Outback to Cairns, 25-27th Nov.

Last leg of the outback, from the Northern Territory, 2 days driving to hit the Queensland coast, including the mandatory pit stops every 10 mins for the Sheilas. Two overnight stops were the only thing between us and the sea, one of which we wont be forgetting in a hurry. The artifical horse on the roof of the hotel/saloon should've prepared us for what was inside... fully made up mannequins sat at the bar, completed with feather boas, matching outfits and shoes!

The walls were decked out with Moose, deer, and Wild boar heads, (The boar 'from just out there in the bush mate'!), a chainsaw, hats, newspaper cuttings, and jars of pickled snakes and insects. After sinking a few cold ones, and chatting with the owner and his wife, it was clear we were not going to be eaten, skinned, or mutilated...they were a lovely family (eccentric), with many a good story to tell.

Driving to Cairns took the whole day, straight to Maccas, and a shop at Woolies! Happy dayz! We booked a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelled at 2 different site, with all types of fish, including shark, huge moray eel, and turtle.

The following day was spent exploring North of Cairns, to Port Douglas and the Daintree Rain forest. Still cant swim in the esturies or sea (Crocs). Mission Beach (Albs and Ryan have skydived onto this beach!) was our next stop over, lovely village, relaxed pace of life, with some great little bars and eateries. Got some of the Ashes in too. Mich and I were up in the dark to catch the sun rise. We got 2 full moons first , a foreign couple went skinny dipping, Mich parked her chair right next to their towels and cozzies! Once Mich moved they got out, gave a wave and were gone (obvs couldn't read the warning the signs! Crocs and deadly jellyfish).

Waterfalls were next on the list, including Millaa Millaa, made famous by Peter Andre 'Mysterious Girls', and Herbal Essance Advert. Our drive back towrads the coast could have ended differently....Having assumed we had a puncture, we pulled over outside the only house for miles to find the rear wheel almost detached, with sheered wheel studs, and bolts missing! But....we only bloody stopped out side the friendliest vehicle Mechanic in Oz!! Daniel, our new bestie, changed the wheel studs and got us back on the road (4 hours, including taking the axle out, bleeding brakes! Legend!) After dropping him down the pub, promising to put him up if he's ever in Blighty, and giving him some beer tokens we got our heads down.

After a diversion to Cairns to sort the Van, we headed South, stopping at the Wallamns Falls, Australias largest free flowing waterfall, where Ryan and I had a dip in the pool below it, plenty of 'Yabbies', no crocs, whilst Mich and Albs got some (more) beauty sleep in the van.

Next stop Airlie, and Noosa!