A new country surely means time for another blog, as expected Brisbane turned out far too messy and drunk to attempt to turn on a computer! Our last blog came from Darwin and since then we put in some serious miles on the clock. Once out of civilisation we headed out to Kakadu National Park, the big crocs and the bugs! On the way into Kakadu we went on a croc cruise on the Adelaide River to see if there were actually any crocs around as we hadn't seen a single one in the wild. It was awesome and we found maybe 5 or 6 crocs, each one jumping out the water for their chickens!! The biggest croc being a 5m male with 1 leg! Once done with watching jumping crocs we headed into the park and our first camp near the Aboriginal rock art with the flies and mozzies. Spent the whole evening swatting the f*****s. Without doubt our worst camp so far! Once done with the flies with dinner we headed into the van to find 1000's of the bloody mozzies inside!! Was decided that we would open all doors and windows and drive along the road and flush the b*****s out. Luckily that worked, a good tip for those mozzies infested nights in North London!! Next morning dodging yet more flies we climbed to see the rock art, amazing stuff and just about worth the trauma. Spent next couple of days cruising the park via a nice upgrade with a swimming pool and bar!!

Once back on the Stuart Highway it was a couple of days drive to Alice Springs via the very "local" Larimah (population 30!!!) and the awesome cattle station, Banka Banka. Was great to get to Alice, the middle of Aus and 1000's of kms. Stayed a couple of nights, saw the sights (not that there were many!!!), stocked up and headed into the dust of Ayers Rock. Finally got to Ayers Rock via the stunning Kings Canyon and a mad welshman! Spent a day walking the beautiful dome shaped Olgas and then the base of Ayers Rock. No climb though as too windy (not that we would have!!!) After an incredible day we rested our sore feet while watching the sun set over Ayers Rock. Incredible colours and size.

On the way to Adelaide we stopped over at the strange opal mining town of Coober Pedy and the brilliant Clare Valley. Spent a long time taking pics of Clare's police station, library, medical centre etc etc etc, you get the idea. Once in Adelaide we caught up with some family friends and saw the sights (even put Clare through the Don Bradman museum! and then i had to do a chocolate tour!!)

After Adelaide it was the incredible drive to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Rd. Rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches and very english weather, bbrrrrrrrrr! Took in all the usual sights, 12 apostles, london bridge, grotto etc etc and even some whales.

Once in Melbourne it was time to say goodbye to our trusty campervan "Manny", 16,000kms and only one blown tire, what a legend. After a night on the farm in Ballarat and an evening catching up with friends we left the now freezing Melbourne and flew up to the almost tropical Brissie. Had an awesome lunchtime and arvo in the pub and bookies saying goodbye to everyone. A brilliant Africa booze up. Turned out to be very messy, too much beer, shots at 6pm and everyone crashed out at 9pm!!! We are soooooooooo hardcore!!!

Next day and it was time for our next country, New Zealand, and a final goodbye to the amazing Aus . Crap chocolate and mayo but awesome people.