Sunday 23rd March

Arrived in Melbourne at about 9, so jumped in a taxi to the Base Hostel in St Kilda. A quick wash, we were too early to check in, before a walk for a tea/coffee. At 11am, Wayne and his two buddies arrived at the Hostel on their Harley Davidsons to give us a ride around the city. Oh my god, what an experience! I'm not sure words can express this! Definitely something to do, especially with a limited amount of time in a city as big as Melbourne. We rode along the coast of St Kilda, over and under the Westgate Bridge, into Williamstown. We finished the ride driving round Albert Park, where the Grand Prix had taken place a week earlier, all be it not at the speeds Hamilton and co were taking the corners. As work is still being carried out on the track, re removal of grandstands, pits etc, the speed was limited to 30km/hr!!!!

After arriving back at the hostel, and you could tell people were jealous, the three of us couldnt stop grinning. We checked into the hostel and went for a walk around St Kilda. I then jumped on the bus and went on my way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground - the MCG. To say the game between Hawthorn and Melbourne was a one sided affair would be an understatement. Hawthorn turned Melbourne over 154-50. I then headed back to meet the girls. A couple of drinks in the hostel bar and a walk around the town for a drink, i hit they hay, ready for tomorrows fun!!

Monday 24th March

Picked up from the hostel at 8am to head out on THE NEIGHBOURS TOUR! Sad i know, but after watching this programme since the mid eighties, it was definitely a ting that needed to be done! First stop was Edinsborough High. We then headed to Lou's Mechanics, Marlene Kratz's Bric n Brac Shop and Grease Monkeys. God, those last two go back a bit!!! Finally, we arrived in Australia's answer to Downing Street or the Vegas strip - RAMSEY STREET!! This street is tiny compared to the tele. Obviously had to have my picture taken outside the Robinsons gaff and the Kennedys household before the greatest picture of my life - standing outside the Ramseys with the road sign!!!! So excited!! After arriving back in St Kilda, we met Janelle Timmons before going out and searching out St Kilda's streets!

We headed to The Espy for dinner, which was lovely, before taking a leisurely stroll to The Elephant for the Neighbours Night. Connor, Stuart Parker and Rachel Kinsey were the stars tonite - no Dr Karl or his band (sob sob!) Happened to get pretty drunk!!!!!

Tuesday 25 March

Day one of the OZ Experience Tour: Picked up from the hostel by "Bones", out tour guide for the next few days. Stopped off in Toobinin for breakfast, and my first half decent cuppa. Leongatha to buy lunch before heading to Wilsons Prom - this place is amazing! So glad we visited here! So of the views around here are beautiful, especially Pillar Point. A 5K walk round the coast and lunch on Squeaky Beach. We then went on the search for Kangaroos. Things that you ever imagined you'd only see on tele..to get that close is just...well...amazing! Some great pictures. Stopped off in Fosters for a break before arriving in the sleepy place of Lakes Entrance. We checked to the Riviera Hostel, went for dinner and few beers before hitting the pillow for an early night

Wednesday 26 March

Day two of the OZ Experience Tour: An early start, again! Heading to Snowy Mountains today. Came across a place called Suggan Buggan. It used to house a few hundred people during the giold rush, but is only habited by 1 person now! Its a freaky little ghost town, with the tiny school still standing. We had our one and only group picture taken here. Driving thru the mountains, we stopped at Jacks Lookout. The view from here was awesome, something you only see in books/magazines! Worth the long drive itself. Arrived at Kosciuszko National Park for lunch before heading up Wilsons Valley to hike 10km to see the Blue Lakes. After booking into the hostel, i headed for a sauna and a swim. Didnt know some hostels were this good! The view out onto Lake Jindabyne from the bedroom was...well...amazing! Dinner was at 7 and a "few" drinks followed. Dam Happy Hours that last 3 hours!!! 8 bucks a jug, numerous drinking games, far too much alcohol, followed by a club! Lots of drunken photos. Always helps when trying to piece the evening together! Thank god we have a lie in tomorrow - we leave for Sydney at 8am!

Thursday 27 March

Day three of the OZ Experience Tour: Up at 7am for breakfast before loading the coach up and heading to Sydney via Canberra, Australia's capital. Went for a guided tour around Parliament House. Went onto the roof, which sees right over Canberra. Onto the coach for a short ride to the Central Business District for lunch. Then, it was back on the bus to start the 4 hour drive to Sydney. A brief stop in Mittagong 2 hours in. Finally arrived in Sydney at 6pm.