Apologies to the lazy for the v.long update, here goes Saturday 27th May was the day we collected the Beast! Picked it up from Sydney and were stung with extras straight away as insurance is slightly different to how it is back home so we took out full insurance just to be on the safe side. We headed straight off on our 2,829km journey to Bondi Beach where we had lunch. A bit tacky but it had to be seen. Then it was off to the Blue mountains for 2nights which took us just over 3hrs. Found a camp site right in the heart of it all and had our first night with baked beans on toast - how Ben!!!! In the morning had a great long walk down around 861 steps and through the Blue mountains (named after the blue mist effect from the oil off the eucalyptus trees and dust being caught in the sunlight) which was absolutely stunning. It's Oz's Grand Canyon and there was a huge "rock" which at the base was the same size as Ayres rock! Next day was a stop off in Newcastle en route to Port Stephens at Karuah. Only after 3 nights the camper van started to rebel. Firstly we were unable to fill up the water tank to service the toilet, shower and sink. The left hand wing mirror started to flop down so as it was useless for vision on the road. Then the toilet began to leak urine - this is where we drew the line and got pissed off (poor I know) as we had to mop it up. We decided that upon arrival in Brisbane we would return the vehicle to Backpackers and get a better one. On the following day we headed up the coast again for about a 5 hr drive before we hit Coffs Harbour which is the banana coast! Coffs Harbour is lovely. The camp site was right on the beach with great BBQ facilities, free pancakes on a Wednesday morning and gorgeous views over the beach). We had 2 nights here and went whale and dolphin spotting on the 2nd day (managed to spot 2 humpback whales blowing water out of their blowholes around 400metres away) We then bought some meat for the BBQ and had our first BBQ at the park and ended up joining 6 other Aussies for red wine and laughs - great evening and lots of story telling. Early start the next morning (after our BBQ of sausages and Beans for Brekkie) heading on up the coast through Byron Bay to Tweed Heads. Loved Byron Bay with its laid back and really chilled atmosphere. Here we popped into a shop called Wicked Weasel (On Bens request - google it to believe it!) and browsed the rows of the smallest bikinis in the world. Friday the 2nd June we sped on up to Surfers paradise for a couple of hours. It's a bit of a Southern hemisphere posh (Gorgeous jewellery and handbag shops) Blackpool. Not much going on apart from a great big beach and lots of drink offers in the many local bars closed in by Kebab shops at the ends. It was then onto Brisbane to the hire shop to swap the beast. Unfortunately they had none available but promised a swap the following morning. Checked into a campsite for the night before the mammoth complaining session the next day - bring it on. Great day at the Backpackers campervan office where we got back all monies spent on campsites since we had the van $100 for having to mop up wee and extra money for not being able to use the shower and loo etc that we paid extra for. In total it nearly covered the amount paid for the insurance - perfect. Sydney to Brisbane we have traveled 1,348km!!! Both on a high we drove through the Glass House Mountains in our great new Beast. This one even looks better with the company logo emblazoned on the sides. Ended up in a traditional, and very local Australian country saloon for lunch - interesting . Walked in and they all turned round to see the new arrivals. Great traditional pub grub though. We spent the night at a campsite down the road to Steve Irwins Australia Zoo ready for us to hit the zoo the following day. 4/6/06 Headed 5mins down the road to the Zoo. Great zoo. We had a look around in the crocodile pools and at the Dingos before we went to the Crocoseum for the Tiger show, Bird show, snake and last but not least the croc show. All were amazing and the whole Show lasted 1&1/2hrs. We then got to stroke a sleepy Koala (They can sleep for upto 20hrs a day and can survive on no water all their lives from eating eucalyptus trees & their oil) Next was a walk to get up close and personal to lots of Kangaroos. Here we had a photo moment and even saw a little joey in a Kangaroos pouch - amazing. After being kids again for a few hours in the Zoo, we hit the open road yet again to Noosa where we booked ourselves into a campsite on the Creek with its own beach. Love Noosa as it's very residential (some amazing houses) and green with lots of water ways and beaches. The main stretch on Hastings Street has some gorgeous restaurants and coffee bars and shops. We booked a day trip to Fraser Island leaving at 6am!!!! 5/6/06 Early start for the Fraser Day trip. We got picked up and headed 1 &1/2hrs up the coast to Rainbow beach where we got onto a 4x4 bus - yes bus, and boarded the barge for the crossing over to the Island 1 nautical mile away. This is where the fun began as we hit the sands and sped along 75mile beach at 70km/hr - amazing. We passed 4 wild dingos and then got thrown around a bit more over the sand before pulling into a resort for morning coffee and a muffin to set us up for the days adventure. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. The waters surrounding it are shark infested and have some of the deadliest rips and undercurrents, so it's not advised to go for a quick dip. After refreshments it was up the east coast to the coloured sands which is an area of sand of many colours from rusting. Then the Maheno shipwreck which was cool as it's getting deeper and deeper into the beach from the Island collecting more sand. Next was a paddle in the Eli Creek which was rather cold before we headed onto lunch. After a quick and tasty lunch it was Lake McKenzie which was situated inland through a dense forest area. This did not stop Chris our tour guide putting his foot down and speeding off through the chicane of trees and steep gullies to the lake and hr inland. This lake is in the top 10 best places to go for a swim in the world. The sands which surround it are of the 2nd whitest in the world after S.Africa. The lake is stunning with blue water and white sands - picture perfect. We were lucky enough to chill here for and hr on the beach taking it all in. Our last stop was a walk through the Forest which was also stunning. We then headed on the 2hr bumpy ride back to the beach to catch the sunset on our barge ride back to the mainland. We then got back to our caravan site around 7:30pm. Long day but I would recommend it to everyone if they ever get the opportunity. That now brings us up to date on Australia so far. Today we chilled on the beach and tonight we are going to have a BBQ on the beach and watch the sunset - sounds good eh! Next plan is to go up to 1770 tomorrow for a couple of nights and then on up to the Whitsundays and then Cairns with Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas. Having a great time in Oz, it is the beginning of their winter but the weather is perfect. Love you all loads and miss you all. Wish you were here. Lots of love always Zella and Benny boy x x x x