I decided to return to Noosa as I'd enjoyed my time here so much last time I visited three years ago. This time the weather was a bit different though, not so much sun as rain..!

The hostel here had a somewhat cheesy, but actually quite good idea, of a 'meet and greet' type session on the first evening. The real tempter was a free glass of wine while you got to say hi to a few people and find out what there was to keep you occupied over the next few days. You also got a buy one get one free voucher for Copenhagen ice cream so a couple of us decided to brave the slightly damp walk into town to try it out - and we weren't disappointed. It has to be the best ice cream I've ever tasted...white chocolate and honeycomb, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and if you've still got room, hundreds and thousands too! It was quite literally running down my arms, but was still absolutely yum...

But I did do more than just eat and drink in Noosa. I went for a coastal walk in the national park and was lucky enough to spot a koala out in the wild on my way back. All the way along the coast people are out surfing, despite the fact that it was a Wednesday - sometimes I think Australians just don't ever work!

As this was also Valentine's day and most people were on their own a few of us decided to head off to another hostel later that night where we'd heard rumours of a Valentine's party. Well I think we arrived slightly ahead of the crowds, but after a few beers the entertainment arived, and by that I mean more than just a man with his guitar. There were some real desperate people in there and the people watching amused us all night!

The next day despite my slightly fragile head I went to Australia Zoo (the Steve Irwin zoo). Half way there I was starting to think it was a really bad idea as the heavens opened and the deluge continued for about the next hour, so much so that we couldn't even see the zoo through the windows when we arrived! But luckily the day cleared up and we didn't really get too wet. Saw all sorts of native australian animals, fed the kangaroos, cuddled the koalas and just watched the crocs! The crocodile show was pretty good, although glad I was safely sat in my seat and nowhere near those huge snapping jaws as they crunched chicken after chicken...

The next fews days I spent relaxing on the beach in between the showers, then it was time for my first overnight bus experience up to Airlie Beach...