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

Hat and I went to a French bakery to buy bread and pastries and we all converged to the eating area for breakfast. Cas and I sorted out our stuff and bought a picnic whilst the kids watched a movie and then we lugged our bags about 29 mins down the road to our hotel for the next two nights, called Lilian Fels. We took off straightaway to the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. It has the most amazing views, vivid orange sandstone outcrops rising up a huge canyon and the blue-green of the euclyptus forests which covered everything for as far as the eye could see. We arrived at Echo Point which gave great views of the Three Sisters, 3000ft outcrops which are sacred to the Aboringines. From Echo Point we took the Giant Stairway past ... read more

After the mornings walk and a good lunch, we all had some quality downtime back at the YHA. Some late evening pool was great fun. Cas and Ed vs Hat and I. We won't record just how many shots were taken before a ball was potted.... read more

With the two hour time difference we were the first ones up and about. Cas went out in search of coffee and a bakery and we sat down in the communal eating/chill out area and had a feast.... read more

Only a three hour hop from Aukland to Sydney and with the very early start and time changes we were in Australia in time for second breakfast. Cas bought four Opal passes for trains and buses (think Oyster card) and we took the link train into the city. There was an eccentric biker on the train who struck up a conversation and he called Ed a dude because he was travelling the world, had a back pack on, a straw Stetson and a white water rafting t shirt. Ed was slightly embarrassed, but also chuffed at the same time. Then it was five minute walk from Central station to The Youth Hostel at Railway Square. It's a cool place, the old station turned into accommodation for travellers. The music was on loud and there were chalk ... read more