Since September 2019, fires have ravaged over 25 million acres of bush and national park, killed at least 25 people and millions of animals and birds.  One third of the population of koalas in the state of New South Wales are thought to have been lost, along with huge tracts of their habitat.  Whether they can recover their numbers is unknown.

One third of Kangaroo Island, a popular holiday and tourism destination off the coast of South Australia, has burned vineyards, homes and national parks just gone.

One third of the Adelaide Hills region wineries have been destroyed.  It’s estimated that 19,000 farms have been destroyed, along with thousands of commercial bee hives.

A school auditorium has converted to a hospital for injured koalas, and the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo has rescued or treated over 90,000 animals since the fires broke out.

Around the world, people are digging deep and supporting fundraisers for animal rescue programs, to help families rebuild after losing everything they owned, and supporting the largely volunteer-based Rural Fire Brigade organizations around the country, which have been affected be government-funding cuts.

As If you’d like to donate, reputable official fundraisers are listed below.  These organizations are helping the volunteer fire fighters, the families who have lost everything, the wildlife rescue groups and so much more.

But what’s becoming clear now is that tourism and small business has taken a massive hit, as tourists cancel their vacations or delay until March or April.  Tourism operators in locations outside of the bushfire areas are also suffering from cancellations, and everything from boutique hotels to small tour companies and restaurants are under threat of closure because the visitor numbers just aren’t there.

If you’re rethinking a vacation to Australia in 2020, maybe think again.  You can help out by visiting this year.  There are still incredible destinations downunder that will give you the experience of a lifetime and you’ll be supporting an industry facing a crisis.

Travelers are more than tourists – they’re actually the lifeblood for thousands of small businesses and tourism operators. Australia is a big country and there are plenty of places unaffected by the bushfires that will welcome you with a smile and an Aussie welcome.   Check out the Tourism Australia website for up to date information.

There are fundraisers being held across the globe, and the following are a handful of reputable and official groups that are currently providing help in the affected regions.

Australian Red Cross
NSW Rural Fire Service
St Vincent de Paul Society
WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc)
Port MacQuarie Koala Hospital 

How I got to this point, well, that’s a little more complicated.

As young parents, we made sure to take a family vacation at least once a year. My two girls were just children, each new experience opening up a whole new world for them. And now that they’re all grown up, we still look back and reminisce about the amazing beach days in Hawaii or all the fun we had in Vegas. Those family vacations have become some of the happiest memories of my life. Recently, my oldest daughter took her boyfriend to the same timeshare we used to visit when she was young, and I love knowing that she will now take those childhood memories with her as she begins her own journey through life.

Years passed, the girls grew up, and I went through a divorce. The urge to get out and travel was stronger than ever. But there I was, an empty-nester; none of my girlfriends could be convinced to join me on my European adventure. I dug deep, swallowed my fears and anxieties and headed across the globe alone. To say that my first solo trip forced me outside my comfort zone would be an understatement. I was in a foreign land, didn’t speak the language, forgot my credit card at home (yes, I was broke) and got lost more times than I can count. During my trip I had several moments when I felt like crying.  But despite all that, I made it back to the US alive, and so much stronger than when I had left.

As stressful as my first adventure into solo travel was, the experience left me wanting more. By connecting with other cultures, I had begun to better understand myself and realized what it was that I wanted out of life. I set out again, traveling to various destinations, each adventure providing me with unforgettable experiences and the opportunity for personal growth. I was more confident in myself than I had ever been. I found a deep-rooted happiness that reminded me of those family vacations I had taken so many times before. This is the same happiness I want to share with my fellow Travel Chicks.

I want to create a community where women, of all ages and backgrounds, can come together and share their love of travel. The Travel Chicks community will provide a safe space where women can grow and learn from one another. A place where they can find strength in numbers, pooling the knowledge gained by their fellow Travel Chicks, and find inspiration in their stories and adventures. A place where solo travelers never have to feel alone, and would-be wanderers can find travel companions to join them on their journey. 

Knowledge is power, and I want to empower women to get out and explore the world. And there is strength in community, so I want women to feel emboldened to push their limits, leave their comfort zone and discover their true inner strength as they discover the wonders that are waiting for them out on the road.

So come on ladies, what are you waiting for. Let’s get packing!