Top 5 Photographer's Bucket List For Australia

As you have probably figured out, I have the travel bug in a BIG way lately.There’s talk in my house about going to London as well as back to Florida, and even back to Alaska as a family. (Ok, I think about that nightly) And of course, the kids are obsessed with the idea of going to Australia. There’s something so exotic about the thought of going so far away from home. They think everything is backwards there, like seasons and lifestyle, but maybe we’re the backwards ones?? To be honest, I have been thinking about going there since I was a little girl and probably watched one too many crocodile movies. Alligators and crocodiles and reefs and sharks, oh my. I’d like to go soon!

As you know, I do everything with my camera in mind. Everyone has that something something that fuels them on their adventures. I have a lot of things that do so, but taking photos of a place is an ultimate plus. That’s why I do heavy research before I’m about to take a trip. I want to make sure that I’m seeing all the things I want to photograph and at the right times of the day. That said, that doesn’t mean my idea of photogenic places is the same as other people’s ideas. I don’t need my photos to look like postcards, or to closely resemble the ones already made. Rather, I want to capture the feel I get from a place. I remember really struggling to do that the first time I visited Niagara Falls. Or the west coast!

Here’s My Top 5 Photographer’s Bucket List For Australia:1 – Whale sharks. I think underwater photography is an untapped medium for me and through no fault of technical know-how. It’s because sometimes I’m afraid to go on the water or in it. Whales sharks are different, though. They’re such a must-see that I know seeing them at an aquarium will never be enough. I need to be close to these gentle giants.

Bonus points that Great White Sharks are my true dream, but I don’t want my camera in the shark dive cage!2 – And of course, I have to see Quokkas in their natural habitats. People talk a lot about taking selfies with them in Rotto, but I don’t need selfies. I just need them! That’s why I’d get ferry tickets to Rottsnest Island to see them up close.

3 – I have long dreamed about visiting Wave Rock in Hyden. (Western Australia) It’s a giant rock formation that looks like it’s a wave about to crash. I keep thinking about the lenses I would bring (wide) and have my family members in the photos!

4 – This one should come as no surprise to you that I want to see the Aurora Australis in Tasmania. This is a natural light phenomena that is native to Australia, and isn’t like the northern lights I want to see in the north. This is a shimmering and shifting light show that gives off an eerie glow. Sign me up for this natural wonder – WITH camera.

5 – I’d like to climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge to get amazing city views! You can visit Sydney as part of luxury vacations with Absolute Australia and view all the great sights along the way!

*Bonus points for the things I want to see, but not necessarily photograph – because I’ll be too busy seeing: Great Barrier Reef, Crocodile Diving, Wineglass Bay Lookout, and many many more. Honestly just get me there on a jet plane SOON!

When there’s so much to see, how will you get around? That’s where Gumtree comes in. This is a site you can use to buy used things from others. On Gumtree you can buy a used car to explore which you can sell before leaving the country. And that’s a big IF you want to leave! That said, it’s an ultimate dream. It’s a big idea. Obviously with little kids in school, this dream is on hold for another time. I’d want indefinite time in a country and you can’t exactly rent a car for an indefinite amount of time. So you buy a used car and then sell it! I always wondered what people did because it’s not like you can fly your car over on a plane! Rather, you leave your car behind and go there with your camera and your dreams.

The rest is up to you. It’s super important to have a way to get around, though. When I visit a new place, I always make sure to have a good car because then you get that big adventure feeling like the whole world is your oyster and you can go wherever you want, anywhere you want. In fact, I haven’t lost most of that feeling since I got my driver’s license!