This Summer I used the Gateway funding I received to help towards funding a once-in-a-lifetime, 3-week trip to Australia and Bali. I paid for the majority of the trip with wages I had saved from previous years, but the assistance from Gateway allowed me to engage in activities that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford.
Australia has always been on my list of places to visit, and choosing return flights to Bali kept our overall costs down with the added bonus of being able to experience a beautiful and diverse place.
My step-sister and I planned the entire trip ourselves, which is something that was a challenge, but has allowed us to greatly develop our independence and confidence.
Our trip began in Melbourne. I had no idea what to expect as I knew very few people who had been here, but I was very pleasantly surprised with how much of an interesting and diverse place it was. We took in the incredible views of the city at the top of the tallest skyscraper in Australia and explored the streets and coast.
Sydney, the next city on our tour, had a beautiful harbor, stunning coastline and sleek city centre. We spent 8 days absorbing the sights before flying to Cairns.
Our main reason for visiting Cairns was to take a snorkeling trip on the Great Barrier Reef, which has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. It was an unforgettable experience that I would not have been able to do without the help of my Gateway funding.
We finished off our trip with a couple of days in Bali, where we experienced a different way of life and saw some of the most amazing natural scenery.
Grace Rooney
Law