Year off to travel. Advice?

I’m taking 2027 on leave from my job, and I’m looking to spend it travelling. I’m from Australia, and wanting advice on how to map out the next year.

Essentially, I’ve got the whole year off work, but I can always return and work whenever (I’m a teacher and can do relief teaching when back home).

I would like to visit most of the continents, as much as I could. At a relaxed pace. I haven’t solo travelled before so I was thinking short stints - maybe a month or a little longer at a time then come home and work for a couple weeks before the next trip. Don’t want to spend more than $40k aud.

This came about mainly because I’m turning 30, I want to see the world, have savings, have flexibility in my job to take leave, potentially want to make travel content, want to take the year to realign myself with goals/life.

If you were in my situation - how would you approach this? How would you start building an itinerary. What places are great for solo travel to start? Any advice?! Thanks!