My Travels in Australia – with Hannah DeMilta

Christmas Party Sydney

This interview is part of a series on Travel in Australia through the eyes of travellers. Backpacking Australia is popular for people on a working holiday Australia visa.

Today we talk with Hannah DeMilta…
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your traveling experience?

I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio and now live in Sydney. I work as a social media specialist for Switched on Media, a digital marketing agency. I have a wide range of brands I work with, including several travel and tourism clients. I’ve been lucky to travel around the states some already, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. There are still so many places I want to visit.

How long have you been in Australia and what places have you seen so far?
I studied abroad in Australia on the Gold Coast in 2008 and moved back here in August 2010. I’ve been to Melbourne (Great Ocean Road) and Cairns a couple times and places around Sydney and NSW. A friend from home was visiting and we just got back from a fun trip sailing Whitsundays, Magnetic Island and Cairns.

What is your style of travel in Oz? Independent travel, group tours etc?

I prefer traveling with a friend or small group but wouldn’t mind taking a solo trip one day.
What type of accommodation do you mostly stay in? Is there a Hostel/Hotel/Campsite you love?…
I usually stay in hostels. I’m a big fan of Greenhouse Backpackers both in Melbourne and Cairns.

Favorite city and why?

I love Sydney. That’s why I moved halfway across the world to live here. It’s a fantastic city!

North of Cairns, Queensland

Favorite other region?
I went camping at Jervis Bay (a couple hours south of Sydney) one weekend and really loved that area. It was beautiful and I didn’t think I would have so much fun camping since I’m a wimp about the outdoors sometimes. There were kangaroos hoping all over the park right next to us.

How do you like the food? Favorite local meal?
The food is good although there are certain things from home that I miss. I feel spoiled getting to have yummy Thai and other Asian influence cuisine that I wouldn’t normally get at home. I also don’t mind a fish and chips takeaway to eat on the beach.

It’s no secret Australia is an expensive place to travel. What tips could you give on ways to keep expenses low?

Book flights early and watch for specials. I always make the mistake of eating too many meals out instead of packing a sandwich or snack to go. I’m the one who should be receiving tips instead of giving them, I’m sure

What inspired you to visit Australia? Have you always wanted to go there?

I was trying to pick a place to study abroad in college and a friend recommended Australia to me. I read In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson and fell in love with the idea of coming here. After studying abroad I didn’t want to leave. I knew I wanted to come back here to live and work.

At what moment of your visit did it hit you that…”shit, I’m really in Australia?”

My fist time here we went abseiling (rappelling) with our study abroad group in the Blue Mountains. I got to the top and the abseil staff member asked me “How are you going?” meaning “How are you?” but I answered “right-handed.” That was my “welcome to Australia” moment that I still laugh about.

Blue Mountains

Finish this sentence: The people in Australia are_____________
“Cruisey.”

Australia has plenty of deadly inhabitants (snakes/spiders/Sharks/Crocs}. Did you have any animal encounters that freaked you out?
I’ve seen a few spiders, jellyfish and a wobbegong shark but nothing too serious (that wanted to eat me alive) to really freak me yet. I’m sure I’ll have more stories to tell soon enough.

We are big sports fans down under. Did you get a chance to experience any of the local action live, or possibly watch a game in a pub with other Aussies?

Definitely, I don’t mind a little rugby. I went to see the Rabbitohs play in Sydney when I moved here and I’ve been to other random rugby and basketball games when I was on the Gold Coast. A memorable game was in Melbourne seeing Ireland and Australia play their International Rules Series match in 2008 on Halloween. We bought tickets not knowing what it was, a hybrid football game played between the two countries.

Australia is a big place. If someone only had 2-3 weeks to visit, what advice would you give them as far as regions to see and ways to get around?
I would remind them to book more flights than they think they need because the distances on the map are a lot further apart than they appear. I would encourage them to see The Great Barrier Reef and the Great Ocean Road, two things that I made sure my friend saw when she was here. Of course I’m partial to Sydney as a place to see.

Great Ocean Road

What do you feel are the MUST experiences people should have visiting Australia?
Spending time on the beach and outdoors in general is pretty much required. The experience of hanging out and having a few drinks with Australians is strongly encouraged. If you can get yourself invited to a local BBQ in the park and have a sausage sizzle and beer, then you’re doing really well.

How do you research your travels in Oz? What resources do you use to figure out places to see, accommodation, flights etc?
I’m lucky that I work with Australians and non-Aussies that love to travel. I get advice from them. I’ll use social media to crowd-source recommendations, read travel blogs and research online in general. If I’m already out traveling I love asking at hostels. They have deals better suited to the young budget traveler.
My friends at Sydney Travel Tribe are great too. For my last trip I used Adioso to find my flights and VroomVroomVroom for our car rental. I met both of those guys at a Travel Tribe meetup.