Well g'day, moit. Throw another shrimp on the barbie, cobber and all that stuff.

OZ! And not a winged monkey in sight. We made it....to the country with some of the most poisonous creatures in the world....hoorah?

A couple of questions by Oz immigration, think their computers were down? Psyched to be in Australia and in the iconic city of Sydney. Stayed in a dorm in a hostel that's very 'budget-y', called Maze, and it is just like that inside. Staff are friendly and helpful enough. The German girls that were in the dorms already had managed to cover the floors with all of their clothes....and they slept all day - good on'em, but felt like i was sharing with my sister, sorry sis!

Spent nearly a week here and while Sydney is slightly more expensive than most of the East coast, which Sharan and i plan to travel on from here to Cairns, there are still bargains to be had. And what an amazing place in its own right, great for a visit and a great start.

Here's some of the things that stand out for my time in Sydney:
Darling Harbour - the first place we visited and found ourselves returning several times more. Lovely blue waters, fountains, bars and restaurants, shopping....very clean too.

Got my first haircut since 'the shave'.

The Shark Hotel - steak meals for cheap (2quid), but yummy.

The Sydney explorer bus - great way to see the whole of the city and more in a day or less.

The Opera House - wow!

The Harbour Bridge - or the coat hangar as the locals call it sometimes - amazing.

Mrs McQuarrie's chair - stony with great views.

Bondi Beach - busy. Water was cold and pommie fear of sharks and jellies kept us out of the water. Didn't stop the other thousand people chucking themselves in.

Chinese New Year celebrations - parade and fireworks in Darling Harbour.

The Blue Mountains and 3 sisters - took a day trip out of the city, unbelievable scenery a couple of hours away. Saw wild kangaroos, cockateels and kookaburras.

Pies - the best pies in the world.

Burger King = Hungry Jacks?

Manly ferry - great day out, and pass under the bridge. Great views. Didn't have time to visit Summer Bay.

Great Giros, or kebabs.

'Free' Beer - used loads of vouchers to cop free schooners at places all over Sydney.

Sports casual, Oz-style....you're hard-pressed to find places that won't let you in when you're wearing a vest and thongs (flip flops).

Flying foxes - saw hundreds of giant bats flying over the city one night, some in front of a clocktower - just like the movies.

Free entry to the Australian museum near closing time!

Loved Sydney and it was hard to say goodbye. Bought a hop on/off bus ticket for the Greyhound - next stop, Newcastle?