Australian Couple Backpacking Til ‘I Do’: A Year of Travel Before Getting Married
Hey there, we’re Julia Clarke and Kent Rose, two 26-year-olds with a passion for travel, adventure, and creating unforgettable memories. We've been together for 6 years, and after Kent proposed to me 1.5 years ago in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (yes, it was as magical as it sounds), we made a big decision that set us on a different path: why not use our savings to explore the world before settling down?
Welcome to Our Adventure: Australian Couple Backpacking ‘Til I Do’
Instead of spending thousands on a wedding and a house deposit, we decided to say goodbye to friends and family for 12 months and tick off our bucket list of countries. It was a hard decision, and not everyone understood it, but it felt right for us. We’re already 3 months into our adventure, and we’ve added 7 countries to our list, with many more to come!
While some of our friends are busy planning weddings, buying homes, or starting families, we’re out here exploring the world and making the most of our 20s. For us, these years are about living freely, learning new things, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The idea of saying "I do" surrounded by the beauty of the world rather than in one spot was just too tempting.
Before leaving Australia, we invested in something we never imagined would become so important to our journey—a camera. Our decision to travel with a camera has opened up a whole new world for us. Not only are we capturing the landscapes and people we meet, but we’ve also discovered a love for photography. What started as a way to document our adventures has turned into a passion. From portraits of each other at iconic landmarks to snapping random moments on the street, our camera has truly enhanced this trip, and we’re excited to share our photos with you along the way.
This blog will be our place to share everything: our budget-friendly adventures, the highs and lows of traveling as a couple, and, of course, the beauty of seeing the world through the lens of a camera. We’ll also be giving you the inside scoop on the travel tips, tricks, and hacks we’ve learned along the way (and yes, we really mean budget when we say we’re keeping it affordable). From food prep and accommodation tips to packing light and making the most of our time, we’re sharing it all.
If you're someone who is curious about alternative ways to spend your 20s, or you're dreaming of taking a year-long trip before saying "I do," then we hope this blog will inspire and guide you. We believe there’s no one right way to do life, and for us, this is the best way to start the next chapter.
Travel has been a big part of our story from the start. Over the past six years, we’ve explored 10 countries in total, each with its own unforgettable moments—from getting engaged in front of the Eiffel Tower to discovering hidden beaches and mountain trails.
Now, as we spend a year on the road before our wedding, we’re documenting every step—both the highlights and the unexpected detours.
Thanks for following along! We’re excited to see where this adventure takes us, and we can’t wait to share every moment with you.
