I suppressed my inner overachiever from planning Australian adventures that would last a month and narrowed the list to my top activities with 5 Days in Queensland:
Feel alive where coral thrive on a Great Barrier Reef Dive
A few days learning how to snorkel in Florida was practice for the Great Barrier Reef. Time to swim with the manta rays, maori wrasse, & giant clams!
The moment the Coral Sea swallows me and I am transported to this rich habitat off the shores of Queensland will be a moment of pure jubilation. An underwater kaleidoscope of vibrant fish and rich coral, the Great Barrier Reef serves as home to 1,500+ species. There’s no hesitation that I’d easily spend a day (or more) snorkeling below the surface marveling at this maritime universe designated as a World Heritage site and world wonder. Viewable from satellite, I’d dream to see our planet’s largest network of living organisms from above – perhaps parasailing like a pelican scouting for his meal? A Great Barrier Reef experience in the sea and in the sky.
Experience the aboriginal nation through my active participation
Equally as important as sightseeing is engaging oneself in a location’s history and culture. Sometimes this can be satisfied through museums, but in the case of Australia, I’d participate in an aboriginal cultural experience. At the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park I can play the didgeridoo, paint my face, throw a boomerang, and discover Australia’s indigenous roots. Tjapukai’s website even said, “Nganydjin-da Garran Ngundalna” (Come and visit us soon!). To which I respond, “I’m trying!”
Go off-track in the Outback (& try that good snack)
This is not the Outback. I’m overlooking meteor crater. But let’s pretend this is me in awe of the Australian Outback – and let’s make it happen!
The large, open, daunting outback – best spent cruising on a 4×4. A station stay is my accommodation of choice, where I can gather local tales & anecdotes. I won’t go hungry – I did my research and word on the web is that Birdsville Bakery crafts a curry camel pie that must embrace my tastebuds. After an active afternoon, I’d slow down to appreciate Queensland at dusk. Due to the outback’s sparse population, a dark sky offers the perfect stargazing situation to conclude the day.
Link up with a wildlife teacher to play with Queensland’s iconic creatures
Laugh with a kookaburra. Cuddle a koala. Hop with a kangaroo. Mingle with wombats. Australia is known for iconic animals. While it’s likely I won’t have time to meander through a wildlife reserve, I’d try my best to incorporate my animal meet & greets in my other Australian adventures.
*Bonus Activity* Attend the Problogger Conference! There’s a first time for everything! I’d consider attending this opportunity to take my travel writing dream to the “next level.”
Okay, so maybe I didn’t suppress my inner over-achiever. Even if I accomplished one of these items, my world would flip upside down. Or shall I say down under?
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The ever resourceful Johnny Jet is responsible for inspiring this post through his Blogger Contest in collaboration with Tourism & Events Queensland and Delta Vacations. Thanks, Mate!
