So we've reached what I believe is halfway on the trip and it feels like the days are going slightly faster which is concerning. Today was another transition/travel day, with the morning spent semi-leisurely in Townsville and the rest of the day travelling to Airlie Beach ahead of activities tomorrow!
First up was a visit to Reef HQ, an aquarium in Townsville CBD with a focus on the Great Barrier Reef, the main highlight of which is a 'fake' reef in the centre. I thought it was ok, there was a range of animals in the place and lots for kids, plus liked the presentation given by the lady diving in the tank, but felt it could have been more informative than it was. Following reef hq, we took a walk into town for a new haircut for Neil!
Then prior to hitting the road, we travelled up the main hill in Townsville for a panoramic view. Very nice it was too, but I still can't quite put my finger on Townsville and if I like it or not!
Then it was back in the camper as we headed south through Ayr and Bowen, before reaching Airlie Beach, Gateway to the Whitsunday's! We found the campsite, did the usual cleaning, washing and refreshing, then took a walk into town for a Mexican dinner and a few beers!
Tomorrow we hit the water once again, this time on some speed rafts!
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Monday, January 07, 2013
Day 11
So after the busy-ness of day 10, a good nights sleep saw a late wake up at 8.45am, which caused something of a rush to get ready to check out by 10am.
First up was a visit to Barinda for the largest Bcon Sarnie known to man and a visit to the tourist information for things to do on our trip south during the day. First up was visits to two waterfalls in the rainforest, Barinda Boulders and Josephine Falls. Both were very nice to look at and although areas were set aside for swimming we decided, that we'd spent enough time in the H2O for the time being and gave it a miss.
A short journey south to Flying Fish point for an ice cream before heading to the Mission Beach area for lunch and a nosey. This area is a world heritage site as it's the only place in the world where you can see a reef, beach and rainforest all in one place. The area is famous for the Cassowary birds, and there are all kinds of signs warning you to not drive into them. Sadly we didn't see any wild ones, although we did see a wild wallaby (not a kangaroo, as informed by Amanda)!
We then hit the road with the intention of overnighting in Townsville. A few stops for interesting sights saw us see the Golden Welly in Tully, created to underline it's status as Australia's wettest place and physically showing what 8m of rainfall looks like, which fell in 1950.
We arrived in Townsville relatively late, but managed a quick shower before dinner in The Brewery in Townsville, a lovely bar/restaurant in the refurbished old Post Office. the campsite again is close enough to the sea to just about hear the waves breaking on the beach (albeit the cars on the road between us and the beach are somewhat louder!)
Onwards to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tomorrow!
First up was a visit to Barinda for the largest Bcon Sarnie known to man and a visit to the tourist information for things to do on our trip south during the day. First up was visits to two waterfalls in the rainforest, Barinda Boulders and Josephine Falls. Both were very nice to look at and although areas were set aside for swimming we decided, that we'd spent enough time in the H2O for the time being and gave it a miss.
A short journey south to Flying Fish point for an ice cream before heading to the Mission Beach area for lunch and a nosey. This area is a world heritage site as it's the only place in the world where you can see a reef, beach and rainforest all in one place. The area is famous for the Cassowary birds, and there are all kinds of signs warning you to not drive into them. Sadly we didn't see any wild ones, although we did see a wild wallaby (not a kangaroo, as informed by Amanda)!
We then hit the road with the intention of overnighting in Townsville. A few stops for interesting sights saw us see the Golden Welly in Tully, created to underline it's status as Australia's wettest place and physically showing what 8m of rainfall looks like, which fell in 1950.
We arrived in Townsville relatively late, but managed a quick shower before dinner in The Brewery in Townsville, a lovely bar/restaurant in the refurbished old Post Office. the campsite again is close enough to the sea to just about hear the waves breaking on the beach (albeit the cars on the road between us and the beach are somewhat louder!)
Onwards to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tomorrow!
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Day 10
The earliest 'alarm' yet of the trip with the onset of 6am developing the silence of Palm Cove into an absolute cachony of horribleness. Stil, this allowed us to be parked up in Cairns outside the reef boat terminal for our second trip to the reef, this time on down under cruises.
The trip outward much faster in this modern boat, but also quite rough, which made listening to the scuba introduction quite tricky! On arrival at the reef, we were in the last group for scuba, so we spent about an hour snorkelling at the reef before the first scuba dive, where we were both attached to the instructor the whole way. However, despite this, we loved it and I cashed in my Christ,as present to be used for fun in Australia.
The boat then moved to a second reef and following a short snorkel, we then had our second scuba dive, this time although with an instructor, we were pretty much on our own. hpily our instructor was great at seeing loads of neat stuff, so along with Nemo, a reef shark, a ray, a clam and loads of fishes, we also managed to see a turtle, which was incredible! An incredible day all round!
Back to Cairns, and a drive south to Fishing Falls, where we spent the evening, no food outlets were open, so it was a bit of a quiet evening, although kind of needed after a 6am start,
The trip outward much faster in this modern boat, but also quite rough, which made listening to the scuba introduction quite tricky! On arrival at the reef, we were in the last group for scuba, so we spent about an hour snorkelling at the reef before the first scuba dive, where we were both attached to the instructor the whole way. However, despite this, we loved it and I cashed in my Christ,as present to be used for fun in Australia.
The boat then moved to a second reef and following a short snorkel, we then had our second scuba dive, this time although with an instructor, we were pretty much on our own. hpily our instructor was great at seeing loads of neat stuff, so along with Nemo, a reef shark, a ray, a clam and loads of fishes, we also managed to see a turtle, which was incredible! An incredible day all round!
Back to Cairns, and a drive south to Fishing Falls, where we spent the evening, no food outlets were open, so it was a bit of a quiet evening, although kind of needed after a 6am start,
Day 9
Need to move forward 12 hours
So it was out with civilisation today and onto camping times as we left the Cairns Pullman hotel and headed to the Jucy outlet in town to pick up our van. After a long time and long story we ended up rolling away in a four person van, although judging by the issues we have found with space in it, four people would seem optimistic.
First stop as ever was the supermarket, but we en headed north, up towards the Daintree rainforest where we visit Bruce Belcher and his crocodile riverboat cruise. Sadly as its mating season, there weren't too many big mummy and daddy crocs for us to see, but we saw threes. Total, two yearlings and a three year old.
We then headed south again, to Mossman gorge, where we managed to swim in a really nice cooling freshwater river. Absolutely lovely! Really refreshing stuff, that helped keep us cool all the way to a Palm Cove where we were staying the night via Port Douglas.
After a lot of messing and unpacking we had some dinner, fish and chips for me, before finally heading back to the van to try and get some sleep before the reef...part 2!
So it was out with civilisation today and onto camping times as we left the Cairns Pullman hotel and headed to the Jucy outlet in town to pick up our van. After a long time and long story we ended up rolling away in a four person van, although judging by the issues we have found with space in it, four people would seem optimistic.
First stop as ever was the supermarket, but we en headed north, up towards the Daintree rainforest where we visit Bruce Belcher and his crocodile riverboat cruise. Sadly as its mating season, there weren't too many big mummy and daddy crocs for us to see, but we saw threes. Total, two yearlings and a three year old.
We then headed south again, to Mossman gorge, where we managed to swim in a really nice cooling freshwater river. Absolutely lovely! Really refreshing stuff, that helped keep us cool all the way to a Palm Cove where we were staying the night via Port Douglas.
After a lot of messing and unpacking we had some dinner, fish and chips for me, before finally heading back to the van to try and get some sleep before the reef...part 2!
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Bliss-ish
About to head to sleep and can hear the waves crashing against the beach about 30m away!
Hopefully the noisy Aussies shut up soon!
Hopefully the noisy Aussies shut up soon!
Day 8
Need to move forward 8 hrs
So day 8 saw us hit the Great Barrier Reef for the first time, and it was an early start to board Ocean Free, a two master yacht that was to take us snorkelling then visit Green Island.
The outward trip was very Roy and as we were sat at the front it provided us with a vast amount of splashes from the sea. At some points it was hard to tell if we were in the sea or outside the sea!
On arrival at the spot just off Green Island, we donned flippers and goggles and off into the sea we went, as an early jumper, I was very lucky to swim with a green turtle, much to Amanda's annoyance! Amanda was a good snorkels too however and in no time we were zooming around, checking out the fish and coral and on our way back to the boat for lunch, we saw a reef shark too.
Lunch was very nice, although brief (and the green turtle re-surfaced as it appeared to be on a vendetta against Amanda, and we were then off on the tender to Green Island, which we walked around and enjoyed the very exclusive resort on this island. Back to the boat for some more snorkelling then a nice calmer sail back to port.
Back in port we realised just how burnt we were, but a lot of after sun later and then some nice dinner at the local pub (steak, yum), it was back to the hotel and bed, our Last night in a real hotel for 10 days!
So day 8 saw us hit the Great Barrier Reef for the first time, and it was an early start to board Ocean Free, a two master yacht that was to take us snorkelling then visit Green Island.
The outward trip was very Roy and as we were sat at the front it provided us with a vast amount of splashes from the sea. At some points it was hard to tell if we were in the sea or outside the sea!
On arrival at the spot just off Green Island, we donned flippers and goggles and off into the sea we went, as an early jumper, I was very lucky to swim with a green turtle, much to Amanda's annoyance! Amanda was a good snorkels too however and in no time we were zooming around, checking out the fish and coral and on our way back to the boat for lunch, we saw a reef shark too.
Lunch was very nice, although brief (and the green turtle re-surfaced as it appeared to be on a vendetta against Amanda, and we were then off on the tender to Green Island, which we walked around and enjoyed the very exclusive resort on this island. Back to the boat for some more snorkelling then a nice calmer sail back to port.
Back in port we realised just how burnt we were, but a lot of after sun later and then some nice dinner at the local pub (steak, yum), it was back to the hotel and bed, our Last night in a real hotel for 10 days!
Friday, January 04, 2013
Day 7
Change time to 12 hours earlier
A bit of a quiet day all in all, spending the morning poolside at the hotel and then in the afternoon a trip to the mall where some new shorts were purchased.
Evening meal in Ochre restaurant where they served all kinds of creepy crawlies and Australian fare! Amanda risked some Kangaroo, which I tried myself and was very nice. Off to the reef tomorrow!
A bit of a quiet day all in all, spending the morning poolside at the hotel and then in the afternoon a trip to the mall where some new shorts were purchased.
Evening meal in Ochre restaurant where they served all kinds of creepy crawlies and Australian fare! Amanda risked some Kangaroo, which I tried myself and was very nice. Off to the reef tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Day 6
Well, not too much to write today as Day 6 was a little bit of a transition day. We woke relatively early and got a lift with Helen to the airport for our 3 hour Jetstar flight to Cairns which was quite comfy for a no frills airline.
And when we arrived in Cairns, well, what about the tropical heat and humidity! A quick walk to sort out our bearings, then real hardworking to get on some reef trips with them mostly being booked up, but we sorted a trip for Friday and Sunday so the drive to Cookston is now off, probably a good thing in hindsight. Now we just need good weather.
We understand Thursday is set fair so some quality pool time is on the cards!
And when we arrived in Cairns, well, what about the tropical heat and humidity! A quick walk to sort out our bearings, then real hardworking to get on some reef trips with them mostly being booked up, but we sorted a trip for Friday and Sunday so the drive to Cookston is now off, probably a good thing in hindsight. Now we just need good weather.
We understand Thursday is set fair so some quality pool time is on the cards!
Another lovely night...
Another lovely meal! Bit of Italian tonight, and another huge portion! How are these Aussies all so thin?!
Tropics
So we made it to the tropical north, and lovely it is too, although its so humid! Feels like holidays though!
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Day 5
After the busy schedule of the first few days in Australia, we were subconsciously requiring a bit of a break from the fully packed scheduling, and New Year's Day proved to be a great antidote for this. After a relatively lazy wake up of around 10pm, Amanda and I headed out in the car with Gary to the beaches around Sydney, notably seeing Bondi and Coogee and Cronulla beaches and those around Botany Bay headlands.
Unbelievably, all of Sydney also saw fit to hit the beaches, so parking was very, very sparse and we failed to stop near any of them for a dip. However, with the sun the way it had been it was not a bad break for us to get some shade.
Later in the day, Gary and Helen took us to the Bank Tavern in Kogarth for dinner and it was really lovely, although very big. All in all we had a wonderful time in Sydney, especially with Gary and Helen and its definitely somewhere I could see myself living in the future.
Onwards on Day 6 up north to Queensland, Cairns and the Barrier Reef!
Unbelievably, all of Sydney also saw fit to hit the beaches, so parking was very, very sparse and we failed to stop near any of them for a dip. However, with the sun the way it had been it was not a bad break for us to get some shade.
Later in the day, Gary and Helen took us to the Bank Tavern in Kogarth for dinner and it was really lovely, although very big. All in all we had a wonderful time in Sydney, especially with Gary and Helen and its definitely somewhere I could see myself living in the future.
Onwards on Day 6 up north to Queensland, Cairns and the Barrier Reef!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Day 4
So New Years Eve, and we finally got a great night's sleep! Ya beauty!
And what do you do in Australia on New Years Eve? Go to the beach of course! Headed down to Brighton Beach in Botany Bay for the day where we really got hit by the sun...factor 30 all the way over here!
A quick bite for lunch, then it was almost time for the main event...New Years Eve in Sydney!
We headed in at about 5pm to experience the pre-match buildup in Darling Harbour and Circluar Quay, before heading to the botanical gardens for 7.30pm for the Harbour Lights evening. And what an evening, such a great location, such a good view, great food, good wine and the fireworks, well wow, absolutely unbelievable! Words actually fail me!
Train home in the nicest post drinking atmosphere ever and in bed to listen to the wailing man at 2am! Haha
And what do you do in Australia on New Years Eve? Go to the beach of course! Headed down to Brighton Beach in Botany Bay for the day where we really got hit by the sun...factor 30 all the way over here!
A quick bite for lunch, then it was almost time for the main event...New Years Eve in Sydney!
We headed in at about 5pm to experience the pre-match buildup in Darling Harbour and Circluar Quay, before heading to the botanical gardens for 7.30pm for the Harbour Lights evening. And what an evening, such a great location, such a good view, great food, good wine and the fireworks, well wow, absolutely unbelievable! Words actually fail me!
Train home in the nicest post drinking atmosphere ever and in bed to listen to the wailing man at 2am! Haha
Day 3
To be removed: date should be one day less!
Following a couple of days of city slicking, we decided it was time to explore a little bit more of New South Wales, so we headed off to the Blue Mountains about 80km west of Sydney for a day trip.
After a very early pick up of 7.20am, we headed up to Katoomba and to Scenic World, where we rode a cable car, a 56 degree sloped train and the Sky Way, which included walking around the rainforest where we saw the web of a funnel web spider, the most poisonous spider in the world.
Following this we went to an aboriginal experience, learning about the didgeridoo and other customs. An interesting photo was obtained at the end. After a bit of fancying about on an annoyingly unorganised trip, we had lunch before visiting the old town of Leura, which had a great wee candy shop.
Then it was back down the road towards the city stopping at ferndown animal park where we got to see all the famous animals of Australia, including Kangaroos (which you could feed) and Koalas that you could have photos taken with.
Back on the bus to the Olympic Park, where we boarded the boat for a river cruise back to Circular Quay.
Then at night we found Gary and Helen Parker's house and enjoyed their lovely company and hospitality!
Following a couple of days of city slicking, we decided it was time to explore a little bit more of New South Wales, so we headed off to the Blue Mountains about 80km west of Sydney for a day trip.
After a very early pick up of 7.20am, we headed up to Katoomba and to Scenic World, where we rode a cable car, a 56 degree sloped train and the Sky Way, which included walking around the rainforest where we saw the web of a funnel web spider, the most poisonous spider in the world.
Following this we went to an aboriginal experience, learning about the didgeridoo and other customs. An interesting photo was obtained at the end. After a bit of fancying about on an annoyingly unorganised trip, we had lunch before visiting the old town of Leura, which had a great wee candy shop.
Then it was back down the road towards the city stopping at ferndown animal park where we got to see all the famous animals of Australia, including Kangaroos (which you could feed) and Koalas that you could have photos taken with.
Back on the bus to the Olympic Park, where we boarded the boat for a river cruise back to Circular Quay.
Then at night we found Gary and Helen Parker's house and enjoyed their lovely company and hospitality!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Day 2
Again, not too sure exactly how and when this is being posted, but Day 2 our first Saturday in Australia was a belter.
With residual jet lag still in our bodies, a 4am wake up led to a 7am breakfast in the cafe next door, stuffing our faces on French bread, lovely!
Then it was back to Darling harbour to hit the tourist information to book our trip to the blue mountains. Then it was a long old walk back to the opera house before a tour around the opera house, a fascinating I site into how it works now and how the design was decided and created. The sun came out in a big way during the tour.
This meant that we left on the ferry to Manly in bright blue skies with fantastic views of the harbour city. Manly was absolutely lovely, a bit of lunch, then a walk the full length of the beach followed by an ice cream, which Amanda obviously loved!
Back into town aboard the Manly ferry, a wee sleep and then dinner back in Carling Harbour, with a brief drink with Henry Kitchen and his wife.
A good day, now if we can just lose this sodding jet lag, life would be, to coin a Bert Le Close phrase, unbelievable!
With residual jet lag still in our bodies, a 4am wake up led to a 7am breakfast in the cafe next door, stuffing our faces on French bread, lovely!
Then it was back to Darling harbour to hit the tourist information to book our trip to the blue mountains. Then it was a long old walk back to the opera house before a tour around the opera house, a fascinating I site into how it works now and how the design was decided and created. The sun came out in a big way during the tour.
This meant that we left on the ferry to Manly in bright blue skies with fantastic views of the harbour city. Manly was absolutely lovely, a bit of lunch, then a walk the full length of the beach followed by an ice cream, which Amanda obviously loved!
Back into town aboard the Manly ferry, a wee sleep and then dinner back in Carling Harbour, with a brief drink with Henry Kitchen and his wife.
A good day, now if we can just lose this sodding jet lag, life would be, to coin a Bert Le Close phrase, unbelievable!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Day1
I think I might be a bit behind the times with writing this, but it's pretty safe to say that Day 1 saw us arrive and also be very jet-lagged!
We landed at Sydney a little after 7 am and after a long but fast moving queue to get us through immigration (take note America!) we were headed into town on our pre-booked van at 8 .30am arriving at the Park Regis City Centre hotel by 9am. Sadly our room was not ready so following a pit stop we headed out and about to discover Sydney!
First stop was a walk around Darling Harbour to find the tourist information centre. A quick Internet and breakfast stop at Starbucks followed, before we managed to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the opera house, Circular Quay and the first look at the Botanical gardens.
We walked back to the hotel and at 1.30 could finally check in and have much needed washes after close to 30 hours in smelly clothes! Some lunch and a slightly too long sleep next, then we headed back to Darling harbour for a long walk then stopping in at The Blackbird restaurant for a beer and a beef burger. Carlton Draught was my poison and it was very nice too.
Back to the hotel and bed by 9.45pm, although Friday nights in Sydney are quite noisy so wasn't the greatest nights sleep ever!
Ho hum!
Off to the Opera house for a tour, Manly, Lunar Park, cross the bridge on Day 2!
We landed at Sydney a little after 7 am and after a long but fast moving queue to get us through immigration (take note America!) we were headed into town on our pre-booked van at 8 .30am arriving at the Park Regis City Centre hotel by 9am. Sadly our room was not ready so following a pit stop we headed out and about to discover Sydney!
First stop was a walk around Darling Harbour to find the tourist information centre. A quick Internet and breakfast stop at Starbucks followed, before we managed to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the opera house, Circular Quay and the first look at the Botanical gardens.
We walked back to the hotel and at 1.30 could finally check in and have much needed washes after close to 30 hours in smelly clothes! Some lunch and a slightly too long sleep next, then we headed back to Darling harbour for a long walk then stopping in at The Blackbird restaurant for a beer and a beef burger. Carlton Draught was my poison and it was very nice too.
Back to the hotel and bed by 9.45pm, although Friday nights in Sydney are quite noisy so wasn't the greatest nights sleep ever!
Ho hum!
Off to the Opera house for a tour, Manly, Lunar Park, cross the bridge on Day 2!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Fancy Toilet
Sunday, December 09, 2012
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