Solo Travelling Down Under
Some places just call you back. For Magnus, North Queensland was one of them. After visiting on a work trip, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to explore—more adventures to chase, more experiences to tick off the list. From skydiving over beaches to sharing a home-cooked meal with an Aboriginal family, his return trip was packed with moments he’ll never forget. Here’s why he had to go back—and what made this journey even better than the first.
Meet Magnus!
The trip that brought me back
Some places have a way of pulling you back, and for me, that place was North Queensland, Australia. I’d already been once for work with KILROY, but something about it stuck with me. The laid-back vibe, the endless adventure opportunities, the mix of island-style relaxation with the convenience of modern cities—it felt like the kind of place you just can’t visit once.
And, of course, I had some unfinished business. Since my last visit, I’d gotten my PADI Open Water certification, and there was no way I wasn’t coming back to dive at one of the most famous dive sites in the world: the Great Barrier Reef.
Another thing I had to tick off? Skydiving. One of those things you really don’t want to do—but at the same time, you really want to do. Freefalling for 60 seconds at over 200 km/h with the beaches of Australia beneath me? Yeah, that’s a memory that’s going to stick forever.
Why I had to Return
I think the moment I knew I’d come back was during my first trip, sitting at a table at Gilligan’s in Cairns, a couple of beers deep, making a list of everything we wanted to do. We barely made it halfway through before realizing we were out of time. North Queensland is packed with adventure, and I knew I had to come back and do it properly.
This time, I wanted to push myself. I knew the region was full of adrenaline-fueled experiences, and I wanted to try out as many as possible—bungy jumping, speedboating, diving with the reef sharks. If you’re looking for adventure in Australia, the north is the place to be.
Solo Travel Hits Different
Exploring North Queensland solo was a completely different experience from my first visit. It was more challenging, but also way more rewarding. I like to think of myself as an extrovert, but even I had to push myself to meet new people. You know, taking off your headphones, walking up to a group that already knows each other, and asking to join in. (A couple of beers definitely help with this.)
But that’s what makes solo travel great—you have to put yourself out there. And once you do, it always works out. I met people everywhere—from road trips to day trips, hostel dorms to bar crawls. Like the German guy I had just met hours before we went diving together and spotted a shark in the Great Barrier Reef.
The Unexpected Highlights
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was a day spent learning about Aboriginal culture. We took a stunning coastal drive from Cairns before meeting our Aboriginal guide, who showed us how to hunt for crabs with handmade spears. Throughout the day, he shared stories about his culture, history, and the realities of modern Aboriginal life—it was way more interesting than I expected.
But the real surprise came after. He invited us back to his home, where he lived with his mother and extended family, to cook the crabs we had caught. The house was lively, with family members coming and going, the TV playing some game show in the background—it felt raw, real, and completely unexpected. It wasn’t just a tour; it was a genuine, everyday moment in someone’s life, and it made a huge impact on me.
My Favourite Spots
Magnetic Island will always have a special place in my heart. Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, it has everything—wild koalas, rock wallabies, stunning beaches, great people, and surprisingly fun nightlife. If you ever get the chance, go.
And then there’s the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the size of Italy—so it’s pretty hard to miss—but experiencing it up close is something else. Whether you dive, snorkel, or see it from above, it’s surreal. Plus, I learned a lot about its conservation. While the media often exaggerates the reef’s destruction for headlines, it’s not as hopeless as they make it seem. It still needs protecting, but tourism plays a big role in its preservation too.
The Challenges (and Funny Moments)
Australia is expensive. A basic meal can set you back £30-£35, and that adds up fast. If you’re planning a trip, save up—it’s 100% worth it, but you’ll want the extra cash.
And a funny challenge? Driving on the left wasn’t actually the hardest part. The real struggle was that the blinker was on the wrong side of the wheel. Every single time I tried to signal, I ended up turning on the windshield wipers instead. Every. Single. Time. And I still haven’t gotten used to it.
How This Trip Changed Me
This trip made me realise that I now value experiences over partying. On previous trips, the highlights were often nights out at new clubs with new friends. This time, it was all about waking up early to explore the rainforest.
I’ve also learned that I prefer a bit of planning. Not down to the last detail, but having a rough idea of where to stay and what to do makes the trip way smoother. That way, I spend more time enjoying it instead of figuring out logistics on the go.
Much more left to explore
If anything, this trip just confirmed what I already knew—North Queensland is incredible. Whether it’s diving the reef, road-tripping along the coast, jumping out of planes, or meeting people from all over the world, it’s a destination that has everything. And yeah, I’ll be back. There’s still so much left to do.
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