Introduction Leaving Arts Factory felt… weird. Familiar chaos behind, and a new chapter ahead. I didn’t know exactly what awaited me at Aquarius Backpackers, but Byron Bay has never let me down in delivering surprises. Main Adventure Monday – Moving, New Friends & Free MealsChecked out of Arts Factory in the morning. Spent a lazy …
Continue reading New Beginnings & Waterfalls in Byron Bay (Aus part 12)
Introduction I didn’t arrive in Byron Bay with a plan. No job, no clear direction—just the feeling that I needed to figure things out as I went. So I started with something simple: housekeeping. Through Care.com, I found a place owned by two tattoo artists—she’s from England, he’s Australian. They were genuinely kind, but their …
Continue reading Byron Bay: Wine, Chaos & Wild Nights in Byron (Aus part 11)
Introduction Geelong. Today was the day we finally picked up the car. After weeks of buses, trains, and relying on other people’s schedules, this suddenly felt like freedom. Our own car.Our own music.Our own route. Of course the first thing we did was connect the Bluetooth so we could blast music while driving. Priorities. The …
Continue reading Tasmania: Penguins, Lavender Fields & A Night With No Water (Aus part 8)
Introduction / Setting After the wild Flinders Hostel Christmas chaos, Melbourne suddenly slowed down. On December 26th, Mara and I moved into our dogsit house in Richmond. It felt like a new chapter. Calm. Domestic. Grounded. Or at least… that’s what we thought. The house was beautiful — high ceilings, cute details, amazing location. But …
Continue reading Melbourne Reset: Dogsit Chaos, CV Rejections & Slow Summer Days (Aus Part 6)
Introduction Melbourne is one of Australia’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. From art-filled laneways like Hosier Lane to peaceful afternoons at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne blends creativity, culture, and lively social life. Unlike other Australian cities, it’s less about tropical beaches and more about real-life experiences, street art, and local hangouts. City vibe: …
Introduction After my dog sit in Newcastle, I drove up to Port Macquarie with Luke. The plan sounded solid — suspiciously solid, actually. I was going to meet the manager of the local tennis courts, who had offered me a job as a tennis coach. He told me he still had a room available in …
Continue reading Port Macquarie: Tennis Jobs, Random Pubs & Absolute Chaos (Aus part 4)
Introduction I arrived in Sydney ready for my surf camp adventure at Seven Miles Beach. Everything was supposed to be perfectly planned — the “perfect moment” for spring, or so I thought. The camp was advertised through my organization, and I was excited, but as soon as I arrived, it became clear it wasn’t quite …
Continue reading Surf, Dogsits & Backpacking Adventures: Sydney & Newcastle (Aus part 3)
Introduction It’s Sunday again — and somehow the days in Sydney keep slipping through my fingers faster than I can write them down.I’m still here, still drifting between hostels, beaches, random plans, and even more random people. This week felt like a blur of markets, wine on the street, sad songs at 2am, spontaneous trips …
Continue reading Markets, Messy Nights & a Walk That Changed Everything (Aus part 2)
Introduction I arrived in Sydney a few days ago, and it felt like I landed right in the middle of chaos. My backpack didn’t make it past Singapore, and my prepaid card didn’t work — so I had no money, no clothes, no essentials. Just me, exhausted, and trying to figure out how to survive …
Continue reading My First Days in Sydney Were Pure Chaos (Aus Part 1)
Traveling to Sydney on a working holiday can feel overwhelming at first, especially when it comes to money. Here’s a breakdown of what I actually spent — including hostels, transport, activities, food, and the little “oops” moments. Accommodation DatePlaceCost (EUR)11–16 OctWake Up! Hostel (free)€016–25 OctHump Backpackers€20 × 9 nights = €1801 nightIvy Club€1525–30 OctHostel Wollongong€17 …
Continue reading Sydney Travel Budget: How Much I Spent During My First Month
