Flying all the way to the other side of the world to a country which is so similar to the UK might seem a strange thing to do - especially when escaping England has been my aim for so long. But the last few days have been proof indeed that the journey has been worth it...

Away from cities and towns for the first time, Rachel and i hopped aboard a minibus and headed into the countryside. Led by Adam the tour guide (the epitome of Aussie surfer dude) and joined by a Kiwi, a German, a Malaysian (via Singapore) and fellow Brits from Cheshire, Essex and Devon we hopped on and off the bus to marvel at the greatest flora and fauna which Victoria has to offer.

Beginning in the surf town of Torquay we headed west, jumping off the bus at Adam's behest to enjoy amazing cliff top views, dramatic landscapes, indigenous wildlife, home-made sandwiches and shop-bought ice-creams. An entertaining and informed commentary kept us laughing as we learned. Highlights included:

The beautiful and iconic Bell's Beach (it's mentioned and revered by Patrick Swayze in Point Break).

Split Point Lighthouse - home of the kid's TV show Round The Twist. I showed my age here by being the only Brit who remembered it being on TV in England years ago.

Heading down the Gibson Steps to take in spectacular views of two of the Twelve Apostles. These gigantic rock monoliths were formed as sections of the coastal eroded and fell beneath the waves. They jut out dramatically from the foaming water and are a spectacular sight (you can also view the photos on here). But the view from the ground was not nearly as the one we got from the air as Rachel and i strapped ourself into a helicopter for a flight over the area. From the sky the cliffs look they were carved from butter by a giant with a particularly hot knife. Absolutely breathtaking.

Our collective breath was regained as we hit the beach at Loch Ard Gorge. Named for an Irish boat which sunk nearby, the beach was as near to paradise as you could imagine. Flanked on either side by steep, colourful cliffs we let the waves lap gently at our bare feet, snapping photo after photo in an attempt to capture just how beautiful the place is. I'm not sure my camera was really a match to the task, but i tried my best.

Along the Great Ocean Road (built by 3000 ex-servicemen following WW2) we also camped amongst koalas, took in a petrified forest, saw London Bridge (it had already fallen down), saw trees which had begun to grow in mid-air and learned how eucalyptus trees actually try to start bush fires themselves.

We then headed inland to the Grampian Highlands. Here we climbed Hollow Mountain to enjoy the panoramic views, met the real life Mick Dundee (Steve from the Asses Ears Mountain Retreat: where kangaroos sniffed around our tents), visited the Brumbuk Aboriginal Centre to learn about the hardships of Australia's first residents and basked in the beauty (and cool spray) of Mackenzie Falls.

I just can't do it justice in words. Check out the pictures.

PS I also ate kangaroo. Bootiful.