I’ve already covered the only five reasons to NOT visit Australia, because lets be honest, spiders and other nopes really don’t count. If you’re put off by them you’re just a massive wetter and you’d be turned away at customs anyway. So why don’t we take a look at the good stuff. The really good stuff, anyway. Like, legitimately. Here’s MY top 10 reasons you need to get your arse to the other side of the world.
Number 10: Cute baby animals
Keeping it simple; not everything in Australia is trying to kill you. Some of the animals there are actually really cute and worth the trip just to go and see them. Alongside joeys you have the cute ass echidnas, penguins, koalas and well.. most things. Do you really need any other reasons to visit Australia?
Number 9: Excellent ‘gourmet’ food
Granted, while the baby kangaroos are adorably cute and make you just want to cuddle up to them, the adults can be rather dangerous. Kangaroos are actually one of the deadliest animals in Australia, and the fact that they’re unique to Australia makes them a pretty good reason to visit; kangaroo steak is one of the tastiest, most nutritious meats.
Number 8: The deadly Australian animals
I mentioned that kangaroos are one of the most dangerous animals you can find in Australia. Alongside spiders, snakes, jellyfish.. the list goes on. Some of them are fascinating though, and when you’re not from down under, it can be really eye-opening to see some of these creatures in the wild. Or safely kept away from you by a wall, that works too. Seeing the wildlife down under was one of my top reasons for making the trip to Aus; the zoo just isn’t the same.
Number 7: The Great Ocean Road
The Aussies have the Great Ocean Road. It’s huge. It’ll take hours to drive along the winding coastal road. It’s one of the most scenic roads I’ve ever driven along. There are plenty of places to make pit stops; small townships, rivers, viewing sites, places to take photos. The Great Ocean Road is home to the Twelve Apostles, numerous bays, and WILD KOALAS. That’s a pretty unusual thing, even in Australia. You could easily spend an entire holiday exploring the road and its surroundings.
Number 6: Uluru/Ayers Rock
Excusing the terrible picture I took (and subsequently failed to edit properly). This massive rock is one of the main reasons that people choose to visit Australia. Uluru is hugely significant in both Australian and world heritage. It makes up a large part of the more widely known aboriginal culture, and when you’re in the middle of the outback and everywhere around you is completely flat, it stick out like a sore thumb. It kind of looks a bit like a thumb too. The Uluru base walk isn’t particularly long (10km) and isn’t much of a challenge, but if you get there in the morning and watch the sun rise over the rock, its a life experience you’ll never forget.
Number 5: Backpacking
Australia is a serious contender for the best backpacking destination in the world. Get yourself into the outback, and as long as you’re responsible and not setting up camp in a ridiculously dry, grassy area (or a forbidden area), you can get yourself a big fat manfire on the go. Everyone knows how much fun it can be chilling around the campfire with your friends, a few beers and some marshmallows on sticks. You can’t really get away with that in England, but it’s free game in Australia, and a ton of fun. Some of the hikes are jaw-dropping enough already, this just adds to the fun.
Number 4: Australian Architecture
Although initially deemed ugly and expected to flop, Sydney opera house has emerged as one of the worlds most recognisable buildings, and remains one of the most famous pieces of Australian architecture to date. It’s a must see for anyone really, but if you’re heading that way, you really shouldn’t miss out. Besides, you’ll also get to take a look at the Harbour Bridge, and explore what this amazing city has to offer.
Number 3: Aussie Sunsets
Granted, this is a bit of an odd one. For me, when I first got to Australia one of the obvious things was how different the sky looked. It sounds weird, but the clouds form differently to here in the UK. For some weird reason, there are a hell of a lot more vibrant sunsets in Australia (like this one in Darwin) for you to sit back and watch. Like this one at the Devils Marbles. They’re certainly worth pulling up a chair and enjoying. Don’t forget the equally important sunrises too!
Number 2: The Australian Beer
Ordering pots and schooners rather than pints takes a bit of getting used to, but after a day in the sun there’s nothing better than a cold, crisp beer to relax with. Even better if you’ve got it with a ‘roo steak. Some people can be pretty defensive about their beers, and the favoured beverage changes depending on the part of Australia you’re currently in. They’re all pretty good though, and they do their job perfectly.
Number 1: The Beaches
The beach, surfing, sun, sand. They’re all synonymous with Australia. The country boasts some of the best beaches in the world, including the Bay of Fires, which was crowned the world’s hottest destination by lonely planet in the not too distant past. If you’re in Sydney you have nearby access to the famous Bondai beach, or my personal favourite, Manly. Down near Melbourne you can head to St Kilda, or further along the coast to Torquay. The surf is great, the weather is great, the food and the beer is great. Looks like you’re all set for an amazing trip. You surely don’t need any more reason to visit than this.
Have I missed anything? (Most likely) Let me know. Add your own reasons to head down under in the comments section below.
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