EPIC TRIP TO BYRON BAY!


I STILL can't believe we made it there and back in one piece with all the unpredictable travel drama. And it's SO.FAR.FROM.HOME. Wow. I get it now why not many Americans make this voyage. It was a lot for my Dad - he's really showing his age, which makes my heart a little sad. But nonetheless, we did it! And we are so happy with the memories we made.

We traveled together with my Dad and his wife, Jana, my husband Ryan and our 8 year old Violet (she did awesome!)

Dad sold his classic 1974 Cuda to finance the trip for us ---- basically saying 'here's my credit card. book it.' So I was our travel agent and (thanks to Google Maps and air b&b) I planned the whole thing in under 3 months. We left the day after Christmas and came back January 6th.


Frequently asked questions now!

Why Australia?

It's a place none of us had ever been! And offered a wide range of activities for our crew which varied in age from 71-8!

How was the flight?

AWESOME and not bad at all if you ask me! Of course, I planned ahead and had me some Xanax. If you ask the rest of my posse, they'd say it was the worst experience ever. We're super glad we brought our gun massager with us.

What is the time difference?

They are 16 hours ahead. We felt super disconnected from our life because of it. Jet lag wasn't a thing when we got there but coming home.... WHOA. It's real. For a solid 3 days we kept waking in the middle of the night wide awake and hungry.

Did you see any koalas?

Yup! But only in the sanctuary's. They are protected and I guess it's pretty rare to see one in the wild. We saw 4 wallabies in some yards, though! And got to pet a kangaroo. They are super soft like a cat, surprisingly.

How was the food?

Amazing! We were in a very popular beachy area with lots of vegans. So every menu had a wide variety. The coffee is outstanding.

Best memory?

The ultra private Hinterland glowworm experience. It was the sexiest place on earth. Netflix doesn't even know about this stuff to make a documentary. Also, one night I had made a beef pot roast for our supper and it tasted off to us. So we started calling it 'kangaroo-moo.' We laughed til we cried.



Interior view of an airplane cabin showing rows of passenger seats with entertainment screens.
Travel essentials including US passports, coins, and small decorative items arranged on white background.
Aerial view of turquoise ocean waters with visible reef patterns and waves.
Passengers relaxing in airplane seats during a flight.
Modern SUV parked under covered area with brick pavement.
Wooded path with directional signs mounted on poles among green trees.
Nature trail winding through lush tropical forest with tall trees.
Outdoor gathering area with palm trees and covered walkway.
Crowd enjoying an event in an indoor venue.
Wine glasses and drinks arranged on a dark wooden restaurant table.
Fresh pasta dishes with vegetables served on white plates at a restaurant.
Large outdoor Connect Four game setup with blue and orange pieces on a lawn.
Modern black woven peacock chair on white tile flooring.
Outdoor event space with artificial turf and wooden pergola.
Sunset view of a waterfront dock with boats and buildings in the distance.
Minimalist interior with blue artwork on white walls.
Dramatic sunset over the ocean with dark clouds and orange sky.
Bright modern restaurant interior with light wood tables and ocean views.
Single-serve Vegemite packet displayed on a restaurant table.
Visitors posing playfully along a scenic coastal lighthouse path with ocean views in the background.
Scenic coastal path with lighthouse and blue ocean views on a cloudy day.
Fresh red nectarines and plums displayed in abundance at a market or farm stand.
People descending steep wooden stairs along a coastal cliff with ocean views.
Residential street view of a coastal neighborhood with parked cars and cyclists.
Child in a straw hat resting head on hands while sitting on a deck with striped awning.
Ocean waves washing up on sandy beach with feet visible in the foam.
Rolling green hills and coastal landscape under bright blue sky.
Close-up of a water dragon lizard resting on wooden decking.
Vibrant green fern fronds growing among dark forest mulch.
Modern white bedroom interior with round mirrors, black lamps, and minimalist decor.
Wooden door with bull skull mounted above and tropical plants in the foreground.
Lush tropical garden with lounge chairs and outdoor seating area.
Two people sharing a joyful moment together in a bright interior setting.
Modern white kitchen with wooden accents and natural lighting.
Group enjoying ice cream cones and treats at a dessert shop.
Artisanal pizza topped with salami, olives and fresh herbs on a rustic wooden table.
Decadent dessert plate with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
Hot cappuccino with artistic latte art foam in black cup on saucer.
Person wearing red embroidered top and sunglasses in natural light.
People relaxing and lounging on a sandy beach under bright blue skies.
Wooden tables with drinks overlooking lush green hills and mountains in the distance.
Group of people enjoying drinks and conversation at an outdoor gathering.
Person in white t-shirt standing against wooden wall in industrial setting.
Person wearing black tank top posing against rustic wooden wall.
Couple enjoying craft beers together at a brewery.
Brown and white Australian Shepherd dog resting under outdoor seating area.
Person displaying caught fish on boat deck during fishing trip.
Family enjoying a sunny day together on tropical beach with turquoise waters.
Crowd watching outdoor entertainment or performance during daytime event.
Person relaxing in a wooden hot tub surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees.
Fresh pasta dish and salad served on a rustic wooden table with tropical leaf decor.
Cascading waterfall flowing over dark rocky terrain into a natural pool below.
Person walking down a dirt path lined with palm trees and wooden fence posts.
Fresh oysters on ice served with cocktail sauce and lemon on a white plate.
Grilled meat dish with broccolini and purple slaw served on a white plate with beer.
Crowded beachside park with people relaxing on grass overlooking the ocean.
Large coastal rocks covered in moss and seaweed along a sandy beach.
Two people enjoying a scenic view while sitting in an elevated outdoor setting.
Deflated hot air balloon lying on green grass field with blue and yellow stripes.
Interior of a rustic restaurant with exposed brick walls, wooden furniture and warm lighting.
Close-up shots of a gray cat lounging on stone ground with green plants visible.
Person wearing a gray t-shirt and straw hat standing on an outdoor walkway.
Rocky creek bed surrounded by lush forest and trees in natural setting.
Group of people gathered on an outdoor viewing platform overlooking natural scenery.
Rocky riverbed with shallow flowing water surrounded by natural landscape.
People seated together in what appears to be a boat or ferry interior.