Rosie Batty: Five places that made me

NORTH QUEENSLAND

I first came to Australia on a six-month visa for a holiday. As soon as I arrived I knew it was somewhere I wanted to live. It was the first time I had felt that in another country. I think it had a lot to do with the people I met. We shared humour. Far north Queensland, and Cape Tribulation in particular, was very special. Back then, the Daintree Ferry stopped at a particular time, there was no electricity or sealed roads, and we were pretty much marooned if the creeks flooded. It was such an adventure. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been: the pristine white beaches, the rainforest and the Reef. It is an enduring memory.

THE HIMALAYAS, NEPAL

There are few places on earth like the Himalayas. My first Himalayan trek was in Nepal's Annapurna region back in 1998. It was an unforgettable journey through some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. Far away from cars and traffic, the only transport was by foot or donkey. It really put me in touch with nature and the simplicity of life.

BORNEO

My most recent holiday was to Borneo, where I worked as a volunteer helping to care for orang-utans at Matang Wildlife Centre. I've always been fascinated by Borneo and its wildlife. Spending an extended time to contribute to animal conservation and learn about animal exploitation gave me a greater depth of experience and a connection with these animals. Helping to care for threatened species gave me a deeper appreciation of their loss of habitat, the challenges ahead for conservation and the valuable work of a volunteer organisation seeking to protect them. I also appreciated the opportunity to remove myself from my day-to-day responsibilities.

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

There's a reason why they call Queenstown the "adrenalin capital of the world". This was a work trip some time ago and we did it all: white water rafting, four-wheel driving, jet boating and helicopter flights. The ultimate thrill was a scenic small-plane flight to Milford Sound, soaring over towering peaks, forests and glaciers. Despite the constant adrenalin rush on that trip, the profound, still beauty of New Zealand has always stayed with me.

NEW YORK CITY

I'd heard a lot about New York and how amazing it is. I wasn't disappointed. There is so much to see. It's such an impressive city. Travelling around is so easy. I loved travelling up the Empire State building at night and going to the theatre. I normally prefer the countryside but this was the best kind of city holiday. Those iconic streets, Tiffany's, I even visited Trump Tower. Ha! I can't imagine I will ever get tired of visiting New York and can't wait to return.

Rosie Batty will lead a six-day walk on the Larapinta Trail with Huma Charity Challenge in August 2017 to raise funds and awareness for the Luke Batty Foundation. See www.humacharitychallenge.com