How To See Turtles Hatch in Australia

Australia is home to a wide array of marine life. From the clownfish in the Great Barrier Reef to the Great White sharks off the coast in Queensland, there is no shortage of incredible wildlife in this beautiful country. And if you know where to go, it’s possible to witness turtles nesting and hatching up close! Here’s how to see turtles hatch in Australia.

Visit Mon Repos Beach To Witness Wild Sea Turtles Nesting & Hatching

This place is one of a kind! Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Each year, thousands of tiny turtle hatchlings make their way from their nest on Mon Repos Beach to the ocean. The success of their journey is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.

Where is Mon Repos Beach?

Mon Repos Beach & Turtle Centre are located on the eastern coast of Australia about 3 hours north of the Sunshine Coast and a little over 4 hours from Brisbane.

If you’re road tripping up Australia, it’s an easy addition to your itinerary.

We drove from Brisbane to Cairns in our JUCY campervan and only heard about Mon Repos from some locals. We were thrilled they had informed us because it was such a magical addition to our trip. Not to mention, it’s right along the popular road trip route so it’s an easy and affordable stop!

When can you see turtles hatching or laying eggs?

Overall, the nesting & hatching season occurs between mid November and late March.

Mother turtles nest after dark in mid November to February.

8 weeks later, baby turtles emerge from the eggs also after dark. Typically from mid January to late March.

So if you arrive at Mon Repos early in the season, you will get to witness a mother laying her eggs which is equally as magical!

But the height of the season, you may see one or the other depending on the night. Some tour groups will see hatchlings while other will go see a mother laying eggs- it’s just the luck of the draw! You don’t get to “pick” what your group sees since it’s not 100% predictable with wildlife.

But at the end of the season, expect to just see the hatchlings. The mothers will be done laying eggs by then.

Mon Repos Turtle Encounters

Mon Repos Beach is protected to ensure the human impact on nesting turtles is minimal. You will not be able to go down to the beach on your own.

But fortunately, tickets are affordable, for full price adults it’s $27 AUS for a tour. And the money goes back to helping conserve and preserve the area for these incredible animals.

Book your encounter here.

Tours will go out in the order they are booked. If you schedule your tour far in advance, you will be put on the first group out for the evening. If you book your tour last minute like we did, you’ll be in the last group to head out to the beach. There is no difference except how long you will be waiting to head down to the beach with your guide.

While the other groups before you head out, you can hang out at the Turtle Centre which is packed with great information. They also have a cafe with snacks available.

What To Expect For Your Visit To Mon Repos

Book your tour in advance to prevent long wait times.

Arrive at the Mon Repos Road parking lot at 6:30pm.

Once you park in the free lot, you can take the free shuttle bus to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

When the shuttle drops you off, you’ll check in at the front desk and be given a sticker to signify your Turtle Encounter group for the night.

Rangers will search the beach for wild turtles or active nests while you hang out at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, cafe and gift shop.

Be prepared to wait.

The turtles are wild animals and it’s impossible to say what time they will arrive. It could be several hours. We only waited about 90 minutes before heading to the beach but the night in total could take up to 6 hours.

When the turtles have been located, the rangers will call your group over and you’ll be on your way down to the beach. The excitement in the air in palpable as your group heads down to the beach in the dark! Lights will remain off to avoid disturbing the turtles.

Bring a jacket down to the beach, it can be windy and cold by the water! Then your ranger will guide your group over to either the mother turtle or the nest of babies. Then the magic occurs!

Our Experience At Mon Repos Beach

The night we were there, we saw a mother loggerhead turtle laying 124 eggs. We didn’t realize how many eggs were laid at once in a single clutch! It was incredible to stand there under the starry night sky and witness the turtle heaving herself from the ocean, dragging her heavy body up the sand and digging her nest.

The majority of the time, you simply get to sit back and enjoy a front row seat to the process of nesting. But when the moment is right, the rangers will tell you when it’s okay to take your camera out and take photos for a short amount of time. I loved that the center did this! It’s a great way to witness the experience and fully be in the moment while also minimizing the human presence for the turtles.

Moving the nest further up the beach

In some instances, the rangers will decide to move the nest further up the beach from the tide to ensure the eggs aren’t swept away in the water. So after the turtle slowly makes her way back out to the ocean, they will carefully dig up the eggs and delicately move them. But YOU get to be involved. The rangers will have everyone line up, and slowly pass the eggs to be carefully carried up to the freshly dug nest.

Overall, a worthwhile and unforgettable evening!

You won’t regret a night spent on the beach with an expert ranger under the stars witnessing this incredible display of nature! Enjoy your time at Mon Repos Beach and let me know if you have any questions

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More on Australia:

• 8 PLACES IN AUSTRALIA THAT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS
• VAN LIFE IN AUSTRALIA: DON’T FORGET TO PACK THESE 8 THINGS!
• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY
• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• CHASING WATERFALLS IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

The post How To See Turtles Hatch in Australia appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Van Life In Australia

Living out of a van and road tripping across Australia is one of my favorite travel memories to date. If you like adventure, the outdoors and have laid back travel companions- this trip will be one you’ll never forget! Australia has so much to offer from breathtaking national parks to some of the best beaches in the world. There is a reason van life in Australia is so popular!

For our trip, we used JUCY Campervans.

But after driving from Brisbane all the way up to the Daintree Rainforest at the top of Australia, I realized we were missing a couple key things in our packing list! So I’ve compiled the list below for your first road trip around Australia.

A Quick Drying Towel

Living out of a van means you’ll often be showering at the beach, pulling the van over to swim in rock pools and chasing waterfalls. You don’t want to be carrying around a soaking wet towels as you go. Invest in a quick drying towel to help keep the inside of the van dry and smelling fresh.

With so many swimming opportunities, will need your towel in Australia A LOT. Having a quick drying one will ensure you have a dry towel to use when you need it.

Dryer Sheets

I wish I could say your van will always smell wonderfully fresh but that just isn’t so! Australia is HOT. You will be sweaty from hiking, sandboarding, adventuring…whatever it is you’re doing! You will want to have an air freshener in the car or ideally, dryer sheets.

How To Use Dryer Sheets In the Van

1. Tuck them into your luggage when you have sweaty clothes between laundry.
2. Hold them up against the fan as you drive to help circulate fresh smelling air.
3. Tuck them in between the seats and bedding to help keep your bed smelling fresh. After all, you will be sleeping, eating and living out of this van.

More than once we came back to the van after a hike in the hot, humid rainforest only to find out wet towels and yesterdays hiking clothes had stunk up the van a bit. Fast drying towels and dryer sheets are the way to go!

Bug Spray
or this Mosquito Repeller

Australia is beautiful. But all these natural swimming holes, rainforest climates and humid weather means plenty of bugs. And even more mosquitoes. If you plan to go on adventures in the evening (like the turtles hatching in Mon Repo!) you’ll definitely want to spray yourself down to avoid getting covered in bites.

If you’d like to hang out at night with the hatch of your van open and picnic or have a few drinks, you might want to buy a mosquito repeller. This one repels mosquitoes and bugs for nearly 7 hours without having to spray yourself.

Dry Shampoo

Again, Australia is hot and humid. Plan to sweat. Pack a hat to cover greasy hair but plan on traveling with dry shampoo as well.

Trust me, you’ll be thankful when you look back on your travel photos from this trip.

Eye Mask & Ear Plugs

As soon as the sunrose, we were up. It was nearly impossible to sleep in because the vans let in so much natural light. For a shorter trip, we were happy to have nature’s alarm clock waking us up so early so we could arrive at destinations first.

But if you plan to travel long term in a van or aren’t an early riser, you might want the occasional sleep in past sunrise. In which case, you’d definitely need an eye mask.

Multiplug & Inverter

If you have multiple people in the van wanting to charge cell phones, laptops, camera batteries, GoPros etc… you will benefit greatly from having a multiplug charging device!

It depends on your van and whether you are parking at paid campsites with power but most vans won’t allow you to charge when the van is off. Therefore, you’ll need to charge all your devices at once when you’re driving.

LensPen

Get ready to use your camera at beautiful, sandy beaches or the dry, dusty outback. Either way, there is plenty of dirt and sand being kicked up onto your camera lens. I found it difficult to keep mine clean while traveling in a van so I purchased a LensPen afterwards.

Can’t recommend it enough! It will help keep your lens clean without scratching it during your trip.

LensPen

Keep your camera lens free from dirt, dust and sand while traveling!

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Canon 80D

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Hand Sanitizer

You will be feeding kangaroos, climbing through the rainforest, snorkeling in the ocean… so many wonderful activities that will leave your hands feeling less than clean. While the Jucy van we rented comes with a sink, we often found it much easier to just keep some hand sanitizer on us.

Let me know if you think I’ve missed anything on my packing list and enjoy Australia!

Van Life Australia- Don’t Forget To Pack:

1. A Quick Drying Towel
2. Dryer Sheets
3. Bug Spray or if you want an even better option, this Mosquito Repeller
4. Dry Shampoo
5. Eye Mask & Ear Plugs
6. Multiplug & Inverter
7. LensPen
8. Hand Sanitizer

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More on Australia? Keep reading:

• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY
• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES!
• 12 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR VISIT TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

SHOP MY SWIMSUIT:

The post Van Life in Australia: Don’t Forget To Pack These 8 Things! appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

From staggering waterfalls to snow-white beaches and completely unique wildlife, Australia is full of hidden gems. But as I reflect on my last month road tripping this beautiful country, there are a couple places I can’t seem to get off my mind. A place so perfect, that I will forever be traveling back there in my memories…

So I’ve put together a little list of my favorite special spots around Australia so you can be transported there as well. Whether or not you plan to visit in the future, here is just a small bit of the magic you can find in Australia.

Whitsunday Islands

Rumored to have some of the best beaches in the world, there was a lot of hype surrounding the beaches at Whitsunday Islands. Well I’m happy to report, this is one place that definitely lived up to the hype!

These 74 islands brimming with coral and marine life, are nestles between the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. These remote islands are mostly uninhabited but full of bizarrely white sand beaches that almost resemble snow! Not to mention, the islands are full of beautiful rainforest hikes.

Fraser Island

This secluded island is dream if you want to disconnect from city life. Remote and largely untouched, this is the largest sand island in the world. There are no actual roads on the island, making this place is as wild as it is beautiful. Rent a 4WD and buckle up! Because the only way to access much of the island is by off-roading. Talk about an adventure! This island is located off the eastern coast of Australia.

With limited data, grab a map and have fun navigating this island old school style. Fraser Island is also home to Lake McKenzie. A freshwater lake with water so clear, it looks like glass. And keep your eyes peeled for the wild dingo packs that call Fraser Island home!

Wallaman Falls

Found in the northern region of Queensland, this cascading waterfall drops a stunning 879 feet (268 meters) making it Australia’s tallest single drop waterfall. This waterfalls end in a 66ft (20 meter) deep pool far below.

Be sure to leave enough time to do the full hike to the bottom of the falls!

READ: CHASING WATERFALLS IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA- THE PERFECT 1 DAY ITINERARY

Mon Repos Beach

Did you know there are beaches in Australia you can witness tiny baby turtles hatching? Or mother turtles laying their eggs at night?

“For turtle conservation, Mon Repos is a globally-significant site that supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland; and the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. The success of the loggerhead nesting and hatching turtles at Mon Repos is critical for the survival of this endangered species. “

This protected beach provides guided tours from November to March for visitors to witness the turtles nesting or hatching.

Check out their site here. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough! After the mother had laid her clutch of eggs and slowly pushed herself back out to sea, the nest had to be dug up and the eggs moved. Assisting the researchers, we carefully carried the eggs to a new nest that wouldn’t be destroyed by high tide.

Read: HOW TO SEE TURTLES HATCH IN AUSTRALIA

Kangaroo Island

While the bushfires sadly burnt half of Kangaroo Island, the other half is still open for business and totally accessible. Not only is it open for tourism still, now is the perfect time to visit to help support the local businesses following the crisis!

• Grab a board and try sand boarding at the Little Sahara sand dunes
• Have a picnic on Vivonne Beach.
• Take a guided tour down to see the sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park.
• Rent ATVs and go cruise around the island.
• Have lunch at Emu Ridge.

Despite the fires there is not shortage of fantastic things to do on Kangaroo Island!

Noosa Heads Fairy Pool

Two idyllic rock pools secretly tucked into the coast of Noosa Heads National Park- what’s not to love? You can swim in the refreshing ocean water without being swept out to sea.

Bring your friends, bring your camera and enjoy these natural pools courtesy of Mother Nature!

Read: VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS

Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

When Americans think of Australia, often images of the infamous crocodile Dundee, Steve Irwin come to mind. But before he died, did you know he established a wildlife hospital?

Sharing land with the Australian Zoo, The Wildlife Warriors treat thousands of injured and sick animals from all over Australia. Steve’s legacy is continued on by his wife and children who are also active animal conservationists.

The Wildlife Warriors hospital is brilliantly designed to allow visitors to see what goes on each day behind the scenes. By placing the facility behind glass, you can actually see what your donations are funding, just how many animals are receiving care at any given moment and the dedicated workers responding to calls about injured wildlife and working around the clock to save their lives.

On the day we arrived, we witnessed several koalas getting treatment for burns they received in the bushfires that swept Australia. But it’s not uncommon to see a full-blown surgery happening right before your eyes.

It can be quite confronting. But by pulling back the curtain and allowing guests to witness the all too common injuries inflicted by humans, it can help raise awareness for conservation.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Great Ocean Road

The ultimate Australia road trip wouldn’t be complete without driving the famous Great Ocean Road! This stretch of highway along the south-eastern coast of Australia is iconic with it’s glorious ocean views and famous sites like the Twelve Apostles.

Definitely add this one to your road trip bucket list! And be sure to check out my complete 2 day itinerary.

Read: GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY

Shop My Australia Essentials:

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My favorite travel shoe!

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Wicker Bag

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Backless Maxi

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Teal Maxi Dress

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More on Australia? Keep reading:

• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY
• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES!
• VAN LIFE IN AUSTRALIA: DON’T FORGET TO PACK THESE 8 THINGS!

The post 8 Places in Australia That Left Me Speechless appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Welcome to Queensland, Australia!

This beautiful state is rich with swimming holes, waterfalls and naturally occurring rock slides for the more adventurous swimmer to slide down and cascade into the waters below! Pack your swimsuit (or if you’re from Australia, pack your “bathers”) and hop in the car. Let’s go chasing waterfalls in Queensland!

3 Easy To Access Waterfalls in 1 Day

There are 3 easy to find waterfalls you can visit in just one day of waterfall chasing around Queensland. You’ll need a car to access them but your drive time in total will be less than two hours between them. If you’re road tripping Australia, it’s the perfect way to get out of the car, take a quick dip & stretch your legs before you keep driving!

Crystal Creek —–> Jourama Falls —–> Wallaman Falls

1st: Crystal Creek

Crystal Creek is one of my favorite swimming holes in all of Australia! This natural pool is less than a 5 minute walk from the parking lot and very easy to find.

What makes this spot so fun, is the natural rock waterslide connecting the upper and lower pools. You might scratch up your legs a little bit but we had a blast riding the current down the rocks into the lower pool! Just be safe if the current is strong.

When we arrived, we had the entire place to ourselves. It might have been because we were there earlier in the day but it seemed like a lesser known gem than the Noosa Fairy Pools or Josephine Falls. It’s clearly marked with signs and simple to find. Have fun sliding down the natural waterslide!

2nd: Jourama Falls

This isn’t as dramatic of a waterfall but it’s an easy way to break up the day and have a midway swim before you reach the next set of waterfalls you’re chasing. It has scenic rock pools to swim in (pictured below!) and some walking trails you can hike.

It’s easy to reach from the parking lot and the waterfall is marked by signage.

3rd: Wallaman Falls

This is by far the best waterfall we saw in Queensland! It reminded me a lot of Yosemite Falls in California with its scaling granite cliffs and lengthy drop. Sadly, we didn’t leave enough time to do the full Wallaman Falls hike and regretted it. If you enjoy hiking, I would highly recommend allowing enough time (2-3 hours) to do it.

The falls are breathtaking and while the vantage point provides spectacular views, we would have loved to hike all the way down and stand beneath the waterfall. But if you can’t/don’t enjoy a long hike, it’s still definitely worth the drive up to see the falls. The drive up the mountain is pretty spectacular as well.

And keep your eyes peeled, it’s a prime area to see cassowaries, Australia’s massive bird that directly descends from the dinosaurs.

Bonus stop: Josephine Falls

Most likely, you will only have time to chase 3 waterfalls in one day. But located 3 hours up the road is the stunning Josephine Falls. I highly recommend stopping here the following day as you head towards Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef.

Josephine Falls has multiple cascading waterfalls that trail down a natural rock waterslide ending in a large swimming hole. This place was the most popular of the waterfalls we visited because it offered the largest swimming area.

Camper Van Road Trip

We drove from Brisbane to Cairns with our Jucy camper van so we were heading north but you could easily reverse the order and begin with Wallaman Falls if you’re heading south.

Tips for chasing waterfalls in Queensland:

• Don’t bring glass to any of the waterfalls, it’s prohibited because it’s easy to break on the rocks.
• Simply typing “waterfalls” into Google Maps while in Australia will produce a number of results, making them easy to find and very accessible.
• Never dive and jump into the pools. People have died at the majority of these sites as they are natural swimming pools and it can be difficult to see rocks on the bottom if the current is strong.
• Don’t assume you can always swim in the pools. Some of the falls will have a water level indicator that will tell you if it’s safe or not too swim. For instance at Josephine Falls, it the water gets too high- the current is very strong & it’s easy to be swept downstream. The day we went it was perfectly safe but be mindful before you jump in!

Enjoy your day chasing waterfalls in Queensland! If you used any of these tips, tag me in your stories on Instagram so I can reshare you!

SHOP MY SWIMSUIT:

More on Australia? Keep reading:

• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY
• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES!
• 12 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR VISIT TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

The post Chasing Waterfalls in Queensland, Australia- The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Great Ocean Road 2 Day Itinerary

Great Ocean Road 2 Day Itinerary

So you want to drive Australia’s famous, Great Ocean Road…

Excellent. You’re in for a real treat. This road certainly lives up to the hype as each twist and turn winds along the ocean for some truly magnificent views of the southern Australian coast line. Roll down the windows and turn up the music because it’s time to check this bucket list road trip off your list!

Where is Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 151 mile stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the small towns Torquay and Allansford. But many people start their road trip in Melbourne. We picked up a rental car at the Melbourne airport but this trip can be done in reverse as well of course!

Step-by-Step 2 Day Itinerary

We started out our day early from Melbourne with a rental car from Budget. Split between 3 people, it balanced out to be about $100 AUS per person for 3 days with the car. Just remember, in Australia they drive on the left hand side of the road! It can be a tricky adjustment to get used to, so drive carefully if you’re not from Australia!

Time to hit the road, it’s an hour and a half drive to the first stop.

Torquay

We stopped in this quaint little beach town to grab a coffee and hit up the Rip Curl Outlet. After eyeing some of their suits all over Australia, we were thrilled to find some for as cheap as $5 AUS. (Just $3 USD!) You won’t need too long at this little beach town- maybe coffee and a few shops. Then off to the next!

Optional: Take a surf class

Bells Beach

Great lookout points, tons of surfers and massive waves. Located just 9 minutes from the Torquay main strip. Bells Beach is considered one of Australia’s best surfing beaches. There are some short trails you can walk above the beach to soak in the views. But be sure to go down and dig your toes in the sand as well!

Split Point Lighthouse

Now you’ve got a 25 minute drive until you arrive at Split Point Lighthouse. If you’re Australian, you might recognize it from the TV show Round The Twist. This historic lighthouse started construction in 1819 because so many ships were crashing into the rocky coast line here.

This was one of my favorite lookout points on the drive.

It costs $10AUS to go to the top of the lighthouse.

There is some information inside and a guide at the top who can answer any of your historical questions! Yes, it’s a little expensive just to walk to the top. But the funds go to preserving this historic lighthouse so I was more than happy to pay for the great view from the top!

Great Ocean Road Sign

Surprisingly, this well know sign is pretty far into the drive. Less than 10 minutes after the Split Point Lighthouse, you will see the sign up ahead. There is a small parking area where you can pull over and park so you can get the iconic photo with the Great Ocean Road sign!

Various Lookouts along the way

As you drive you will pass a number of scenic lookouts. These are marked so it’s easy to pull over and enjoy! Take your time as the road winds along the ocean.

Lunch Stop: Lorne

Depending on how long you take on the various lookouts, you can plan to do lunch in Lorne, it’s only 20 minutes from the sign. (Ours was a late lunch but still the perfect lunch stop!)

There is only one main strip of restaurants, shops and pubs in town but still, some great dining options! We chose to eat at The Bottle of Milk and have some dessert at Lorne Ice Cream afterwards.

We loved eating our ice cream at the park right across the street because the wild cockatoos here are awfully friendly! These birds were eyeing our ice cream cones up and down, it was funny to see them action. After sitting for only a moment, we were quickly surrounded by these eager birds!

Erskine Falls

From downtown Lorne, you can drive to the parking lot of Erskine Falls. Just a quick 15 minute drive and easily located on Google Maps! It’s a very short walk to the first viewing platform. But be sure to take the steps down and see the falls from the lower platform. There are a fair bit of steps coming back up but great views below.

After our time at the falls, we stopped for some groceries for picnic that evening. Then we drove to our Airbnb.

Two options here. First option: Spend the night in Apollo Bay. Some choose to watch the sunset at the Twelve Apostles but that’s a lot of driving back and forth so I don’t necessarily recommend that!

2nd (and I think better!) option: Stay in this idyllic yurt located right on Great Ocean Road.

Or somewhere nearby Sugarloaf if it’s booked for your dates! They also have guest houses on the site if glamping isn’t your thing.

You’ll have a beach nearly to yourself at sunset and fall asleep listening to the waves crash. You can see the road winding past and the site has great common areas for the additional rooms onsite. It’s remote, charming and my favorite place we stayed in all of Australia. The sunset was absolutely magnificent. The bed was awfully comfortable as we drifted off to sleep under the twinkling fairy lights.

Get $55 off your first Airbnb stay!

If you go, tag me in the post or story so I can reshare your visit to my all -time favorite spot

Kennett River

If you have time to walk Kennett River the day before (after the Erskine Falls) feel free to do it then! Otherwise it’s just a short 10 minute drive back the way you came. That way, you can go to the Kafe Koala for breakfast after your night in the yurt. Park your car at the cafe then walk up the gravel path through the manna gum forest for the best place to spot wild koalas in Australia!

These little guys are everywhere. We saw 7 wild koalas in the short time we were there. You can also drive up the gravel road if you’re wanting to speed things along. But it’s easier to spot the koalas if you’re walking! You will most likely spot some King Parrots as well.

Apollo Bay

Time to hit the road and drive 30 minutes up Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay! Again, another small beach town. Here, there is just one strip of restaurants, shops, bars and souvenir stores. Walk on the beach, buy some souvenirs or grab lunch before you head on!

Enjoy cruising through the grassy hills of southern Australia as Great Ocean Road winds more inland.

Optional stop: Castle Cove Lookout 30 minutes from Apollo Bay

Twelve Apostles

Then you’re off to Great Ocean Road’s most famous attraction, the Twelve Apostles approximately 45 minutes away. This collection of limestone stacks are a part of Port Campbell National Park and a massive tourist draw. Some people opt for a one day drive of Great Ocean Road and only come here. And while this spot is lovely, it’s not the only one worth visiting!

Optional: Helicopter Ride

Loch Ard Gorge

One of my favorite spots on Great Ocean Road was actually Loch Ard Gorge, just 5 minutes away from the Twelve Apostles.

Walk along the scenic tracks above but make sure you head down the stairs to the beach! Because that is where this beautiful gorge is located, also a part of Port Campbell National Park.

Shop my look: I recommend this Australia slouch hat. Or this one!

From here, you can chose to drive back to Melbourne. Reversing the route will take you about 3 hours if you opt to take the A1 inland highway back.

Or if you have the time, stay one more night and drive back to Melbourne in the morning like we did!

We opted for an Airbnb near Yuulong!

This allows time for several other great sites in the area:
Cape Otway Lighthouse
Triplet Falls
Johanna beach

We opted for sunset at Johanna Beach and had the entire place to ourselves.

Glow Worms at Melba Gully

We specifically stayed near Yuulong so we could see the glow worms at night! Fortunately our Airbnb host took us and showed us exactly where to go and there were hundreds lining the path! It was magical.

If you want to go yourself, just park at Melba Gully. Then walk down the path and follow Madsens Track. Follow this along the boardwalk. Keep going until you find the big patches of moss. It’s about a 10 minute walk in the forest at night but the boardwalk is easy to follow, just make sure you have a light. Then when you arrive at the worms, just be sure to shine your torches away. Turn them off for the full effect and take in the sight. As our host said, “ it’s like the lights of a city, twinkling from a distance”.

This photo might not look like much but the reality behind this photo is quite astonishing. These small glowing lights are actually the thousands of glow worms living throughout Melba Gully. We clicked off our lights and stood before them in amazement.

The next morning we woke up and drove back to Melbourne. If you have time, stop at Cape Otway Lighthouse and Triplet Falls if you didn’t have time the day before.

Great Ocean Road 2 Day Itinerary

Did I miss anything on my 2 day itinerary? Let me know in the comments below!

And remember, always take the scenic route…

More on Australia? Keep reading:

• 8 PLACES IN AUSTRALIA THAT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS
• HOW TO SEE TURTLES HATCH IN AUSTRALIA
• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES!
• 12 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR VISIT TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Check out the tours available in Australia on TourRadar!

Great Ocean Road 2 Day Itinerary. Great Ocean Road 2 Day Itinerary

The post Great Ocean Road: Your Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Welcome to Cairns, Australia- home of the Great Barrier Reef!

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Northern Queensland on your trip to see the Great Barrier Reef, then let me recommend one of my favorite finds on Airbnb ever!

A chic Bali-inspired villa

From the moment you arrive and see the beautiful Indonesian style gates, this gorgeous property will have you feeling like you’ve landed in Bali. White washed woods, an open air villa with a luxurious swimming pool and chic decorations… this tropical paradise is the perfect place to relax on your travels.

Coco Villa With Award-Winning Pool and Spa in Whitfield

We managed to book this property during low season while it was discounted! Splitting the cost between the two of us, made for an extremely affordable night. But even at full price, this is a gorgeous place to stay! Just a short distance from Cairns, we felt transported to a tropical oasis.

Check out the property listing here on Airnnb!

“Ease away aches and pains in the magnesium pool and 4-sided spa. Chill out on the back deck, in outside lounges, and in the outdoor TV and games room with pool and darts. The interior blends Bohemian luxe with tropical and Balinese touches. Take a shower in our new outdoor bathroom. Our home has 2 bathrooms for our guest to enjoy.”

Relax in the outdoor tub or have a shower outside after your dip in the pool!

Get $55 off your first Airbnb stay!

A beautiful shared kitchen space

Get $55 off your first Airbnb stay!

Thank you to our amazing hosts, Lisa And Richie!

More on Australia: VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS & 12 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR VISIT TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

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G’day from Sydney, Australia! 

After spending the last 3 months leading road trips around the USA with Topdeck Travel, I was itching to go abroad again. I certainly was looking forward to exploring someplace new places myself. My first stop: Australia. 

As the pilot announced our descent on the plane, I felt the usual tingle of excitement that precedes an adventure. I was even more excited after coming off such a long stint in the States. (I realize 3 months by nearly anyone’s standards is not long… But I’m currently living this wonderfully, sporadic and crazy lifestyle! Living out of my suitcase allows me to travel as often and as freely as I’d like.) 

Australian Culture Vs. USA Culture

In the last two years, I’ve made many Australia friends through travel. (Always so many Aussies abroad!!) So I thought I knew pretty much everything about Australian culture already. Breakfast is called brekky. McDonalds is called Maccas. (Even officially on receipts there! I couldn’t believe it!) Vegemite goes best when paired lightly with butter. The beaches in Australia are far better than anywhere else.  And the Australians will be the first to tell you, the coffee in America is absolute crap compared to “down under.”

Right off the plane, I exchanged some cash at the airport and WOW. Feels great to be in a country where your dollar goes much further.  $500 USD cash roughly got me over $700 AUD. 

Another perk about Australian currency, it is easy to quickly use. It’s bright, easily distinguishable colors are quicker to spot when rifling through your wallet than the bland single colored, singled sized USD. 

Exploring Sydney

So I hopped on the train that took me into the city.  Slightly jet lagged and a little disoriented from the long flight, I eagerly peered out the window. There it was- the Sydney Opera House! I always feel a deep contentedness, topped with a rush excitement when I see an iconic traveler’s landmark for the first time.

I can’t help but smile, appreciating all the other travellers who have come and stood before an infamous site. My story now mixing with their own. Whether it’s the Pyramids of Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, the Venice canals or my newest sighting, the Opera House, a sense of wonder washes over me.

How fortunate I feel to stand here, where so many have before. I am now a tiny little piece of the collective story, whether it’s an ancient or more recent part of human history.

One of millions, who have taken a journey across the land or sea, in search of something- adventure, a change of routine or part of themselves and have arrived here. I hope they took a moment as well to pause, reflect and smile that while we might all have very different stories, we share this same brief moment of arriving at the end of journey. 

Wandering around Sydney, basking in the sun and having (several) cooling refreshments at the Opera Bar…what a great first day! And we captured some pictures that I think sum up the beauty of a city right on the coast with gardens in full bloom. 

From the Opera House, to the Royal Botanical Gardens and the cute cafes, here’s my day around Sydney in pictures!

More on Australia? Keep reading:

• VISITING THE MAGICAL NOOSA HEADS FAIRY POOLS
• WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES!
• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY

Shop my travel favorites:

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The post 12 Photos to Inspire Your Visit to Sydney, Australia appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Noosa Heads Fairy Pools

Visiting the magical Noosa Heads Fairy Pools

If you’re traveling on the eastern side of Australia, there is no shortage of swimming holes, rock pools and incredible waterfalls. Many are easily accessible and worth pulling over the car for a quick swim!

One of these great and easily accessible spots is located in Noosa Heads. Welcome to the fairy pools! Here you can peacefully float in the ocean’s water without being pulled out to sea by the current. Two idyllic pools are tucked into the rock formations, making it a great place to hang out with friends, picnic or swim.

Quick Tips For Your Trip

• Go early to avoid crowds and find parking
• Set your GPS to “Noosa National Car Park” for the shorter 30 min walk up
• Pack sunscreen- the UV rays here are no joke
• The hike is paved and rather easy but wear comfortable shoes
• Bring water
• Keep your eyes peeled on the walk, it’s likely you’ll see wild koalas and dolphins

Just 2 Hours Outside Brisbane

Easily accessible from Brisbane, this stop is definitely worth the trip! Noosa Heads is a charming town with great beach vibes- it reminded me a lot of Bali. It’s a great place to have brunch or get coffee before you drive to the National Park for the beach and fairy pools.

Hidden off the coast of Noosa National Park 

Hidden along the coast of Noosa National Park, the fairy pools are easy accessible. There is no charge for entrance into the park.

SET YOUR GPS TO “NOOSA NATIONAL CARPARK” FOR FREE PARKING & A 30 MIN WALK TO THE POOLS

However, this area is really popular and you’ll want to arrive early to grab a parking spot. We were there in the off season and still had to wait awhile for a parking space.

You can also walk from Noosa Main Beach which will take you 45 min to reach the fairy pools.

Easy, paved hike to the pools

The walk is fairly easy and paved until the turn off for the pools. However the turn isn’t marked. But you can spot people gathering around the pools just before the turn. Otherwise, you can follow along on Google Maps so you know you haven’t passed the pools.

Fortunately, large portions of the walk is shaded as it traces along the coast providing spectacular views of the ocean. But pack your sunscreen for the pools because there is no shade once you arrive!

Be on the lookout for koalas and dolphins!

As you walk to the pools, keep your eyes to the sky! Lots of koalas inhabit the trees above the walking path. And from the trails and the pools themselves, you can often see a pod of dolphins swimming past. It’s a very scenic walk!

Can you spot the little koala nestled in the tree branches?

Two Natural Tide Pools

There is one smaller, shallow one and a second larger, deeper pool nestled between the rocks.

In the morning the rock pools will be still and small from low tide. If you visit the evening, be prepared for larger waves crashing into the pools during high tide!

Enjoy your time at the pools!

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More on Australia: WHY I’M VISITING AUSTRALIA NOW- DESPITE THE BUSHFIRES! & 12 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR VISIT TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

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If you’ve been watching the news, scrolling social media or generally just existing in this world – I’m sure you’ve heard of the bush fires ravaging Australia at the moment. Australia is literally ON FIRE so we definitely shouldn’t travel there right now, right? Wrong.

Australia is massive country with large parts unaffected in the areas that are especially popular for travelers like Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

Keep in mind, Australia is roughly the size of the United States. So if there was an earthquake in Los Angeles would you cancel your trip to New York? Of course not. While a horrible percentage of wildlife, homes, lives and land have been destroyed by the fire- we can continue to support Australia by visiting.

While the fires have taken a horrible toll on this beautiful country, they have not destroyed the wonderful spirit of the Aussie people who are still very keen to show you how much the country still has to offer at the present moment despite the fires.

Only two days in the country and I have had countless people reach out- eager to show us their (still) beautiful country!

I repeat: Australia is not off limits.

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world and incredibly diverse. Despite the bushfires, there is so much to see and do.

Why you shouldn’t cancel a trip to Australia right now:

Sadly Australian tourism is suffering from a cascade of cancelled bookings resulting in incalculable amounts of tourism dollars lost. Dollars that can be used to be rebuild and continue to fund a country currently in need. Throughout history, tourism has played an important role in recovery when a country suffers at the hands of a natural disaster.

So can a travel blogger sharing pretty pictures actually be of any value to countries in need?

Yes. Absolutely. While there needs to be a focus on rebuilding in countries like Australia and the Bahamas, people looking to vacation or honeymoon have the spending power to bring that money back into the country’s economy.

People must still see that tourism is alive and well. That while a fire or hurricane is terrible ordeal, it’s not the end of the country as we know it. Only if we let it be.

How You Can Help

Of course, monetary donations are immensely helpful. (See next section!) But did you know reducing the amount of beef you eat can majorly reduce greenhouse gas emissions? While bushfires are an annual occurrence in Australia, the fires of 2019/2020 were made much worse by climate change. A meat heavy diet is unfortunately a massive contributor.

Sadly, the livestock sector — raising chickens, pig and cows — generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, trucks and automobiles COMBINED.

So eating less meat will help- what about flights?

I’ve committed to taking fewer flights this year by extending my travels. So instead of multiple short trips, I’ve chosen to spend longer amounts of time in each country. For the month I’m spending in Australia, we are renting a camper van and driving up the coast. More road trips and less flights!

Read: VAN LIFE IN AUSTRALIA: DON’T FORGET TO PACK THESE 8 THINGS!

Where I’ve Personally Donated

In addition to donating to the Australian Red Cross and local firefighting chapters, I chose to donate to a cause that was dear to my heart. Sadly, nearly half a BILLION animals have perished in the blaze of wildfires. Almost 1/3 of the koala population. In New South Whales alone, 8,000 koalas died in the fire.

All over Australia, wildlife hospitals or sanctuary exist. But during the bushfires, they have been receiving an overwhelming amount of furry patients so donations are critical to accommodate the influx of animals being treated. I selected the Koala + Wildlife Hospital in Adelaide to donate to because I really believe in their mission!

Adelaide Koala + Wildlife Hospital

You can even adopt a specific patient here.

My Visit To The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

On my second day in Australia, we visited the wildlife hospital founded by Steve and Terri Irwin in 2002 with a mission to involve people in the caring of injured, endangered, or threatened wildlife. With nearly 100 koalas in the hospital at one time, this facility is equipped to look after large numbers of animals.

From reptiles to birds and mammals, the Irwins and their team of vets look after every type of animal that comes through their doors. The hospital receives approximately 100 calls a day from people who have spotted an animal in distress and needing care.

Donate to the Wildlife Warriors here.

Safety: Track the bushfires with apps like Fires Near Me.

The fires have lessened thanks to some much needed rain. But you can still track any nearby fires on a variety of apps or websites like Fires Near Me.

So please, still consider booking a trip to Australia. And certainly don’t cancel your plans to come here! In fact, I’d encourage you to stay a little longer than you originally planned

Read: 8 PLACES IN AUSTRALIA THAT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS

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