Driving Adventure in the Outback of Australia

The open road FINALLY beckons, and we are able to answer. After months of working endlessly at Future Farms, we come at last to the adventure part of our trip to Australia. Leaving the crew in Sydney behind, we hit the open road, having just decided the night before that we would head to the Gold Coast and Surfers paradise, namely craving the beach and supposedly warmer weather....

 We arrive at our first stop in Newcastle and get to sleep in our first Hostel! It was actually a really cool place, right on the edge of the most beautiful beach I have ever seen at sunset. The place itself was a huge Manson pretending to be a run down apartment. A grand staircase that led up to the boys wing and the girls wing. We were lucky enough to get the last double room to ourselves. It is totally an experience all should try once in your life! We plan on doing most of our travels via hostels from now on.. At least in Europe and such, so much more authentic!

We took a detour on the Tourist Road 8. It will live forever in our hearts, for giving us a real feel for the beauty of Australia. this little road lead us up a mountain on a one way dirt road, with the cliff on our right, full of the rain forest! It was completely breathtaking I cant even explain to you! So, here we are climbing this mountain in our little rental car, praying that it wont lead us over a cliff or something. Finally we reach the top and a sign points us to the southern hemisphere's second largest waterfall!! WHAT!! Quickly pulling into the trees and wind our way to the waterfall. The first thing I was hit by was the noise of the forest. The bugs were so very loud and the pressure of humidity wrapping me up. It was so very beautiful, green, and huge! The trees were so different and tall, like nothing we had ever seen before. The Ellenborough Falls were fantastic!! We thought about taking the 2 miles of stairs down to see the base of the falls, but decided against it, we still had a TON of driving to do. It was easily the most beautiful drive through the wilderness of Australia, or anywhere, I have ever seen! 

Arriving in Queensland, about 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise and the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. Our dear friend Sean lent us his house for 4 full days... The day before we arrived at his house we took the time to walk on the beach and enjoy the semi sunny day. So, naturally, we were planning on driving back to the beach after we enjoyed some much needed rest at Sean's house. Needless to say those plans were quickly shattered with rain falling the next 3 days, thus wiping out our dreams of fun in the sun. Those 3 restful days were well worth it though, I got to have some quality time with my honey! 

After around 8 days of almost constant driving we arrive back in Sydney. Having driven up the coast nearly 28ish hours there and back we have discovered an adventure we will never forget. Mountain roads, cows, beautiful waterfalls, crazy hick locals, scary cliff faces, dead ends, long scenic detours, millions of roundabouts, rain, rain, and more rain, sand filled sandals, hours of conversation, sleeping in the car, awe struck amazement at surrounding rain forests,  mist covered villages, flooded roads, rolling hills and wild blue yonder, white sandy beaches, crystal blue oceans, dog park beaches, attempting to snorkel in ice cold ocean water, sleeping in a bed, not having money for anything but MaC ers, laughing til we cry, running into masses of schoolies, thinking we were lost for half of the trip, finding out we're not lost, taking our rental where no rental had gone before, talking to Aussies in their native tongue, finding hotels in the middle of no where, staying in hostels, kissing on the beach, fighting over directions, making up, and falling in love all over again.

Thank you my love, for an amazing adventure and lifelong dream come true! How we were able to travel half way across the world and live in Australia for 5 months I will never know. We worked ourselves to death living there and played harder. I cant tell you how much I love that you helped me make my dream come true! How many husbands would make something like this work? Since the moment I got that job offer we worked, scrapped, saved, and made our trip to Australia, so I could work with horses, work! It wasnt easy but it was so worth it and now we can say we have lived in Australia, loving every second of it! How many people can say that? I can say that you truly are the most amazing man and husband. I appreciate all you did to keep us on a budget so we could travel after months of hard work. You are the genius behind my crazy ideas and make a miracle out of loving me. Those months were the happiest of my life and I am so very grateful for spending that time with my soulmate! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for being there for me, pushing me to be my best and loving me in my failures. This trip would have never been without your mind boggling skills and loving determination. I love you Jess Reagan, and will always look on our worldwide adventure with love and thanksgiving!