After Fraser island, Jemima and I decided not to get the bus to our next stop but to hitch a lift with Declan and Ambrose, who were going in the same direction. They had been travelling the coast in a wicked van which is basically a van converted into a camper van. Travelling this way was not only so much fun, but it meant we could stop where and when we wanted, and so you end up seeing so much more than you do on a coach. Plus two of you can sleep in the back whilst its moving!

We stopped at the two of 1770 for a night then I got back on the coach the next day, the boys continued on up and Jemima stayed in 1770 for a few days. Jodie and Pippa were both, by pure coincidence on the coach, which was cool as i had friends again. Our next stop was an overnight one at a cattle ranch in the outback called Kroombit. Just to add to the bad luck of the past few days....i show up and who is working there now? yep you guessed it....Steve!aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! i had to spend to whole afternoon with him again!I could not believe it. This aside, i had a brillinat time; we mustered goats on horesback, shot clay pigeons, caught goats for branding ( i was the only one to fall over in the goat poo!), learnt to crack a whip and rode a mechanical bull!

Since Kroombit i've stopped at Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island (see photo) and Carines. We also visited a Crocodile farm, again the photos will speak for themselves! These stops have all been pretty rushed though as i had to get to Carins by 28th to fly back to Sydney the next day as......today i flew out to New Zealand to meet Matty and Jon, and hopefully Caroline,again. Plus Ambrose is now over here too. I never planned to visit Nzl but i had such a good time with these guys and i managed to change my flight home and get cheap flights to Christchurch so i thought why not. Especially because i had already decided that a month wasn't enough time to do the East coast properly (i kept having to miss stuff out) so i may aswell enjoy what i am doing and not worry about the things i didnt get a chance to see this time round, coz i'll definately be coming back!

So yesterday I was back in Sydney for a day, and I met up with Declan and Vinny and Justin, who are all back in Syd working for a bit. It's really cool to think that a month ago i didn't know anyone in Australia and now i feel i have friends and connections all over the place. Vinny and Justin are moving into a flat on tues too, so when i'm back for a day before i fly home i can have a free night of luxury in a home with a private bathroom!.

So Australia; Tick, New Zealand here i come!