When I was 19, after studying acting at University, I got a job touring Australia with a theatre company. It was AMAZING… I mean, who lands a job straight out of uni in the actual field they studied in? Well, most people I guess… but most people didn’t studying acting.
I was one of the lucky ones. Not only was I getting paid to do what I loved, it was also an opportunity to get out there and see my own ‘backyard’.
Little did I know, this job would open my eyes to a new way of being.
We spent the year travelling all over Australia. Visiting places we couldn’t even pronounce the names of…
What striked me most about that year was the sheer beauty of our country.
The year ended and I had officially caught the ‘travel bug’. I loved the feeling of freedom, being out on the open road and constantly exploring new places.
The following year I spent almost a year in the USA working and travelling. Again, I counted myself fortunate to snag a job as a tour guide over there. Getting paid to travel again!
After a few stops, via the UK, Europe and South Africa I found myself back home in Melbourne.
I’ve gotta say, after experiencing so many different places around the world in a short time, I was glad to back home.
I mean, Melbourne is the second most liveable city in the world right?
For me though, what I loved most about my travels up until that point was the incredible moments in nature.
The BEST thing about travelling; Exploring the untouched places.
It wasn’t long before I was getting itchy feet again in the city. So, I got a job as a tour guide here in Australia. The next four years were full of adventure, curiosity and connection.
I felt a huge pull to the places that were a little off the grid. Places like the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Snowy Mountains in Victoria. Cape Tribulation in Queensland. Karijini National Park in Western Australia.
Experiencing mother nature at her finest.
I remember one night camping out at Karijini NP, looking up at the night sky through the mosquito net of my swag. Thinking how lucky I was to have the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.
I mean, mother nature truly does provide everything we need. Yet us humans believe we need more. More technology, more entertainment, more money, more stuff… When in truth, all we need is right there in front of us.
When we appreciate the things around us, like the environment, I believe we are more inclined to take care of it. It’s what our world in begging for right now.
If you are looking to go travelling, ditch the five star resorts and fancy restaurants and head out to the bush. Take a moment to reconnect with nature, now. Discover the beauty, the strength, the sheer magic of our planet. Let nature inspire you to take action on the most important issue of our time.