How lucky we are in Australia

How lucky we are in this beautiful country of ours! While much of the globe continues to struggle to tame the rampant Covid-19 health challenge, and some countries still experiencing devastating crisis, we are comparably safe on our vast island.

Initially, through trial and error,  fumbling our way to contain the growth of the unprecedented, unwelcomed antagonist, we have achieved massive results leading up to now. Predominantly we have listened to the voice of authority and heeded the guidance of our country's health specialists. We've done exceptionally well.

However, without sounding ungrateful, for I know how extremely fortunate I am, my thoughts tend to venture to around the late 1700's when over a significant period of time, various parts of our country confined overseas offenders. With an international travel ban in place (and rightly so), I feel a tad imprisoned on our golden soil.

Male prisoners were generally utilised as labourers to construct roads and buildings or put to use on government farms. The more  educated among them were placed in administration work. Convict woman too were useful on farms and were typically instructed to engage in domestic duties. 

I happen to carry out most of these activities on a daily basis, although I haven't broken any laws and do not wear a ball and chain around my ankle! Thanks to the pandemic I am, in a contemporary sense, somewhat feeling a minuscule sensation of our roots.

I miss overseas travel terribly. Finally reaching a stage in life equipped to frequently enjoy exploring different cultures and environments, my dream remains treading water. Hugging loved ones across the seas is but a surreal, distant memory. 

Besides the travel bubble presently in place between Australia and New Zealand (excluding Western Australia), the recommencement of international travel elsewhere is overshadowed by speculation and mystery. Department of Health Secretary Dr Brendan Murphy states, "It depends largely on the status of Australia's nationwide vaccine program. Even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus." 

Some major airlines like Qantas plan to restart their international flight schedules from October in line with our country's vaccination program. Although travel restrictions and government advice changes frequently, there are conversations of establishing travel bubbles with low risk countries in Asia and the South Pacific, such as Singapore, Fiji, Vanuatu, Japan and South Korea - as long as all travellers have had the jab. However, I'm not holding my breath!

Now is the perfect, and more or less, only opportunity to relish in Australian adventures. Our nation has some of the most incredible, diverse 'must sees', in the world, which never fail to take our breath away. From the frosty, white peaks of Cradle Mountain to the fiery, red earth around Uluru, the pristine sands of the Whitsunday Islands to the untamed beaches and bush of Wilsons Promontory. Every direction of our vast, beautiful land is waiting to be discovered. The stunning landscapes and differing climates are endless whichever destination you choose.

So if you're due for holidays or simply feel an urgency to nurture your mental health - and your circumstances allow - now is perhaps the ideal time to acquaint yourself with parts of our wondrous continent you haven't yet embraced. Take a road trip and spend your tourist dollars supporting struggling communities along the way or make the most of affordable interstate flights. Continue to practice good hygiene and sensibly social distance wherever possible. Simply be mindful of your environment as you rejuvenate your soul ... and look forward to one day traveling across the oceans again as I do.

One of the stunning sunrises looking across to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria.