Judy Bailey is taking you on a journey of the lesser-known highlights of "The Lucky Country". In new 5 part series Judy Bailey’s Australia, the veteran broadcaster seeks out Australia’s best-kept secrets to share with New Zealand viewers. 
Starting in Western Australia Judy circumnavigates Australia’s vast landscape, stopping to explore the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, goes in search of the extinct Tasmanian Tiger, takes up surfing in Byron Bay and explores the wetlands of ‘The Top End’ at Kakadu.
Judy shares her most memorable moments from her travels with us (including a terrifying encounter of the tuna kind!), and offers invaluable travel advice for Kiwis keen to trek across the diverse terrain of our nearest and dearest neighbour.
We have some preconceived notions that the outskirts of Australia are a barren “no-mans land”, were your own perceptions of the country challenged on your trip? I had always thought the outback would be hot, dusty, barren and full of flies. I got the hot bit right but dusty and barren it was not. I was surprised by how green it was and how full of bird and animal life. No flies either …don’t think I saw one the whole time I was there! It was a revelation. Ancient landscapes, breathtakingly beautiful and full of interesting indigenous stories.
New Zealand is known as the home of extreme sports but you seemed to get into some adventurous activities on your travels. What was the most thrilling?
Very difficult to choose one experience so I’m going to tell you about two. First was swimming with sea lions at Baird Bay on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It was magic. These are truly wild animals and any encounter with them is entirely on their terms. They want to play. Our guide, Alan Payne has been swimming with them for twenty years….he’s like the Pied Piper of sea lions …they’ll follow him anywhere. They really come close brushing up against you, checking you out. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.
The second instance was again an animal encounter … this time turtles on Lady Elliott Island…. We happened to come across a nest of turtles hatching and making their way to the sea. It was an incredibly moving moment, lighting the way for them to the ocean (they’re attracted by light) as they began their journey around the world. One in a thousand will survive and they will return to nest on the very same beach in around forty years time ….amazing!
Did you ever feel hesitant about undertaking any of the experiences? What was the most frightenting moment?
Very definitely! By far the most frightening was leaping in with the Bluefin tuna in Boston Bay off Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. The water is very deep …. I’m not at all happy in deep water …I like to be able to see the bottom! The tuna are huge and swim extremely fast, straight at you before they veer away at the last minute….they also have very sharp teeth!
Did you get to cuddle a Tasmanian devil in Tasmania? Are they as ferocious as we’ve been led to believe?
Not exactly cuddle ….but I did get real close and stroke him. They are extremely ferocious when feeding but not as scary as you’d think…in fact they’re quite appealing.
You visit many regions you’ve never been to before, what surprised you most on your journey?
Another tricky question, but I think overall, it was the diversity you find in Australia that surprised me. I was awestruck by the scale of the place, by its amazing landscape, its history and the abundance of animals ….they’re everywhere, in the trees, bounding along the side of the road. I had the time of my life there.
What’s your best travel tip when embarking on a long road trip such as yours?
Travel light and keep your mobile phone charged up so you can keep in touch with family at home!
What advice would you give to Kiwis planning on taking a trip down the “roads less travelled” of Australia?
Check the fuel gauge, it may be further than you think to the next petrol station!
Judy Bailey's Australia airs Saturdays, 8.30pm on TVOne
0 Comments