102yo woman surprised with trip to Australia to tick off final bucket list wish

A 102-year-old woman has been surprised with a trip to Australia – the only continent she has never visited – and she chose to visit this Aussie destination for a specific reason.

A 102-year-old woman has successfully ticked off all seven continents after her bucket list wish to travel to Australia came true.

Dorothy Smith, who lives in a retirement home in San Franciso, had been all across the world but never Down Under.

When the guys behind YouTube channel Yes Theory found out, they were determined to help make the experienced traveller’s dream come true and got Destination NSW and Qantas on board with the plan.

“We met Dorothy in the dining area and we asked her ‘is there anything on your bucket list you haven’t ticked off yet?’ and she said, ‘I’ve been to six continents but I’ve never been to Australia,’” Yes Theory filmmaker Staffan Taylor explained.

Dorothy Smith, 102, making her journey to Australia on Qantas. Picture: Destination NSW / Yes Theory

Yes Theory, a Canadian media brand, tells the stories of people who say “yes” to getting out of their comfort zone, with the tag line: “seek discomfort”.

Sydney was Ms Smith’s Aussie destination of choice, specifically because of the Sydney Opera House, which she is twice the age of.

“This is like Disneyland for grown ups,” she joked while visiting the iconic landmark.

Ms Smith chose to visit Sydney specifically. Picture: Destination NSW / Yes Theory

Ms Smith also visited Wild Life Sydney Zoo to see some koalas and kangaroos, the Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art and went for a cruise on Sydney Harbour.

She described Aussies as “charming” and complimented our food, scenery and weather – but the water at “beautiful” Bondi Beach was a little too chilly.

“We even got our feet a little bit wet and the water was really cold,” she said.

Dorothy Smith, 102, has now visited every continent after visiting Australia. Picture: Destination NSW / Yes Theory

Ms Smith says it is “never too late” for a new adventure and encourages people to try.

“You can either rust out or wear out and I’m trying to wear out rather than rust out,” she said.

As for tips to make it to 102 years old, “you have to exercise and you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated”.

But that’s not all, she added “you have to have fun”.

Yes Theory co-founder Ammar Kandil, who went on the trip with Mr Taylor, Ms Smith and her daughter, said he was in awe of Ms Smith’s curiosity and had been inspired to continue looking for the beauty around him.

“Even at 102 years old she is still appreciating everything she is seeing,” he said.

They believe she could be the oldest person to have travelled to all seven continents.