newbie advice

Hello,
I have been playing WoW for a month now as a Night Elf hunter, currently at level 29. PvE server.
After much questing I thought it was time for a little exploring: I made my way to the Barrens, then took a ship to Booty Bay and tried to make my way up north.
Unfortunately roads were full of animals and horde level "??" (which I believe means "insanely high") and after I died a couple of times I just heartstoned back to Astranaar.

Is that all there is to it? Should I wait until I'm level 60 or something before venturing east or did I just take the wrong ship?
.