What Inspired Me to Take This Trip to Queensland From New Zealand

I grew up traveling, so when I moved here, I knew that there were a lot of places I wanted to see and things I wanted to do. I always knew I wanted to move to Queensland because of the beaches, the temperatures, and because it’s an affordable place to live compared to the other big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Living in Queensland is such a blessing because it’s warm all year round and there is so much to do.

How I Balance Travel and Work

My daily life consists of me working from home as a digital content writer for a marketing agency balanced with my freelance work AND my blogging work. I would say I have excellent time management, so I can get all the work I need to get done, done during the day so I can relax in the evenings. My work knows that I love to travel, so I do it as much as I can. We usually go somewhere different every weekend, even if it’s just a day trip. But for week-long trips, I typically take about four of those per year. 

My Take On Campervan vs Greyhound Bus

I would say campervan because you have the freedom to go where you want with no restrictions. Traveling on a Greyhound bus has its limitations because you aren’t the only passenger on there. Traveling throughout Queensland in a campervan is the most popular way to explore the state because you can do it in your own time, you can stop where ever you want for however long you want, and it allows you to discover new places you might not have seen had you chosen to go on a Greyhound bus. 

How I Pack For My Trips

For a week-long trip, my essentials include my Canon EOS M50 camera, my DJI Mini 2 drone, my phone (of course), my Apple MacBook Air (to edit my photos), as well as all my beach essentials (we mainly go to tropical destinations), and the basics such as clothes, toiletries, etc. 

Queensland Is One of the More Affordable States to Work and Travel in 

Queensland is definitely one of the more affordable states to work and travel in. New South Wales and Victoria are home to Sydney and Melbourne, some of the country’s most expensive cities. Queensland has Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Cairns, all of which are affordable places to live and travel. Also, petrol is cheap here, so it makes it affordable to go on road trips! Flight prices are also very affordable within the state. You can get a one-way ticket for as little as $40!

How I Met Other Travelers 

Since we have lived here for two years, we have met many local Queenslanders with whom we have become friends. While traveling throughout the state, we have also met travelers from all over the world. 

While we were in Cairns on a Great Barrier Reef tour, we met a couple from Spain who had been living in their van for a year traveling throughout Queensland, which was so cool to see!

All of the Food in Queensland Is Amazing!

All of the food in Queensland is amazing because it’s so diverse! No matter what type of cuisine you like, you’re bound to find it here!

My Favorite Memory

My favorite memory so far would have to be my birthday trip to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays for my birthday. We spent a week at a fantastic hotel, The Coral Sea Resort, in Airlie Beach. We also went on a day trip to Whitehaven Beach, one of Australia’s beaches with the whitest sand and clearest water. It was truly an amazing experience!

How I Manage Costs 

It’s easy to save money in Queensland, especially if you have a full-time job. Living costs here are very low, so it’s easy to save $300 per week ($1200 per month). Other ways to save money include cooking your meals and watching out for cheap airfares and hotel deals! Jetstar always has sales on, which makes it easy to book affordable flights!

My Recommendations on Hikes and Sights Not to Be Missed In Queensland

There are so many must-see places in Queensland! For hikes, I would recommend not missing: Mt Ngungun and Mt Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, Mt Coot-Tha in Brisbane, and Purling Brook Falls in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

In terms of amazing sights, you definitely have to visit the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday Islands, Noosa, Fraser Island, and Port Douglas!

My Next Destination 

We are planning to live here for another year, so we will be doing a lot more traveling! Our next destination is Magnetic Island, off the coast of Townsville. It’s a small island with beautiful beaches and amazing marine life as it’s part of the Great Barrier Reef! We can’t wait to go snorkeling there!

My Advice for First-Timers in Queensland 

If you plan to travel to Queensland, it’s best to come during the winter months because there isn’t much rain (June - October). Even though the winter months are a few degrees cooler than the summer months, it’s still quite warm. Make sure you see the whole state. It doesn’t matter whether you drive along the coast, or just zig-zag between the coast and the hinterland, there is a whole lot to see that cannot be missed!