I was seeking for a final adventure in Australia as I requested to stay at a sailing boat via Couchsurfing. The acceptance came promptly, so I made my way to Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Coast. The “Wharoonga” is a nice boat at all, but in a bad condition, messy and cramped. Their owner Tim is living an alternative lifestyle as he’s sailing with his son around the Whitsunday Islands, hiring their sailing crew via Couchsurfing. 

Here I could learn some general things about sailing, but I found the absolute limit of my personal comfort zone, too. Not only because of the conditions at the Whanroonga, also because of the conditions at the Whitsundays at present. After cyclone Debbie it is still a disaster area. Many sections are still without electricity, almost every shop (including food shops) is closed, as well as hostels and other vital services, the ATMs are out of order. Many roads are blocked by fallen trees, the remaining trees seem dreary as they have almost no leafs anymore. You can see the masts of the sunken ships in the marina and the remains of completely destroyed ships at the coast. The sea is badly polluted by rubble, the former beautiful beaches are not existing anymore as the sand was blown away and the water is badly turbid. The underwater world of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef seems to be badly damaged.

While it is definitely no area to spent some pleasant says, the tourism services still promise that everything is fine and they are still selling their trips for hundreds of dollars. I really understand that the region needs the income from tourism now more than ever, but I have no understanding for cheating the travelers, get their hard earned money off, for trips that are totally disappointing – everybody who booked a trip was totally angry. And I have really no sympathy for taking the risk that the travelers get serious problems because of the local situation. The few unclosed hotels start from $300/night, the possibility to get some food are rare, the mobility is badly limited.

Unfortunately I haven’t shoot any pictures of on-site situation as I just wanted to go away. I left the area directly when I could leave the ship. But I have met outstanding helpful travelers from Germany – as well as in other parts of Australia, too. It seems to me that the German traveller community is the best item of Australia at all. 

So, actually Australia is the first country where I felt a bit homesick (only a little little bit, Mom!). Now I’m already at Townsville airport, waiting for my flight to Bali eagerly. It is only a stopover before I will continue to the Philippines. As the nonstop connections between Australia and Manila are badly expensive and the connections to Bali are pretty cheap, I decided to pause at that beautiful island to make a short vacation from traveling 😎

Guess what, I rented another vehicle 🙂 It took me along Australia’s east coast from Sydney to Brisbane. During this road trip, I’ve spotted a wild koala for the first time. And of course innumerable surfers and lots of aged hippies. It constantly rained and some areas are flooded as consequences of cyclone Debbie.

Finally yesterday was the last night I’ve slept in a car for that time. Now I know all positions and tricks to make it comfortable, just in case you need some advice 😉

Out off the desert at Ayers Rock, I flew to the biggest city of Australia, Sydney (due to heavy turbulences one of my most terrible flights ever). I was very lucky to had my first real Couchsurfing experience as I could stay at the cozy apartment of Peter, a very congenial guy from Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately I couldn’t make more good experiences in Sydney. While the city has a great surrounding next to the coastline of New South Wales, their inhabitants don’t seem to be happy. I’ve met so many unfriendly persons than in no other place. And I really tried not to be biased, but my first experiences were reconfirmed continually.

I think the Ayers Rock is the best-known landmark of Australia. It was the first thing that occurred to me when I’ve heard “Australia”, too. Initially I was a little uncertain whether or not to make myself on the way, as it’s far away in the middle of nowhere and the expenses of a journey to there are enormous.

Well, now I’m here. Unfortunately it is not only the costs of the journey which are enormous, it is everything you need. I got the most expensive rental car I ever had (also due to a failing of a car rental service). A bottle of water is up to $5, while it’s recommended to drink 1 liter/hour. Fuel is almost twice the price as in other Australian areas. And I could even list more annoying things…

But: It’s an incredible feeling to cruise across the Kata Tjuta National Park in a SUV. To see the giant rocks appearing in the flat desert of Central Australia. Tap water is not delicious, but you can drink it and it’s free. And you don’t need that much fuel as the distances are quite short. A refreshing jump in the pool couldn’t be better as here. And mosquito nets are available almost everywhere (you really need it for protecting your face from the flies around).

So it’s all about you make out of it. I really enjoyed the three days I spent in that remote area. I saw a beautiful sunset while the Uluru is brimming in a strong red color. A thunderstorm over the National Park. And again a phenomenal starlight sky, not damped from any other light around.

Finally I made a road trip along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria, one of my awaited highlights of my trip. As I got a free upgrade for the rental car, I even could made it with a quite comfortable vehicle. So I didn’t worry about sleeping in the car again.

The Great Ocean Roads meanders along the beautiful coastline of West Victoria, topped with the amazing Twelve Apostels near Port Campbell. Besides the spectacular shore, the nature surprised myself with the most giant trees I’ve ever seen in my life (in Maits Rest). Near the lighthouse at Cape Otway I’ve spotted a free-living kangaroo at very first time. And in the early morning I was woke up by the noisy cawing of cockatoos.

When I left the B100 behind me and went on my way to Adelaide, I’ve seen some disturbing things in the monotonous countryside too. Dead Kangaroos at the roadside, sometimes only a half carcass left. Huge combine harvester vendors in tiny villages where’s not even a food store. And drive-in liquor shops. Are you serious?!

Since yesterday I have a rental car again and I made a daytrip to Phillip Island. There you can watch the “Penguin Parade” shortly after sunset, when the penguins returning from the sea. Unfortunately it’s not allowed to shoot pictures of the parade, but trust me, it’s super cute when these little penguins form groups and waddle up to the beach together 🐧🐧🐧

Melbourne was my first destination in Australia. I was super happy to see my friend Jana and to spent a couple of days in her apartment in St. Kilda. And to met her adorable dog, Hugo 😍

From the campsites in New Zealand I directly went to the Melbourne Fashion Festival. I wasn’t well prepared for such an event, but I borrowed suitable shoes from my friend Jana.