One month in Australia ; Part I

Jindabyne, Australia

Jan – Feb 2024

It’s been a while since I last wrote a post, but here I am again! 🙂 A little context before diving in… 2024 was an incredible year for me as I managed to travel every single month. I’m still on the move and hope to keep this travel rhythm alive for as long as I can.

At the beginning of the year, I took a leap of faith and ventured beyond Asia and Europe to the land down under, Australia. It was mainly to visit my partner, who was there on a working holiday visa. Most of our time was spent in a charming little town called Jindabyne. Despite his busy work schedule, we managed to explore bits of this stunning country, which I’ll share more about in parts II and III.

Now, don’t get me wrong… Australia is undeniably beautiful. However, it was never at the top of my bucket list, despite my ambition to visit as many countries as possible.

Upon landing in Australia, of course I was greeted by a lengthy immigration queue but honestly, nothing beats the waiting time I had in Bali or Hanoi airport. Eventually, I made it out and reunited with my boyfriend. It was quite a moment, especially knowing he had ridden his motorbike for 8–9 hours from Jindabyne to Melbourne airport just to pick me up.

We didn’t head straight to Jindabyne that evening, choosing instead to crash at a friend’s apartment to recharge. The next day, we began the journey back to Jindabyne. What I thought would be a straightforward ride turned into a long haul, as I quickly realized that sitting on a bike for extended periods isn’t my forte. Frequent stops were definitely necessary, however… maybe I took a few too many hahah. Along the way, I was entertained by the quirky names of places and streets we passed. Also here’s a picture of me looking more tanned than I wished for after the ride!

My first impression of Jindabyne was that it is a beautiful yet quiet town nestled in New South Wales. What stood out most to me was the incredible wildlife, I don’t think I have been so amazed by the wildlife in any other countries that I visited thus far. Quite literally, I encountered kangaroos and deers on a daily basis during my time in Jindabyne. It was truly incredible.

One of my favorite spots was Jindabyne Lake. It is quite a decently-sized lake with plenty of spots to swim, relax, and take in the scenery. My only regret is not getting to try stand-up paddling there. I lost count of how many times we visited for a swim or a run, it surely became a place of comfort real quick. 

Another must-visit in the area is Kosciuszko National Park. What started as a casual workout turned into an unexpected adventure, a 5km run followed by a 15km hike along the Sawpit Creek track. The views of the park’s rugged terrain, with its rolling hills and open plains, were absolutely stunning. Along the way, we spotted wallabies and deer, which added a touch of magic to the experience. Next time, I can only hope to be better prepared for this mountain run hahaha

There are a few charming towns near Jindabyne that I had the pleasure of visiting, and let me tell you, it was absolutely even more delightful to explore on a motorbike. Bombala, Dalgety, and Thredbo were the highlights of my little detours. The journey to Bombala and Dalgety, in particular, was incredibly scenic and peaceful, with smooth roads and respectful drivers, something that I’ve come to really appreciate about Australia. In Bombala, we visited the Platypus Reserve, hoping to catch a glimpse of these cute creatures. As it turns out, timing is everything, and we missed the ideal window for spotting them. Still, the visit wasn’t a total loss. It was still worth the effort just to soak in the calm and peaceful surroundings. Somewhere along the way, we also stopped at parks dotted with adorable goats, a charming little surprise that added to the experience.

Thredbo was another town that left a strong impression on me. We headed there for what was supposed to be a casual hike and mountain run, but it quickly turned into quite a challenge, especially for my knees hahah. We started on the Dead Horse Gap trail, climbing to the top, and looped back down via the Merritts Nature Track. By the time we reached the end of the Merritts track, my knees had endured all they could handle, and I had to stop and rest. Despite the pain, Thredbo’s beauty made it all worth it. The breathtaking scenery and serene atmosphere left me in awe, and I’ve always hoped to return someday to explore it even more. Unfortunately, that wish didn’t come true as we left Jindabyne shortly after, moving on to discover other parts of this amazing country.

Oh, and about the wildlife… Aussie is no joke when it comes to snakes! Spotting them is more common than you’d think. Here’s a picture of one to prove it! 😄

What truly made my experience in Jindabyne even more special was the lovely landlord we had. Of course, we paid rent to stay there for an extended period, but she and her daughter went above and beyond, welcoming us as if we were family. One of my favorite memories was from our last few nights there, we had a small campfire session together, just appreciating the simple moments and the connections we’d built. It’s really those little things that stay.

Looking back, my time in Jindabyne was absolutely unforgettable. This little town offers the perfect blend of peace, nature, and adventure all in one. From the amazing wildlife to the beautiful lake and breathtaking national parks, it’s a place that will always have a special spot in my heart.

Thank you for sticking around till the end! Stay tuned for Part II and Part III. I promise more adventures are on the way! 😀