I'm now in Rainbow Beach, Queensland, having covered a lot of miles in the past week since I left Sydney. Rainbow Beach is one of the gateways to Fraser Island, where I will be going for a three day, two night tour tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to that and hoping for good weather; it's certainly improved as I've gone up the East Coast but the sunbathing conditions are still a bit temperamental. I almost got washed into the sea today with some careless sunbathing!

When I left Sydney I went to Spot X, near Coffs Harbour, where we stayed at a Surf Camp. For me, the best things about Surf Camp were the food (mmm yummy buffet) and being able to watch Neighbours. The worst were the porta-cabin style rooms with their damp sheets and unnecessary distance from the toilets, and, um, the surfing. I honestly did try the surfing, especially all the tutoring on land, but as soon as I got into the water it went out of the window. I was truly rubbish (although I managed to stand for a nanosecond when the instructor helped me) and got sick of choking on sea water, having salty eyes and getting whacked in the face by my surfboard every time a wave hit me, so I quit after about 15 minutes in the sea. Life's too short - if at first you don't succeed, quit. (Travelling has taught me lots of important life lessons!)

I went from Surf Camp to Byron Bay which was great fun and really beautiful. We did a walk to the lighthouse and the most easterly point in Australia, as well as taking a day trip to Nimbin, a brilliantly colourful hippy town. Part of the trip included being served exotic fruits by an aging American hippy in his massive estate whilst he smoked a bong and spouted some nonsensical political propaganda. Standard day out.

From Byron Bay I went to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, a city which reminded me a lot of Miami, with its beaches shaded by massive high rise buildings. It wasn't exactly geared to backpackers, being more suited to the monied holiday maker, but it was nice to spend some time in a city before heading up to smaller places along the East Coast. We took some time out from our hardworking schedule of tourism and sitting on coaches to go Dreamworld and White Water World - the Gold Coast is the only place in Australia with big theme parks and water parks. It was a little chilly for bikinis, but at least this meant the queues in the water park were smaller than those in the theme park, and once we adjusted to the cold water it was a lot of fun! I also tested my nerve on some big rides in the theme park.

Yesterday I took a long journey from Surfers to Rainbow Beach, leaving at 9.30am and arriving about 5.30pm, but still according to the map of Australia I've barely come any distance! This country really is stupidly big. Anyway, the next time I write hopefully I'll be complaining about being too hot ... I hear it's almost 30 degrees in Cairns? Sounds better!