My last destination in Oz before leaving for New Zealand was Cairns and it was going to be my base for over a week, although I would be flying to Alice Springs and visiting Uluru for some of this time. I found Cairns to be sunny, lively and good fun with plenty of like-minded travellers and a good nightlife. Whilst the beach wasn't really up to much, nor very often used by anyone - Cairns has an artificial lagoon which allowed for swimming and sunbathing without ...

Townsville was the last stop-off Liza and I experienced together in Australia. Townsville looks like a small city with several tall buildings claiming to be banks or corporate entities. It is the nearest place to Magnetic Island which lies just off the coast. Magnetic Island itself was quite pleasant, as we visited a couple of picturesque but above all near-deserted beaches. Liza and I were surprised but delighted to find the beach deserted and we went for a swi...

Since last writing we have reached Australia! We have now been here for 3 weeks but almost didnt get in at all as I didn't have an Australian visa - bloody STA charging me money for a visa and then never getting it for me. My predictions in the last entry regarding sports was not too far off. Spurs are 11th not 10th in the league (but only on goal difference) and England finished above Wales in the 6 Nations - hahahahaha. Maybe I shall start betting on sports t...