"Camp" for this evening is set just off Waihi Beach, which is effectively due south from yesterday's location (shelly), but with more ups and downs and winding roads. We took a detour to Cathedral Cove, which is supposed to have some pretty good wildlife and natural rock formations - but unfortunately (1) the track has been deemed unsafe by the authorities, (2) the weather was a bit overcast and (3) due to showers this morning, an explorer boat trip into the cov...

After a good (but relatively short) night's sleep at a decent airport hotel (which we were reliably informed by our driver is owned by a wealthy emirates individual), we set off to find out what was in store for us to take on our mobile home. And indeed we got a full induction including briefing DVD - exciting stuff. And then... off to the local supermarket to buy all those essential things - that place must make a fortune with the motor home rental business alo...

Last day in Oz - after a nice walk we went to the Maritime Museum, and in particular were able to visit a navy Destroyer and submarine (HMAS Vampire and HMAS Onslow respectively). The submarine was slightly outdated in terms of equipment as it was de-commissioned in March 1999 but still a pretty good representation of living space and operations! And... after waving goodbye to the koalas, here we are in the land of the kiwis! Yes, that's right, we've just arrive...

Did you know... that the Gum Nut Tea Gardens in The Rocks is no longer open?! Disappointing - that is where we were headed to find some breakfast this morning. The Rocks by the way is quite an interesting and picturesque part of Sydney to the East of Circular Quay (which if I may point out is where the Opera House and Bridge are located). Anyways we made it back to Sydney ahead of schedule, yesterday (5th) escaping the continued flash flooding in Cairns and Quee...

Well here goes the story of the last few days... In short... We arrived in Cairns on Tuesday evening (01/02), hoping to head up to Kewarra, one of the northern beaches, the following day. But by that evening, a depression heading our way progressively got 'upgraded' to become a level 3, then level 4 tropical cyclone. At that point, an evacuation order was made for Kewarra and the northern beaches plus some other coastal towns. Cairns is pretty large, with a pop...