When I was young, I told myself I would never visit Australia until I was old. It would be that place to visit when my rambling days were over and I could be happy with the comforts of home and a place where everyone spoke English. Then, before I knew it, I had grown old and it was time to go.
I was 42 years old, and I felt my years. Australia’s hot climate made the perfect contrast to home of Alaska, particularly after a long Alaska winter. So, I bought my round-trip ticket and flew halfway across the world in March 2007 to Sydney. I only had 10 days, so I had to make them count. For this trip, I planned to hug the coastline and enjoy the ocean, and of course try and surf.
My trip began in Sydney and followed the coast north to Byron Bay and ultimately to Brisbane. I mostly stayed in small rental bungalows at campgrounds by the beautiful beaches. I had many beaches to myself on some stretches of New South Wales. I loved those small campgrounds and their tiny cabins. They had all I needed. One night I camped at a Myall Lakes National Park, and a rabid dingo was growling like a Kujo outside of my flimsy tent flap. I didn’t sleep much.
I spent about half of my trip at Byron Bay, a popular tourist spot and the easternmost point on the continent. I took a surf class and then rented a board, but conditions were bad and had not yet mastered the art. I never caught a good wave and fried my lips in the afternoon sun. I also found the midday heat almost unbearable, even having grown up in the swelter of St. Louis, one of the hottest and most humid places in North America.
I enjoyed the small corner I explored, but knew I had only scratched the surface. I never got to know anyone there during my stay. The Australians I had befriended over the decades were travelers I had met throughout the world, from Nepal to Bali to Italy, or expats settled in my country.
Keywords: Australia, Australia Photos, Australia Pictures, New South Wales, Byron Bay, Australian Coast, Australia Tourism, Koala, Sydney Harbor