Never Feed the Cockatoo! Our Wild, Wandering Journey Across Australia
I ought to have paid attention to the small sign on the Pinnacle Apartments in Queensland balcony warning against feeding the cockatoos. But I was giving freely, a little daring, and totally enchanted by the squawking white fluffball that seemed like it only wanted a chip. Later, one stolen French fry, the cheeky bird was not only on our balcony but also invited three friends, one of them tried to pilfers my husband’s sunglasses.
Lesson discovered: Australian birds have attitude.
Our journey throughout Australia was a long-overdue release from stress. Just myself, my spouse, and a long schedule filled with some of the most gorgeous, strange, and amazing locations you could ever imagine. We had past that phase and were not backpacking, but we also did not want fancy hotels with robotic service and no character. Rather, we searched for lovely, well-located homes and lodges where we could really feel Australia—its warmth, eccentricities, and wild, untamed edges.
And son, did we really feel it?
Stop One: Pinnacle Apartments in Queensland
The second we entered Pinnacle Apartments, smelt eucalyptus and something warm and nutty coming from an open kitchen window—perhaps Anzac biscuits? Though just a stone’s throw from the activity of Cairns’ Esplanade, the flats are situated in a tranquil area. Ideal for twilight walks carrying a gelato in hand. (Pro tip: find Gelocchio’s macadamia caramel swirl here. Later on.) thanks you.
The flat itself exuded “we could actually live here.” Large windows and even larger trees immediately outside make room for cleanliness. The light filtered through the blinds, and the sounds of lorikeets performing like intoxicated clowns in the fig trees outside permeated the languid, warm mornings.
About Pinnacle, what delighted me most? The private terrace with just enough forest view will help you to forget the city hum. Oh, and the clothes machine. Never undervalue the influence of fresh undergarments midway through travel.
Travel Tip: Carrying eucalyptus oil insect repellant is wise. The locals swear by it more than DEET; it smells good, keeps the mozzies away.
Stop Two: Oasis Apartments in Queensland
We travelled down the coast and booked into Oasis Apartments next. Now this one seemed more beachy, more breezy, more “I’m on holiday and I know it.” Imagine soft pastel walls, whitewashed furniture, and a small welcome basket including a tiny Vegemite jar and a letter saying “Give it a go, but don’t blame us.”
I did play about with it. And… well. Let us say it is a love-it-or-leave-it type of thing.
The pool was what made Oasis unforgettable, not only the looks. Warm even in the dark, saltwater surrounded by fairy lights and palm plants. For hours we floated there, laughing like adolescents, even ordering takeout Thai and dining poolside with plastic forks and pruney fingers.
Here the personnel were local legends. Like they had known him since birth, they referred to my husband as “mate,” and they compiled a list of their particular secret treasures—like Babinda Boulders, a gorgeous swimming hole not included on every trip brochure but should. The water there was clear enough to see little fish chewing your toes and very cold.
Travel Tip: Inquire at reception about their coffee-going behaviour. That’s how we discovered Rusty’s Market in Cairns, where the espresso is so robust it could register your taxes for you.
Third stop: Poinciana 112 – Queensland
This was our preferred choice now. Poinciana 112 was an experience more than a somewhere to sleep.
Situated on Hamilton Island, the flat had a vista straight out of a screen saver with a patio open to swaying palm palms, right out of Catseye Beach. but better. The island has just buggies, which makes everyone feel little foolish and tremendously free; it smells like ocean salt and hibiscus, and you could hear the whirl of golf buggies whizzing by.
Inside, the décor was basic yet fresh. Every every time we came back from a climb, we were appreciative of white linens, blue accents, and air conditioning. We tried the hike across Passage Peak. Let’s just say: fantastic vistas, jelly legs, and carry three water bottles.)
We hardly utilised the kitchen that was there. Why would we, when the marina on the island had mango daiquiris with real fresh mango and fish platters the size of our heads? One evening we were sitting by the sea, the moon reflecting back, and my husband muttered, “This doesn’t feel real.”
It lacked. It felt more like this than actual.
Travel Tip: Arrange early for your buggies. Everyone battles for them, just as seagulls would over chips. Also include sunscreen suitable for reefs. Thanks will come from the Great Barrier Reef.
The last stop is Beachcomber Lodge on Lord Howe Island
Ah, Isle of Lord Howe. This was our “wild card,” the location I had on the schedule as I had previously seen it in a magazine once—all enigmatic and unspoiled. It performed.
Arriving there seemed like entering a secret universe. The island only lets 400 guests at a time and there are just a few planes in and out. You experience solitude. Mobile reception does not exist here. Not actual supermarkets. Just nature, birds, motorcycles, and the most pure water I have ever come across.
Beachcomber Lodge was stylish but rustic. Think of timber flooring, kitchens in the old style, and the type of stillness only found in areas very far apart. On the bed in our room was a lovely handcrafted quilt created by someone your grandmother would have sewed. It created a hominess in the area that expensive bedding could not produce.
We would ride along Lagoon Beach every morning with a picnic basket. The lodge gave them—filled with fresh bread, local cheese, and these amazing passionfruit muffins made by the daughter of the owner.
We snorkel in the lagoon; the coral is so near you could reach out and touch it (never mind). We witnessed red-tailed tropicbirds dance in the heavens after climbing Mount Gower, alright, part of it.
Evenings dragged slowly. We would converse with other visitors, have our own meal in the community BBQ area, and nod off to the sound of wind in the palms.
Travel Tip: Since everything shutters early and there is no nightlife, welcome the early mornings. And bring munchies! Like your personal little treasure store. There are few choices.
Cultural Bits We Enjoyed and laughed at.
Australians minimise everything. Breakfast seems like Brecksie. Sunnies and sunglasses. Afternoon? Arjo. Even McDonald’s starts to become “Macca’s.” You will feel like a bewildered extra in a sitcom if you ignore it right away.
“No worries” goes beyond merely “you’re welcome.” It implies: “It’s all good, buddy, chill, we’re all just floating on this weird continent together.”
The real charm is found in local markets—handmade handicrafts, exotic fruits, and fresh seafood delivered just from the boat. Still haunting my nightmares is the scent of grilled barramundi.
Not very fashionable, but quite useful for trekking and abrupt weather changes are zip-off trousers. Packing advice.
Regular sunscreen destroy coral; reef-safe sunscreen is different. Travel kindly.
Aussies enjoy their coffee, and baristas value environmentally aware consumers. A reusable coffee cup fits both.
Not only for fashion but also for a wide-brim cap. The sun descending under is not a joke.
Essential when you realise the kangaroo that just leaped in front of your automobile doesn’t care about your timetable is a sense of humour.
Last Thoughts
Our around Australia vacation wasn’t flawless. Indeed, we were almost robbed by cockatoos; we received sunburn, lost our way on a trail, debated which direction the tide was running in. But it belonged to us. Wild and odd and fantastic.
Every motel represented a character in our narrative, not only a bed. From the pleasant Oasis Apartments staff who pointed us in the direction of the greatest lamington to the peaceful Beachcomber Lodge that let us re-connect with nature—and each other.
Here then is the cockatoo, for coral dives and daiquiris, for mosquito stings and mango pastries. Australia presented more than just a vacation. It supplied narratives for us.
And should you be going as well? Pack light, reserve the buggies early, avoid feeding the birds, and let the terrain surprise you.