Magnetic Island to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef)

Hey from Magnetic Island, Australia!

Let me preface by saying I'm writing this on a computer that I think is legit from 1990... with no spell check. So, I apologize for any errors and no picture.

Despite Aus creeping into the fall to winter seasons, you wouldn’t be able to tell here on the northern east coast. In the upper 20’s to 30’s C – 80’s to 90’s F – the island is sun-soaked and warm with still vibrantly colored lush tropical vegetation. Really, it’s like spring here year round. And having just spent -an absolutely incredible- month in New Zealand bundled up in most the north island (minus a few still warm gorgeous beach spots) and all of the south island (in the mountain and glacier towns, etc.), it’s nice to be bathing suit clad and toasting again.

I originally came up north to complete a two day scuba recertification course, followed by a road trip up to Cairns with friends for the Great Barrier Reef dive and snorkel. Unfortunately, I’m “sinus sick” which is the ultimate no-go in diving so I’m S.O.L for my full certification for now. But great news- most dive boats on the Great Barrier Reef, including the one friends and I are booked on, don’t require PADI scuba dive certification, offering instead a small dive tutorial the day of. So if I’m all clear in time for our dive/boat trip, I will still be able to dive and roam free in one of the world’s most prized national parks, the Great Barrier Reef. And even though I’m stuck on land on Magnetic Island- which, by the way, Magnetic Island is one of the top ten rated locations in the world to get PADI certified- definitely a bummer to miss- I still get to veg out on the beach and explore the tropical areas on the island filled with koalas, parrots, wombats and giant butterflies. Not too shabby!

Changing gears a bit, I want to give you another reason to work and travel Australia -one that I’m just becoming familiar with. While you’re down here working and saving, or working to make rent saving your savings, traveling Australia is just the tip of the opportunities in this part of the globe. Mixing Australia travel with trips to other nearby countries is easier, cheaper and more convenient than I would have thought. The Australian dollar is comparable to the US dollar, so you typically get a pretty good to great exchange rate with your earnings/savings, and travelling to surrounding countries is generally pretty affordable and a short plane ride away. Round trip flights to New Zealand, Fiji, Bali and even Hong Kong can be around $350, Thailand and Papa New Guinea are fairly reasonable as well. And because your Australian Work and Travel visa allows you to work and leave and re-enter Australia as you please, it’s pretty easy to globe trot a bit and come back and work when you run out of money : ) Some causal work positions across Australia even provide you with holiday pay, which means you can earn a set hourly rate while you’re traveling. My bartending job in Sydney did! So after/ in between your Australia experiences, hop on a plane for a few hours and go explore a neighboring country. Working and traveling Australia has about 20 million perks… the list just keeps getting bigger. So get out here!

I’ll fill you in on how the Great Barrier Reef is- I’m sure I’ll be reporting nothing short of an unbelievable experience.

Live Fully,
Jennifer C Campbell