Sydney

Having arrived in Sydney a bit stressed we stayed in the hotel room for a little while to chill. We then did a recce  to see where our cruise would depart from. So we took a trip down to Circular Quay and The Rocks. We had also hoped we would find a Royal Carribbean office as we needed to clarify a few points but alas we didn't. We then caught the free bus back. This is quite a thing in Australian cities where within certain areas all public transport is free.

Friday 10th April 2015

An early start for we went on a Blue Mountains tour and we were picked up at 07:00. The mini bus picked us up on time and our first stop was the Featherdale wildlife park where we were able to get up close to Koalas, wallabies and wombats. We were even able to feed the kangaroos. We then went to Gordon Falls and Echo Point Katoomba where we saw the "three sisters" rock formation. After this to Govett's Leap an magnificent waterfall. After this we visited the Botanical Gardens and then back to Sydney. It was a long but very rewarding.

Saturday 11th April 2015

Last year at a Scout camp in Norfolk we met an Australian Guide leader and it was because of her we did yesterday's Blue Mountain trip. Today we actually met up with her again. We had a coffee at the Power House museum where we had a drink and a natter. After we parted We went for a walk around and found the central railway station so we were able to familiarise ourselves for when we travel to Canberra. On this trip came across the Sydney trams so more pictures. Once done back to the hotel to rearrange the packing for tomorrow's cruise.

New South Wales

Thursday 2nd April

We checked out of the hotel and rode in a cab to the Hertz depot where we collected our Toyota Carolla and headed south on the Pacific Highway. As we crossed the border into New South Wales we lost an hour beacaue NSW has daylight saving. Plan A was to stay at a different location every night. Much planning had gone into this with our Oz friends. However this was not to be for when we planned the trip last year we overlooked the fact this was Easter week. Easter is very popular in Australia with many shops and businesses closed and accommodation at at premium so we felt to hit the road and "wing it" was not an option. We had already booked our first night in Ballina whilst in Brisbane so when we arrived we in the town we called in at the Tourist Information to try an book somewhere for the next night and realised we had a problem. So we opted to extend our stay here a further two nights. It was worth it a beautiful hotel and a lovely town, the only problem was a dearth of restaurants. In fact one night we we to visit the Colonel (KFC). The following night we discovered a RSL club (sort of British Legion with bells on). Whilst here we took a trip to Byron Bay, this town was really buzzing as the was a Soul Music Festival being held there. It was a beautiful ride along the coast road, lovely lookouts across the ocean and a lighthouse. A good couple of days despite the occasional shower.

Sunday 5th April

We got our hour back because daylight saving has now ended in NSW. With the car packed up we hit the road and headed south calling in at Yamba and Coffs Harbour. We got our again a really picturesque route, driving through National Parks and over beautiful rivers and creeks until we arrived at our destination of Port Macquarie.we found our hotel on the headland overlooking the Ocean. Then down into town for something to eat. The following day we had a lazy start watch Prince Harry's arrival in Canberra and visiting the War Memorial there. It's a place we hope to visit whilst there and seeing the poppy wall has really whetted our appetite. When the programme had finished we went out exploring. We drove along the coast stopping at various locations including the Tacking Point lighthouse and gaol point, our hotel was built on the site of the town's gaol. Then down into town and parked up and took a walk around this lovely place.

Tuesday 7th April

Travelling further south again through lovely countryside to a town called Nelson Bay. Our hotel was a little inland but high enough to afford us a beautiful view across the bay. Having driven a few miles once we had checked in we just chilled. The following day after breakfast we drove to Nelson's Head where we visited Port Stephen coast guard control and lighthouse. Marvellous views and I managed to get a couple of cracking pictures of Pelicans in flight. We then drove to the Tomaree National Park. We started to walk through but discovered the gradient and distance would be too much. So we then drove to the Gan Gan lookout where we were able to drive to the summit. Once again breathtaking. Then back to the hotel to get ready for the final leg of our trip.

Thursday 9th April

Up early for our final part of this section of our holiday. We headed back to the Pacific Highway and headed for Sydney. Finding Sydney was the easy bit. Finding the road we needed was the difficult bit, confounded by road works, diversions and woefully inadequate directions by Hertz. We eventually found the depot and dumped the car having travelled 1286 Km which equates to 799 miles. Despite the anxiety of the very last bit it was nevertheless a brilliant part of this holiday.

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.