Travel Guide To Australia

I’ll always have a special spot in my heart for Australia — after all, I was born in Sydney! Growing up that was my favorite fun fact (+ let’s be honest… it still is). I just think it’s so rad that my parents moved to Australia in the late 80s — prior to travel blogs, google maps, + instagram influencers. It baffles my mind. Anyways, I have them to thank for my wanderlust heart + my dual citizenship.

Australia (specifically Sydney + Bryon Bay) is a place that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. It’s truly one of the most magical places in the world. While it’s totally fair to be intimidated by how long the flight is (if you live in the USA) — it’s worth it! We met a couple girls from California on our flight + they were just going to Sydney for a week. At first thought I was like “omg it takes a week to get accustomed to jet lag!” But then, I was super inspired. They reminded me that YES it is possible… even if you only have a week! At the bottom, I’ll share what I’d recommend for a 7 day Australia adventure.

Note: This is in no way a complete guide to Australia… lol. I hope to add to this, as I continue to explore my birth country! 🥰

3 Reaons Why You Should Travel To Australia:

#1] The people are so nice. Literally, everyone was so friendly. We also found that Australia was very international (especially Melbourne, Sydney, + Byron Bay).

#2] The coffee culture is outstanding. Best flat whites + long blacks ever! Also, “iced coffee” in Australia is cold coffee with ice cream. GET IT!

#3] The connection to the ocean is felt everywhere you go. Since most of the population lives on the coast, the water culture is so strong. Surfing, swimming, beach walks, paddling, + more… Aussies loves the water!

Sydney: Hundreds of beaches, big lush trees + parks, laidback lifestyle, incredible coffee scene, stunning coastal walks, + of course… the iconic Opera House. It really seems like there’s something for everyone in Sydney — whether you want to be immersed in city living or prefer beach vibes… you can find it here. One thing is for sure though wherever you go: water is a way of life here. I knew about the famous “Bondi Iceberg” pool… what I didn’t realize, is that almost every beach has a “rock pool” attached. It’s so. cool! 🤩

Must Eats + Things To Do In Sydney:

• Skittle lane — best coffee
• Surry Hills has the best date night restaurants (Jane + Chin Chin were our fav!)
• Gelato Messina — the BEST gelato… better than Italy. I said it!!
• EVERY SINGLE COASTAL WALK YOU CAN POSSIBLE DO! Manly to Split Bridge was my fav
• Swim in all the rock pools
• Rent a car + take a roadtrip to the Northern Beaches
• Wander the Royal Botanical Gardens + Hyde Park
• Take the ferry to Manly from the CBD
• Power Living — fav yoga studio
• Full Sydney Wellness Guide

Byron Bay: There’s something special about Byron Bay. Yes, it’s beautiful — lush tropical climate, the perfect rolling waves, long stretches of soft sand, yellow flowers everywhere, colorful birds singing, + the healthiest eats. But, the spirit of Byron Bay is what makes it so special. Byron Bay is full of surfers + seekers — people from all over the world (many of them in their 20s/30s in camper vans) searching for a free-spirited + meaningful way of life… lots of yoga, bodywork, reiki, + wellness programs can be found in Byron Bay!

Must Eats + Things To Do In Byron Bay:

• High Life — fav coffee shop
• The Byron Bay General Store — fav cafe (get a hat!)
• Get a coconut coffee at every cafe!
• Light Years — fav date night restaurant
• Take a surf lesson… literally the best, most gentle waves of my life at The Pass.
• Walk the Lighthouse Walk (then beach time at Wategoes Beach)
• Do as many yoga classes as you can at Bamboo Yoga School
• Go shopping! Since Byron Bay is small, it’s easy to find cool + fun stores (also check out the local markets in town)
• Explore the Hinterland
• Full Byron Bay Wellness Guide

Noosa: Noosa is pretty, yes, but it’s very much a resort town. We didn’t love the vibe (even though it’s gorgeous!). However, if you are a surfer — Noosa is probably on your bucket list of waves to ride in your life! If you are on a Queensland roadtrip, I recommend stopping in Noosa for Noosa National Park + Tea Tree Beach. They are worth it!

Must Eats + Things To Do In Noosa:

• Organika + Belmondos — It sounds silly, but the grocery stores are awesome. Grab takeaway items for the beach!
• Light Years — fav date night restaurant
• Hike Noosa National Park
• SURF! Noosa is known for having some of the best (+ longest) waves in the world.
• Tea Tree Beach — go for sunset, too!
• Day Trip To Noosa Guide

Torquay: Torquay is the home of Australian surfing! It’s the start of the Great Ocean Road + has such good energy. It’s small town vibes, but also very cool + screams surfing. Fun fact: Rip Curl + Quiksilver started in Torquay!

Must Eats + Things To Do In Torquay:

• The Pond — fav coffee + cafe
• Little Things Big Cafe — get the carrot cake muffin, you won’t regret it!
• Fishos — fav fish + chips in Australia!
• Go surfing!
• Visit Bell’s Beach — this is where the Rip Curl Pro is every year!
• Walk the Surf Coast Walk
• Explore Surf City Plaza
• Drive the Great Ocean Road
• Full Torquay Wellness Guide

The Great Ocean Road: The Great Ocean Road is Australia’s most famous road trip. From ocean views to rain forest walks, surf beaches, lots of farms, waterfalls, limestone cliffs… you’ll see a wide variety of nature on the Great Ocean Road! In the wild, we saw: koalas, kangaroos, wallabees, + even a snake (eeeek). We did a day trip (home based in Torquay), but a lot of people will rent camper vans + extended the road trip to 3–5 days.

Great Ocean Must Road Stops:

• Lorne — for more info (+ good stop for coffee/food if needed!)
• Twelve Apostles
• Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
• Gibson Steps
• Koalas in Kennet River
• Erskine Falls
• My Great Ocean Road Thoughts (at the bottom!)

Melbourne: One of the most multi-cultural cities I’ve ever been to… it was easy to forget we were in Australia! Cozy cafes everywhere, SO many parks European architecture, fine-dining restaurants, street art, laneways, + even a little bit of beach. Melbourne’s weather constantly changes + can be quite gloomy + cold, so bring your layers + umbrella (many locals told us how much they hated the weather, despite loving the city).

Must Eats + Things To Do In Melbourne:

• How can I pick just one coffee shop!? You can’t make me! Literally every coffee we had was so good… you can’t go wrong.
• Sezar — fav date night restaurant
• Farmer’s Daughter — fav fancy restaurant (check out their rooftop bar, too)
• Royal Botanical Garden
• Walk the Yarra River Path
• Federation Square + Flinders Street Station
• Queen Victoria Market
• Beach at St. Kilda… go for sunset to see the wild penguins!
• Full Guide To Melbourne

Australia Q+A:

#1] When to visit? Australia’s summer (December-February). However, we were there March-April + it was great. Torquay + Melbourne were the only spots that were more chilly.

#2] How long to visit? Ideally, 2–3. Particularly because of jet lag + it being such a long flight.

#3] If I only had a week in Australia — what should I prioritize? Sydney + Byron Bay! I’d do 3-4 days in Sydney + 2 days in Byron Bay. Stay in Surry Hills in Sydney, so that you are more centrally located — but definitely take a day trip to Manly Beach via the ferry.

#4] Any foods I need to try? COFFEE (lol). Vegemite! Toasties. Fish + Chips. I actually tried shark for the first time in Australia… at Fishos in Torquay, it was so good! All the fruit. Kingfish ceviche.

If you go to Australia, let me know!

Love,
Elisabeth