First Impressions Of Australia

Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist

Saying goodbye to an unexpected new home is very strange.

I’ve finally left New Zealand behind, and am adapting to being in Australia. The first strange thing was getting used to mask-wearing regulations. I got used to having one on at all times, anytime I left the house in Auckland. In Australia, however, you only need one indoors. My vaccination card is now required to enter certain shops and I have to get used to checking OUT of places with the Australian Covid app, another adjustment.

With Bec, at Fitzroy Falls, Australia

I’ve come to Bowral and have a walk around my first couple of days. I take in how different it feels to be able to go into shops, and only wear masks in populated areas and stores, as opposed to the lockdown in Auckland. My attention is momentarily taken up by a man hanging out with his two birds…

I was so happy to be able to celebrate my birthday with my friend Bec – the one I’ve been trying to visit for the past two years! I’m happy she’s a great role model for walking, aspiring to a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, which my body needs! (Pandemic-gut be gone!) We took two lovely walks near Bowral.

Bong Bong Track

I felt quite rude that my mind went right to “instrument to smoke pot” when I saw the name of this track. In fact, it’s an Aboriginal term, and, looking it up, I found several definitions:

1 – the part of the human anatomy that we sit on. (I suppose that’s a euphemism for our butt.)

2 – many watercourses

3 – many frogs

As far as the Bong Bong Commons is concerned, I suppose all three definitions are relevant. There’s a river you walk along, we heard frogs, and, there’s a bench to sit on at the point where you might feel you need a break from walking.

The trail is lovely, and, apparently, sometimes has kangaroos, though we didn’t see any. There’s a road that curves around, shared with cyclists and walkers, alike. There’s also a small bridge over the waterway, in a state of decay. Along the walk, we saw sheep, and horses, but, no kangaroos.

Fitzroy Falls

This walk was nothing short of spectacular. In contrast to the New Zealand landscape of curving bays where land meets sea, here, the eye is captured by an expansive mountain range where water falls, land collides, and clouds nest.

We perfectly sandwiched our walk between heavy rainfall. At the start of the walk is a fork in the path. We took the one to the right, which goes all around the rim of the spectacular mountains. Along the way there were numerous lookout points. I loved getting all the different views, and how, with the pending storm, which changed the lighting, they all looked different.

The Fitzroy Falls walk is mostly even ground, and fairly easy, unless you go down the steps at one part of the walk, into a small opened cave area. Those steps were a bit steep.

Getting There

Both these areas are near to Bowral, which is about 2 hours south of Sydney. If you’re short on time, Bong Bong Commons is a fairly quick drive south. Fitzroy Falls is another roughly 45-minute drive from Bong Bong Commons.

14 Comments

Sharyn on November 19, 2021 at 22:11

Welcome to Australia. My sister lives in the Shoalhaven region so I have spent a lot of time here. Just love Fitzroy Falls.

LindaJane on November 19, 2021 at 23:22

I’ve never been to Fitzroy Falls but the scenery looks lovely! I might just add it to my summer wishlist! Thanks so much for sharing!

Heather Markel on November 20, 2021 at 06:14

It’s stunning!! I hope you love it
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ANUKRATI DOSI on November 20, 2021 at 01:04

I hope you have a great time in Australia. But, leaving New Zealand must have been hard.

Heather Markel on November 20, 2021 at 06:14

Yes it was very tough!!
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Mashu on November 20, 2021 at 01:42

It’s a new learning at every new place and that’s what interesting about new places. Thanks for sharing your experience

Krista on November 20, 2021 at 11:41

It’s always interesting reading about people’s perspectives of new countries! I haven’t been to Australian before so thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Julie on November 21, 2021 at 07:52

Great post! I love your posts about the pandemic. It’s interesting how each country has its own pandemic protocols. In Mexico, it varies by city. In many cities, you wear masks inside and outside, which Mexicans follow, but Americans, Europeans, and Canadians never do. In Guatemala, it also varies by city, like in Antigua, Guatemalans wear masks inside and outside and as in Mexico, the white people rarely wear masks even inside a store. Anyway, sorry, to get “political.”

Heather Markel on November 22, 2021 at 20:49

Oh I understand! Interesting assessment you’ve made. I will pay more attention to that. It is interesting how different each approach is
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Linda (LD Holland) on November 21, 2021 at 11:54

I am sure it has been interesting to adapt to different Covid requirements. I am glad you are discovering some great spots outside. I too might have wondered about Bong Bong Commons but good to read that you got a river, frogs and benches to enjoy the view. We did not head to the Bowral area on our list trip so will need to plan to visit for Fitzroy Falls. So much new to discover!

Heather Markel on November 22, 2021 at 20:48

I know! And Australia is huge. One day I WIP come back and spend loads of time.
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Ava on November 22, 2021 at 19:43

Australia has always been on my bucket list. It is just so beautiful. The differing COVID requirements are interesting. Have a great time while you are there.

Marilyn on November 27, 2021 at 01:10

Welcome to Oz, great to see you’re taking in parts of the country’s beauty and learning about the traditional owners local place names, of which there are many. Enjoy your time in the Great Southern Land.