also been advised that there is a wide range of free, yes I said FREE museums that are a must see when in London.

Contiki – Road to Athens

In May, I will depart on my first Contiki trip. This tour makes its way from London to Greece, stopping along the way in Paris, Lucerne, Munich, Tyrol, Venice, Florence, Rome, Corfu and finally ending in Athens. This trip is almost like a tasting plate, allowing me to sample the best of what each country has to offer, while partying and meeting some amazing people along the way.

Greek Islands

Mid May will be relaxation time! After the action packed Contiki tour, I will be looking forward to a bit of R&R and maybe a cocktail or two while I Island hop around the Greek Islands. Two of the Islands that are definitely on the ‘to-do’ list while I am in Greece are Santorini, to see the classic Greek Sunset and cave houses and Ios, to party, shop and lay by the beach. Knowing my clumsiness, I will most likely make a fool of myself, attempting some of the water sports that the islands have to offer.

Spain

My final stop on my European adventure is Spain. I am still deciding where to go; however, as I am only there for one week, it’s probably best if I make Barcelona my main point of call. I’m already in love with the food, Sangria and the Country, and can you blame me? You have no choice but to love a country that closes down halfway through the day for a nana nap.

Know of any travel destinations that I should add to my itinerary?