12.2.2012 Fraser Island Some facts about Fraser Island - it is an island off Queensland, the largest sand island in the world and is a world heritage site. Up at 05.30 to leave for Fraser Island in our safari 4x4's. Once off the ferry we put the 4x4 into 4wd for driving on the sand dunes. All the roads were made out of sand and were really steep in places. There was a convoy of 7 4x4's, with two driver guides in two of the cars. We had only been driving for 5 minutes and one of the 4x4's broke down! So we were waiting around for ages, the exhaust had fallen off, but they managed to secure it with some tape. Our 4x4 'Frank the Tank' was probably the oldest out of the lot and ... read more

9.2.12 We said our goodbyes to Gaz for the final time and we got our bus to Rainbow Beach. We hadn't pre booked any accomodation, so as we got there we looked around. There was only 3 hostels to choose from all next to each other and as 2 of them were full up we were only left with one to stay in. We checked in and went to the beach for a few hours until we got blown by the sand and decided to sunbathe on the grass at the back of the beach. We bumped into the welsh guys from surfers paradise so we met them later on in the bar. We had a competition downing jugs of beer and I failed coming 3rd out of 4. 10.2.12 Sun bathed by the pool this ... read more

7.2.12 Hungover this morning after last night. We drove to one of the quieter beaches to chill out. As we got out of the car we spotted koala bears in the trees above us, which was part of the national park. Our first sighting of koalas in the wild. Sophie wasn't feeling well having stomach cramps which didn't go away after paracetamol and deflatin. She was in agony for a few hours and pretty much collapsed in the car park and had to lie down in the shade. We then went to chemist who sorted her out with some tablets. It was funny because as soon as lunch time came she was better! Stuffing a sausage roll down and half of my pie! Emmy had to go back to Brisbane as she had work. We then ... read more

4.2.2012 Gagaju canoe trip We had our briefing at 8 O'clock, got our paddles, life jackets, canoes and we were off. No guide with us, just a group of 16 people left to navigate up the river by ourselves, bearing in mind some people had never even been in a canoe! He gave us crap directions as where to go which we managed to follow. We stopped for lunch on some random beach then were off back down the river, visiting a creek on the way, which was beautiful - the water gave off a mirror reflection and was so peaceful. There were three of us in the canoe, me, mike and some girl called Dee from Holland, who was probably the most annoying person we have met the whole time travelling! She was 18 and ... read more

3.2.12 Tony dropped us of in Brisbane city where we went to find a Post Office to send a parcel home. We had a sort out and decided that we were carrying to much stuff so we sent back unwanted clothes. We then headed to the bus station to catch the Greyhound to Noosa. We bumped into Sophie and Sarah from South America which was very random and had a quick catch up. We then had lunch and waited for our pick up to go to Gagaju Canoeing camp. On the way we saw some wild kangaroos for the first time. We drove through some camp grounds which people now lived. Big tents made into homes. It was a bit creepy and reminded of the Hills have eyes and we were thinking all the locals were ... read more

2.2.12 Lots and lots of washing done this morning. Spoke to our Mum and Dads, then Sophie phone Jenny to see how she was getting on in Sydney. We then got the train into Brisbane and had a look around the city - very business. We then took a ferry to the other side of the river called Southbank. It was very nice there with museums, a lagoon, gardens a a big wheel. We then met up with Gaz again as he lives in Brisbane and went for a few drinks in the bar he works at. We then headed back to Tony and Debbie's were had a nice meal and a chat. Packed then went to bed.... read more

31.1.12 Another rainy day! Only 1 boat running today instead of 3 so we were on the 11 oclock departure to Bounty Island. As we were getting off the catamaran onto the smaller boat to take us to the island we were greeted with 'why are you coming to the island? we have sent everyone back to the mainland as there is a cyclone hitting later tonight' That sent everyone into a massive panic. There was 7 of us and none of us were told about the cyclone! We arrived on the island and the manager showed us on the map where the cyclone was and where the island was and it wasn't far away! We then asked if there was any way getting back to the mainland. They said no but they will try. It ... read more

29.1.12 Up for breakfast then straight back to bed as we were so tired. We later discovered that everyone else the same and tired. We put it down to the cava and thought thats why Fijians move so slow as they are always on the cava. We lazed around on the beach all day only going as far as the sea to cool down. We went to bed early that night. 30.1.12 It was raining today. I had signed us up for snorkelling with the sharks. We tool a 20 min boat ride to the reef in the middle of the sea. Put on our snorkels and flippers and jumped in the sea above the reef. We were following the guide Bill. He was diving down spearing fish as bait to twease the sharks out. Once ... read more

28.1.12 Sophie's shoulders were burnt so we stayed in the shade all morning reading on the hammocks. One of the workers then showed everyone how to peel a coconut and then crack the hard casing with your hands. I had a go of both and managed to crack the coconut first time and drink the water inside. He then scraped out all the coconut into a bowl added water then pupled it all together and drained it to make coconut milk. He then took some of the shredded coconut, added sugar and vanilla essence put it in the oven and made coconut lolly. It was really nice. We had our lunch then the Bula fairwell song as we got back on the wooden boat to get back on the yellow catamaran to take us to our ... read more

27.1.2012 Sun shining! Some clouds - but still managed to get burnt. We went out for a snorkel but the tide was in so it was quite deep and not that many fishies. On our way back from the reef Sophie swam over a poisonous sea snake and never seen her move so fast! The snake looked up at us and was only a meter below us. Once back on shore we then saw another one hunting for fish. It was floating in the shallows with its head in the water. It has two lumps along its belly which we presumed were fish, which he had eaten. The fish were swimming close to it and the snake was darting towards them. We were with the other English couple Karen and Ian, we watched it for ages ... read more