what i would do in 5 days in queensland

Meet Roo. He's the first boy I slept with. (Let me rephrase - the first boy with whom I slept.)

I've never been to Australia, and I’ve wanted to go most of my life. (Me: Mom, where do kangaroos come from? Mom: I knew we'd have this talk someday...)  

When I heard about a competition hosted by Johnny Jet (@johnnyjet) in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Delta Vacations for one blogger to win a five day trip to Queensland, I -- well, I searched D.C. for Vegemite, bought a kid's snorkel, and made a total fool of myself on camera.

For my entry to win a trip down under, I've whittled my extensive must-do list in Queensland to a potential five day itinerary and created a shameless short video to complement the written portion.

Trek in the Outback 

Queensland's plentiful national parks (such as Lamington National Park), rainforests (such as Daintree), and open country are the things my daydreams are made of. I would spend a day bush walking, summiting a mountain, or trekking to the bottom of a gorge. As a dedicated TEQ blogger, my goal would be to learn and relay to my readers and followers the stories of the outback - the myths and legends, the reality of the landscapes, and what it's like to hike in Queensland.

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

I've had the privilege and joy of snorkeling in caves in Okinawa and with whale sharks in Mozambique. I've seen beautiful things under water, but I haven't yet seen the Holy Grail of them all: the Great Barrier Reef. I would bring my underwater camera and instagram pictures from one of the 7 wonders of the world - inviting my friends, family, and followers to come with me and explore the world from under the sea.

Follow the Food and Wine Trail

I’m a firm believer that food and wine tell a story of a place. From vineyards you learn a history of agriculture and the land. From food you learn what pioneers foraged and how it became the basis of local staple dishes. Queensland is a quickly growing region on the world wine stage. I want to encourage potential visitors to experience Queensland through the lens of a glass of wine on a local food and winery tour.

Wildlife Ecotour

I would opt to take a guided or self-guided tour through a wildlife refuge or natural habitat that prioritizes preserving the land and the safety and well-being of the animals. I would use my social media channels to share photos I take tiptoeing through the forest to see a kangaroo (maybe he's throwing a punch - who knows!), crouching low to spot a crocodile or craning my neck to catch a glimpse of a parrot.

Exploring Fraser Island

I'd explore the world's largest sand island for hours - searching for shipwreck remnants, sidestepping my way into the mangrove forests, and looking out for dingoes. Unplanned adventures make for my favorite memories and best blog posts. I can always sleep on the plane back, right? 

What would you do if you had 5 days in Queensland? 

Follow the competition on twitter with the hashtag #5daysinQueensland. If you’re so inclined, please share my post so I can have the opportunity to share my trip with you!