Meet Michelle! A former student at Lexis English Noosa who, after completing her studies, embarked on 8-weeks of solo travel in Australia. Michelle used the services at Dundee Adventure Tours to customize her dream itinerary.
Read about Michelle’s travels in her own words:
After finishing my studies at Lexis English School in Noosa I had 8 weeks of solo travel in Australia, in front of me. To travel all by myself, for that long, and in all new places scared me a bit. On the other hand, I was really really excited for this adventure to begin.
My first stop after leaving the Lexis Noosa campus behind was to head up to Airlie Beach. I stayed there for just one night before I embarked on a three day sailing trip through the Whitsundays. On this trip to the Whitsundays the weather conditions were not the best. We had lots of clouds, some rain and a bit of sun. However, the bright side was the wonderful people I met on my sailboat. If you are planning to solo travel in Australia, going on an overnight trip through the Whitsundays, is the way to go. The whole trip was definitely a great experience.
Pictured: Michelle’s 60 minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. This is a very popular and not-to-miss activity in the Whitsundays.
After a few nights in Airlie Beach I took the Greyhound bus and moved on up to Magnetic Island, a beautiful and small island! Unfortunately, I didn’t meet many people there who wanted to socialise, but I still had a great time. On the island I did some walks and saw a lot of wild wallabies and even one cute koala.
Pictured: A wild rock wallaby on Magnetic Island – a beautiful natural island off the coast of Queensland.
After Magnetic Island I spent one night in Townsville and then hopped on the Greyhound bus up to Cairns. In Cairns I did so much! I explored waterfalls and rainforests on a guided day tour, snorkelled in the Great Barrier Reef and went on a canyoning day trip. It was a lot of adrenaline packed fun.
Pictured: Michelle posing within a waterfall during her Canyoning in Cairns adventure tour booked through Dundee Adventure Travels. On this adventure she navigated through multiple rockslides, rock jumps, plunge pools, and abseiled down multiple waterfalls.
My next stop on my solo travel in Australia was somewhere completely different to the tropical coastline of the East Coast. Into the hot, red, dry desert I went in order to explore Uluru. I landed in Uluru and immediately departed on a three day tour to Alice Spring. On my journey I went to Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Kings Canyon. It was also so breathtaking. I would definitely recommend visiting the outback, and if you really want the full Aussie experience: sleep in a swag – a cross between a sleeping bag and a tent.
Pictured: Michelle posing in front of Uluru on her overnight Uluru outback tour.
Pictured: Michelle Hiking in King’s Canyon in the Northern Territory during her overnight Uluru tour.
After my time in the desert, the solo travel in Australia did not stop. My next tour began in Adelaide and went onto Melbourne. I visited Grampians National Park and the Great Ocean Road. Two stunning natural locations in Australia. One of my highlights of my whole travels was seeing the 12 Apostles. They were even more massive, and impressive in person. Melbourne itself was a beautiful city. There I took a rest from the guided tours and explored on my own. It’s not a true solo travel in Australia, without some good solo exploring.
Pictured: The 12 Apostilles rock formation on the Great Ocean Road. This can be visited as on a 1-day tour from Melbourne or on a muli-day tour which can include a visit to Grampians National Park and Adelaide.
After a few relaxing days in Melbourne, I left for the last area of Australia that I had yet to explore, Western Australia. In Western Australia, I enjoyed a 10 day tour from Adelaide to Perth. I had a really nice tour group which was helpful for the long drives along the Nullabour.
Pictured: The tour bus from Adelaide to Perth towing all the equipment needed for the journey.
We also passed along beautiful beaches. Sleeping in the swag tents became normal and I was even kind of sad, when it finished.
Pictured: Exquisite beaches along the coast from Adelaide to Perth.
Directly after arriving in Perth my seven days tour from Perth to Exmouth and return started. Along this route I visited the Pink lakes, the Pinnacles, and Ningaloo Reef.
Pictured: Michelle in Pinnacles National Park in WA during her solo travel in Australia adventure.
Pictured: A wild quokka, which can only be found on Rottnest Island, located off the coast of Perth, WA. Rottnest Island is an amazing place to visit for snorkeling, and seeing wild quokka.
If you have the chance to visit the West, do it! Especially Ningaloo Reef.
My last 10 days in Australia I spent in Sydney. The Harbour Bridge and the Opera house were absolutely breathtaking when I looked at them for the first time.The rest of the city was great to explore and the Blue Mountains did not disappoint.
Pictured: Michelle at the Sydney Opera House.
Overall, the whole trip was amazing. When I look back at my 8 weeks of solo travel in Australia I can not help but smile. I saw so much, met such great people, and definitely made memories that I will always cherish.
A big thank you to Dundee Adventure Travel for planning my trip. I had a great experience and an unforgettable time.
Inspired by Michelle’s story? Ready to embark on your own adventure through Australia? Don’t wait any longer! Start crafting a customized itinerary with Dundee Adventure Travels today.
Whether you’re seeking a surf adventure, outback exploration, or vibrant cities, we’re here to make your dream trip a reality.
Get in touch with the Dundee Adventure Travel agent on your Lexis campus to begin your journey and let the exploration begin!
