The ISA JournalMy Favorite Places I Visited in Australia

Anna Leigh Vincent is a student at University of North Carolina – Charlotte and is an ISA Featured Blogger. She interned abroad with ISA in Sydney, Australia.

1. Byron Bay

I visited Byron twice during my 2.5 month long stay in Australia. It was my favorite place I visited. While I was there I felt like I had gone back in time to the 1960’s. Everyone dressed like hippies and drove vans. If you visit, I highly recommend going to the lighthouse in the morning to watch the sunrise. It is truly breathtaking. If you are interested in surfing this is also a great place to check out. Most people ride longboards, but I was able to find a couple shortboard waves at Wategos Beach and Tallows Beach. Broken Head Nature Reserve is also a hidden place to visit and go to Seven Mile Beach.

2. Lake Macquarie

This was another place I visited twice as there was a super cool park where wild kangaroos roamed called Morisset Park. I also was lucky enough to go jet skiing in the lake and catch an amazing sunset there.

Hanging out with a mamma kangaroo and its baby at Morisset Park

3. Crescent Head

One of my friends I met while abroad grew up here and recommended I check it out. I climbed up the lookout to see if I could spot any whales.

4. Manly Beach

This was my favorite beach in all of Sydney, as I found Bondi a bit too crowded and touristy. Transportation is super easy as well, just get on the train to Circular Quay and from there you take the ferry to Manly. The ride is a short 25 minutes and you pass by the Sydney Opera House. If you go, make sure to walk to Shelly Beach and go snorkeling.

Me surfing at one of my favorite spots; photo by Anne Newman

5. Noosa Heads

I visited Noosa because my older sister lived there a couple years back when she was an Au Pair. I was able to meet and stay with the family she worked for. Noosa was beautiful, there was so much to do. My friend and I rented a kayak and paddled around Noosa National Park and found hidden beaches along the way. We also went on the walking trail. If you go on the trail make sure to check out the Fairy Pools, they are a bit hidden but completely worth trying to find!