Brisbane

Monday 30 March 

We had an early start because we had to check in at Cairns railway station an hour before the Spirit of Queensland scheduled departure of 09:00 to Brisbane. The hotel ordered our taxi and we were in plenty of time. We were surprised just how few people were about. The was one Australian lady there with whom we struck up conversation. She asked where we were from and we replied Oxford. To which she replied I know the area I was the cook at the Six Bells in Kidlington. This pub is about 100 yard from our home. Small World! Whilst waiting I went to go to my man bag only to discover it was missing and it contained money, driving licence and other important documents. It had obviously been left in the taxi. The hotel ordered the taxi so I went back there, they contacted the company who was able to trace the driver. He found my bag so returned to the hotel collected me and took me back to the station where fortunately there was still plenty of time before the train departed. We boarded the train and went to our allocated berths. At this stage they were seats complete with entertainment consoles. It was good travelling through the countryside crossing creeks and rivers. During the course of the evening the staff converted the seats to beds and we settled down for the night and we had a comfortable nights sleep. In the morning the beds were coverted back to seats for the remainder of the journey. We arrived at Roma Street station and got a taxi to the hotel. As it was early we expected to have to dump our bags and wait for our room but fortunately it was ready so we went straight in, showered and freshened up after our long journey. We then set out to explore the city. Our hotel adjacent to ANZAC square which has memorials for five conflicts. We then walked to the picturesque botanical gardens.

Tuesday 31 March.

In the morning our friends Martin & Sandra Sherlock arrived from the Sunshine Coast. They had come done to spend some time with us and show us around the city. First of all they drove us up to Mount Coot Tha which provided us with magnificent views across the city. We then came back to the city and took a trip along the river on the City Cat down river and under the Storey Bridge. Once off the boat we wandered through the university of Queensland campus the caught a bus back to the hotel before going out for a superb meal.

Wednesday 1 April 

Together with Sandra and Martin we went to the Queen Street mall for breakfast. They then took us to a jetty where we were catching our tour boat. Here we said our goodbyes and Went our separate ways. Our boat took us up to Lone Pines Koala sanctuary. Here we saw many indigenous animals and Val was able to be be photographed with a koala. We then rejoined our boat back to the city and I was given the opportunity to steer it. Back in Brisbane we did a bit of souvenir shopping then found a post office to send it home.

Cairnes

Wednesday 25th March, Val's birthday. We were picked up and driven down to Cairnes and checked in our hotel. As we checked in the receptionist produced a bundle of cards that had been delivered to to the hotel and he wished her a happy birthday. We went up to our room and a short while later a bottle of sparkling wine was delivered compliments of the hotel. After we had sorted ourselves out we went for a walk along the prom. Lovely beach with some Pelicans nesting. As dusk fell the sky was full of flying foxes ( fruit bats) hundreds of them. 

Thursday 26th March our first trip from the town. We were picked up from the hotel and driven to Tjapukai cultural centre where we were told about the Tjapukai people their beliefs and culture. We were given a dance demonstration. The audience were asked to join in and as we were in the front row we had to turn round and face them. Loads of photos were bing taken so our dancing skills are being seen world wide. I can only describe it as Aboriginal line dancing. After the dancing we were given demonstrations of bush food and medicine followed by weapons and hunting. I had a go and didn't do too bad, my boomerang did come back. After the demos we had lunch which comprised of some kangaroo meat, wasn't too bad. After lunch we boarded the sky rail. A cable car system over the rain forest. There are two stops, Red Peak andBarron Falls both magnificent views. The Sky rail terminates at Kuranda. A little market town where we strolled around before catching the Kuranda Scenic Railway which took us back to Cairnes. This was a fantastic trip through the rain forest on a 15 carriage long train. We saw Stoney Creek water fall and the Jungala 180 degree bend, something quite significant for a railway. We eventually arrived at the terminus and was bussed to our billet.

Friday 27th March. A day relaxing by the hotel pool.

Saturday 28th March. We were picked up at the hotel and driven back to Port Douglas where we boarded a large catamaran which took us out to the reef, a journey of over an hour and the boat wasn't hanging about. Out on the reef we boarded a pontoon from which you can explore the reef regardless of your swimming skills. A superb lunch was provided. It was a brilliant day, really hot. To see the reef was always going to be one of the highlights of the holiday and we wasn't disappointed. This is our last day in Cairnes so back to pack.

Queensland. Port Douglas.

We flew from Melbourne to Cairnes by Jet Star, which is a budget airline about which we had heard some horror stories, putting it on par with Ryan Air, long queues, strict luggage restrictions etc. as a result we had concerns as to what was waiting for us at the airport, these concerns were unfounded. We arrived at the airport, there was no queue at check in, we cleared security and was flight side within 15 minutes.we boarded the plane and took off just 15 minutes late. It was a lovely flight taking just over 3 hours. On our arrival at Cairnes we were driven to our billet in Port Douglas, about an hours drive away. Whilst within the official time zone of Australian Eastern time, Queensland doesn't have daylight saving so we had to put our watches back an hour. It gets late earlier in Queensland. We arrived at our billet, the Portsea Mantra. Interesting hotel, if that's what you call it . It was a beautiful layout, almost Middle Eastern, lovely pool, a BBQ area, games room but there was no room servicing, a bit like a platinum Youth Hostel. But we were not above making our own bed.

Saturday 21st March. We took a walk up into the town, for a look round, lovely little place but on this particular day extremely busy as a cruise liner had arrived and disgorged its 3,000 passengers. We continued our exploration and found the park overlooking the sea, a beautiful little church with a stand alone bell tower and the town's ANZAC park.

Sunday 22nd March. We were up early to go on our first tour. Today was the original date but then it got postponed because of cyclone Nathan but that passed over so the original date was reinstated. We were collected from our hotel and taken to the Daintree river where we boarded a boat and went looking for crocodiles, didn't find any though. After about an hour we rejoined the bus, driving through the rain forest we stopped at the Alexandra lookout to witness some spectactular views then onto Noah's Creek for a lovely BBQ lunch. after lunch continued through the rainforest to Cape Tribulation where the forest meets the sea. Then onto Mossman Gorge via a chain ferry across the river. On arrival at Mossman Gorge, after a cream tea we were give a brief talk by a local Aboriginal man who explained how his fore bearers lived and hunted the forest. We then took a walk into to forest (Baral Marrjanga) where the flora and forna was further explained. We had to walk over a suspension bridge, Val coped admirably. After this adventure back to the bus and a short dive back to the billet. Being a rain forest there were some heavy showers but fortunately each time they came wee were on the bus.

Monday 23rd March. This was a chill day. We stayed at the complex, sitting by the pool, soaking up the sunshine, taking the occasional swim and enjoying a good book.

Tuesday 24th March. Another Chill day except we had a chore to do. There's a laundry on site so we decided to take advantage. We loaded the dohbi machines and sat relaxed whilst our clothes were refreshed. We then took a walk into town in order to find a phone box in order to post this blog. Sounds strange but true

First phase Victoria

We are being well looked after in Ballarat and slowly getting over jet lag. Ballarat a major city in Victoria once had a thriving tram system. There is a museum here and I was taken to have a look round. After this we visited the botanic gardens which houses the Australian POW memorial.

Sunday 15 March we were taken to Talbot street market. This is a monthly market designed to keep the town going, much of the area went into decline once the gold ran out. In addition to the stalls there're retries on offer on eithe a horse and carriage or covered wagon. We did neither. On Monday we took a trip up state calling in at Creswick & Daylesford. At Castlemain( the original home of the xxxx) we had lunch then onto Bendigo which still has a tourist tram running, needless to say we took a ride. Bendigo is a lovely town even with a miniature version of the Whitehall cenotaph. On the way home we stopped at the heritage town of Maldon. That night we had fish and hips just like home.

Tuesday George and I went to Ballarat town centre to allow me to take some pictures of the superb architecture the town has. In the afternoon Val went shopping whilst George and I visited the Museum of Australian Democracy Eurika which is located where the Eurika Stockade battle took place on 3 Dec 1854 and is said to be the start of Australian democracy. Needless to say plenty of pictures taken.

Wed 18/3 took a trip to Birdland, interesting little place. Plenty of pics. Then off to wine making country.  Lovely wines too much choice and unable to buy because of our travels.

Thurs 19/3 train into Melbourne  a tram Greek paradise. On arrival took the tram to the Shrine of Remembrance. Lovely serene place. Then we took a ride around the city to orientate ourselves when weareset loose on our own at the end of the trip. The train back to Wendouree. That evening we had our end of first phase meal at the Ballarat steak house.

Fri 20/3 up and pack then off to airport for our flight to Cairnes where hopefully the cyclone has missed

First day

We arrived in Melbourne after a long flight. We stopped of at Dubai for 1 1/2 hours then a long flight to Melbourne. Picked up by our friend and driven to Ballarat where we are staying for the first leg of the holiday.

All paid up

16:40 hours GMT. Today with 98 days to go we called in at Co-Op Travel, Kidlington and paid the balance of our trip. Keep an eye out for further posts.

Progress

Things are beginning to happen. A deposit has been paid and some tours organised.