Blogs from Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania

Today is an early start. We are expecting decent weather, so we hav earmarked today, based on the weather forecast, to go to The Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains is a rugged region west of Sydney. It is known for dramatic scenery, and my any waterfalls and beautiful view points. I got up at 6:30, to my alarm, it wasn’t very easy, but I did it! I think Bernard went for 6am! We were showered changed, and ready to go by 7am. Perfectly to the plan! We checked our bags for brollies, snacks, water, phone wires, and phones. Gavin, who apartment shares with Bernard, has really kindly let us use his car, which makes a huge difference for us today. We headed down base level 2, to collect Gavin’s car, we set off, ready for the ... read more

Day 9: Glasshouse Mountains/Gold Coast (150kms) On the morning of Day 9, Shaun woke up early to meet Douwe and climb Mount Beerwah. It was a very challenging climb but they had lots of fun! After their hike, Shaun had a shower in our AirBnB and we left for the Gold Coast. We had planned to have dinner with Ria, a lovely retired woman, one of our first hosts in Australia, with whom we stayed for almost a month when we arrived! We stayed in a different AirBnB and Shaun was very annoyed at our host who was very racist and just kept making inappropriate comments. We left to have dinner with Ria and her daughter, Cassie, who was 8 months pregnant! We had a very nice time together. Day 10: Gold Coast/Coffs Harbour (320kms) On ... read more

The Blue Mountains I think I have found my favourite nature spot in Australia. In 1788 the mountains were named Carmarthen Hills or Landsdowne Hills by Governor Phillip. However because of all the eucalyptus trees, which give off a fine mist from the oil in the leaves in a hot sun, which makes a blue haze, the mountains were renamed The Blue Mountains. We spent three and a half days in the Blue Mountains and did a variety of activities and all of them were fantastic. We got to the mountains late the first night so after dinner we watched a film and was ready for the next morning. We went to a local information centre to ask a few questions and went to a view point close by. The view was breath taking. Trees ... read more

It has often been said, although I don’t know by whom other than a Facebook meme, that a good friend will come bail you out of jail while a great friend will poke you in the ribs, handcuffs clanking, and say “Dang, that was fun!” There may not have been handcuffs involved, but my time with Dancing Dave, Denise and Jo Trouble was only one cop car from being there. We were thick as thieves and connected as if we had all known each other for years. Yeah, it was that awesome. Our final day in Sydney was going to be spent visiting the Blue Mountains. The Indian Pacific Train had passed through these mountains on my last morning on the train, but in the early morning hours there was little to see but dreary grey ... read more

Ed and I went down to the games room to finish off the colours on the snooker table. Then we all trooped up the hill to find a cafe called Pomengranite. Cas joined us after ten mins as she returned the headphones shed bought the day before and had broken before using (pay cheap, buy twice). We took the train towards Sydney and got off at Blacktown. A short bus ride and we were at Featherdale Wildlife Park. It showcased indigenous Australian wildlife: from the obvious ones such as Koalas, Kangeroos, Wallabies and Emus to less famous animals such as the Tasmanian Devil, Wombats (think minature pygmy hippo with fur), Echidna (porcupine hedgehogs), Dingoes, Flying Foxes and Saltwater Crocs. Also loads of very colourful cockatoos and parrots and some poisonous snakes. The highlight for Hat and ... read more