Wednesday 9th So, my last full day in Australia! Really looking forward to New Zealand tomorrow now, but feel like I haven't finished with Australia (not saying anyone does, but feel like am going to be back at some stage!l). This is a horribly early start - am collected by the shuttle bus 3.55am, and the electrical storm is still going... Make it to the airport in more than enough time, easy through security, then try and keep myself awake... And then see the flight has been delayed for 40 minutes.... Flight takes off at revised time - quite bumpy for [View Full Entry]

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Saturday 5th Up early - I blame it on the time difference and a keeness to see if I can get some dives, a dive, some snorkelling - I don't care now - sorted! I came here to see the Great Barrier Reef and I want to see it! I spend an hour with Naomi, one of the YHA staff, and it becomes clear that Cairns is over-booked, I'm definitely not getting on the one I started trying to book 5 weeks ago, and I probably can't finish my scuba certificate either, so I settle for the best location single-day trip [View Full Entry]

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Canberra, chance to catch up with Sam! Wednesday 2nd What is it with my bag - some days it closes easily, sometimes it's just hard work! Today is a hard-work day, but at least I don't have any extra bags for once! 8am start, breakfast, pack and by 930 I'm in the internet café... Soon after there are queues for the computers so glad I've not left it any later! 2.5 hours later have caught up on some stuff, but not all - and have found out trip have been trying to book in Cairns is full so need to rework [View Full Entry]

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I paid up to spend New Year with Contiki Tours... Monday 31st So, dinner last night was microwave popcorn, I was awake until 3am when my 'share-mates' got in, and it's now 850 and I'm getting on the bus for a tour of Sydney. Have met a few people over breakfast - I just asked 'are you with Contiki?', so have some nice people to hang out with (Sarah, Carly and Helena). None of us are impressed that the itinerary for today does not include a guaranteed spot for the fireworks tonight - their marketing material was badly worded a [View Full Entry]

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Happy Christmas from Australia Feet planted firmly on the board, I'm riding the wave into the beach! Finally! My previous wave ride in was 3 days ago and distinctly wobbly. This one felt good! I arrived at 'Surfari Central', near Kempsey/Crescent Head, on the Christmas Eve afternoon, after a long bus ride from Sydney (full of getting to know you conversations and some surf DVDs). We were out in the water by about 4pm, having had little time to unpack - well, what more did we need than 'bathers' and a board. A brief less [View Full Entry]

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Sunday 23rd Go Dylan. He's taken my question 'Are you planning on joining a boy band?', and done what I hoped he would do - done his best Backstreet Boys impression! After getting the train back from the Blue Mountains and meeting Claire for lunch (Croissant and cake, nice), (and I run into Lynne and Ricky on the streets of Sydney - how bizarre!) we're ready for our second Neighbours Night! This time we get Dylan (again!) (Damien Bodie, who was the nicest of the crew last time), 'the Fonz' from Hollyoaks (did a stint on Neighbours, I didn't see it!), [View Full Entry]

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Friday 21st Drag myself out in time to be packed/out for 10am, get to train station to find train went 5 minutes ago and is another hour + for the next one, but I just find a seat and read my book. Onto the double decker train - love these (and the seats move to face different directions too - woo-hoo), and arrive in Katoomba 2 hours later having been through some beautiful countryside en route. Get my guidebook (I've bought a 3 day train/bus pass), and make way to the YHA (quicker than waiting for the bus). Can definitely see [View Full Entry]

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Sunday 16th 6pm we arrive in Adelaide just as I see Karen drive past. No time to go back to the house so we go for a walk through the park and catch-up, then head to church. Wonder what's happening with church - doesn't look like anyone's there - there is Carols in the Park tonight so maybe that's it. We do a circuit back to the church and I see 'Carols in the City', Town Hall, 730 - separate event so we head there. Get there in time for a good seat and the show begins - quite rocky, 'bit [View Full Entry]

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Mmm, smell that port! I'm stood in a big shed full of litres and litres of 10 years aged port, and the smell is amazing! We're partway through a historic tour of the Seppelt Winery (founded in the 1800s) and this is a great all-round sensory experience! Karen and I ensured we were on the road by 10, and headed for the Barossa. Karen's not driven round here too much and we don't have a map, but as family lives round here she's got a vague idea! Some beautiful sweeping scenery, acres of corn, and some great cloud formations. We head [View Full Entry]

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Going on the Wayward Bus Tour. Day 1 - Melbourne to Apollo Bay First stop is Bells Beach, Lorne and then onto the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay, our overnight stop. Day 2 - Apollo Bay to Port Fairy Morning rainforest walk in the Otway Ranges the Australia's most famous rock group, the 12 Apostles. Loch Ard Gorge walks and coastal features before lunch in Port Campbell village. Tower Hill - where koalas, kangaroos and emus roam free. Day 3 - Port Fairy to Robe Bridgewater Bay starts the day with an optional se [View Full Entry]

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