Australia
In Australia every horizon is a new adventure, every sunrise a promise of wonder.
Australia is a land of extremes. From vibrant cities to vast outback, from pearl-white beaches to colourful coral reefs. Here you will find nature that leaves you speechless, animals you only encounter here, and a culture that is diverse, welcoming and adventurous.
It’s a place where you open your heart to new experiences — whether you’re hiking through the misty Blue Mountains, tracking wild koalas, getting your dive certificate at the Great Barrier Reef, or enjoying sunsets that set the sky on fire. Australia challenges you, amazes you, and causes you to think over and over: how can such a place really exist?
In this adventure, Denise takes you along iconic cities, tropical parks, paradisiacal beaches and breathtaking natural wonders. From Sydney to Cairns, from Darwin to the Whitsundays: each region tells its own story and lets you experience something unique.
When you see the Opera House, you know: I’m in f**ing Australia. And then those iconic Harbour Bridge, the rainbow crosswalks on Oxford Street, and the magical sunrise you catch anyway thanks to your jet lag – Sydney grabs you instantly.
We flew there for New Year’s Eve, to experience the world-famous fireworks show. That meant: 12 hours sitting in a park, picnic blanket in tow, groceries bought in advance. Slowly it filled up with thousands of people, food trucks, stalls, a relaxed vibe everywhere. No mess, no hassle, just waiting together for the new year. And then, at the stroke of midnight: BOOM – an explosion of color and light. Fireworks we all know, but this… this was magical.
Where better to start a new year than on Bondi Beach? With a Dutch organization (yes, complete with Unox beanies!) we plunged into the water together with hundreds of fellow Dutchies. A lot more pleasant than the ice-cold North Sea, if you ask me. Afterwards we treated ourselves to sushi by the piece (!) at the local Sushi Hub – super fresh and just perfect.
Tip: walk the coastal track from Bondi to Coogee. Stunning views and a wonderful hike.
Just an hour’s drive away (driving on the left takes some getting used to – yes, including the windshield wiper mishaps) you’ll find the Blue Mountains. With the famous Three Sisters as the highlight. Breathtaking views, trails to lose yourself in, and that silence of nature. Here you truly feel why Australia attracts so many travelers.
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domestic flight to Darwin – the distances are simply too vast to drive yourself. Here everything feels slower, more tropical. Shopping streets? Forget it. Air-conditioned malls? Yes please. Outside it’s just way too hot. But at sunset we headed out anyway.
And wow… that sky! Pink, orange, purple – without any filter, the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Welcome to Darwin. Oh, and also: welcome to the warning signs about crocodiles in the sea. Australia never stops surprising you.
In the parks we spotted sulphur-crested cockatoos, iguanas and – there it was – my very first kangaroo. Alive and hopping, so typically Aussie. Public swimming pools, picnic spots and BBQs that everyone leaves spotless: this is Australia at its best.
In the north, you drive from one natural wonder to the next.
- Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park): a boat tour through the canyon, towering cliffs and yes, a crocodile in the water!
- Mataranka: swim in crystal-blue water right in the middle of nature – don’t forget your swim gear.
- Litchfield: waterfalls like Florence Falls, cooling off in the Buley Rockhole, and those bizarre termite mounds that are already a hundred years old.
- Kakadu National Park: endless emptiness, Aboriginal rock art, and impressive floodways (rivers that turn into roads). Not everything was open due to the heat, but the feeling of standing here in the pure outback is one you’ll never forget.
With the next flight we landed in Townsville, rented a car and drove to Airlie Beach. From here we set off for the Whitsundays – and believe me: the whitest sand beach ever. Blue water, sandbanks that look like paintings, and snorkeling as if you’re in a dream. Paradise, mate!
Airlie itself has a lovely town beach and plenty of spots to enjoy a good meal in the evening.
A short boat ride brings you to Magnetic Island, known for its hidden bays and wild koalas. And yes – there they were, high up in the eucalyptus trees, as if they knew we had come to spot them. A magical moment.
And then: the highlight of the trip. From Cairns, we booked a tour to the Great Barrier Reef – the very reason I got my diving certification. But first: a scenic flight. In a small propeller plane, we saw the reef from above: blue, green, endlessly beautiful. No filter needed, words not enough.
The next day, I finally went into the water. At 16 meters deep, I swam among colorful coral and rainbow fish. And then: Nemo himself! A moment of pure joy I’ll never forget. Moments later, the guide pointed down… a shark, just four meters away. Adrenaline through the roof, but what an experience.
Australia has it all: nature, wildlife, diversity, respect for the environment. A country where you immediately feel at home, where the vibe just clicks. Of course, there are still challenges in relations with the Aboriginal communities, but for me, there’s only one thing to say:
Aussie, you’re Great.