Blogs from Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania - page 2

Where to begin? Well, I put digit to keyboard this morning & I had written a ripper post that I lost as I was saving due to some Telstra drop out issues – buggers! I’ll start from Yass. We got up pretty early & were on the road before 8.30am for the six hour odd drive to Williamtown to meet Uncle Ross. The drive was pretty uneventful, although we took a detour through Sydney to take the kids (and Suz) over the Anzac & Sydney Harbour Bridges. We met Ross at his work at Williamtown RAAF base. He showed us around the hangers where we saw some F-18 Hornets & Hawk training jets in various stages of being dismantled before being put back together. It was pretty cool. I had more fun than the kids! No ... read more

Ok so I have confirmed flight details and transport to our first hostel from the airport. Yes we are flying Qantas and no I'm not worried as their planes are not actually falling from the sky, in fact I personally think its a good thing they keep finding problems - better than missing them eh? Thanks to Wayne's mum and dad for an early Christmas dinner last night and to his sister for accompanying beverages, travel tips, books and a back pack (I am about to go pack now - honest). Great to see my family too - love you guys xoxox ... read more

Day 111: Thursday, March 18th, 2010. Coff's Harbor (Surf Village) to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay), Australia. Per the Contiki Brochure, "Jump start the day by hitting the waves & learning to surf with some professional instructors as you have a go at Australia’s national sport in a fun optional activity.This afternoon, we arrive in the popular holiday spot of Port Stephens, known for its boating, fishing and warm hospitality. Stretch your legs with a walk along the beach. Tonight, toast your travels with your group, Tour Manager and Driver over a typical Aussie BBQ dinner and kick back with a few local beers." First thing this morning we had surfing lessons (well, those of us that signed up for it.) I had my doubts as to whether or not I'd be able to stand up, given ... read more

Humpback whales migrate up the east coast of Australia this time of year so we decided to go out and take a look at them. We had already seen Sperm whales in New Zealand but the chance of seeing Humpbacks leaping out of the water was to hard to refuse. Our boat left the harbour at 10am for a three hour cruise in search of the whales. Our boat was smaller than the others going out so we would be able to get closer and it would be less crowded. We were one of the first few one so I took pole position up the front where I could get some great photos. On our journey out some Bubble Nose Dolphins followed us for out for a while. They are similar to the bottle nose but ... read more

Det er som om vi voksne har oplevet det her før… Vi er i Port Stephens lige nord for Newcastle - og det øsregner!!! Det er det værste uvejr i mere end 20 år! Floderne løber over deres breder, og flere byer, bl.a. Brisbane er totalt oversvømmet. Mange huse er ødelagt af væltede træer - en er blevet dræbt lige syd for Brisbane. Folk bliver evakueret, og der sejler robåde rundt i gaderne. Frygteligt for dem, hvis huse er blevet ødelagt af uvejret. Highway 1, som løber op langs kysten er lukket, så vi har ændret vores køreplan. I stedet for at fortsætte ude ved kysten, kører vi i morgen nordpå og ind i landet i håb om at undgå det værste uvejr. Uvejret trækker sydover og ind i det nordlige New South Wales - lige ... read more