Australia

This blog post is currently titled 'Australia'. That's a bit vague. By the time you read, it'll be called something else. Something like "The Land of Oz: A Scottish Perspective". Except not that, because that's rubbish. 

I want to reflect on the time I've spent in Australia. I've been there twice, first in January 2023, and more recently in April 2024. I'll be there again in September 2024 to get married. To an...Australian.

Sydney Harbour Bridge - Panasonic GH4 - January 2023
The bridge at golden hour.

The Travel

I hate the travel. It's enough to people off ( I'm people, if not for my fiancé). The longest travel I endured was 46 hours. It's relentless. One of my top10 favourite things to do is lie down - this is a luxury to behold when flying long-haul. When entering any plane, you're paraded through the first class cabin, like in a game show where you're shown what you could have won.

My Partner, Jess, doesn't mind. She loves watching TV and films, and can easily sink hours watching tv on the plane. Me?  I'm pretty chaotic. I'm normally doing 5 things at once. I also find it hard to sit still for a long time (with current back complaints), so being cramped into an uncomfortable seat for 13 hours is hard going.

It's my dream to one day fly first class. To lie down on a plane has become one of my life goals. Some people say I should aim higher. I tell those people to shut up and lay out a blanket.

Frankfort Airport - Panasonic GX80 & Lumix14mm f/2.8 - April 2024
Stopover Hell

The place

It's like the UK, but hot and new. The first thing I noticed was the birds. They are so different from home, and absolutely everywhere. Even in the centre of Sydney, you'll see glorious and colourful winged friends a-plentiful .

Stone Henge,  Australia NSW - DJI Mini 2 - February 2023

Almost all the time I spent in Australia was in a region called New England, in New South Wales. It's an area I'd compare to the American Old West from movies (although my partner does not agree). Vast planes of pasture, small towns begging for a gunfight, prospecting, animal farming, cowboy hats, cowboy boots, country music... It's nothing like Neighbours or Home and Away.

Uralla, New South Wales - Panasonic GX80 & Lumix14mm f/2.8 - April 2024

Travel only a few hours towards the coast and everything changes. The pastures are swapped for lush green rainforest, and the number of people increase dramatically. Roughly 90% of Australians live within 50km of the coast.

The coast of Australia is paradise (so similar to Neighbours or Home and Away) - its no wonder most people live there. The weather is glorious and the beaches are incredible. The distinct lack of water pollution (in comparison to the UK), and warm waters means bathing in the sea, even near cities, is delightful.

Me and the Australian Coast. Panasonic GX80 & Lumix14mm f/2.8 - April 2024

The People

Everyone has a sense of humour and a friendly outlook. Perhaps its the weather? As a British person, meeting and talking to Australians is familiar. Conversation with Australians is easy and fun. 

With no class system (at least nothing similar to the UK), I observed more of a one-ness*. 

Perhaps this is the outlook of a visitor. The time ive spent in Australia has been while on vacation. Its another thing to live somewhere.

Spending time in my partners home town, Glen Innes, is nice. It's a small rural farming town, where everyone knows everyone. And their business. I find it quaint and friendly. 

* this is a caveat.  There are glaring omissions that I don't feel equipped to talk about.  

An Australian Wedding. OUTSIDE!
Panasonic GX80 & Lumix14mm f/2.8 - April 2024

The Food

Ah boy, the food is great. The Australian 'breakfast roll' might be my favourite thing to eat. The name sounds pretty innocuous, but its a delight to behold. 

With almost every climate imaginable (equitorial, tropical, sub-tropical, desert, grassland and temperate), delicious vegetables and fruit are abundant. Something us brits are often blissfully ignorant of, with our temperate climate, leeks, and potatos.

Most food has a strong Asian influence. Sushi is everywhere, and quite affordable. There are also many familiar UK staples such as pies and pastries, but not a Greggs in sight (unfortunalty) .

Also, for some reason the coffee tastes nicer. 

BBQ. Yes, Australians often have a BBQ. The sooner you move on and stop thinking its funny, the sooner people will stop giving looking at you strangly. 

Pretty much everyone has a BBQ similar to the one pictured below. Gas powered with large steel cooking plates. The BBQ is thought of as an outside cooker, and not as ceremonial as in the UK. It's not an event to cook on a BBQ. 

In summary

Nice place. Nice people. Nice food. Rubbish travel.

Listening to other people talk about their holidays is tedious and boring. If you made it this far, it's probably because you're me, rereading what I've written. And fair enough. 

Australia is the kind of place that's too vast to visit only once, and too far away to visit often. It's full of incredible things to see and do. If you're lucky enough to go there, undoubtedly you'll have enjoyed it. I'm incredibly grateful to have been, and incredible grateful to be going again.

Click here to subscribe