By 10.am we'd checked out and boarded our first train for the trip to Port Stephens (about 4 hours up the NSW coast) where we were going to spend the last few days of the voyage. The train took us alongside the Hawkesbury River for some long stretches of beautiful landscape. It also took us through Gosford, where we got to see our 3rd A-League ground of the trip (Gosford is home of Central Coast Mariners; Sydney FC play at Aussie stadium which is next to the SCG, and the Melbourne river trip gave views of the Telstra Dome where Melbourne Victory now play). The train terminated at Newcastle (home of the Jets, but alas we couldn't see their ground). A bus took us the final hour or so up the coast to the Samurai Beach Bungalows (YHA) where we had a luxury bungalow booked.

Sandy at reception told us all about the exciting activities that we could enjoy whilst we stayed there. Overwhelmed with the choice we retired to the bungalow for a nap, only waking in time to borrow some bikes of dubious quality for a trip to the nearest shops to load up with provisions. A pleasant dinner of BBQ rissoles with relish was enjoyed on our verandah.