Should I travel for a year?

Question

I'm 25 and I currently have a good job, but I'm seriously considering taking 2007 out and travelling around Australia for a year or two. Has anyone else been in the same position and had regrets for not going. Or has it turned out to be a bad idea and wish you never left.

Answer 1

When I was 24-25 (back in 2001-2002) I went traveling around Oz and NZ (5 weeks). It was the BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE!
Get a friend and a van and drive around the entire country! That's what I did. I love outdoor stuff, bking, running, swimming, hiing, camping, etc. AMAZING. TRULY Amazing! If you can do this, DEFINITELY go for it!
Go to Karijini National Park in WA.. in the middle of nowhere. Go to Kakadu National park in NT. Go scuba diving on teh great barrier reef. Go see the flinders ranges in SA. Drive along the south coats of WA and see the amazing scenery and the drive through the area with the huge trees and climb the fire lookout tress. Go to Sydney and walk/run from Bondi to Coogee along the coastal walk. Go to Coral Bay in WA and then to Exmouth and the NIgaloo Reef. Go see Kalbarri in WA and hike in the national park that starts with natures window, you'll love it. Do a 3 day canoe trip down the Ord river near Kununurra...don't worry the crocs are freshwater crocs...the friendly ones. Climb mount warning on the east coast. Bike around Rottnest Island a short ferry from Perth and pet a Quokka. Go see a slew of waterfalls on the waterfall way on the east coast. Bring a blanket, it gets cold at night at that elevation.... so much more to do....

Answer 2

Everybody answering this question on this forum is likely to answer 'yes you should go'. I think you should go. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you would regret not going. If you have never been travelling before, start off somewhere easy like a two week or month long interail trip around Europe. If you have a taste for it, take the year out.
People who I have come across who have regretted taking a year out have only regretted it because they did not enjoy the travel. As they did not enjoy the travel (and consequently found it hard to adjust to long term travel), holding their lives in the UK for a year had a much more profound effect on them than if they had enjoyed the travel.

Answer 3

Go! I took a year out ten years ago. Ten years of moving around and work overseas with a couple of years in the UK (had a baby) and I'm back here broke and at uni. Don't regret any of it. I gave up a good job but place of work closed within a year of my leaving. You never know what's coming so make the most of life while you can.

Answer 4

with the new working holiday incentives in Australia and the amount of work here you should absolutely do it ! Australia is gorgeous and you will have a great time travelling the harvest trail or working your way around Oz! if you work in a regional are for three months doing picking or farm work you can get your working visa extended too which is a huge bonus. Great jobs last a few years but the memories you will make while here will last a life time !

Answer 5

There is no better time to travel than NOW for you, you are young, not married, no kids. I would say GO FOR IT and just have fun. I arrived Australia when I was 24 years old and never regret any minute of it, after 17 years I left Australia and headed for California I had been here for 11 years and never regret any minute of it either.

Answer 6

Look at your budget first,,that's include all your plan budget for the year and some savings even if you return that there is always something to start with.
Traveling is a good idea and opportunity..
Maybe the bad idea is not being prepared for leaving and returning.. there's always unexpected things that would happen while you are in travel.. expects some bad things coming and learn from it, but keep the good things and memories always.
Hope you enjoy your future plans to travel and explore..
In all my travels, I had never had regrets. It is always a challenge and it changed my life, everywhere there is a story to tell.. As for each person, there's always a way how they deal things and work on it..to pursue their goals.. you can do it!

Answer 7

I just got back from a year away and it was the best thing i ever did.

I rented my house out

Took my 6yr old out of school

Packed 1 bag

And did a round world trip.


I took a sabbatical leave from work so i had the security of my job if i wanted it when i got back - which i don't!

You should check out the price of round world tickets, cos they often work out cheaper for some reason and you get to go somewhere else too.

I strongly recommend you don't ONLY do Aus, Thailand and India are stupidly cheap and SO easy to get around and worth going to.

DEFINITELY GO.

Answer 8

yes yes yes. You only have one chance at life. See if you can take a year ot and keep the security of your job when you return, Iwent around the world, and would recomend it to anyone. Specifically I would never go to Aus for so long, there is a lot more to see and more diferent cultures in India, Vietnam, Thailand........ (and its a lot cheaper. Go wth your heart, but your at a good age to do it and may never feel you have the chance again. Good luck

Answer 9

great idea, do it for sure. it is a great way get some life experience under your belt. I wouldsuggest first do some planning and work out a few regions that are a must see for you and things you really want to do.

if you are going to fruit pick or something like that to sustain your lifestyle while you are travelling check out backpacker pages which will give you an idea of where and when fruit pickers are required.

hope this helps and go and enjoy yourself.

Answer 10

Gosh, its a real opportunity. You could take a sabbatical from work, the working visa in Australia is fantastic. But, there is a whole world out there, with some fantastic places to travel to. I would say plan it out, see if you can afford to do it, if so - then why not!