By cable car up a mountain into the rainforest and then to Kuranda, a village largely composed of retail opportunities. Back to Cairns via the train, on track laid in the 1890s to service the gold miners.

Today we took the ferry to Watson Bay. A pretty little fishing village with a big park, historic buildings and a large gull population, all with a penchant for fish and chips and expert at divebombing the tourists. Dressed for yesterday's weather, we were a bit warm until the rain started in the afternoon, then we were smug in trainers and waterproofs. Returned to town in time to see the museum and browse the market stalls, many of which sold kangaroo parts re...

We brought British weather with us! Having flown over the barren interior, Sydney is wreathed in low cloud with frequent torrential showers. We're drying off in the hotel bar having taken our selfies with the bridge and opera house in the rain.

We arrived at the Marina Bay Sands, a disneyesque fairytale of a place, yesterday. 3 massive towers support the infinity pool on the 57th floor which is full of people taking selfies at the edge. Breakfast on the balcony, the 16th floor but the birds arrived as soon as the food. The Grand Prix circuit is next door, being readied for the next race. It's awfully hot, we won't be doing much walking. The skyyway in the gardens gave us a view of the massive towers cl...

Our hotel is on the edge of Chinatown so had a wander around the market this morning. It's just like in China, funnily enough - one section selling clothes, one bit for stationery, rows of stalls with identical shoes (wholesale only). Stalls piled with crabs, shrimps, cuttlefish &unidentifiable seafood. Many warehouses selling polypropylene sacks, others with jute sacks, hemp rope, polypropylene rope... And sugar. Vast white sacks of sugar being load...