Welcome to Sydney - Intro Travel

If you are thinking of coming over to Australia then Oz Intro in Sydney is an essential. 9 incredible action packed days they help you with all the basics, stress free. Like your Aussie SIM, Medicare card as well as helping you plan your east coast trip and/or look for work. This is also a great way to meet like minded backpackers who are in the same boat, literally

Before you land 

Ever before you head to Australia, Intro Travel are there for you, any questions or worries you might have they are there to answer. You also get a "before you go" email that has lots of information on important things to note before you come. As well as a "important info" email and "itinerary" email, with help on what to pack and where they will be picking you up from. 

When you arrive

I can tell you one thing, when you arrive from traveling 24 hours you are going to be a mess as hard as you try not too. You are. Oz intro offer an airport pick up service so you don't have to worry about trying to get to the hostel in the state that you are. Even if you arrive 3 days before like me they will still pick you up!

For me personally, this really helped me out as it was just one less thing to worry about and I know I was getting to the hostel safely. 

Darling harbour at night.

Day 1 -

This is pretty much a chilled day and allows the people who have just arrived to relax. You meet the leader and group in the hostel common room around 6:30 where they just explain a few things and go through the weeks activities. From there you pay $10 for a meal and drink over at scaries. The club next to the hostel. It's also trivia night so as you get to know your fellow group mates, you try your best at trivia.  

That night me and one of the girls from the group, Cleo went for a midnight wonder along the harbour, to the bridge and then back to the hostel. This will be a memory that stays with me for life and it was the first moment I realised I was here and had finally followed my dreams. Of course this walk wouldn't have been complete without the mcflurry on the way back through town, an essential for any walk in Sydney. I would recommend this as you see Sydney in a whole new light and it's super peaceful.

Day 2 -

The following morning after a stop at woolies for breakfast and snacks, If you are from the UK then it's weird seeing Woolworths again, however minus the pick a mix. Then it off to the bank to get your Aussie bank and card all set up. This is needed if you are thinking about working out here because you will be paid into this account. You might have already transfers some of your money into this account.  It doesn't take that long but there is a PlayStation 2 to keep you company whilst you wait. Toy Story skateboarding will forever have a place in my heart.
Once that is all sorted then you have a lovely walk along the botanical gardens where you have some lunch and more time to get to know your group. 
After that you head down to the harbour for Jet Boating, where I promise you now, no matter where you sit you will still get wet. 
It's the perfect way to learn a lot about the harbour whilst singing along to some classic tunes and smiling so much that your checks hurt.
As hard as it is, do try and look away from the views when it comes to taking a group selfie or you will end up looking like me.

Jet Boating along Sydney harbour. Me clearly not looking at the camera.

Once you are back and all dry, it's time for the first official night out of the tour. You all get abroad the "party bus" which is really just a shuttle bus full of disco lights and music. It's a really good atmosphere and the perfect way to get you into the party spirit. You head over to World Bar where you are welcomed with a free drink. Now it's time to get the night started. 
On our tour it wasn't the best night so we all headed back to scaries for the silence disco. Which from what I got told (due to not going out) was a really good night so do check it out!

Day 3-

Time for the boat Cruise! On day 3 you all head down to darling harbour for a cruise around the harbour. This is the perfect time to relax, make sure you hit the bottle shop first and stock up on the goon or Little fat lamb (cheap cider) to make it just that little bit more perfect. Enjoy the sun whilst listening to the killer tunes. You also get the chance to go for a swim and impress the rest of the group with your backflip skills

Extra bonus if you get Tom as your tour leader as his candid photo skills are the best! As you can see by the photo below

After the swim, it's time for lunch, of course the cruise wouldn't be complete without a barbecue!

Just one of Toms incredible candid photos - no additional charges apply.

Day 3 was also Halloween which of course meant a night out. As all backpackers know you have to be as cheap as possible, this mixed with some creativity can result in some cool ideas, like this DIY ghost costume that cost $0. I will let your imagination work out what was used.

DIY ghost costume, team affect for sure.

Day 4 -

On day 4 you catch the bus to Bondi, you spend the morning on the beach sunbathing or going for a swim. You have a good few hours to do your own thing, you can wander the beach if you want too. I was super lucky to meet a close friend of mine who was staying at Bondi. It was the first time we had both seen each other since arriving in Australia and I'm so glad I got to see her. We had a good catch up on the beach. Another memory that will stay with me for life. Along the wall that separates the beach from the road is paintings from a range of artists, every few months a new artist will come along and cover a previous piece if they believe they can do better. 

After chilling at the beach you make your along the coogee walk. Whilst we were on the tour the sculpture exhibitions was also running. Along the walk was a range of sculptures and art pieces. It was amazing to see as some of the sculptures had used the surround area as part of the work.

After about the 30 minute walk along the beautiful coast you stop for a barbecue all prepared by the lovely staff. Alcohol is also provided, however if like me you don't drink a lot then soft drinks can also be provided, which I think is a really nice touch. You also have the choose of what you want to drink (cider or beer). You then head on down to the beach where you can continue to enjoy the sun or get yourself in with the activities from rounders to volleyball.

This was the moment I realised that rounders is harder on sand then land, so if like me you can't run then prepare to get covered in sand from all the times you fall over. Then again be prepared to be covered in sand for the rest of the time you are in Australia, it gets everywhere and you will be finding it in your bed for weeks.

One of the painting on the Bondi beach wall.

That night was a chilled one, me and a few others from the group ordered in a Nandos, sat on the hostel floor and just had a laugh. One thing I've learnt from being here is that not every moment has to be an epic adventure, memories will still come from the smaller simpler times like takeaway on the hostel floor. This is also a great way to really get to know the people you are traveling with and just have a really good conversation.
Also from this moment onwards, pineapple will always be an extra on any burger I get. So good!

Day 5 - 

This is one of the best days in my opinion, as on day 5 you head down to Port Stephens. You get picked up by the staff from Mojo surf (the company you will be learning to surf with) the drive is about 3 hours so make sure you have a lot of shows downloaded on Netflix or just sleep like 99% of the bus does. You arrive at Port Stephens where you will be staying at a beautiful hostel. We were lucky enough to stay in 6 bed wooden cabins all in a row. They are basic but beautiful. 

After being told all about the wonderful yet deadly animals around the cabin which you probably won't see anyway you get taken to the beach is ex military 4x4s. Where you learn to surf. It's truly an experience like no other and if like me you don't get the hang of it first time you still have a laugh and that's the main thing. You spend a good few hours in the water which is really good. That's another reason why I would recommend Oz intro is the fact that you always have enough time at each stop. You still do so any activities but nothing is ever rushed.

Your sweet ride whilst in Port Stephen's 

Another the surf lesson you all have a chance to shower and change, as well as have lunch before heading to the local brewery where you get the chance to sample a range of wines and beers. We sat on the patio where we all just chilled, A few people got a bottle of wine to share. Ice cream was also found which was very popular within the group. I would defiantly recommend the Smarties one, it was so good! 

This is the perfect chill time after a tiring morning of surfing. 

Ice cream at the brewery. The face of true love right there.

After the brewery you head to the bottle'o (bottle shop) to pick up some alcohol for the night. 

This was also the first time I got myself a cheeky cider to watch the sunset with, I mean because why not! Beach, cider and a sunset. What else could you ask for? 

After a few attempts at a group pyramid we all just sat and watched the view. By this point you and the group have become more of a family and the conversation just flows naturally. This has to be one of my favourite memories from the whole of my trip so far. The sun went down, the alcohol got drunk and then off to the camp we went. 

That night was one of the best meals you get on the trip. You all help yourself to the range of meats, salads and sides, sit outside in the moonlight and continue the night. Games got played and the conversation still flowed. You also get joined by a few locals, the opossum's that live at the hostel all come out to say hello and try there luck with the food. 

Left - Cider with a view. Right - group pyramid, attempt number 1.

Day 6 -

Its the time to head back to Sydney but first you all get back into the 4x4s and head out for sandboarding. This is such a laugh and I hope you all give it a go. You sit on what looks like a snow board with your heals pressed against a little lip of wood, your hands go back as the brakes and you just go. It's not as scary as it looks, the most painful part is the walk back up the dune for your next turn,I would recommending using your board as support. Also try your luck at going head first or as cute couple goals. for more speed slightly reduce your hands in the sand. 

After fun in the sand you make your way to a beautiful hike. The view is worth it in the end but if it is as hot as the day we did it, try not to die. First you play follow the leader up to the top as you are guided by the tunes from the speaker. I can tell you know I went from the group at the front to the group at the very back after about 10 minutes. Once you get to the top the view is so rewarding. 

The view from the top. 

Next is the dolphin tour. You make you way down to the harbour and onto a boat. From there you get taken all around the harbour on search of the marine beauties. It wasn't long before we saw them, a tip is to look for a group of boats with other tourists on and there will most likely be something there. They got really close to the boat which was amazing too. 

On the way back to Sydney you also stop off and get the chance to cuddle with some wild kangaroos. You stop off at this open field behind a old hospitals and cuddle til your heart has melted. They are so friendly and love it when you tickle under their chins, it's like they go into their own little world. It's definitely another one of my favourite things from this tour.

I broke the kangaroo.

And how do you celebrate coming back to Sydney? That's with a night out of course. And by night out I mean go to the club next door and get super pissed. On the plus side, you save money by not getting a taxi back! You try and see how many intro members can get on the small dance floor at once. Of course when scaries ends you all have to make your way into town for a Maccies. So we all headed in and got a cheeky Maccies before finding are way back. A night I won't forget after doing flips over bike stands and sitting in a person's piss! Who was sat right next to us and didn't even say a word!

Day 7 -

Day 7 is really needed after day 6. This is the day your leader helps you out with future travels plans and where you get it all booked in. They are so helpful and makes the process a lot less stressful, the only thing you have to worry about is whether to head to Carin's from Sydney or fly to Carin's and work your way down, easier said then done. This is also the time for you to have a bit of an explore of Sydney if you haven't already. Or to ring up your family and tell them you might not be coming home. 

Honestly though, if it wasn't for Tom I would have been so stuck and wouldn't have known where to start or what to book. He goes through all the places that you are interested in and gets it all booked as opened dates so all you have to do is ring up a few days before you arrive and you are good to go. 

Day 8 - 

Your last day with your group, it's an emotional one I won't lie. After spending the morning sorting out your Medicare card, you have the rest of the day to just chill with your group or explore the city. Nothing beats a bit of shopping for a new dress to wear to the meal that night. Yes, the week is almost over which means it's time for a farewell meal at the top of the Westfield building, a all you can eat buffet as you rotate around. One minute you will be looking over the city, the next over the harbour bridge.  The melt in the middle brownies are to die for too! 

Following the meal, is the last night out so you better make it a good one. The goodbyes are 100% more emotional when drunk or hungover if it's the following morning. 

After a few drinks at the farewell meal.

Day 9 -

Time to say goodbye to your oz intro family as you head your different ways. An emotional one for sure. This might also be the day you head on up the east coast!

This week with intro travel will be one that stays with me for life, I have made some lifelong friends and incredible memories. Its worth every single penny. Without it I would have been so lost arriving to Sydney. Oz intro takes away all the pressure and stress and replaces it with laughter and fun. 

The people do make the tour and I'm so glad I got to meet so many incredible and beautiful people. 

I hope your enjoyed this post and the next thing you are going to do is book onto Oz Intro.

This is a bit different then my normal post so please let me know what you thing.