Hello Friends,

Hope you’re all well and looking after yourselves. Here is our final update from Australia before we leave for New Zealand to start our next adventure. Enjoy:

Moving on from Brisbane, our next stop was Byron Bay; a relaxing, trendy town renowned for the hippy inhabitants and laid back atmosphere. We spent six nights here (the most we’ve spent anywhere in Oz so far) and it was a great town. We spent most of our days relaxing on the beach and splashing about in the waves (very popular for surfing) and our nights at the pub either watching rugby til half 3 in the morning (though got chucked out 10mins before the end) or enjoying the local acoustic talents.

During our stay we also celebrated our roommate, Amanda’s, birthday with fish ‘n chips and sunbathing at the beach, pizza and cinema and drinks at night. We all decided to drop into a club to end the night, though Katie and David (our other room-mate) had to go back to the hostel for ID. After finally getting in, to find the club empty and an offer of a free (suspiciously non-alcoholic) drink, we were turfed out after 10 mins when they decided to shut up for the night! Joke.

Byron Bay was topped off with a beautiful, scenic coastal walk up to the lighthouse and the most easterly point of mainland Australia. Great walk and we got to see two wild snakes for the 1st time since being in Oz (though they were pretty small and probably not dangerous at all).

Our final bus journey was split, with an overnight stop at surf camp, where we got our first ever surf lesson. This was great fun, and even Katie managed to get standing after a while. Would definitely try this again, although the aches the next day weren’t too pleasant. Had a good night of drinking games with the other passengers, before an early start to Sydney.

Our first day in Sydney, was marred by the sudden demise of Steve’s camera and with Katie’s also on the way out, we had to delay our touristy urges and save the Opera House and Sydney Harbour until we could buy a new one. Steve is now highly content with his swish new camera, and we’ve had a great few days walking around the city, visiting the cathedral, Hyde Park (yes, they copy London quite a bit), the botanic gardens, the harbour, aquarium and the opera house. All in all, Sydney’s a great city with lovely walks in the gardens, though couldn’t believe how many joggers are about on Monday lunchtime – do these people work?!

Anyway, we hope you’re all still enjoying our updates and haven’t got too bored yet. We’re both really looking forward to New Zealand and hopefully there’ll be lots to tell in our next update. Let us know any news or just how you’re getting along – always good to hear from people.

Keep in touch and love to all,

Katie and Steve xxxxxxxx