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Ok I know I have been really rubbish at updating the blog but I get distracted and forget to do it even though I have written everything down in my diary. So from now on if you have a desparate desire to know where I am and what I'm up to email me on [email protected] and I will email u back I promise and I'll try to update this more regularly as well.
So here is a quick run down from Cairns to Kaikoura
Cairns
Big tourist town on the North Queensland coast which is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Headed up to Cape Tribulation where I went to an animal park, trekking through the rainforest in Mossman Gorge where it rained a lot, on a cruise on the Daintree River looking for crocodiles and up into Cape Tribulation National Park. Also went out to the Great Barrier Reef where I was going to Scuba but found the tank really claustrophic so just went snorkelling instead. Really clear water so great visibility. Cairns is very geared up for tourists - every other shop is a travel agent - but quite a nice little place. Of course you can't go into the sea because of the jellyfish.
Mission Beach
Stayed here for two nights, very small little town where the rainforest met the beach. Went over to Dunk Island for the day which was an absolutely stunning island about 20 minutes off the coast.
Magnetic Island
Headed south to Townsville to get the ferry to Magnetic Island, here is where the weather started to go a bit rubbish. Stayed in a little A frame bungalow which was turned into a dorm near Horseshoe Bay. Went horse riding - started in the rain and ended in winds that were so strong the beach was closed because of the size of the washout. The winds got worse and a lot of the boats in Horseshoe Bay ended up on the beach and not necessarily in one piece!!! Obviously this does not bode well for the next few days.
Townsville
Morning after the storm head back to Townsville to get the bus to Airlie Beach. Weather was clear and calm, so go to check in for my bus to be told it isn't running as the roads south are closed because of flooding and there may be no buses out for a few days. Not good when I am due to go sailing in Airlie BEach the next morning - so that got cancelled. Cue the mad rush of about 100 backpackers trying to get a bed in Townsville for that night. Townsville is not a very interesting place particularly when you don't want to be there! Next day, the rumours are going that all buses have been cancelled again but miraculously they suddenly started running and it was a case of run to the hostel to get your stuff and then run back to the bus station except I got a taxi as couldn't carry my bag and move that fast at the same time. Finally heading to Airlie BEach.
Airlie Beach
Gateway to the Whitsundays. Had to book a day trip out at the last minute but had a really good time. The sun came out so the visibility for snorkelling was great and got to go to Whitehaven Beach - one of the best beaches in the world. Get back and quick dash to the overnight bus to Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach
From here headed over to Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world - for a 3 day self drive 4x4 safari. Put in a group with 10 others and we had to drive ourselves around the island and then camp there. Was really good fun - went to Lake Mackenzie, Indian Head, the shipwreck and eventually Lake Wabbi after a slight incident with the car breaking down half way up a single lane track and a two hour wait for the mechanic but still had a really good time.
Brisbane
Back to a big city and Brisbane is really cool even though I know a lot of people don't like it, I do. Headed up Mount Cooth-ha for an outlook over the city and to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to do the obligatory holding a koala photo. Also headed over to North Stradbroke Island for the day which was great fun.
Byron Bay
Here is where I attempted surfing and I say attempted because it is really hard work which they don't show you on the films, particularly if you are 5ft 3 trying to deal with an 11 ft board. As you can guess I wasn't much good at it and came back black and blue but had fun which was the main thing.
Sydney
Was in Sydney for Mardi Gras weekend which was great, the city went off and had a huge party and there was a really good atmosphere. Headed out to the coast and did the Coogee to Bondi Beach walk and headed out to Manly on the ferry. Beaches are really good but the surfing looked really scary. Spent quite a bit of time in the HArbour which is quite surreal because you've seen it so many times but can;t quite believe you are really there. Went up the Sydney Tower and after 10 minutes of clinging to the info desk due to slight issues with heights enjoyed panoramic views of the city. Also headed out to the Blue Mountains for a day - saw Wentworth Falls and trekked down to the bottom of the falls unfortunately that meant coming back up. Tried to see the Three Sisters but the cloud was very firmly in the way so rode the steepest railway in the world back up to the top of the valley.
Melbourne
While Sydney is a cool city, Melbourne seems much more liveable. Stayed in St Kilda out by the beach and explored the city - which has a street called Drummond Street which I got very excited by especially since it has really nice houses and is near the city centre. Did the Neighbours tour and visited the studio, the school and the street. Saw them filming and got to meet Susan Kennedy. Headed out of Melbourne down the Great Ocean Road for a couple of days - saw the 12 Apostles although there are only 8, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge which were absolutely amazing.
Christchurch
Right have left Australia and headed to New Zealand first stop being Christchurch, which seems like a small city but i think that might have something to do with the fact that they can't build skyscrapers because the foundations won;t be strong enough if there's an earthquake. Surrounded by mountains so went up the Christchurch Gondola (cable car) to admire the views over the city and out to sea. The mountains remind me of home quite a lot. Also went punting on the River Avon.
Kaikoura
Am in a little town called Kaikoura at the moment which is really good for marine life and I went swimming with wild dolphins this morning which was absolutely amazing - everyone should do this if they get the opportunity. Also saw a whale and seals. So am going to look for more seals now and will talk soon
Beth xxx
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