An interview with Leanne Nixon, by Elizabeth Hayward

Usually when someone talks about Australia the thought of Neighbours and the
Great Barrier Reef springs to mind but travelling down the east coast proved a different experience altogether.

Imagine waking up in a different town every day, with your life on your back. The east coast of Australia is full of wonders from the energetic cities of Sydney and Melbourne to shantytowns like Rockhampton and Bunderberg.

The trip of a lifetime started in Cairns, the most northern town of the state of Queensland.

It would normally be very hot and dusty but visiting in Australia's winter season meant that the rain was pouring down from the time I stepped off the jet. In a desperate bid to leave the wind and rain the small hive of Townsville seemed the best option.

Townsville is home to the Magnetic Islands and Billabong animal sanctuary. Billabong animal sanctuary gives you the opportunity to hold and learn about Australia's wildlife. The koala and the kangaroo are the most well known of Australia's wildlife, but there were more alternative and dangerous animals at the sanctuary such as a baby crocodile and a six foot python. I felt every muscle in the snake's body as it hung loosely around my neck.

Kangaroos at the Billabong Sanctuary

Magnetic Island was next on the list. It is about half an hour's journey from Townsville's coast. Approaching the island it is visible to see beautiful woodland, full of rich green fir trees. The sea was clear blue and the sand was perfectly white. It is best to walk around the island and take advantage of its relaxed atmosphere by sunbathing.

After experiencing the paradise of Magnetic Island I travelled further south to Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands. Both boast the greenest palm trees and bluest ocean. Airlie Beach is an empty surfers resort with many surfing shops and chill out cafes. The hostels are lovely beach huts overlooking the sea surrounded by a truly tropical atmosphere.

Whitsunday Islands are a group of tropical islands, and part of the Barrier Reef. They are mainly used by snorkelling enthusiasts because of the coral sea bed covered in turtles and tropical fish. One of the Whitsunday Islands is so small that it is possible to walk from one side to the other in twenty minutes. Picture the beach huts and hammocks hanging from each tree and you will get a clear image of the Whitsunday Islands.

One of the hostels at Airlie Beach.

Travelling down the coast of Queensland on a hot dusty coach to the next two towns of Rockhampton and Bunderberg was great for sight seeing but as the smell of the rum factory seeped through the air conditioning it was good to depart from the coach and sample the local speciality.
Bunderberg is famous for its rum and the factory is open all year round for tourists to sample the local liquor.

You can have a real taste of real Australian 'tucker' at Hervey Bay, just a little south from Bunderberg. Hervey Bay is one of the prettiest beach resorts of eastern Australia, and is definitely a must for lively travellers. Late night BBQ's are alight all over the town and a symbol of how Australians relax and enjoy their free time. The mix of smoke from the snags (sausages) and the clear moonlit sky are the essence of Hervey Bay.

Off the coast of Hervey Bay lies Fraser Island with its mile long sand dunes and stretches of rain forest it was the perfect place to enjoy the views out to sea and the hiking in the island's sand dunes.