In October, I packed up my life and made the move to Australia.
If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably noticed the blog went a little quiet. Not because I stopped travelling or writing, but because life down under happened fast. New cities, new friends, new routines, long drives, job applications, beach days that turned into weeks, and that feeling of constantly being in motion. I wanted to give myself time to actually live it before trying to put it into words.
Now that I’m starting to feel settle, currently soaking up sunshine on the Sunshine Coast it feels like the right time to hit pause, reflect, and properly share what this chapter has looked like so far.
Australia wasn’t just a quick trip for me. It was a move. A leap. A “let’s see what happens” kind of decision. I arrived on a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), with an overpacked broken suitcase (a story for another time), a loose plan with friends, and a whole lot of excitement mixed with nerves. Since then, I’ve learned even more about visas, job hunting, housing, transport, budgeting, and how quickly strangers can become friends when you’re all a little far from home and how important friendships are to create community.
I started this journey in Melbourne, a city I instantly loved for its creativity, food scene, and slightly chaotic charm. From there, we got a car (very, very interesting process) and made our way up the coast, chasing warmer weather and saying yes to places I’d never heard of before. Passed through Eden, explored Beowa National Park, and stood on the sand at Pinnacles Beach wondering how this was real life. We spent time in Narooma, watched the waves crash near the Kiama Blowhole ( a bit anticlimactic, but cool to see), and drove across the Sea Cliff Bridge with the windows down and music too loud.
Sydney was next; a mix of iconic and unexpected. Wandered around Newtown, went to comedy shows, stood in front of the Opera House like a wide-eyed tourist (because honestly, how could you not?), went from Bondi to Coogee, and spent a day at Taronga Zoo with views that felt unreal. From there, I continued north through Newcastle, stopped at Crowdy Head Lighthouse, and made my way to Coffs Harbour (yes, I saw the Big Banana, it had to be done).
Then came Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, and Brisbane, each with their own energy, pace, and personality. Eventually, I landed on the Sunshine Coast, where things finally started to slow down in the best way. Days now include beach swims, work shifts, sunset walks, and that quiet realization that this place feels like home, or at least is starting to.
Along the way, I’ve had highs that felt euphoric and lows that felt heavy. There were moments of total freedom and moments of doubt. Times when everything clicked, and times when I questioned why I left comfort behind. That’s something I want to be honest about here, because travel isn’t just highlight reels and sunsets, even in places as beautiful as this.
Going forward, I want this blog to be a space where I share it all: the practical stuff (visas, jobs, housing, transport, getting a car), the fun stuff (food to eat, drinks to share with friends, places to stay, beaches to swim at), and the real stuff (what it’s actually like to build a life somewhere new).
I’ll be breaking down my experience on the 417 Working Holiday Visa, what job hunting really looked like, how I navigated accommodation, and what I wish I’d known before arriving. I’ll also be sharing my favourite spots; from Noosa and Rainbow Beach to Maroochydore, Tin Can Bay, Gympie, and everywhere in between.
If you’re dreaming about Australia, planning a similar move, or just curious about what life looks like on the other side of the world, I hope you’ll stick around. There’s so much more to come!
Halfway to Somewhere 