Today we rented a car (don't rent from Budget, they're awful) and firstly, drove it up Mount Wellington. I hadn't driven for over a year but I was surprised at how naturally it came back! So naturally in fact that I kept trying to change gear in an automatic! The views all the way up the mountain were amazing although admittedly, I only really saw them in my wing mirror. When we arrived at the top, we could see for absolute miles. The city, the water, the harbours, the roads, the beaches. Well, this was definitely worth it! We parked up, got out of the car and were nearly blown away! I'd never felt wind as strong as that before, it actually moved me! And it was freezing. We took a stroll up to the summit ... read more

First stop Hobart. We arrived in the evening just before sunset and my verdict so far was that Tasmania was more than beautiful. I always think that if the drive from the airport is impressive then good things are likely to be ahead. We checked into our hostel and took a stroll down to the Salamanca area where everything was happening. This was clearly where Hobart came alive in the evenings. Tasmania is said by some to have the best food in Australia and we stopped at a little Vietnamese restaurant in Tasmania for dinner. Does that mean it's the best Vietnamese in Australia? Or just the only one in Tasmania? Anyway, it was good food and we managed to get there just before a queue around the entire restaurant formed. We discovered that Tasmania is ... read more

Just 2 and a half hours on the train down from Sydney and you'll reach the coastal town of Kiama. I hopped of the train and immediately headed towards the famous... blow hole to discover that today, on this very rare occasion, it had decided it didn't want to blow. Well that was pretty much the reason I'd gone down to Kiama so what next? I walked around the town which is fairly old by Australian standards and looked at the old and interesting architecture. The post office and the church were my favourites but that may have just been because they were pink and yellow (respectively.) I then decided tha tit was time to see a bit more coast and it really was impressive even with the dark grey sky staring down upon it. I ... read more

First stop today was Cape Leewin where the proud, tallest mainland lighthouse keeps watch over the meeting point of the Southern and Indian Oceans. After watching the dolphins splash around, we began the journey back to Perth with many stops along the way. From Cape Leewin and on to the Margaret River region, packed to the brim with what have to be some of the world's most beautiful, bright beaches and of course, the Margaret River. Whilst here, we were taken to one of the many group of caves in in the area, given hard hats and head lamps and sent into the caves. I actually went in and it was huge in there! The formations were amazing and looked like melting rock frozen in time. We ventured into one area of the cave, turned our ... read more

I awoke to find a girl in my all-boy dorm. “Excuse me... where am I?” “Old Swan Barracks” (unfortunately for all of us). “Thanks. Any idea how I got here?” Why yes! I had an idea. She came in with Luke and passed out on his bed. He didn't remember either and woke up saying “who the hell are you and what are you doing in my bed?” I explained and left, wishing them the best of luck. I was picked up outside my hostel and my journey south west began. The first stop was the beautiful Stirling Ranges. Another beautiful mountain range that rivals the blue mountains but is much less well-known and quieter. Hiking in the middle of the day wasn't exactly the best idea in the Australian heat but that is exactly what ... read more