Hi

Sunday morning we checked out of the Grampians YHA then set off for the wonderland carpark to do the Pinnacles walk. A 5.5km walk that took us up 280m! The views from the top were worth the climb. The area suffered from the 2006 Grampian forest fires that destroyed 47% of the vegetation in the Grampians so you could see all the volcanic rock underneath. The tree trunks were all still black but you could see all the regrowth. The ground was still ash though.

After the walk we headed to Ngamadjidj shelter to look at some rock art - yeah not very impressive. Then it was non stop to Adelaide. It was 500 km, 312 miles to Adelaide which took us 51/2 hours along straight roads. Drove along the A8 into South Australia and then picked up the M1 to Adelaide. The scenery for the majority of the way was pastoral farmland - acres upon acres of it until we reached the Adelaide hills which took us through all the wine valleys and into Adelaide.

Monday we had a wander around Adelaide. Did a spot of shopping, then wandered down to the river and along to the botanical gardens for lunch. Adelaide appears very clean and fresh with lots of green areas - very pleasent to walk around especially when the weather is sunny all day.

Tuesday we went to Kangaroo Island - the 3rd biggest island off Australian mainland. Almost half the island has never been cleared of native vegetation so is a haven to wildlife. Had to get the tour bus early as it was a 2 hour drive down to Cape Javis where we got the 45 minute feryy to the island - not the smoothest of crossings!

Our first stop was Seal Bay home of the Australian Sealions. We went down onto the beach to see them and got quite close. Saw pups and a few surfing in on the waves. The rest were sleeping as they sleep for 3 days then hunt for 3. Very cool experience except for the smell!

Spent the afternoon in Flinders Chase National Park where we stopped at the Remarkable Rocks (cluster of granite boulders, sculptured by the weather and perched on a granite dome) and Admirals Arch - home to New Zealand fur seals. Got absolutely soaked seeing them but it was worth it as we saw 3-4 week old pups.

On the drive back to the ferry we saw lots of Echidna's that had been brought out by the rain. They are like hedgehogs but with long snouts and backwards claws. Funny little critters. Got back to the hostel very late but it was worth it.

Wednesday was Barossa Valley - we spent a day in the Adelaide Hills wine tasting. We visited 4 wineries - one of which was Jacobs Creek. It would be nice to say we had learnt a bit about wine tasting but really we just drank lots of wine! Even tried white port too. We had a BBQ for lunch and tried Kangaroo - very nice. Another pleasent sunny day in Adelaide.

Today we have chilled on Glenelg beach and got sorted for a week trip through the desert to Uluru.

Will speak to you next from Perth.

Lots of Love

Hayley and Rose x