Where it all began...
- Katie Mather
- Oct 16, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 24, 2022
My solo adventure to Australia began when I was just 19, back in 2015.
My first destination in the land down under was Darwin, where I stayed for a month. Darwin is right up at the top in the Northern Territory, and I chose to travel here first as I was coming in Australian winter time, so I wanted the best weather possible, and it certainly did me well!

I saw crocodiles in the wild, sneakily winding their way along billabongs, and some just basking in the scorching sun. I visited some beautiful national parks such as Kakadu (which is bigger than the whole of Wales!) and Litchfield.

They were a real life tropical paradise. I swam in sparkling, picturesque waterfalls, bathed in natural, fresh pools of water and hiked to what felt like the top of the world. But the views once I reached the top where 100% worth it!
Up in the Northern Territory it was easy to just sit back, relax and take full advantage of the gorgeous, consistently perfect weather. I took time to explore some of Darwin's stunning beaches and I visited the local Mindil Beach sunset markets, where I ate to my heart's content. (Come on, who wouldn't right?)
Here's just a little snapshot of my time in Darwin...


My next stop was Cairns, and here I had a fun-filled, adrenaline-fuelled first few weeks.
I scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, skydived out of a plane 15,000 feet in the air (yes I think I'm crazy too), swung the Mingin Jungle Swing and went on the Uncle Brian's Tablelands Tour to the stunning waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands, (which I would highly recommend!)
I then did a road trip up to the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas, where myself and a few others camped for a few nights and saw the incredible nature of where the world heritage rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
We were also lucky enough to see cassowary's in the wild!


After all this excitement, a whole lot of crazy activities and a considerable amount of partying, I then decided to work so I became an au pair for an Australian family in Bunnan. This is about 270km North West of Sydney, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales.
This was a great experience and whilst living with this family I was fortunate enough to go hiking in the Blue Mountains and explored the Jenolan Caves during a mini break away, and what a sight to see!
I absolutely loved my first year in Australia, so was completely over the moon when my second year visa got granted, allowing me to venture back to this awesome country to start new adventures and create new lifelong memories.
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