A Two-Week Adventure in Australia: Business, Beaches, and a Bit of Barnawartha

What started as a standard commissioning trip quickly evolved into a two-week journey across Australia filled with meaningful meetings, marketing milestones, and a few memorable misadventures.

North Lakes, Australia – Boardwalk Trail

Business Down Under

I traveled to Australia with my colleague Ingo to commission a set of Nyle Dehydrator units for a pet food manufacturer located in Howlong, Victoria – a quiet town in the southern part of the country. Our days began in thick fog, often so dense the local team was amazed we didn’t encounter a kangaroo en route. It was peak winter in Australia, with crisp morning temperatures around 8°C (46°F), and sunsets as early as 4:30 PM.

While onsite, we captured B-roll marketing footage and filmed an FAQ video focused on sensor probes and PLC controls, helping to build our content library and provide useful resources to customers back home. This trip was originally supposed to be a solo effort for Ingo, but after connecting with another pet food manufacturer showing interest in our technology, I joined the itinerary. 

In addition to pet food, we took the opportunity to visit several sawmill manufacturing companies to discuss our Nyle Dry Kilns, opening the door for future collaboration and reinforcing the versatility of our drying technologies across industries.

We wrapped up the business portion of our trip at the FoodTech QLD equipment show on the Gold Coast—an energetic event that offered valuable face time with innovators in food processing and manufacturing.

FoodTech Qld – Gold Coast Convention

The Road Less Traveled (Literally)

Woorim Beach, Australia – Coral Sea

Not all adventures go as planned. After landing in Melbourne, I rented a car straight from the airport. Within the first hour, still adjusting to driving on the left-hand side after a 23-hour trip and flights, I managed to hit a curb and blow a tire. Welcome to Australia!

We stayed in Barnawartha while working in Howlong, a tiny town with a four-unit roadside motel known as the Barnawartha Hotel. I chose it based on some enticing food photos on Google, and it didn’t disappoint. The food was excellent, and like all Australians I met, they were very friendly. Everyone at the shop was surprised we stayed there, echoing the sentiment: “No one stays in Barnawartha.” Sometimes the best places are the unexpected ones.

A Taste of Australia

In our downtime, we explored the coasts—visiting Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. The beaches were stunning, the markets vibrant, and the hospitality second to none.

A few things stood out:

• The food was incredible. Pub food in Australia often felt like fine dining. Every meal seemed thoughtfully prepared, with ingredients that tasted pure and fresh. It’s no surprise—Australia follows strict food processing and safety regulations, and there’s a noticeable commitment to quality and sustainability in how food is grown and sourced.
• The people were even better. Australians truly love to talk. It wasn’t unusual to fall into a half-hour conversation with a complete stranger. From shopkeepers to fellow travelers, the locals were warm, generous with their time, and genuinely eager to share their knowledge and stories. We learned so much from these casual chats.
• Clean, green, and proud. Australia’s focus on recycling and sustainability was impressive. There’s a visible cultural pride in protecting the land and wildlife. The cities and towns we visited were spotless—no litter, no signs of homelessness, and beautiful streetscapes that made every walk enjoyable.

We didn’t spot any kangaroos, koalas, or wombats, but we did learn that wombats are the only mammals that poop in cubes. 

And while kangaroos are the national animal, they’re often considered pests by locals—an ironic twist for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse.

A Surprising Slice of Canada

Niki St.Denis, Market in Redcliffe, Australia & The Loose Moose Pub Canada Day Week in Gold Coast, Australia

One of the more unexpected parts of the trip was just how similar Australia felt to Canada. At one pub, they were celebrating Canada Day with a week of Canadian food specials, and I even found a poutine chip truck paying tribute to my home country. It’s a small world, after all.

Final Thoughts

This trip reminded me of the power of face-to-face connection, both with our existing customers and new opportunities. It also reminded me that even on a business trip, there’s room for humor, discovery, and the occasional wrong-side-of-the-road tire mishap.

Australia offered us strong leads, rich conversations, and a few good stories to take home. And while we missed the kangaroos, we didn’t miss a thing.

Niki St.Denis, Sales Manager – Nyle Dehydrators

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us at dehydrators@nyle.com.