No trip Down Under would be complete without a visit to The Great Barrier Reef and I cannot wait to get up close and personal with Nemo & Co and explore this underwater wonder! The only snag is that I cannot swim and I have an irrational fear of open water. However, I refuse to travel halfway around the globe and miss out on one of the seven natural wonders of the world just because I am afraid; and since part of this trip is all about overcoming my fears an...

Have you ever heard of the Whitsunday Islands in Australia (before the "best job in the world" competition anyway?). No, neither had I until I set foot on the east coast and all I heard were good things about them accompanied by phrases such as, "It's a must see in Australia" and "They are gorgeous, you can sail on ex racing boats around the islands and get a great tan at the same time". Intriguing. Since I had never been on a boat...

Before leaving Alice Springs I visited a small wallaby sanctuary with attached didgeridoo shop which sold all things Aboriginal. I could not wait to try and play the didgeridoo (try being the operative word) and you are able to try as many as you like here with various sizes and styles available. Didgeridoos are made from small and straight trees which have been eaten out on the inside by termites. The trees are chopped, stripped of their bark, painted and dr...

Last night I spent a beautiful night sleeping under the stars in the Aussie outback at Kings Creek Station. I slept in a 'swag' which holds a sleeping bag on the ground - no tent or fire. It was stunning - the stars are quite incredible as there is obviously no light pollution out here. You can never get bored of looking at the consetllations. It was a lovely warm night and I wish I could do it again - would recommend it to anyone. Since then I've been to the ...

Continuing through the Northern Territory (NT), I'm now in Alice Springs which is the biggest settlement in the NT and the most expensive place to live. It's so remote - you have to drive two hours to get to a service station etc and it's decidedly dodgy of a night time. Do not wander along these streets by yourself. You really are 'Out Back' and stand out like a sore thumb if you are a red, mozzy bitten European with a Scouse accent like myself! Have been to th...