The Aussie top 10

Something a little different and less of an essay (you'll be pleased). My top ten favourite places in Australia - a country I am well and truly in-love with if you haven't already guessed.

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10. William Creek, South Australia

I had to put this bad boy in here. I spent 4 long, hot, dry months living in the South Australian outback at a hotel, campground and tiny airstrip called William Creek. There was nothing else for 70kms. It's in my top 10 because from this crazy little desert jungle, you can explore Lake Eyre from the sky. And what a fantastic thing to do whilst you are in Aus! The Lake Eyre basin covers 1/6 of Australia, only fills with water once every 50 years and leaves rare sand dunes, channels, flood plains and salt crystals in its wake, creating alluring and contrasting patterns across the burnt landscape. If you're going to be passing through the outback, getting a flight with one of our trusty pilot friends across the basin should be top on your list. You can also stop by the pub for a desert meal and a tinny with some fellow backpackers! Many travellers have passed by before you and left trinkets behind. If you search, you'll spot my name on the right hand side of the ceiling behind the bar.

9. Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

David Attenborough's favourite place in the world. Is that not enough reason to go already?

The Daintree is teeming with wildlife (crocs & the renowned, mythical-like cassowary), a coastline flanked either side by the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef and a whole heap of hikes to venture on. If you're up for the challenge, some delirium and legs that ache for about a week, then Mount Sorrow is a perfect choice (and also perfectly named). I think it took us about 6 hours for a round trip purely because we were so unprepared for the experience. I say hike, I really mean a sheer climb up the face of a rainforest tangled mountain. It is an uphill battle worth making for the views over this incredible ecosystem. There are some ropes to help you along the way. Bring plenty of water with you, but also not too much because the weight really makes the climb much more difficult.

8. Noosa Everglades, Queensland

This is one of only two everglade systems on the planet - the other being in South Florida, USA. It is also the only one you can swim in as you won't find any snappy alligators lurking beneath the pristine waterways (however, I was informed that there

are bull sharks in the area so do swim with caution!). The Noosa Everglades stretches across two UNESCO biosphere reserves and is home to over 40% of Australia's bird population. It is an absolutely stunning place to spend a day exploring. The water reflects the mangroves and surrounding vegetation so vividly, it is hard to tell where the water ends and the green begins. We hired kayaks for a full day, costing $120. It is a little pricey for a backpacker, but it was worth it. A highlight of my year in Oz, for sure. I love anything outdoorsy so kayaking 30km through these beautiful waterways, stopping for a picnic and a swim, spotting pelicans and jabirus, was a dream come true.

p.s if you're traveling through Noosa itself, I highly recommend popping by Clandestino Roasters for the best coffee in the region.

7. Melbourne, South Australia

The most dynamic Australian city I lived in AND the best coffee spots in the world! Perhaps I am biased as it was the first city I made a home in, working at an independent restaurant in South Melbourne under the employment of a wonderful lady whose daughter (aged 5) was an upcoming artist.

The botanical gardens were the best I visited in the country, the shops and restaurants are the most diverse and the art scene is booming. The Yarra River, stretching 242km, provides a dramatic cut through the metallic shadows of the urban jungle. Sipping a 5* coffee, overlooking the sweeping waterways with a book in my hand was a favourite pre-shift activity. Top three things I'd recommend doing in Melbourne: go to a festival (there are so many and the streets come alive with music, dancers and colour), hire a small boat with some friends and drift along the Yarra River taking in the views and enjoying a beer, sample the coffee holes hidden amongst graffiti lanes. Oh and visiting the outdoor cinema in the botanical gardens over summer! And, perhaps, a cheeky night out.

6. Yamba, New South Wales

This seaside settlement was a spot not even on our list as we drove down the East coast. We merely happened upon it one day as we were heading for Sydney. Let me tell you though, it NEEDS to be on your list. Absolutely the best little seaside town we visited. The seafood is delicious and I would highly recommend seeking out some Yamba prawns to cook for yourself one evening. There are heaps of small beaches, North and South of the Clarence River opening, with great surf for beginners. I would particularly recommend Turners beach. It offered great swell and medium sized waves in a wind protected cove. We only managed to spend one night in Yamba as we weren't planning on visiting, but I would have liked to have stayed longer. We parked outside someone's house cooking up our prawns on our tiny gas fire stove for the night. That's another thing about Yamba. Everyone is so friendly. They don't get too many backpackers passing through so you are treated with a lot of curiosity and kindness, rather than the disgruntled sighs of people who expect you to be drinking till 5am and causing havoc.

Not only were we allowed to park outside the property of a resident home for free, but we were also treated to dinner by a man and his family who we met whilst cliff jumping at the blue and green pools (also worth checking out!). Great surf, great food and great people. What more could you want?!

5. Wooroonooran National Park, Nandroya Falls, Queensland

There are so many national parks in Australia which all boast spectacular views and adventurous hikes through the bush.

It is hard to pick one or two to mention for this list but this little gem has definitely stuck in my mind. Henrietta Creek is a government-owned campsite where you pay about $6 online to stay there (we paid because I'm a big supporter of national parks but you can probably get away with not paying). This spot is based in the Wooroonooran National Park in Queensland. Wooroonooran is infamous for it's waterfall collection nestled amongst a dense and magical rainforest canopy. I would absolutely recommend exploring a few of the big boys such as Babinda Boulders and Windin Falls. However, there are also a few lesser known ones hidden in the forest, one being Nandroya falls near Henrietta Creek campground. Follow the signs from this tiny camp spot, walk along the small twisting path for about an hour or so and you'll discover a volcanic rock wall standing 50m tall with a powerful single stream of rushing water pouring down it's interface. It is a spectacular sight to come across, especially two backpackers who had no plan (as usual) as to what they were going to find! Be cautious as always when swimming in the pools. Apparently there is a large population of leeches in the area (this is Aus of course), however we jumped straight in and came out unscathed.

4. Fishery Bay, Port Lincoln, South Australia

Wow. Just wow.

This beautiful, quiet, white sandy cove was ours for the taking. There wasn't another soul in sight for the entire duration of our two night stay as we explored the surrounding national park in a 4x4. Port Lincoln in South Australia is home to some of the bluest waters and whitest sand beaches I experienced in Australia, which is surprising right? Normally when you think of white sandy beaches and clear waters in Aus, you instinctively think of good old WA. Well, turns out South Australia also harbours it's own fair share of incredible coast line known as the Eyre Peninsular. Fishery Bay is notoriously dangerous for swimming with a high level of shark activity so do be aware as always, but also please do enjoy this beautiful spot for all it's worth! We camped over night for free on the headland (discreetly), enjoying an incredible sunset cloud show and bbq over the bay below. Simple, yet glorious.

3. Inskip Peninsular, Queensland

Most people have heard of Rainbow Beach. It's where Fraser Island tours begin and where you will find the Carlo Sand Blow! The beach is roughly 14km long and flanked by fantastic striped sand dunes, coloured thanks to it's mineral content. However, legend has it that the sand dunes were painted when Yiningie, a spirit represented by a rainbow, plunged into the cliffs after doing battle with an evil tribesman. It is a beautiful stretch of coastline absolutely worth visiting. A short drive North of Rainbow beach is Inskip Peninsular. The long, narrow, strip forms a natural breakwater to the entrance of Tin Can Inlet and the Great Sandy Strait. The reason this place sits at number 3 is because of the awesome camp spots you can find for dirt cheap. As you drive towards the tip, you will discover numerous camp sites hidden between she oaks and cypress pines. I can honestly only describe it as an Australian Narnia, waking up to pine-like tree needles in your hair. Staying in one of these spots means you are virtually camping on the beach, with direct access to the white sandy peninsular overlooking Fraser Island. After a day of surfing at Rainbow Beach, we spent a night here playing football on the sand till the sun disappeared.

2. Cape Le Grand National Park, South Australia

If it's a dramatic, granite landscape interspersed with sunbathing kangaroos that you're after, then this is where you need to head! This place is a close contester with number 1. In fact, I suppose number 1 can be considered part of Cape Le Grand National Park. The park is home to Lucky Bay -

Australia's whitest beach and also the squeakiest! You'll tend to find kangaroos catching some rays along the edges of the beach, just like the instagram posts. As you scramble over the beautiful rock-scape and peer over the edges to blue, crystal clear water below, you'll feel like you're in jurassic park. Everything seems gigantic. The rocks tower over you, the beaches are wide and empty and the paths between them are nothing more than forgotten footsteps. You'll be stunned at the contrast between the orange rocks and the bright, white sand dunes. It truly is the gem of Australia.

1. Wylie Beach, South Australia

Ok, so here we are. The number 1 spot.

To be honest, it is half personal. 6am in the morning, the sun just about to rise and I caught my first ever WAVE at the surf break 'kelpies'. I'll never forget that rush of euphoria and sheer joy at the speed I was traveling. Apart from offering stunning surf, this beach is crazy beautiful. The most beautiful beach I have ever seen and I have traveled a fair bit in my 24 years on this planet. You'll need a 4x4 as the sand is soft as hell, plus its awesome fun to wobble up the rocky hill at the far end and search the coastline for sharks from above. You'll drive pass the odd person every few minutes, but there is so much space so you needn't worry about it ever being busy. I believe it is also a great place for fishing.

p.s I have yet to visit northern WA!

#backpacker #australia #whv417 #capelegrand