3rd - 6th Jan
Coogee Beach - we weren't supposed to be here! The plan was to stay at Bondi Beach for a few nights but due to a slight hostel mix up, they booked us into Coogee instead. We were going to do the 2 hour Bondi to Coogee walk but instead we decided to catch a cab - much easier option! This is our first night of the dreaded dorm situation (doon doon doon) as you all well know, we have been Flashpackers so far and been spoilt with our twin rooms! The shock we had clambering up to the first bunk was something we will both never forget! Coogee Beach is a beautiful beach and a really nice place to visit but unfortunately due to the wind situation, the beach was closed for swimmers due to the high and frantic waves. We spent one of our days with Fiona and Apple (Fiona is the friend we met on Magic bus and spent xmas day with :) and apple is her friend. Going out in Coogee is a good night but less hectic and bussly as Bondi. We went into the Coogee Hotel where they had a live band in the afternoon and DJ in the evening. A good place to go. We met some locals who were very entertaining and also went out with Laura, our new friend from the dorm.

7th January - Sydney
Back into Sydney Railway Square YHA for 1 night only as we have an early start on the Oz Experience tomorrow morning. This was a bit of the shock to the system as we have been going at our own leisurely pace for the last two weeks. We liked this hostel alot as we were sleeping in converted Railway carriages on a platform! Very quirky and also very clean! We apologise for our pictures as we are aware that you have all got used to our beautiful scenic pictures of New Zealand and now you are getting alot of views in Bars while we are in Oz! Beautiful scenic pictures to follow asap we promise!

8th January - Oz Experience to Surf Camp
Caught the 6.45 a.m. Oz bus which took us to Surf Camp. Our driver was called Pete aka Sconzy and was a bit of a character! very aussie! Bit of a gruelling journey as didn't arrive into Surf Camp till 4pm ish. Armed with Goon (4.40 box of wine) we went to a beach party and had dinner with the rest of the Oz bus.

9th January - Surfing !!
Just call us Kelly Slater! We are pros! Surf Camp gave us all a surfing lesson (7.00 .am. start :( - apparently this is the best time to catch the waves, personally we think a wave is a wave and could of gone alot later!!) Both of us managed to STAND UP on the board! We won't reveal if we were on land or sea though. For Sarah's efforts and determination she has some beautiful bruises on her arms to show how dedicated to the art of surfing. Cornwall watch out!! Travelled to Byron Bay after our Surfing lesson. Arrived in Byron and what a place!! We loved it here! Very quirky as there is an hold hippie commune called Nimbin not far. Checked into our dorm and met some lovely girls from UK and Canada. Sarah and Tarlie from UK and Shanna from Canada. Also met someone from Milton Keynes!!! Wes from Bradville! We all went out to a place called Cheeky Monkies and had a fantastic night with everyone from the Oz bus too. we bumped into Mike, a guy we had met on the Magic Bus in New Zealand so it was great to catch up with him.

10th January - Byron Bay
Due to the very good night out, today was a 'chilling' day! Charlie calls it a chilling day, Sarah calls it a day from hell! She had a little bit of a sore head and this was the first hangover moment of the trip. Nurse Charlie stepped into action. In the evening we walked around Byron and saw street performers, bands, on nearly every corner and a real buzzy atmosphere. We went to the Great Northern Hotel and watched a live band called Fort. It was funny to watch the aussies rock out as they are quite nimble on their feet like Billy Elliott versus Slip Knot! We enjoyed it. We should of stayed here alot longer and recommend anyone who is visiting to spend a good 4 nights here.

11th January - Brisbane
Left Byron at around 3pm to travel to Brisbane. We didn't realise that there is 1 hour time difference! We had the chance to do some Zorbing 'en route' - this is where people put themselves in a giant inflatable ball with water and thrown themselves down a hill (they do it in UK), but we decided a hot air balloon was the most adreniline we can cope with haha! Arrived in Brisbane around 6.30 p.m., and met Kerrie!! Went to her house and had a good catch up. It was great to see her again :)) Not only are we in a dorm for 5 nights in Brisbane but we are definately roughing now as it is a mixed dorm! aaaaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

12th January - Brisbane
Spent the day with Kerrie looking around Brisbane and chilled out by a place called the Lagoon. As there is no beach in Brisbane itself, they have made a lagoon complete with cinema screen which was showing 'Ice Age' and 'Meet the Robinsonns'. A real family place with tons of character as there are markets and lots of things for children to do. Kerrie took us around the highlights of Brisbane's night life however, as Sarah didn't bring any ID with her (at 33 surely we don't need it!), she wasn't able to get in alot of places. Mental note to ANYONE travelling to OZ - take your ID out with you no matter how old you are - they will not let you in without it. (even if you're approching your 50th birthday!!) Ended up in the bar called Down Under which is downstairs from our Backpackers accomodation.

13th January - Surfers Paradise
Took the 1hr 10min train from Brisbane to Surfers and then a bus (20 mins). Surfers Paradise is the name and it does what it says in the title! A huge beach, stretching as far as the eye could see, surfers galore (didn't look as good as us though!), and beautiful soft sand. Kerrie's friend Zena joined us for the afternoon and we all had a good time catching up and chilling on the beach. We caught 'some waves' with body surfing which is great fun and the waves here are much easier to manage than at Coogee and Bondi!