Ella is now studying for a BA in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Leeds and during her Gap Year she decided to pursue her passion for adventure on a trip to South East Asia for which she was granted a Bradfield Society Adventure Travel Award. This is Ella's report...

After two flights and 36 hours of travelling, I arrived in Sydney from London. Sydney was a fun city with interesting architecture and iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. K’gari (Fraser Island) was one of my favourite stops due to the sheer remoteness and beauty. Camping and cooking on the island with no phone service meant we were fully immersed in its beauty and peace whilst being self-sufficient. It is the world’s largest sand island and a world heritage site with an ancient rainforest which has grown directly out of the sand dunes and is home to rare insects and animals. We also went to Lake McKenzie which is a ‘perched lake’ solely formed from rainwater and has a stunning turquoise colour. The lake is surrounded by eucalyptus forest and rainforest which creates the peaceful, natural setting. Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk was another location that was definitely worth the hike. It features a mix of beaches, clifftops and rainforest finishing at the most easterly point on Mainland Australia.

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