Day 1

Arrived in Melbourne mid afternoon and after wandering around the city we spent the rest of the day down at federation square reading books and chilling out. In the evening we retured to federation square and watched a giant advent calender show that goes on every night until christmas - very good (especially for the kids).

Day 2

After the hassle of checking out of last nights horrible hostel and into a new one we got the tram to St Kilda beach where we laid for the afternoon topping up our tans which seem to have faded due to Australias bad weather for the past month! Had a girly night in doing eyebrows and french manicures!

Day 3

Raining! Went to queen victoria market to get some cheap fruit and veg then got our ponchos on and went exploring melbourne. This included: visiting little suburbs and getting the free tram around the city. Saturday night so after tea we got our dresses on and hit the town. After being told we couldnt get in the first club because we had flip flops on (they actually were dressy flip flops - us travellers can't fit heals in our bags) we thought the night was going to be a let down. however, once in the next pub some nice guys came over and started chatting. next thing we knew we had free drinks being given to us faster than we could drink them and they paid for us to get in all the clubs - brilliant night and we didnt spend a penny. Strolled home at 4.30am!

Day 4

After only 4 hours sleep we were awake! Spent until 3 chilling down at federation square. Steve was coming over today so Nicky went back to the hostel where she got picked up by his Auntie and Uncle who live 25 mins outside the city - they are staying there for the next few days whilst charlotte is staying in the hostel. Charlotte spent the rest of the afternoon shopping whilst Nicky went and got acquainted with Steves family, went out for a chinese yum yum! then had a bath - amazing when it;s been 3 an half months since having one!. nicky went to bed but got updates on united beating liverpool at anfield AGAIN! ha ha get in!!!

Day 5

Charlotte spent the day visiting different beaches and exploring more of Melbourne whilst Nicky was up at silly oclock to welcome steve to Oz at the airport (was really good to see him) then they went to do some christmas shopping, and chiled by the river. In the evening they went out for dinner with his aunty and uncle and also his cousin and her 3 little girls. After the meal they went to visit melbournes casino, which is massive, some big money getting lost in there
we had a little bet with our pennies and won $5 so quit while we were ahead. There was an amzing fire display outside that we watched and a 20 min xmas show we watched then headed home for a sleep. steve shattered after journey (in business class may i add)

Day 6

Today we hired a car and went on the Great Ocean road. First stop was Torquay where we visited the beach before doing a spot of shopping. Then we drove to Lorne and holding hands ran and dived into the freezing cold sea. Next 2 hours was spent driving through rainforest (we decided it should be call 'great rainforest road'). Arrived at the 12 apostels which were amazing then visited the Arch and Londons Bridge before beginning the long journey home. Really good day - shame about the flies that attack you everytime you get out of the car!!

Day 7

Today we drove to Philip Island to watch the penguin parade. Spent the day exploring the island and visiting little beaches and coves - most of which were deserted! (probably due to the annoying flies again!). Visited Nobby rock and the main town called Cowes. At 8pm we went to the penguin parade where you sit on the beach and at 9pm little penguins come out of the sea and walk up the shore to their homes - really great sight to see them in the wild. Very cute birds! Very long day but again good road trip.

Day 8

Charlotte has spent the day visitng the Olympic park and Shrine of rememberance before doing some last minute christmas shopping then updating the blog. Nicky and Steve did some shopping and gave xmas presents to his 3 little cousins, who were so cute and polite, it felt really xmassy with kids around the house. Nicky went to drop steve off at the airport with his aunty, he leaves for auckland today and we will meet back up tomorrow, then chillled out around the house and packed for NZ. we were reunited at the hostel for a few hours sleep before our 4am bus to the airport, 6am flight to Sydney then 10.45 flight to New Zealand.

3 month Australia adventure over.. we have loved every minute of it. Bring on New Zealand where we will be seeing our friends Kate Hendrick and Hananh Macleod (as well as Steve).

Hopefully update soon but the 2 weeks we have on the North island is a bit of a rush so we might not have chance.... therefore Merry Christmas and we will update in 2008! Bye everyone, hope you are all well. xx