Bridges and Beaches

We left Dorrigo and headed down the coast. On the way we stayed one night near St. Stephens which is known for its koala population. We spent hours hiking around hoping to see one of these guys. And then we finally did. It was hanging out in the tree completely to oblivious to the growing crowd beneath it. Too lazy to care I guess. Why don't we have any pics of him I wonder???

Then we were in Sydney. We stayed in Kings Cross with its drug dealers and strip clubs. Lovely place to stay with the parents but it was conveniently located near everything we wanted to see. And it was cheap.


Resting after possibly the a truly boring tour of the Governors Mansion
Really? Another piece of furniture made from oak???


That would be the infamous Harbour Bridge behind us

I spent my final day in Sydney with my parents on Bondi Beach. It was packed and the weather was lovely. I put the final touches on my tan before heading back to Brissie to lose it while I worked for three months.


Mom and I at crowded Bondi

<< Dorrigo | The Route | Darwin >>

Back to the Coast

We drove for a very long time and were no longer in the outback. We were in the Dorrigo. And it was green with waterfalls flowing everywhere we went. What a change.


Enjoying the view of yet another waterfall

We made our base in Dorrigo to explore the area which included some gorgeous nearby rainforest, beautiful farmland & forests and beaches on the coast.


The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour


Stopping to enjoy the view on the way back to Dorrigo


This rainbow was behind us
It was absolutely massive


Hiking the sanddunes to the beach


This had better be worth it
And was it ever. Our own private white sandy beach was on the other side


Not sure where this actually was
But it was pretty indicative of places we stayed

<< Broken Hill | The Route | Sydney >>

Stepping Out in the Outback

On our drive from the Barossa to Broken Hill we stumbled upon a real ghost town. Tumbleweeds rolling down the street and all. At the edge of town was this field with weird "scupltures" (I guess you could call them that) All very random and typical of Australia.


???No idea what this guy is supposed to be???


You've heard the one about the Dingo and the Baby right?

There wasn't a whole lot doing in Broken Hill. It was this typical town just in the middle of absolute nowhere. It had a McDonalds and everything. But there was the hill (broken perhaps?) outside town where we caught a killer sunset. The rock carvings all depict a part of Austalia's history and culture.

That's Kirsie through the peephole


Enjoying the sunset

<< Barossa Valley | The Route | Dorrigo >>

Wine, Wine and More Wine

More Random Big Things Seen in Austalia
I think this one is supposed to be a lobster


No we didn't transport to the Mississippi
Still in Oz near the Murray River

We headed up though South Austalia to the Barossa Valley famous for its wines including Penfolds and Wolf Blass (yum! yellow label!) It was a relaxing day spent driving from winery to winery taking advantage of all the free samples. Poor Dad was designated the responsible one. In the evening we enjoyed a BBQ complimented by the purchases of the day.

Kirsey and I enjoying some samples at Penfolds


Can't you put it down for a minute?

<< Melbourne | The Route | Broken Hill >>

Zoos and Scenic Drives

We arrived in Melbourne and spent couple of days exploring which mostly meant eating in China Town, Greek Town and wandering around the shops. Its weird staying in hostels again especially with parents. But Mom did fanangle us our own room the second night where we hung out drinking beer and eating nachos.

Relaxing at the Melbourne Markets


Livestock!

We visited the Melbourne zoo so we would be sure to see native Aussie creatures in case we don't spot them in the wild once we leave the city.

Picked up our rental car and headed to the Great Ocean Road. It was one of the things I was most looking forward to on this trip and it didn't disappoint. But man was it ever cold. Isn't this supposed to be the summer?

More Great Ocean Road family frolicking


More Spectacular Scenery

<< Tasmania | The Route | Barossa Valley >>

More Tassie

Onto Dove Lake in the Cradle Mountain National Park. We lucked out with good weather. It rains 7 out of 10 days of the year in this area. A nice walk around the lake. Hardly strenuous but relaxing if not for the hordes of other tourists. Everyone in Australia is escaping the summer heat in Tasmania I think.

Australians love their big things. This Tasmania Devil is one of the smaller "big things" we encountered. Other notables were the Giant Banana in Coffs Harbour and the Giant Prawn.

Wineglass Bay was one of the prettiest spots I visited in Australia. Up there with the Whitsundays. We hiked up over the ridge for some fantastic views and then down onto the beach. It was a little chilling for swimming although some crazy folks gave it a try. I stuck to lounging on the shore.

Crazy animal crossing signs everywhere we went. This was one of my favs.


Beware massive attacking kangaroos that will lift your car

After six glorious days in Tassie it was time to head to the mainland. It wasn't nearly enough time but we packed in a lot. I'll be back there....


Boarding out flight to Melbourne

<< Tasmania | The Route | Melbourne >>

Tassie

My parents have joined us. Kirsten and I flew out of hot and humid Brissie and landed in refreshing cool Hobart. High tens calls for multiple jumpers, jeans and runners. It feels good to bundle up. Gone are the light airy Queenslanders with the wide shady balconies replaced by sturdy brick homes. Even still central heating is a rarity.


Waiting for some fish and chips in Hobart

After a day wandering in Hobart absorbing the convict and aboriginal history we hightailed it out of town in our rental car. Off to the gorgeous old growth forests. The trees here are massively beautiful and being chopped down for wood chips. Where is the justice?

Could it be remnants of a hobbit hole?




Enjoying the scenery at Russell Falls

A long drive brought us to depressing Queenstown. Years ago it was a prosperous mining town. Now the streets are empty and the houses dilapidated. The hills surrounded have not a shred of vegetation. I felt like we had been transplanted to the moon. The Empire Hotel, where we stayed was a reminder of better days.

A very pink hotel room

<< Stradbrooke Island | The Route | More Tassie >>

Christmas Vacation Australian Style

Chris gets Jess Dog ready for Christmas

Christmas Day arrived with 35 degree heat. I had feared that I would be homesick for snow and all things associated with a Northern Hermisphere holiday season. So I was determined to make this Christmas unlike anything I could have experienced at home.

Chris and I spent Christmas morning with his mother Colleen opening presents early before driving her to the bus station to visit relatives in NSW. In the afternoon we enjoyed a traditional Aussie BBQ prepared by his friend Luke. Seafood of all types was in abundance. As was the alcohol.

Enjoying the bbq, Tracy to the left enjoys her wine

The next morning we boarded the crack of dawn ferry to Stradbroke Island for five days of camping.

We were tired little campers after only a few hours of sleep so we crashed out once we staked out a suitably secluded campsite. No nieghbours in sight, just what we wanted. When we awoke refreshed, Chris started building the perfect campsite. He would spend the next few days continually tweaking and improving his setup.

Preparing lunch at the newly constructed campsite

Our campsite was hidden behind massive sand dunes. The beach stretchs for miles so it was easy to miss our driveway. Luckily I had brought along my Canada flag to mark our spot.

Oh Canada!

Our days were spent relaxing either at the campsite or at our favourite spot the Keyholes.

After a few days Chris' friends Rob and Don joined us. We consumed much alcohol and set out to explore the islands. We found some massive sand dunes that were just beckoning the Dinosaur to conquer them.

Rob and Chris on the beach

The mighty Dinosaur

<< Bangkok | The Route | Tasmania >>