Little did Aaron and I know this would be our last winter for a while working in Australia for bushfires and flood relief, which I am excited to share more about in a later blog post! Normally, we arrive in Victoria and prepare to respond to bushfires around our Mansfield home base, but we were thrilled to be called in early to assist with flood relief in New South Wales. Our relief efforts took us all over the beautiful state of New South Wales, providing us with the wonderful opportunity to explore and discover new surroundings and environments, which was a delightful change from our usual time spent in Victoria.

We had a few days off this time around to go and explore other parts of Australia so we took advantage of having that time away and headed off to the Gold Coast for a few days and then up to Cairns in Queensland. The one positive about working 24/7 and working all over the globe we are able to collect hotel points along the way. We were able to score an amazing hotel room right on Surfers Paradise Beach.

After a quick trip to the Gold Coast, we made our way up to Cairns. Our first stop was the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Riverboat Tour, where we floated just a few meters above the stunning tropical rainforest in the Barron Gorge National Park. Next, we zoomed over to Fitzroy Island for a chill day soaking up the sun and playing in the sand. To wrap things up, we went on a fun croc spotting adventure at Hartley’s. North Queensland is home to the biggest and most dangerous reptiles out there, and we definitely didn’t want to miss seeing those guys!

After spending a few days away, returning to reality reminds us that we’re concluding our final Christmas in Oz and bidding farewell to what may be our last bushfire season in Australia for the foreseeable future. Our time in Australia always fills us with joy, and it truly feels like a second home to us. The warmth of the people, the stunning landscapes, and the rewarding work draw us back year after year. As we leave this beautiful place, it will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Until we meet again, dear Oz… please remain the kind and welcoming haven we’ve always cherished!