The final countdown...

Well, thats it. Been here, done that, got the cuddly koala toy...its time to say goodbye to Australia (sob!sob!)

The past 10 weeks here have been a total blast. Its been non-stop but well worth it. Over the past couple of weeks Clare (Kim's sister) joined us to backpack Sydney and surrounds, and it was great to have her with us. Especially her early morning 'hi-de-hi' moments to drag our lazy butts out our bunks and down to the beach. Coogee, Bondi...we sunbathed on them all, as well as nearby Manly where our guesthouse was fab...even if we were spooked by stories of Huntsman spiders, eeeek!

Infact we even used the beaches for a workout. I know - me & exercise. Not a great combination. But i made it - the two hour walk from Bondi to Coogee, up the cliffs and down again (pausing for the spiders!). It was nice to make it to the pub at the other end :-) And it was good to leave Bondi that day after the lifeguard announced the beach was closed due to the threat of a tsunami. Infact his comforting words were, and i quote..."if you see the sea go out, start running!". We moved to the grass hill for a head start. Luckly nothing happened.

One of the most famous beaches we've been too has to be Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay! Yep, Home and Away fans we are as we stood by the Surf Club, sat on the cafe chairs and posed down the famous walkway to the beach. The only thing missing was Alf Stewart, even if his name is above the surf club doors. Ha! Brilliant.

Sharon and i also climbed the pylon of the Bridge the other day for some stunning views. I know, more exercise - 200 steps! Again it was worth it though - the views were stunning.

We also headed to Newtown to watch a Bob Marley tribute band. Absolute quality, the lead singers gyrating hips definately added to the show, he!he! I think we all fell in love with the Jamaican muscle man...yeah man.

Aside from beaches, Darling Harbour has been our other main base. With our hostel right beside it its just a short stagger home. Bliss. And we've been down there catching up with everyone from our Fiji days. That's where i'm headed now, for Good Friday celebrations and our last day in Oz...

Bye for now...until Thailand x

From big city to big rock!

Where do i start?! Hmmm....

Newcastle - Well we had to visit, didn't we?! With buses going to Wallsend and Jesmond, our feet took us no further than the beach...for hours of sunbathing on the glorious sands, which with a little imagination looked a lot like Tynemouth! We spent our two days firmly parked on the sand and our nights at the local pub - though this was nothing like the Toon's nightlife! More like Northumberlands! And on our last night we got to witness the biggest (and loudest) thunderstorm to-date, thank goodness for waterproofs and ponchos! Then it was back to Sydney...

Back to the hustle and bustle we quickly settled in for what was to be a busy few days of catching up, welcoming folk from home and drinking with the old crew from Fiji. Kim's sister Clare has joined us - with backpack! - for our last few weeks in Oz and has quickly adapted to travellers life and squeaky bunkbeds. Gail (our friend from Glasgow & DH) also arrived for a few days and it wasn't long before she, her friend Lynn and Sharon headed up the Sydney Harbour Bridge in their special suits. And for the weekend it was time for a BBQ in Coogee (and BBQ games involving sausages and seaguls) before a night out with Sean, Niall and Rachel who we met in Fiji.

Completely exhausted...its hard work this travelling, i tell you! - Sharon and i headed to Ayers Rock, the girls (Kim, Clare & Laura) to Manly and Gail up North for a wedding.

''WOW'' does not do Ayers Rock justice as it surpassed my expectations ten-fold. But there isn't any other word i can think of. Not wanting to stand with mouth open at its size and colour (the outback is filled with flies determined to get in between your teeth, up your nostrels or anyway they can) i just got out my camera (and camcorder) and never stopped - hence all the photos on Flickr...and that's just halve of them! The place is fantastic up close...and from the sunset viewpoint (even if sunset was a little disappointing). It was sooo good infact that Sharon & I dragged ourselves out of bed at 6.30am to walk to the hotel's own viewpoint for sunrise the next day.

Rather than waffle on i'll leave you to look at the pics...before i'm back to tell you all about our last week or so in Australia!

Hippysville to Home Sweet Home...

Well not quite home, but close...in name at least! Yes we finally made it to Newcastle having paused at Coff's Harbour on route from Byron Bay and our hippy paradise.


Remember Kim & Sharon were doing a massage course? Well, all you folk back home are in for a lucky treat when they get back! Laura & I put the 'healing hands' to the test - well we'd hate for them to not practice all their new moves wouldn't we?! - and it was AMAZING! I even tried my best to avoid getting sunburnt on Coff's beach (according to the rules i'd be refused for burnt skin) and just burnt my face instead - ouch! We've promised them a dijeridoo performance on return as our 'instruments/ornaments' are already onroute to the UK.

Massage's aside, Coff's Harbour was tres relaxin with the beach on the doorstep. AND a Tv in our room. A TV!!!!! The smallest things in life get us so exicted. Celebrated Paddy's Day (see below) and had much fun with the senior folk of Coff's. We all scored for a kiss off Barnie - a 72year old Irish man who came to Oz in 1965, '1965 i tell ya' and turned down all chat from those below 60! Even had a wee jig with the old fellas before sending them on their way. It was all good craic.


And now we're in Newcastle. So far so good. The beach reminds me of Tynemouth (with a little imagination) and i'm looking out for the buses to Morpeth, Gosford & Hexham - is nothing original here?! Only a few days and we'll be back looking at the 'Tyne Bridge' of Oz!

Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay...

Sorry, i got so distracted by Matthew i forgot to tell you what we'd been up to in Surfers - Byron.

Where do i start?! Surfers Paradise...'Blackpool with Palm Trees' according to someone we met at the Zoo. Not at all - we loved it. Big white beach, killer waves and ice cream counters every second step. And the weather was scorching! Big skyrise buildings line the promenade & play hide and seek with the sun during the afternoon so you have to keep moving yourself & your sarong everytime the shade catches up with you - but that's all part of the fun...and exercise pre-Cookie &cream icecream! And with our hostel kitchen a disgusting sight we got to try a few of the many restaurants - Its a hard life - hence the pictures at the Hard Rock & Chang Mai Tai.

While in Surfers we also headed to one of its many theme parks - Wet & Wild. Great day out riding the tornado, blackhole & Mach 5. I took on the kamikaze...never again, while we all loved the lazy river!

Headed to Coolangatta next - a lovely little town south of Surfers. Bonus was the Quicksilver Surf Pro championship, a welcomed distraction from the sun when i could stand it no more. And of course, Matthew - yum!yum! The town has the border of New South Wales running through it to so one minute your on Queensland time, the next you're an hour ahead with NSW. Confusing! Stayed there a few nights just chill-axing & drooling over Surf dudes before heading to Byron Bay - hippy central...

Staying at this lovely hippy style village - opened in the 70's, and its sooo cool. Infact we love it so much we extended our stay from 4 nights to 8! And now the sun's back its even better. There's tons of classes - yoga, tai chi etc & i'd decided, in my usual crazy style, to take the dijeredoo class. But, alas, its been cancelled so i can't learn or make my own - boo!

Following heaps of recommendations we took a 'Jims Alternative Tour' to Nimbin. First stop was the pub - at 11am! - for drinks and loo break, before arriving in the aging hippy town of Nimbin for lunch. Checked out the jewellery stalls, the museum (of illuminous junk) and the pub and mingled with the hippies. Then headed to the National Park to check out waterfalls etc before stopping at Jim's mates house - Paul - to chill by his riverside while this eccentric man talked about his 80-acres of plants (all planted by him), his collections of junk art (they love it!) and his mumbled views(of taking life too seriously). Meanwhile we sat & cracked nuts! But the best bit of the tour was the driving, as Jim played his mix of REM, Bob Marley & Depeche Mode in time with the sights we'd pass or the roads we were driving on. He's even perfectly timed one piece to a rollercoaster of a road, taking 5 mins and 12 secs!

Back in our hippy village Kim & Sharon are taking a massage course (while Laura & i wait to reap the benefits!) before we head off to Coffs Harbour...for more sun, more beaches and some body boarding!

Mrs McConaughey!...not quite

Yes, the day has finally come where i've managed to track Matthew McConaughey down on the Gold Coast of Australia. Purely by chance. And while he may not have scooped me up into his arms as he did Kate Hudson, i'm still happy! He wasn't so though. Perhaps my persistance with the video camera hit a nerve but i don't care, i now have footage of him not only smiling at me (or the skinny Brazilian behind) but also growling with annoyance at me still pointing the mini-dv in his direction. Ha!Ha!

Oh and i also got a two-for-one bargain too as he was sitting next to the lurrrrvely Kelly Slater - mr '8 world champion surf dude', ex-baywatch star and support shoulder for Cameran Diaz when Mr Timberlake ran off.

Still in Coolangatta now having baked ourselves in Surfers Paradise for a few days. Sun's shining and the Quicksilver Surfing Championships is in full swing...giving me more opportunities to try my luck with Matthew! Watch this space :-)

Crikey! Noosa & Australia Zoo

Hey! Having heard great reviews about a place called Noosa from our 'Penelope' friends we decided to check the little town out. And they were right. The beach was white sand, the sea swimmable (in the sense there were no tiger sharks or jelly fish wishing to take a swipe) and the shops were as enticing as ever.
Checked in with Stephanie (our hyper Dutch friend from Fraser Roving) and took over the 12 bed dorm we'd been allocated. Our balcony became the place to drink, hang out and just generally chill (as the nightlife weren't up to much). Teamed up with some more Dutch folk, two Swedes, a Dane and some very girlie Canadians. When we weren't sunning ourselves on the beach that is...or being knocked over by the huge waves. Total workout they were!
Saw the biggest spider ever too - see photos - but luckly our Danish chum sorted that out. By swiping it a dozen times with her walking boot. Boy did it put up a fight! Despite our murder spree with the bugs we took time out to visit Australias best conservation zoo where even the mozzies seemed well cared for :-) - Crikey...it was Australia Zoo.
Watching a video onroute to the zoo of the great Steve Irwin it was quite sad really. And even more so when we got there and saw the big billboards, hoards of family pictures, press cuttings and miles of messages written on the famous khaki shirts tied to a rail. A legend he was.
At the zoo we stopped by to see Agro, the unfriendly croc, and his friends before Sharon got to grips with a koala for a photo op. The friendly furball left a smile on her face and a iffy smell on her clothes. Lovely! Took in one of the great croc shows on the Crocosseum - introduced on screen by little Bob Irwin who imitated his dad's famous phrases - and watched birds and snakes flying and slithering around the waters edge. When Molly the croc came out it was down to business. Dangling rats and whatlike in her direction you should have heard those jaws snap. Glad i was the right side of the fence. Grabbed a bite to eat (luckly not rats!) and wandered the rest of the zoo, pausing to watch tigers wrestle a plastic container, elephants parade through town and stroke a koala. Thats stroke Caroline, not stoke - ha! Also got up close to our favourite Aussies too with a walk in the Kangaroo park and watched one of the staff get a bit too close to a wombat after a wrestle.
Back in Noosa - we'd extended our stay - we took advantage of the sunshine and baked in the sun. And deciding i must venture from the balcony one night at least we took in the local club - Rolling Rock. Hard core dance blared out the speakers, weirdly dressed Aussie boys shaked their tennis shorts and hair bands on the dancefloor (did i miss the latest fashion or something?!) while the girls barged their way around like they owned every square inch. Within a few hours we, the Dutch crew and the Swedes were back on the balcony carrying on as normal! Bliss!
Now in Brisbane for a couple of days before heading to Surfers Paradise....hmmm surfers :-)

Fraser Roving

Wow, what an adventure Hervey Bay's turning out to be. Skydiving and now camping with wild animals...well no, the group weren't that bad :-)

Met our 9-man team for the self driving tour to Fraser Island the night before and quickly got to sorting our food and booze requirements once the briefing was over. For the 3 days and 2 nights we have; Luca & John (firedancers from Germany), Stephanie (Amsterdam), Laura D (Another Geordie lass from Whitley Bay), Marie (Melbourne) and us four, plus 3 tents, a spade, one stove and a nine-seater bright pink 4WD nicknamed Penelope (tho the hostel named it Zombie)! There was another team of 9 too, so at 7.30am Friday we set off together for Woolworths, the booze shop and the ferry to Fraser Island.

Once at Fraser Island it typically rained as we drove through the rainforest, pausing at the Central Station to fill up our water bottle and then down onto the beach. We were given a rough itinerary at the briefing so followed that up to Lake Wabby, where we quickly munched sandy cheese sandwiches before trekking to the lake and big sand dunes. Refreshed from a swim and a play with the catfish, we were soon on our way to set up camp. Took a while to find a spot but settled behind a sand dune up from Eli Creek with a BBQ...in the rain, again! Soon found out our light didn't work so sat under our waterproof and did the only thing we could in the dark...drink! Could see one thing by torchlight tho...the dingo sneaking around behind us. It soon scarpered when we all stared him out and the German boys started their fire show.

One uncomfortable sleep later (must flatten sand next time) we headed to Eli Creek for a morning dip, passing some more dingos on the way back (think they're more scared of us then we are them). Then jumped in the 4WD and off up the beach to Indian Heads to spot tiger sharks. Unfortunately they were all hiding so climbed back down (more dingos) and headed along to have a shower at one of the resorts. Next up was the Mano shipwreck before a quick drive down the beach as the tide came in. Realising we wouldn't make our next point we settled down behind some more sand dunes with a cosy camp between the two cars. More drinking and some party games of big booty (and various versions), we sat under the starlight which was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately rain called time on our night and we headed to comfier tents.
Our last day was spent at Lake McKenzie, a stunning white sand beach and blue waters. Got there bright and early after a 6am start to enjoy the quiet before the crowds came. A big lizard tried to join us for lunch...but we weren't sharing, before a bumpy ride through the trees back to the ferry and Hervey Bay. Another communal dinner with the leftovers and a night in the bar capped off our trip, as the Penelope Team shared best bits and email addresses over a Tooheys (or vodka!). A great trip...with the rain just adding to the adventure!

We are free, freefalling!...

We did it! And survived to not only tell the tale but share the pictures too!

Ok so we were a little nervous waiting for the bus to pick us up, i mean a 14,000ft drop is a pretty scary thought. But as soon as the bus pulled in and we got to the airport base all nerves disappeared and we couldn't wait. Strapped in with our lovely red pants to boot, we all piled into the plane with our instructors and headed to the skies. A few minutes later and we were out, one by one hurtling through the clouds in freefall. After 10,000ft of drop our parachutes went up and we glided over the sea and beaches, looking across to Fraser Island and spotting turtles in the clear blue seas. Feeling safe my instructor decided to raise the adrenaline factor again and handed me the reigns to glide the parachute myself. Eeeeek! What he didn't say as he shouted pull left is what would happen. As i spun round and round, giggling like a kid with free run in a sweet shop, i was oblivious to the fact i soon had to land. Lucky he took the reigns back and glided us down to the beach. Perfect landing...until he unstrapped himself and i fell on my butt! Watched the girls come down one-by-one with big smiles on their faces and headed back to base to watch the DVDs.

Pics are online but please note...its hard to look good infront of the camera when your face is being pulled in all directions. You have been warned....

Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay

Long time, no blogs. Took me a while to find one that works...

So unfortunately you won't have seen me in your latest copy of Now or Heat magazine as it seems Matthew McConaughey and co have skipped on down the coast ahead of us, boooo! The good news is we found something brighter...the sun, which was the perfect weather for sitting my Airlie Beach's stunning lagoon. Of course with my freckled, English skin it also meant some more burning. Ouch! One day i'll get a golden tan not a red one... i hope!

Took an overnight bus to Hervey Bay (much cosier than the one we'd had to Melbourne) and a little more entertaining too - even if the DVD didn't work. Our source of entertainment? - the sky...and a cyclone. As our driver swirled around the road and we questionned his alcohol levels we soon found out he was avoiding falling debris. Not sure which is scarier. Pulled into a petrol station/cafe for a break and spent most the time watching the sky light up with the cyclone. Also had to avoid the biggest beatle type things ever (the ones used in Indian Jones to eat food i'm told) which were covering the ground and, at one time, clinging to Kim's top. Eeek! Back on the bus and cyclone behind us there was time for a sleep before arriving early doors in Hervey Bay.

Picked up by the brightest pink minibus you've ever seen we checked ourselves in and onto a 4WD self-drive Fraser Island tour in a few days time. We have to attend a briefing to know a) how to drive on sand, b) how to survive camping and c) what to do when a dingo comes into your camp. WHAT!?

A little scarier is we've booked ourselves onto a SKYDIVE too. 14,000 ft of flying through the skies and relying on a man to get you to the ground safely!

Bring me sunshine!

Woo hoo! I'm burning. And it feels sooo nice.

We managed to get out of Cairn's on the first bus that's run for days (the roads have been blocked for the flooding) and headed straight for Majestic Island off the coast of Townsville. Six hours on a Greyhound bus, a half hour boat ride (i can't escape!) and another bus and we were here. Unfortunately it was still raining and the mozzies were out in force but we managed a few drinks (to knock us out) and dinner.

And then it happened...we woke up to sunshine. Real, hot sunshine. Jumping out of bed we were quickly by the pool lapping it up. Our hostel, which is more like a beachside village with little huts, looks sooo much nicer in the sun. Everything does.

Lets just hope it comes with us to Airlie Beach tomorrow - our next destination (and hopefully where - according to Heat/Closer/all womens mags - i'll find Matthew McConaughey, if he hasn't left already). Cross your fingers. Could be appearing on the gossip pages of NOW soon!

Wet n' Wild

Ok, what was that i said about boats?! Well rubber one's don't count.

With Sharon unfortunately back in her moon boot - doctors orders - only Kim, Laura & I made it to Tully River for our hair-raising (or should that be hair-drenching) white water rafting. Teamed up with three guys from the North and a Canadian instructor who liked to live dangerously, we set off down the rapids - holding on at every given opportunity. We did well, not one flip over, but boy did we come close. Infact we came so close i went overboard...along with the three guys. I've now discovered i can survive underwater without holding my nose! Unfortunately i got plenty opportunity to practice as it took a while to get in the safety of another raft. Finally, after missing two rafts and a safety rope (which i did get hold of...for a few seconds) i was grabbed by the last boat before the next rapid. Filled with the most immaculate Asian girls i've ever seen. Not one hair out of place and make-up unsmugged. A few thousand thank you's to them and i was back on my raft to continue the journey down - and i never left go! We lost one more guy at the Dogs Balls (who names these rapids?!) but quickly pulled him back onboard before hitting a bridge pillar head on. Luckly we didn't go in but the raft that hit us did (oops). Before we knew it we were cruising up the last stretch.

Back in the safety of the cafe and a chance to look at photos of the day, we caught up with our instructor who informed us there had been 14 flip overs in total. Some rafts even flipped 3 times! On a normal day its a total max of 5! Guess we were the lucky ones.

It was a totally amazing experience...but not sure i'll be repeating it in a hurry. Another crazy adventure crossed off my list...just a few more to go!

'Chundering' the Great Barrier Reef

So, here we are in Queensland, the tropical North. Unfortunately the only thing that was tropical was the rain! Every morning, afternoon and night. With the roads closed due to the flooding we set up camp in a fantastic hostel, come hotel, for five days and made the most of the weather.

Including a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with Tusa. As we ventured off into the sea it wasn't long before i realised we were in for a bumby ride. Orginally booked for snorkelling we were offered the chance to dive, with a free introductory 5 minutes followed by, if we opted to, a dive down to the beauty of the reef's bed. Half way through the briefing on diving i had to make my excuses and run to the back of the boat. One filled sick bag later and i was ready for my dive. Jumping in with my tank on my back and my mask secure i felt much better, until a wave wiped me out and the sickness feeling returned. Urgh! Jumping back on the boat i soon realised the only thing i was going to see in the Great Barrier Reef was my sick bags floating across the waters...all five of them! Absolutely gutted - i couldn't even make it in with a snorkel - i just fell asleep. Luckly we all didn't get the sea sickness bug and Kim managed two dives, while Laura ventured out with a snorkel. Sharon stayed with me on the boat with her bag to hand.

I think me and boats better avoid eachother!

Music and melbourne

I just love Melbourne. The suns shining, the shops and markets are never ending and there's loads to do...when you summon the energy to do it!

Took time out to catch up on our British music the other night...with Kasabian. Headed across to St Kilda to see them perform, supported by an Aussie band called Temper Trap. The gig was fantastic with the Aussie's, Irish and Brits rockin' till the late hours! Great fun.

Spent the rest of our time in Melbourne exploring Federation Square, riding the tram and generally being the tourists we are...oh until the hairdresser chair beckoned and the bars opened!

And now we're seeing what Cairns has to offer after catching a flight to the flooded North (its still roasting tho, just the odd welcomed shower every now and again!). Browsing booklets and the web...all looks good so far!

Wined, dined & entertained!

Wow! wow! wow! What a day our Penguin Parade Tour was...even before we went to see the main attraction.

First stop...a winery (always a winner!) where we had a picnic lunch and, well wine of course. Views were brilliant, the annoying flies weren't. Oooh they get right up your nose! As for the wine...think we can safely say we all enjoyed that!
Next stop was the Wildlife Park at Maru Craft where we snuggled up to
some of Aussie's favourite locals. Stoked a wombat, posed with koalas, played with the wallabies, were pecked by the emus and entertained by the Tasmanian devils. Also got a chance to get our picture taken with one of the koalas up close - tho he couldn't be bothered to wake up for the occassion - ha!

Then it was into the Kangaroo enclosure...wow! If i could stick one in my pocket and bring it home i would, but somehow i think customs might have something to say about that. They are gorgeous...and very hungry! Bounding up to you with a hop, skip and a jump it wasn't long before we were surrounded by them looking to eat the food in our little plastic tubs. And they wouldn't leave you till they had every last drop! (in a roundabout sort of way they're kinda like my sister's cat Bob when it comes to tea-time!). One had a wee bambino in her pouch too - sooooooooo cute. Could have stayed in their for ages but it was calls for the gift shop before getting back on the bus.

Next up was a trip to the coastline and one of the best beaches for surfing - Cape Woolami beach before a drive along to see the Seal Rocks just off the Nobbies and the blowhole. Even got a glimpse of a baby penguin all snuggled up in its hole waiting for some food to come home. Speaking of food, next stop was fish and chips for some nourishment before trying to catch a glimpse of the Great White, spotted around the coastline. But he wasn't playing...and i wasn't about to step in the sea and find out. Eeeek!

And last but no least...the Penguin Parade. Sitting on our boardwalk we watched as thousands of little penguins came in from the sea to get back to their nests...and the Mrs! And boy do these little things mate loudly. While we watched silently as they waddled up the hills, along the path and under the walkway they didn't seem to mind how much noise they made. eeee! But they were so cute too - just 30cm tall and waddling away. Something else i could have put in my pocket, had i been allowed.

Definately one, if not the, best tour i've done so far. Still buzzing!

Neighbours, everybody needs good...

Guess where we are now?...Yep, Melbourne. Home of the Neighbours. This is the city where Harold came back to life, Scott and Charlene wed in bliss and Jim Robinson abandoned for a life in the O.C!

It may have taken a very cold and uncomfortable 12 hours to get here on a coach but it was worth it. The city is great - well what i've seen so far - and we've already walked along the pathways of Ramsay Street, Carpenters Mechanics and Erinsburgh High. Unfortunately this internet port doesn't let me upload any pics, but don't fret, i'll have them uploaded soon, he!

Today was the big Neighbours experience. Not only did we get to watch Scott and Charlene's wedding (aka Jason & Kylie) on the way back, but we also got to meet, pose and get the autograph of Ned Parker. I know what you're thinking..."whose Ned Parker?". Well i have it on good authority he's a regular cast member, and as soon as i hit the UK i'll be looking to check that out. But it wasn't this Aussie hunk who made me go weak at the knees. While standing in the set i heard the familiar posh 'hello' of my favourite long term character...Mr Harold Bishop. Arriving to do his business, he cheerfully passed us on route to his car park space. Oooh that man's a legend - ha! We also posed with the Ramsay Street sign (believe it or not the real street is not called Ramsay - shocking!) and gawped at the houses we've watched for over 21 years (give or take a few years where i've been late home and missed it!).

Tomorrow we're off to meet some other Aussie stars...the penguins of Philip Island, with a stop at a winery on route and hopefully a chance to feed some kangaroos. Watch this space...