Finally my dream international trip will happen; time to visit Australia and New Zealand! This past year I have been readying myself for this adventure, but my interest in Australia actually began when I read a book in the mid 1980’s. It was Robyn Davidson’s travel memoir: Tracks: One Woman’s Journey of 1,700 Miles Across the Australian Outback. The landscape, especially Ulura, was what I wanted to see someday. As a backpacker at that time, I wanted to see that land.
Now I will have my opportunity to be in Australia, and while in that part of the world, why not visit New Zealand too. I hope in my future blog posts to share my experiences, places worth visiting and foods to try in each country. All I know right now, any trip where Australians had been on an European tour I had been on, I loved the joy and happiness they brought to the day. It’ll be fun to see them in their homeland.
I love tasting foods unique to a particular country; there will be plenty to try in Australia and New Zealand. I’ll be looking forward to some Australian sweet treats: TimTam – a chocolate biscuit, Lamingtons – a sponge cake covered with chocolate or raspberry, then covered with coconut, and Golden Gaytime – toffee and vanilla ice cream, dipped in chocolate covered in biscuit pieces. While shopping in New Zealand, I hope to buy Whittaker’s chocolate. Of course, the dessert to try in each country, Pavlova – a meringue cake with whipped cream and fruit and to wonder was it invented in Australia or New Zealand?
Will I brave tasting Vegemite in Australia or Marmite in New Zealand? I’ll keep you posted. Or how about a Witchetty grub? Apparently Aboriginal Australians have eaten these grubs for years. And why not, as they supposedly taste like chicken with as much protein as steak!
There is no doubt in my mind I will love seeing the landscape in both countries, despite more people telling me New Zealand is simply beautiful! Time will tell and I’ll post photographs for us all to see the beauty in both countries. Will look for a Tasmanian devil, a wombat, emu and kangaroos. May even taste the lean, red meat of kangaroo or barramundi, the Aboriginal name for sea bass in Australia. Rarely am I hesitant in trying something new when I travel. It’s part of the joy of travel along with learning a country’s history, such as Māori culture in New Zealand, and finally seeing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand’s Milford Sound!
I am so excited to get on with this trip. Cheers! Will I see any of these birds during my travel? You know I’ll be looking …
God luck Mary, and nice sketches!
Thanks. Hope for time during this travel to sketch. Will see.
ENJOY!!!!!! Safe travels. I’m looking forward to reading of your adventures
I wish already that Tasmania was closer to the USA!
So awesome and beautiful work!
Thanks for the kind words❤️
I am excited to travel along. Reliving my educational tour of 1989. I did not get to the Great Barrier Reef. Can you escape to Tasmania? If not, darn, a return trip will be a necessity. NZ has many beers they do not export. Try a few. Have the best time ever!
Great Barrier Reef is on our itinerary and loved Tasmania! Will look forward to beer tasting in NZ!
Hi there! I am from Western Australia (WA) myself. I really enjoyed reading your post and hearing how excited you are to experience all that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. I thought I would share a recommendation for if you are visiting WA and want to explore the landscapes as mentioned in your post. WA has some beautiful Tiny Cabin accommodation options which are all isolated and secluded with amazing views of landscapes. Depending on where you choose to stay (if you do), there will be the opportunity to partake in birdwatching and general wildlife observation which you mentioned you were interested in doing! I have stayed with the companies Heyscape cabins and Hiddencabins and my experiences with them have been amazing! They provide an awesome way to see parts of WA which you otherwise may not have seen. After reading your post I did some research and found that the South West of WA is home to a wide range of birds (read more here https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/blogs/katherine-veness/birds-under-threat-our-south-west). Although I do not know your trip itinerary, I wanted to share this recommendation with you as someone who also loves the landscapes of Western Australia. I hope this comment finds you well and that your travels are safe and enjoyable!
Kate, Thank you for the recommendation. Since this is my first time to Australia and NZ, I am with a tour group to scope out what I can and take notes on what to see whenever I might return. As you know Australia is a large country, and just as the USA I have been traveling decades across my country. I will add your info to my notes! Greatly appreciated!
nice post. Good luck, Righteffort