Australia

By Sebastian LaTorre

Kangaroo Crossing Australia

Australia: Red Deserts, Wild Encounters and the Kindest People on Earth

Australia stays with you long after you leave it. I have been twice now and each visit has shown me different sides of the country. There is a rugged wildness to the landscapes, a surprising softness to the people and a sense of freedom that makes everything feel alive. From the bright pulse of Sydney to the endless Outback and the gentle wildlife of Victoria, Australia feels both familiar and entirely its own world.

My first trip was in December when I backpacked with my stepbrother Dylan. The second was a quieter experience visiting my friend Sophie in Victoria. Together they shaped a picture of a place that is adventurous, welcoming and full of moments that stay in your memory.

Sydney and the Start of the Journey

Sydney greeted us with cool rain even though we expected bright summer weather. We wandered the city with our cousins, visited the National Maritime Museum and came across an underwater photography exhibit that felt like the perfect beginning to a long adventure. Bondi Beach was cold that day but even without swimming we felt the energy of the coastline. Sydney has a modern and exciting feel and it is a city that pulls you in instantly.

Exploring the East Coast

From Sydney Dylan and I picked up a small Corolla and began driving north with no strict plan. We stopped in small towns whenever we felt like it and let the road decide our direction. One memorable stop was New Italy where we spent the night in a carpark and talked with the owners of a coffee shop and museum. They guided us to a massive red kangaroo resting in the shade and it was one of the coolest wildlife sightings of the trip.

Byron Bay quickly became one of our favorite places. We stayed at the Arts Factory Hostel where travelers from everywhere gathered to play music, chat and share stories. At night the streets filled with performers and the whole town felt creative and lively. Just outside of Byron we explored an alternative community where a friendly woman told us about the history of the area and its free spirited culture. It was one of those travel days that felt completely open and full of surprises.

Across the Outback

Eventually we decided to drive all the way to Uluru. This meant crossing New South Wales South Australia and Northern Territory in a burst of long hours and endless horizon lines. The heat reached forty six degrees and the sky stretched forever in every direction. It was beautiful and exhausting at the same time.

The hardest part of the drive was avoiding animals. We saw wallabies hogs emus cows and sheep. At one point a bird flew into our path and there was nothing we could do. Later I swerved around a huge eagle standing over roadkill. We made eye contact and he refused to move even an inch. The moment felt unreal.

When we finally reached Uluru it felt like arriving at the heart of Australia.

Uluru and the Power of the Desert

Seeing Uluru for the first time filled me with awe. The rock glowed with deep orange and red as the sun set and the entire landscape felt charged with energy. Walking around the base of Uluru over the next two days was one of the most meaningful outdoor experiences I have ever had.

At the sunset viewing area we met a spiritual woman and spent hours talking under a sky full of stars. The stars were so bright they looked like crystals scattered across the night. It was quiet peaceful and unforgettable.

The entire desert felt alive.

The morning we left Uluru we saw the same woman standing by the roadside holding a beautiful bird she found after it had been struck by a car. She said it was too beautiful to leave behind. It was one more reminder of how unique and personal travel moments can be.

Victoria and the Charm of Local Life

My second trip took me to Victoria to visit my friend Sophie. The pace was slower and more local. We explored Melbourne saw a Richmond Tigers footy match and spent evenings in Warragul talking with locals who welcomed me as if I had lived there for years.

Philip Island was the highlight. While walking down to the beach a small penguin walked out of the ocean and came right up to us. I did not have my camera but the moment was perfect without it. Later that day we saw two wild echidnas which are rare enough to make even one sighting special. Seeing two felt unreal.

Victoria reminded me of home in a way. Friendly people cozy towns rolling countryside and a peaceful feeling that settles into you.

penguin walking out of the ocean near the penguin parade

The Food the People and the Kindness of Everyday Moments

Australian food brought its own charm. Toast with butter vegemite and cheese chocolate hot cross buns fairy bread parmies and fish and chips on Philip Island. Simple meals that fit perfectly with the relaxed pace of the country.

The people made the biggest impact. Australians are friendly energetic funny and carefree. They do not take life too seriously and they know how to enjoy every moment. Their kindness and openness made each day feel full and meaningful.

What Australia Taught Me

Australia taught me to slow down. To appreciate the road the people the sky the quiet and the wild animals that cross your path without warning. It is a place that invites adventure without pressure and gives you moments that come naturally rather than ones you need to chase.

I plan to return and explore Cairns Queensland and Tasmania. There is so much more to see and I know the country will welcome me the same way it always has.

If you are thinking about going to Australia my advice is simple. Go. It is safe beautiful easy to travel and full of experiences that stay with you forever.