When we planned our family trip to Australia over the Christmas and New Year holidays, we didn’t realize what a pivotal point the country would be at while we were there. Whether climate activism, empathy, nervousness or fond memories were on your mind, the consistent headlines about the bushfires devastating this beautiful country in December and January ensured that global eyes were looking towards Australia over this season.
Now, with a little time for reflection and the devastation of the fires thankfully under control, I wanted to share some personal photos from our trip, and some thoughts about the experience.
Bright , Victoria, Australia
So many road closers. Our predicted 3 hour travel time, turned into a 10 hour marathon.
One of Bright’s beautiful Watering Holes. You can see the smoke drifting down from the mountains through the trees in the background.
As it turned out, the part of the country we were visiting, (The State of Victoria, in southeast Australia. It encompasses mountains, national parks, wineries and surfing beaches), was quite close to the epicentre of the southern bushfires sweeping through Australia.
It made for a unique and thoughtful experience; the privilege of enjoying the country’s unparalleled beauty came while we were all very aware that it absolutely, could NOT be taken for granted. Not anymore.
The Road in and out of Bright , Victoria, Australia
Departing Bright 9am. Evacuation was inevitable.
The smoke, ash and (lack of) visibility became a frequent queue, reminding us of what was happening nearby, even as we were enjoying beautiful vistas, incredible swims and making wonderful family memories.
As a photographer, I am usually pretty thoughtful about where I point my lens, what composition is created, what memories are captured. But there was even more urgency and emotion than usual. I was aware of the shared experience – both of Australians and the whole world that was watching and reading about the country. I felt even luckier, and more appreciative of the landscapes that we were able to enjoy.
We evacuated Metung at 4am, to ensure we wouldn’t be trapped by the imminent road closures and fires predicted to sweep into the area.
Stunning Sorento Beach. At the beginning of our travels. There was no sign of the impending fires
While I’m always stimulated by travel experiences and hold time with my family so very dear, this trip and these sights will always take on a particularly special memory for me. They’ve reignited my appreciation for the land itself and further ignited (pun intended) my commitment towards green values and climate conservation.
xo Anna