We've had a great week here in Melbourne, staying with Lester and Stephen, friends from home. The weather hasn't been kind though - apparently it's the worst it's been since Lester got here 5 months ago. So that's good then! Luckily we had a beautiful day for our trip to The Great Ocean Road and had a great time. We stopped at Anglesea golf course first and got really close to some wild kangas. Then we had lunch in Lorne, overlooking the sea, before stopping at...

So onto the last stretch of the road trip.... Leaving the Whitsundays behind us, we stopped at Mission Beach for 3 nights, staying at Scotty's Beach House. The whole area is devoted to the Cassowary (giant ostrich sized birds with blue heads) as this is the only place in Australia you can see them -they're quite rare. As we drove into Mission Beach, we jammily saw one just by the roadside, with a chick that was absolutely massive! We drove on. I think we'd ima...

We boarded the Pacific Sunrise, our home for the next 3 days, in the afternoon and were glad to get some cooler air as we set sail. The boat is just amazing, with loads of room for 17 guests and 6 crew not to be tripping over each other and air con in the cabins! Basically, we can't believe our luck. The first night, we anchored in a quiet bay in Hook Island and were treated to scallops, trout and apple crumble while we got to know each other. The chef, Nick, is...

Back on the Pacific Highway and took a small detour for Rob to have a splash around at White Water World. Arrived at 'Banana Benders Backpackers' in Brisbane around lunchtime. The place was absolutely full of do's and dont's signs in every room. We felt like naughty children! There were 22 signs in the kitchen alone. We wandered along to the Botanical Gardens and over the river to the Southbank area. It's a really nice place to spend a few hours as there are lot...

Well it's been a busy few days. After leaving the Sykes family on the 17th, we were on the road for the first time in our fancy Mitsubishi Outlander. This leg of the journey is via the Pacific Highway and will take us to Brisbane. Our highlight on the radio had to be the local ads eg. ''Come to Penrith White Water rafting! You'll wet yourself!'' We stayed the first couple of nights at Treachery Beach Camp site, Seal Rocks, a few minutes walk from the beach - and ...