In 2010, I took a six-week sabbatical and traveled through Australia and New Zealand on my own. I spent four weeks in Australia—starting in Sydney to help my dad drop off my sister for university—then continued on to Melbourne, Alice Springs, Port Douglas and Cairns. Then I headed to New Zealand for two more weeks, seeing much of it by cruise ship: brief stops, quick impressions, and then back on board.
Fifteen years later, I found myself back in the same part of the world for my youngest sister’s wedding in Melbourne. This time, my husband joined me, and the trip unfolded very differently. Some places were familiar. Others were completely new. But more than anything, what changed was the pace and the company. I stayed longer. I hiked more. And I experienced these landscapes not on my own, but alongside family and friends.
From there, I continued on to Papua New Guinea — a completely different experience, and one deserving of its own post.
What follows are the highlights from this return to Australia and New Zealand—the hikes, road trips, train journeys, and coastal escapes that shaped this chapter of the journey.
Australia
This leg of the trip combined iconic road trips, tropical escapes, and one unforgettable hike in Tasmania—some familiar places, some entirely new.
Our Great Ocean Road Adventure
A classic coastal drive with dramatic cliffs, changing weather, and plenty of scenic stops along the way.
Port Douglas: Where Rainforest Meets Reef (Revisited)
Back to the tropics—this time sharing the reef and rainforest with family instead of exploring solo.
Hiking the Three Capes Track with My Sister
Four days along Tasmania’s wild coastline, hiking with the same sister I once dropped off for university in Sydney.
After the Three Capes: A Weekend in Hobart
The perfect post-hike recovery: MONA, markets, mountain views, and more seafood than necessary.
New Zealand
I first saw New Zealand on a two-week cruise nearly fifteen years ago, moving from port to port. This time, I traded brief stops for hikes, train journeys, and time spent on land.
A Weekend on the Routeburn Track
An alpine hike through some of the most stunning scenery of the entire trip.
New Zealand by Train: The TranzAlpine and the Northern Explorer
Seeing the country by rail—one journey shared, one solo—and a completely different perspective on the landscape.