Our main reason for visiting Kosciuszco National Park was to climb Australias Highest peak - 2228m. As it was early afternoon, we were going to have to leave the 7 hour walk until the next day. So we spent the afternoon going for a swim, sauna and steam at Thredbo resort centre, which was nice after such a bumpy ride through the Alpine National Park. After such a great relax, we drove back through Jinderbyn for a nice coffee and cake - what a perfect day!! :) Clearly preparing us for our walk tomorrow!! That night we camped up, built a camp fire and enjoyed a game of chinese rumi in the grounds of the national park.

We were up early the next day, ready for our full day walk. All geared up and prepared we started the walk from Charlotte Pass and headed down a valley across the headwaters of the famous snowy river over some stepping stones. The walk moved uphill along the main range walking track at a steady ascent - passing the glaciel blue lakes, continuing all the way up to the summit of the mountain. The views were absolutely stunning.. and you could actually see as far as the victorian border at some points. Halfway through the walk we had an amazing view, miles and miles of mountains - it was one of those moments when you are so thankful for doing the walk!!! Here, I left the lunch bag - with all 4 of u=our lunch, oops!!! So when we had finally realised that it was missing Chris ran all the way back down the mountain like a madman in search of the food!!! haha, we did have a giggle about it when he finally found it (thankgod no-one took it, imagine! I would have been in so much trouble!!!). We had our lunch whilst looking out onto Mt Kosciuszco.. all gazing at how far we still had to go!!! It actually didnt seem that long a distance, but because the path meanders round several other hills etc it takes much longer!! Finally at the summit we were so happy!! The views were amazing, but we were accompanied by about a thousend school kids on a school trip!! Luckily they went shortly after, and we could have a space to sit down in peace (my god I sound like an old women! haha). On the summit was a stone summit marking that you can stand on, and do a little jig to celebrate being Australias highest person!! The weather had been perfect all day, however a huge raincloud had just started to come in, so we shortly made tracks back down. The walk took about 7 hours, and although we were a little tired, it was well worth it!!! This National Park has a rich Aborigional history as they used to live on the plains, river valleys and foothills of these mountains 10,000 years ago. It was on the highest mountains such as this one that important spiritual ceremonies were attended. After the European exploration, the aborigionals continued to live and work in the mountains as miners, loggers and graziers - so it is of great significance to the Aborigional people.

This finalised a great road trip with James and paula and we finished the day of with a gorgeous Kebab. I know what everyone is thinking but they are really good over here and alot healthier. The next day was spent travelling all the way back to Sydney, what a long slog. We had an amusing trip to McDonalds on the way back .. the story goes Paula ordered a meal, McDonalds drinks machine burnt out giving of lots of smoke. Instead of turning it off they carried on trying to use it giving of loads off fumes so we all got evacuated, paula without her order ... up turns 2 fire engines, 2 police cars and nothing less than an ambulance. It was hilarious that the manager had called them out because of a dodgy coffee machine. In the end paula got a note for her order from a nearby McDonalds where james completely blagged the order saying that they had ordered more than they actually did, good work!!! Although they still managed to stuff up the order for a second time! We'll say no more!