7 weeks in Oz...

Touch down in Adelaide on the 18th April (to the sounds of Ms. Minogue on the plane!!!)

ALICE SPRINGS (Northern Terrirtories)... we spent 5 days in the red centre, 2 in 'Alice' where we visited the local rescue centre for baby kangaroos, and 3 on a brilliant trip to Ayers Rock (Uluru), the Olgas and Kings Canyon which included eating Chilli Con Camel, drinking VB, swimming in a billabong and sleeping in swags under the stars (and a few droplets of rain!). NB. There are more flies than you could ever imagine in the outback - hence the cork hats. They go in your eyes, mouth and dinner. Yummy.

COOBER PEDY... on the way back down south we stopped for 1 night and 1 night only in an underground youth hostel in the opal mining capital of the world (hope you liked the earrings Pam, Gran and Kaz) - this was spooky and a little damp but otherwise great fun. We were here for ANZAC day which was commemorated in the underground church?! What a strange town.

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD... We hired a red Hyundai Accent (?!) to drive the 1,032km from Adelaide to Melbourne (in 2 and a half days - phew). We visited the 12 Apostles (of which there have only ever been 7?!) and had lots of fun with the road signs which warn of kangaroos, wombats, koalas, horses, children, trains, lorries, falling asleep at the wheel, etc., etc. We stayed for 1 night (and 1 night only) at an old jail in Mt. Gambier which had a pet lama?!

MELBOURNE (Victoria) ... here lots of Neighbours fun was had (the best type of fun possible). We took a trip to Melbourne Museum which has the old set of Helen Daniel's kitchen and Scott and Charlene's (Kylie and Jason!!!) wedding cake in the fridge. We went to the Neighbours night and met Dr. Carl Kennedy, Libby Kennedy (yes Time!) and Dillan Timmons! And Dr. Carl's band 'Waiting Room' played some tunes for us - bonzar! We visited Ramsay Street (or Pin Oak court) which was also very exciting. We also went to the MGC to watch an Aussie Rules match (the strangest sport ever), visited the lavatory on the 35th floor of the Sofitel Hotel which has the best views in the city, had lots of fun with Messrs. Burrows, Ash et al, and slept as little as possible as our dorm was infested with bed bugs (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!).

SYDNEY (New South Wales)... The wonderful Ms. Chilton (tour guide extraordinaire) showed us round the fabulous city that is Sydney. Our 6 days here included trips to the beaches of Bondi and Manley, walking tours round the city, the Botanic Gardens, Darling Harbour, and of course Circular Key home to the magnificent Opera House and the Harbour Bridge or 'Old Coat-hanger', and a day trip to the Blue Mountains. Fabulous. Tea up the Sky Tower was a highlight. Thanks Christy!!!!

BYRON BAY ... the sun and the beach welcomed us here. Surf lessons all round and lots of relaxation.

SURFERS PARADISE (Queensland) ... a quick stop off on the Gold Coast (pretty built up and rather like Las Vegas) to visit Wet n Wild water park! Weeeeeeeeeeee!

BRISBANE ...one day stop over, a nice city.

NOOSA ... we stayed here on the Sunshine Coast for 3 days - the real life Summer Bay. Visited Australia/Steve Irwin Zoo which was BRILLAMUNDO - saw elephants, tigers, snakes, tortoises, wombats, cookaburras, kangaroos, koalas and of course crocodiles. CRIKEY! I cuddled a koala and shook hands with a roo! No sign of Gary. We took a nice stroll through Noosa National Park and saw a koala in the wild which was lovely - its poo on the path gave its hiding place away!

FRASER ISLAND ...We joined 8 others for a 4WD tour in a Toyota Land Cruiser of the biggest sand island in the world for 2 nights and 3 days. We were harassed by wild dingos and forbidden to swim in the sea due to man-eating sharks, but had a brilliant time nonetheless swimming in the amazing tea-tree infused lakes on the island, and in the beautiful salt water champagne pools. Go Team B!

WHITSUNDAYS ... From Airlie Beach we boarded Avatar a Formula One Racing Trimaran for a 3 day trip around the Whitsunday islands. We sunbathed, snorkelled, and ate - what a life.