The Excursion - Proper Planning

Back again!

This time I'm here to write out the list of supplies I'll be needing to take with me on my journey. As it isn't going to be a short bike ride to the corner store and home, I'm going to need a bit more than a single water bottle and five bucks for a snack.

Nope, this trip is going to be a journey, and pushing myself this far will not only require the physical necessities such as food and water, but contingency supplies as well i.e first aid kits, necessary medications, vitamins perhaps. On top of that I need to worry about my shelter and other facets of solo travel life. This is where the list begins.

Oh and I should mention that the vast majority of these things I hope to acquire BEFORE arriving in Sydney in an attempt to keep costs down what with having to exchange my Canadian dollars at the 0.97 rate or whatever it may be when I finally swap out. My bike and any associated attachments, specific maps and KOAla lists (my naming of the Australian 'caravan parks' that remind me of KOA's lol) and other things more easily, or practically obtained locally will be the only items I hope to buy for this trip AFTER arriving in Sydney.

So here's my list, I'm not separating it by what I'm buying where, but I will definitely be deciding that eventually and editing the list as the need arises.

List of Supplies and Necessities:

Big Ticket Items

• Plane Tickets
• Bike
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Bike Cargo Racks
• Backpack / Pannier Bags for Supplies
• Bike Pump / Repair Kit

Standard Fare:

• Non-Perishable Food
• Water
• First Aid Kit
  + Advil
• Comfortable Clothing
• Socks... Lots of socks.
• Small Pillow
• Water Bottles
• Sunglasses
• Bike Helmet
• Maps of
  -Roadways
  -Caravan Parks
  -National Parks w/ Camping Areas
  -Local Attractions
• Chapstick (Sounds dry over there)
• Toiletries
  -Soap
  -Shampoo
  -Electric Razor / Disposables
  -Shaving Cream (in case of disposables)
  -Anti-Perspirant
  -Tooth Brush
  -Tooth Paste
  -Toilet Paper (Steve Irwin taught me to ALWAYS carry TP)
• Sunscreen
• Biking Gloves

Okay it's freaking late... So to sleep I go.

G'Night Mates,

Joshua J. Taylor

The Excursion - Introductions Must Be Made

Hey,


I'm Joshua Taylor, and I'm planning a trip to Australia in the summer of 2013.


What? The title of the bloody post is "Introductions Must Be Made:, didn't you expect that? Regardless, I realized while publishing articles to my other blog, Fishbowl Living that the posts would be better off on their own page so that the regular news in the fishbowl doesn't wipe out my trip planning posts, and vice versa. As such, you have My Australian Adventure.


Now the premise here is pretty simple. I intend to apply for a working holiday visa for Australia, hop some super econo-class might-as-well-be-a-cargo-plane flight to Sydney where the visa firm hosts an acclimatization seminar and traveller's mixer as well as a job fare, and after taking down all the pertinent information and informing any and all prospective employers of the next stage of this plan, I intend to move on to the main purpose of my trip.

Doors I hope to see.

I will be looking to purchase a mountain bike, or at the very least a bicycle equally suited to road and rougher terrain, a small shelf-style carrier to mount over the rear wheel, and a number of essential supplies. After gathering up everything I need, I'll be setting out northward bound towards the Queensland city of Brisbane on Australia's North-Eastern shore, and after reaching Brisbane, I'll be pushing it just a little bit further to Beerwah, Queensland, Australia to the site of the Australia Zoo. Many of you will know the significance of this wildlife sanctuary and zoo, but for those who don't, I suggest you do a little research as it pertains to Steve Irwin. That should clear a couple of things up, and if you can picture me glued to my television set as a young boy, that might explain why I'm adding an extra 104km to my already significant tour.

Road Map of my
Route

In any case, after reaching the Australia Zoo and going about my intended business there (either leaving written mail for a few of Steve's family and friends with my gratitude for everything he and they have done or personally expressing these feelings) I'm going to turn my two-wheeled friend around and set back to Brisbane for a short stopover while I take in some of the sights and experiences there. After my obligatory touristy moment, I'll be running the same (or extremely similar) course back to Sydney where I will be pursuing employment in order to stick around the wonderful nation as long as legally possible.


And that's the skinny of the plan. After my visa expires, or when it becomes absolutely necessary that I acquire a plane ticket home for risk of being stranded in a country a few thousand kilometres away, I'll be coming back to the Great White North to share my experiences with everyone here... And hopefully show off some extent of a tan, though I doubt it'll be much to show if anything.


Now I'm going to be drawing up a list of supplies that I'll need on this trip, but considering it will need constant updating and input from you, the reader, I'll be creating a page linked to this blog where the supply list will be posted and maintained. I hope you'll provide me with some feedback on it... Positive only folks. I'm looking for constructive suggestions not blind hate and pessimism.


That about sums it up except for the cold, hard facts...


Sydney --> Brisbane --> Australia Zoo = 977km.
Round Trip = 1854km
Travelling Hours @ 15km/h = 123.6 hours
6 hrs Travelled Per Day = 20.6 days
+1 day @ the Australia Zoo
+3 days in Sydney
+2 days in Brisbane


...And you have a trip that ought to last roughly 26 days, with a day or so's leeway in case of a slower travel day that I can't for some reason, make up for before I've spent 4 weeks on this trip. I'm sure I could push myself and get it done faster while still having the same days in the cities to sightsee etc. however, I'd rather not push myself and risk injury, ultimately ending my trip.


That's all for now everyone but before I go I'd like to leave you with a sentiment that reflects where I'd like to see this all wind up...


G'day mate!


Joshua J. Taylor