After accidentally blagging $2 discount on the airport shuttle bus (we just told the driver we were told it was $10 not $12 and he went "ok"), we arrived at Base Backpackers in Sydney. The most noticeable thing in Sydney was that with Christmas 1 week away, there was virtually no Xmas atmosphere, no Xmas music in shops or on the radio and few decorations - the complete opposite to any British city. Many shops in Sydney close for 2-4 weeks over the period and with accommodation prices rising, we chose to go touring up the East Coast (Gold Coast) towards Brisbane. All the campervans and hire cars in Australia appear to had been booked and by luck and perserverance on phones we were able to hire a car that had only been delivered to the hire company the previous day. We drove up the Gold Coast to Port Macquarie and Lins became Officer-in-Charge of accommodation research. After phoning or visiting all the 5* hotles, we tried a cheaper one listed in the Lonely Planet guidebook. As 23 Dec is a quiet time for holidays in Port Macquerie we managed to get a massive bedroom with kitchenette and big pool for a cheapie price. The pool had a great BBQ and so we had our 1st Aussie BBQ by the pool! (Lonely Planet Guides have proved to be spot all throughout our travels). We drove north to Surfers Paradise; like Brighton but actually good. We got another kitchenette appartment with BBQ and pool and had a BBQ Christmas Dinner, and laid on the beach trying to throw frisbees in the wind (failure and Lindsays finger nails became casualties). Aussie Christmas completed.

We drove back to Sydney and had booked a night at Base hostel, only to find people hadn't moved out of our beds that morning. The staff can't touch their stuff and wouldn't charge then when they did leave. The next day, one room had 13 people in a 6 bed room! Despite being told that we were both in the same room, Base wouldn't refund our money as they had single beds available in different rooms. Eventually they moved some people around so we could be in the same dorm room. The Base policy is 'no refunds' so I suggest that when you stay at Base, don't pay them at check-in, wait till later in the evening, once you know your bed is ready and you are happy.

New Years Evee was spent in a park overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge (where else!). By 3.30 the park was crammed and so we sheltered under a tree in a place with a rubbish view. By 5pm the park had been closed as it was at max capacity. Childrens fireworks take place at 9pm and many families leave after this, so we quickly moved to a better vantage point on a 30 degree slope; not easy to sleep or sit on. However, it was worth it - the firewaorks were great. Top tip for new years, is get there early, bring books, radio food. drink, and something for shade. Better still, get a boat and hire it in the harbour. Queues for the toilets were 35mins, no exageration. At least it stops you drinking too much.