Hi everyone,

We had another early start as we boarded the Oz Experience bus, who we're travelling with down the East Coast. On the Oz bus not only do they drive you to your destinations they also throw in a few add on trips and keep you entertained!

On our journey from Cairns to Mission Beach we first stopped off at Babinda. Here we went to the bakery and had the best pie ever!!! We didn't do much here it was just a wee and breakfast stop!

Next stop was a crocodile farm near Johnstone River. It was very hands on here - whether you liked it or not (just ask Zoe (you'll see from the pics!))! It was a brilliant place and was cheap too, which is always good for us backpackers!

As we went into the croc farm, Zoe noticed some small reptiles and thought they looked kind of cute in a cage, but the croc guy had other ideas and thought she would enjoy the experience much more by holding it! Overall, we held a blue tongue lizard, carpet python, dragon and a crocodile (the croc was the best!).

After our hands on we were then taken around the croc farm by a guy called Brett. He went in with the crocs and told us about how they can survive for hundred's of years, not eat for 12 months, have great immunity and change their teeth about 50 times in their life! We also saw alligators, dingos, cassowarys and kangaroos.

This was an unexpected trip where we would not have gone unless we were on the Oz Experience.

MISSION BEACH

We stayed at Scotty's Beach House, which was different from Gilligans, but had lots of character and was really friendly.

On the first day we decided to walk into town, but unfortunately went the wrong way (following Zoe's directions hehehehehehehehe). This meant we had an exceptionally long walk in the extreme heat! We harrassed an Australian guy until he gave us water from someone's garden tap and directions back to Scotty's. It wasn't a pleasant walk, but we made it back and learnt always to get the bus!

There isn't much to do in Mission Beach unless you want to skydive, water raft or relax, me and Zoe did the latter! We did pop into 'town' (if you can call it that) and the beach is gorgeous. We even saw jellyfish on the beach and mini crabs!

TOWNSVILLE

We left Scotty's after a couple of days of relaxing by the pool and a real Aussie barbie, to our next destination - Townsville.

When we arrived in Townsville we didn't think much of it, but we went for a walk along the beach (The Strand) which was nice, Townsville has quite a bit of World War II history to read along the way. We ended up in a bar along the rock edge where we had the best cocktails ever (oh yeah and chocolate mud cake)!

The hostel (Globetrotters) gave us two free meals, dinner and breakfast. We went to Molly's for our free dinner which was chicken nuggets and chips. The moment we sat down dinner arrived - one skinny chicken nugget and one fat one with about 10 chips and one small lettuce leaf, great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Breakfast wasn't as bad.

This hostel wasn't the best but it was ok for what we needed (one nights worth). We were lucky enough to meet a guy who worked in a camping shop and knew how to fit backpacks seeing as we've been wheeling them so far! He fitted them quite well but unfortunately our walk to the ferry terminal with them on wasn't quite as successful. I made it holding onto every lamp post, Zoe however, only made it half way, sat down and couldn't get up again!

Got the ferry to Magnetic Island, which we're on now. We're update you again soon!

Chow for now guys!!!