Real freedom lies in wilderness

After I met my German friends, my time in Australia went really fast. 

We stayed in different camping areas on our way up to Cairns, encountered a lot of wildlife and simply had a great time. 

Once we spent the night on a street in the middle of an residential area, it is illegal in Australia, but we were exhausted and couldn't find any other place to stay.

Didn't get caught.

 We went hiking, got lost, but found some amazing rock jumping places in the middle of a jungle, we found secret caves where we swam. 

 

Saw marvellous waterfalls. So many I even got bored of waterfalls. 

Now I just wish I could go back. 

Millaamillaa fall

Ellinjaa falls

Millamillaa

Zillie fall

I took a trip to Fraser Island from Rainbow beach. There was a lot of wild dingos. 

I went to a 4WD tour and stayed the night. It was a nice camping area, and the people there were really nice. We had a good time at the campfire.
And we visited Lake McKenzie.

Indian Head

I also took a 2 days cruise to Whitehaven. 

One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And the food on the cruise was incredible.
We did snorkeling, supboarding and hiking. 

We also swam with stingrays.

 

After Whitheaven, I met my Germans again, and we travelled up to Townsville and took a ferry to Magnetic island.

We met a few wild koalas, climb to a mountain and watched the sunset.

We booked an Airbnb apartment, and our host was the best. She had brought us fresh fruits and water, and in the morning she brought us breakfast and coffee.

On Magnetic island we visited a koala sanctuary, were we held all kinds of animals.

When we got to Cairns, I started my own journey.

At least until I met another group of backpackers. I met these guys on Facebook. Jesse and his mate were Australians, looking for people to join their roadtrip to South. I joined the group, but I only stayed with them until I got to Byron Bay.

On the way, they thought me how to surf and we had amazing few days together. 

Before meeting these guys, in Cairns I went diving on the Great Barrier reef, and skydiving.

From Byron Bay I took a night bus to Sydney and spent there two days.

 

 

 

 

 

I had so much fun and I hope I get to visit Australia one more time. 

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment

Brisbane & East Coast

 After Melbourne, I flew to Brisbane about two hours and almost missed my flight. First I took the wrong tram, and I was running out of time. Usually I'm well prepared and have spare time at the airport but this time I apparently wasn't.

I spent a week in an apartment near the town looking for a job. Most backpackers get a job at a  farm to get the second year visa, but I didn't. I got a job for three days, giving samples of popsicles :)

Before I got the proper job in Kumbia,  I enjoyed my time in Brisbane.

I went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, hold a Koala and hugged a Kangaroo. Or a Wallaby. 
Can't really tell anymore.  

Eventually I got a job in a small town called Kumbia in Queensland.

I took a train from Brisbane to Caboolture (50min) and a bus from there to Kingaroy (2h). 

It was a small hotel, with only 6 rooms. 
I spent there two weeks working mostly during day time, doing loundry and cleaning. 
In the evenings I spent my time in the bar pouring beer for the locals. 

I had a day off, and one of the locals took me to Bunya Mountains to see a waterfall. 

Unfortunately it was almost dried out.

I truly loved every second spent in the nature of Australia.

Even thought I am more of a city girl. 

Story time:

Once upon a time, a family was driving home when all in sudden a wild kangaroo jumped and crashed their window. They went to check was the animal still alive, but sadly she had passed away. Still shocked, one of the kids noticed that its pouch was moving. 
They found a baby kangaroo and did not really know what to do with it. So they took him to the vet, and after that to their home and so it became a pet. 

And I was really lucky to feed this little baby and keep him company during the day time at the hotel.

We had old pillowcases, and she loved to sleep in them. She also loved to hang around the yard, and followed me wherever I went.

Things did not work out with the family, and I went back to Brisbane. I booked a hostel a little further away from the city for a week. 

It was Chill Backpackers hostel. 

After a few nights, I went to the next hostel for a drink, and I met a group of Germans. They had a camper van and a station wagon with a bed on the back. 

And room for one more lonely backpacker. So I packed by bag and joined the team for an adventure.