Hey everyone!!!

First of all - sorry haven't written on this thing for AGES!!! Been far too busy exploring Australia having cultural experiences (as you will be able to tell from the pics!).

We flew into Sydney almost 2 months ago and hot footed it down to see the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge... WOW!!! It is even more amazing in real life! Stayed in Sydney for about 4 days - doing all the touristy things, i.e. Open top bus tour / Bondi Beach / Botanical Gardens / Darlin harbour etc. The weather was unbelievably hot - resulting in 2 burnt bottoms (Emily didn't even manage to get burnt!!!!!!!!! We don't know why she can't tan - she blames it on Grandma).

Following a lot of freeness (including drinks, evening meals, pancake breakfasts), we took an overnight bus to Melbourne - 12 hours sitting next to a complete randomer was NOT fun, also as it was overnight arrived in the hostel in Melbourne at about 7am, unable to check in til 2pm!!! Anyway, explored Melbourne and St Kildas which was home to lots of Transvestites!! Did the Neighbours tour where we met Susan K (see the video) and walked on the actual street!!! At night we went to see Dr Kennedy's band playing but were very disappointed that none of the other cast members turned up. Still had a fun night and made frinds with lots of people in our hostel!! While in Melbourne met up with a group of guys Anna met travelling - they took us out for a meal and to a jazz club which was good!

Flew to Cairns - arrived in a tropical storm - the town was on Tsunami warning!! Weather improved and this is where the campervan road trip started down the East coast!!! First of all headed round a waterfall circuit and ended up in a random place called Paranella Park where we got a free night camping with tours of the park, an aboriginal show and a bush tucker adventure!! Next day we headed to Townsville - but as it was Good Friday EVRYTHING was closed (except Maccy D's). This township was on croc watch - as a 5m salty beast had been spotted in the kiddy's playground! We avoided it but managed to find the best icecream parlour in the entire world and treated ourselves as an Easter present!!!

The next major place we rocked up at was Airlie Beach which as soon as we drove down the main strip knew we were at home!! Found a campsite in the heart of the action and stayed for about a week! After 4 days of having the lights on and not starting the engine we discovered that we had a flat battery!!!!!! The guy next door said he could jump start us, however the battery was completely dead and so they decided to push... within about 5 minutes 20 strong men seemed to appear from nowhere to help push. We sat back and watched the van and all our belongings being pushed back and forth for about half an hour and just as they were about to give up it started!!!!!!!! To say thanks we got some beers in and joined them at a bbq where we got chatting to the Irish boys who were to become our new best friends (definite keepers!!!). From Airlie Beach we got a good deal to spend 1 day at the Great Barrier Reef and 1 day sailing to Whitehaven Beach - Whitsunday Island. The day we went to the Barrier Reef it was quite windy and we had to deal with 3m waves which were not fun as it caused 'vominoes' throughout the passengers, but anyway it was all worth it when we arrived at 'Fantasea'- Hardy Reef which was a pontoon with an underwater observatory and submarines which we took full advantage of, as did we of the snorkelling gear and stinger / power ranger suits!!!!!!! Nice pics eh!? Em overcame her fear of fish by getting up close and personal with them... we saw loads of different types, unfortunately didn't find Nemo, but did meet the Blue Wrasse which is HUGE!!!!!! After 2 hours snorkelling we made the most of the free lunch!!!! The sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach on Maxi Ragamuffin was wicked! We spent hours on the beautiful white sands which managed to kill Sarah's camera - apparently sand and cameras are not friends!

Next port of call 1770 then Hervey Bay - where we met up with the Irish lads again and booked to go the Fraser Island on a 4x4 Wheel Drive adventure! Stayed in a hostel for the night and the next morning had a briefing about the dangers of the Island as it is the largest pure sand island in the world!! It almost put us off but we were so excited we decided to deal with it and so glad we did as it was probably the highlight of Australia!!! Our group consisted of us 3, the 4 Irish guys, 2 Germans guys an English guy and a French speaking South african so as you can imagine we were quite an eclectic mix!!! When we arrived on Fraser - we headed straight to Lake Mackenzie - Sarah got thrown in by token annoying boy Charlie in our group which didn't impress, neither did his driving as he managed to break the roof rack and was relegated to the back within about an hour!!! Lake Mackenzie was beautiful and crystal clear. Later drove along the beach and saw the Maheno ship wreck! Slept in a caged camp site to protect us from the many dingoes (wild dogs) that roam the island and can be very aggressive! Marti cooked us up a feast and then sat under the shooting stars!! The next day we went to India head where we saw a shark in the water below the cliff!!! Did a long walk in the sweltering heat to the Champagne pools. Later went to Eli Creek and camped on the beach behind a sand dune - this night not in a protective cage, so saw quite a lot of scavenging dingoes but luckily they got scared away by us shining our torches on them! Had a fun night - and another lovely meal cooked again by Marti! Sat under the stars singing and telling ghost stories!!! Woke up in the morning to find out our 4x4 had a flat battery - thanks to annoying Charlie leaving the lights on!!! Took us ages to get it started as the sand was very deep! Saw lake Mackenzie again and literally made it back to the ferry in the nik of time - it was just about to leave!!!

Next day headed for Brisbane for Anzac Day - a rememberance day, and had a barbie at Wazz's flat which was beautiful! To make the most of our van we continued down the coast to Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay where we again met up with the Irish lads. Enjoyed Byron Bay - chillin on the beach, and took a detour to Nimbin before heading back up to Brisbane to hand our van back and stay with Wazz for about a week. It was like luxury after a month of broken sleep in the van!!! Watched loads of DVDs, sunbathed and used their pool, cooked stew and baked buns! Went out for the Seafood Festival while we were there which Emily's cousins - The Krill - were playing at! It was a massive event where they cordoned off a whole street for people to party!

Left Brisbane in a Mitsubishi 380 VRX!!!!!!!! It was a right family car (good for the amount of luggage we had accumulated), it was automatic with cruise control and climate control, and was a lovely shade of blue/purple!!! Got a great deal as they needed it in Sydney within 4 days - paid less than a fiver a day!!!

Stopped in some random places - Port Maquarie, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and took a detour to the Blue Mountains! Stayed in a lovely hostel for a couple of nights which was very homely - it was the first time we have been cold in Australia - so we appreciated the open log fire!! Spent a day walking through the National Park including climbing approximately 1000 steep steps to the top of the 'Three Sisters'and Echo Point! You could say we slept well that night!!!

Next day - after a random kareoke night out with the locals, headed back to Sydney, handed the car in and got a lift to the hostel in the city centre! Got our bearings and realised that we were in a good spot! Met some cool room mates and spent Saturday night in Darlin Harbour with them. At present we are preparing for China  - shopping for last minute stuff and sending other stuff home! Parents be prepared for a box!

Tomorrow we are going to stay with Sarah's relatives in a suburb of Sydney, we may be going on a day trip to Camberra! Then on to China on Monday.....

Hope that update was long enough, we will email/speak soon!!!!

Love to all from Nat, Sarah and Em xxxx