What started as a simple idea turned into one of the most challenging, unpredictable, and most fun experiences I’ve had.

I set out with my dad, a guitar, and a goal: busk my way from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney and back with no money, No guarantees, no safety net… just my music.  But I planned it all before the fuel crisis. 

Day 1 Conondale to New Italy

The trip didn’t exactly go to plan.

We headed off early with ¾ of a tank of fuel.  But, our first day was full of rain, empty streets, and getting moved on by security at Surfers Paradise. We decided to move on to Byron Bay, but more rain. After hours of trying, I made just enough to cover fuel and food.

We finished the day with:

• $63 earned 
• $53 spent 
• Sleeping at a free camp  

Not ideal… but we were still going.

Getting moved on by Security @ Surfers Paradise

Day 2 New Italy to Stuarts Point

Next morning we headed off early to Coffs Harbour, dad was screaming out for Coffee, so that was our first stop.  Then we found a spot at the Jetty at Coffs Harbour, it started out quiet, but then the manager of the Yacht Club came over.  I thought she was going to move us on, but instead, she invited me to play inside the Yacht Club. 

From Coffs, we headed off to Bellingen to try our luck.  I rocked up at the local community ratio station and was interviewed by Leo, and then went on to play at the local Bellingen Farmers Markets.   It turned out to be a great day, and I made a bit more money to pay for food and fuel. 

Called in to 2bbb FM @ Bellingen

Day 3 Stuarts Point to Port Macquarie

We rocked up to Port Macquarie just in time for a local surf competition, so they invited me to play there for a while.  While I was there Channel 9 News showed up and filmed me.  We stayed in Port for a bit longer before hitting the road to the Hunter Valley.  There was an open mic night there hosted by the CMAA academy, so I was able to catch up with a heap of my friends, and get to play a few songs.  We then went back to stay with friends at Lake Macquarie. 

9 News showed up @ Port Macquarie

My set @ Qirkz on Hunter

Day 4 Port Macquarie to Lake Macquarie.

We were pretty tired after three days on the road, so decided to have a quiet day at Lake Macquarie catching up with my friends Lucy & Josh Beverage.  But, we still needed money so we went out for quick busking session.  It turned out to be one of my best performances in a quiet little shopping centre.  In just 30 minutes I made $90, drew a crowd and had people singing along.  But then…..I got shut down due to being a “public liability.”

It was frustrating, but it also made me think about how hard it can be for live music to exist in public spaces, even when people love it.

Day 5 We made it to Sydney, just.

Dads has a bad back and it was getting worse and fuel prices were getting higher so I really had to budget.  While Dad was in the doctors, I went to the Glenorie Bakery, where I had my biggest session of the trip, I managed to earn $208 which was a big help. 

The Glenorie Bakery - So Cool

Day 6 Sydney 

In Sydney I was able to catch up with some family, but also did some amazing things.  We headed into the city on the Ferry, and I thought it would be fun to play for the passengers, so I asked the captain if I could and they loved the idea.  So, I played on a ferry under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is something I will never forget. 

Playing on a Sydney Ferry in the Harbour

I also played at Pitt Street Mall, then caught the ferry and played at Manly for a while. 

Mission accomplished, it was time to head back home and see if we could make it.  Fuel prices were still high, and we have a diesel so we were paying $3.30 per litre. We said goodbye to Nono and headed off. 

The trip home was fun, and I got to catch up with more friends along the way. 

Some of the highlights included Writing music with friends, a photoshoot, camping on the beach, surfing, and playing at The Pub with No Beer 

Playing music with Lucy & Josh

Stopping @ The Big Banana - Coffs Harbour

That night at the pub was special, the locals were so encouraging and even sang along to a few songs with me.  I made $117 and they put me up for the night, so dad was happy for a comfy bed. And, I even won the meat raffle, but we donated it back as we didn’t have a fridge to keep it cold. 

Playing @ The Pub with no Beer - What a highlight.

By this stage we had made enough money, so I decided to shout Dad a comfy bed for the night. We headed to Yamba where I booked us a motel room which had two comfy beds.  After a surf, we settled in for a nice dinner and movie, as it would be our last night on the road before heading home. 

Day 10 – Yamba to Conondale. 

Today was our final day, we headed off to Murwillumbah hoping to busk at the local markets, but we couldn’t as there were already three buskers there and they had been pre-booked.  So, instead we headed to Cabarita Beach was so good, the crowd was great and I managed to make $185.50 in an hour.  There was a huge supportive crowd, and a local who played his digeridoo and danced while I played.  The local café shouted us lunch, and we then had enough to get the rest of the way home comfortably. 

Michael playing the Digeridoo 

It was a perfect way to finish the trip 

What I Learned

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this trip, but it was so much fun and taught me so much. 

• How to adapt when things go wrong 
• How to connect with people anywhere 
• How to have fun even with only a little bit of money
• That my dad needs coffee first thing in the morning to keep him happy
• How to budget and work out fuel costs and mileage. 

Above all I would like to say Thank You to everyone who

• Stopped to listen 
• Donated 
• Let me play 
• Offered food, a bed, or support 

Thank you all so much.

After doing this trip I now know that my music can take me all over the country, or the world.  I am looking forward to my next adventure.  So, if you have any ideas of what I should do next, please drop me a comment below.