An anti-climax

So Australia Day arrived, January 26th.

And passed with little to write home about!!!! There was ‘entertainment’ on offer at the Lagoon and parks in Cairns. Unfortunately it was a local folk band and then a movie under the stars. Nice I hear you say, except the film was Muriel’s Wedding, surely they could have found something a little better??

I found a few people from Airlie Beach had booked into Calypso’s so passed the evening with them, a BBQ, a few beers, a game of pool and a late night swim!

Trying to relax!!

So I arrived in Cairns at 0630 after 13 hours on a freezing bus (damn air-con), I got to Calypso’s Hostel which is very familiar as it’s the same hostel I stayed in 8 years ago!! Still very nice, friendly and other than an internet cafe hasn’t changed at all!!

Rather than relax or anything sensible, I got the courtesy bus straight to the train station and jumped on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. A 90 minute journey from Cairns to Kuranda through the Barron Gorge National Park. A very nice journey via the Stoney Creek Falls and the Barron falls. I arrived in Kuranda and walked the short distance into the village where there were 3 seperate markets and hundreds of little shops selling all sorts of local arts and crafts. A perfect first day until the heavens opened! Welcome to the Tropical North!

I got the train back to Cairns and spent a couple of hours in the city before heading back to Calypsos for some much needed rest before Australia Day tomorrow.

A cracking sail!!!

So arriving in Airlie Beach after 12 hours on the Greyhound to find it raining did not put me in the best mood! However, after spending the day discovering that Airlie Beach hasn’t changed a bit in 8 years the sun was finally shining and I was all checked in for my 3 day sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands.

In the bar I met 2 girls who were also sailing on the Apollo, from BASILDON!!!!!! ARGH!!!! No they were ok…no really!!!

After a few too many beers (they sell pints here!) I crashed out.

The following morning it was an early start to meet the crew at Abel Point Marina and get everyone on board. As we let slip from the Marina the sun broke through the clouds and things were looking good.

A gentle sail took us out to Luncheon Bay where I got to scuba dive, the marine life was amazing and the guy I was diving with had a dive-proof digital camera so some great photos being downloaded as I write!! After a buffet lunch we had an afternoon snorkeling and soaking up the sun before sailing to Hook Island Passage where we picked up a mooring for the night.

Lots of beers as we watched the sunset and then many a drinking game before we all hit the wall and crashed out!

The second day began with a sail to Whitehaven beach, a gorgeous beach with white sand, clear blue seas and incredible views of the surrounding islands. Here we saw stingrays and the biggest turtles I have ever seen.

After lunch on board we set sail again to Blue Pearl Bay for more snorkeling. It was a blisteringly hot day and everyone was getting sun-burnt so an afternoon in the water was bliss.

Another evening of good food, good beer and good company.

For the third and last day we began with more snorkeling in Blue Pearl Bay before heading to Black Island for our last chance to snorkel.

After lunch we set sail for home, it was hot and sunny and we had force 5-6 winds. Having dropped numerous hints to our skipper about wanting to have a go on the helm, she finally succumbed (yes a doris skipper I hear you cry!), I took the helm and sailed the 80ft Maxi Yacht home! It was an amazing sail and I finished the trip on a high!

Once we were back on land, a post sail party had been organised at Reefs, so a quick shower and change and we were all in the bar by 7pm and finally fell out of it just after midnight!!

As you can probably tell, another amazing 3 days. Just a few hours to recover before getting the bus to Cairns!

Fraser Island!

So the ferry arrived and off we went, the first point of call was Lake Mackenzie, about 10 kilometres inland through rain-forest and along extremely bumpy roads! We arrived to find the most amazing, idyllic setting with white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. after an hour of swimming and relaxing we headed off, another 5 k through the forest brought us out to the east coat of the island where we drove north along the beach. Driving along open deserted beach at 100 kph is a great experience. The most hysterical point was when I misjudged an area of water, it turned out to be quite deep, drenched the vehicle but also came in through the side windows and drenched everyone in the back. I had to pull over as I was laughing so hard I couldn’t drive!

After about 30mins of driving North we came across the wreck of S.S. Maheno. We also noticed that the temperature gauge had suddenly shot up and there was steam coming out from under the bonnet!!!

A group of Aboriginal guys were there and helped us sort it out. From here we drove to our camp site, the K’Gari Aboriginal Campground, a 5 minute drive but long enough for the truck to over-heat again, we called the company who said they would deliver another truck in the morning!!!

We cooked our BBQ (the best meal I’ve had so far, and yes I was in charge of the BBQ, Dad would be proud!!). The evening consisted of a campfire, marshmallows and Aboriginal guys putting on a song and dance show which was a great experience. Oh yeah and more beer!!

The following day consisted of going to Indian Head, a lookout point and then a swim in the Champagne pools (sadly not real Champagne) and a second night at K’Gari, where who should turn up, 3 of the idiots from Noosa, argh!!!!

I had already told my group about them so we kept our distance and had another fun night on camp.

The last day was another drive through the rain-forest stopping at a few of the lakes before catching the ferry back to Harvey Bay.

A great trip with great people.

I caught the over-night bus that evening bus along with Fabien up to Airlie Beach, from where I am now sat writing this!

Harvey Bay and Fraser Island

I arrived in Harvey Bay quite disheartened after a hellish trip in Noosa. However, I was picked up from the Bus Terminal and taken to Next Backpackers which turned out to be the nicest, cleanest hostel so far. It was suggested that The Roving Backpacker’s bar was good for a beer, so obviously I had to check!

It was fairly quiet but met a couple of girls travelling separately, Claudine from Quebec, Canada and Niamh form Ireland. We had a few/many beers and the usual backpacker conversation (where, when, why etc etc) and arranged to meet up the following day.

I spent the following morning investigating Harvey Bay (didn’t take long!) before meeting the girls and going to the beach.

We spent a couple of hours on the beach before grabbing some lunch and a beer (I see a pattern forming!) before I had to go to the briefing about my 3 day trip to Fraser Island.

The hole point of going to Hervey Bay is that it’s the gateway to Fraser Island and where all the trips start. I was booked on a 3 day 4×4 self drive safari with Unique Fraser. The group (6 of us) had to meet at 3pm in the hostel foyer for a briefing. Here I met Andi and Nicki from Newcastle, Alice and Rachael from Grantham and Fabien from Germany. We were talked through the trip and given a safety briefing before we had to plan a menu and go food shopping!

We took the easy option and decided to BBQ both nights so got lots of meat from the butchers and the usual groceries, oh and lots and lots of BEER!!!!!!

We all arranged to meet in the bar at 2000 for a few beers, so a very pleasant day!!

The following morning at 0800 we met outside and were presented with our 4×4 vehicle which we loaded with our supplies. I volunteered to drive first (only 4 out of the 6 could officially drive due to age) and we followed Troy to the Ferry where he waved us off!!

Am publishing this blog now as my internet credit is about to run out!! Will tell you all about fraser in a while! I can tell you are all excited!

Noosa, I’m glad it’s over!

So I departed Australia Zoo and had a short bus journey to Noosa, home of the Noosa Everglades National Park. I raced around to find some supplies for the 3 day Canoe Safari which was due to start at 0800 the following morning.

Sure enough at 0800 the minibus arrived to pick me up along with 7 others on the same trip. We were given all our essentials (tents, camping equipment) and taken to Noosa Bay to catch the boat to Kinaba Information Centre where 4 2-man canoes awaited our arrival!

I teamed up with a Milo from Holland and loaded up our canoe. The 8 of us set off along Upper Noosa River towards Campsite 1. It quickly became apparent that I was with the laziest group of complete idiots I think I have ever met! A journey that should have taken 90 minutes took nearly 4 hours.

We finally arrived, set up camp and prepared dinner. A fairly uneventful evening followed by an uncomfortable nights sleep!

The following day we were meant to canoe a few kilometres up river to campsite 3 and then walked a 12 kilometre round trip to the Sand Patch, an area for which this national park is famous.

5 out of the 8 had already decided they couldn’t be bothered to do this (don’t you just love them!) so that left me, Jacob from Israel and Frank from Holland to pile into one canoe and head off. As it turned out it was a blessing that the rest of the group didn’t make the trip as it was quite a pleasant day with the 3 of us.

Another uneventful night followed and an early start to return to Kinaba to catch the boat back to civilisation and be rid of the 5 cretins!!

I spent the afternoon enjoying the sun at Noosa Heads before getting the bus to Harvey Bay.

Steve Irwin, RIP.

I got a bus to Australia Zoo, mainly to escape Brisbane! I arrived and headed to the Crocosseum! A live show with crocodiles, birds, snakes and reptiles. It was started by Bindy Irwin (Steve’s daughter) performing on stage with the Crocmen, yes it was as cheesy as it sounds! Terri and Robert (wife and son) were sat in the VIP box watching, it was amazing to see them coping so well in the spotlight talking about their Dad and his work.

After the show I walked around the park seeing the usual, crocodiles, koalas, elephants, tigers, kangeroos etc etc.

I then got the afternoon bus to Noosa, home of the Everglades National Park.

A short post on Brisbane….

….mainly because there’s not much to say about it!! I arrived at about 9am, found the hostel (gross, the worst yet) and walked into the city. I found the City Hall and walked up into the clock tower to look over the city. I took one photo just because I thought I should, the views from the tower were the same no matter which direction you were looking and is best described as a building site!

I found the main shopping area, apparently the best in Australia?????

The only highlight of my day was having a voucher to go to the Tribal Gallery and design and paint my own Boomerang!!!! I know it doesn’t sound too great but believe me, on this day it brought a ray of sunshine into my life!!

Oh, talking of sunshine, we are in short supply. There are flood warnings all along the ‘Sunshine’ Coast! Bring on Ayers Rock with sun and 45o temperatures!!!

So I had one awful night in the hostel before catching the first bus out to Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.

Bryon Bay

On Wednesday I was up early to catch the Greyhound to Bryon Bay. I arrived and found the hostel to be told that although I had booked and paid for 2 nights they only had a bed for one. Now either I was too tired to care or I have become very relaxed over the past 2 weeks (think I was tired). I said I’d have a wander around town and see if anywhere had a bed. I did this on route to the Cape Byron Lighthouse and the most easterly point of mainland Australia. A great view shame about the grey skies!

Bryon Bay is a very lively town, supposedly a hippie commune but sadly it has become so commercialised (due to travellers such as myself) that its pretty much an average Ozzy backpacker town with a few novel shops and bars thrown in.

By the time I returned to my hostel there was a bed available so I was pleased I hadn’t invested too much time and effort in finding somewhere. The hostel had a mezzanine area for eating so I got a bottle of wine, cooked my pasta and settled down. I got chatting to a few people and decided to join them for a drink at Cheeky Monkeys. A crazy bar which, when I arrived was holding a goldfish race. People brought a goldfish which was put in a long tank and raced against other fish, encouraged by their owner blowing bubbles through a straw behind them. I’m sure its not something we would allow in the UK!! Oh, and the ‘British’ fish was declared the winner!!

The following morning I went Kayaking and saw loads of dolphins! Whilst kayaking I met a couple of Brits, James who has headed north but may bump into him again and Hannah who was staying in Bryon so we arranged to meet in town at lunchtime. We spent the afternoon at travel centres arranging our travels for the next 6 weeks. I finished with a lot less money but a plan from here to Melbourne.

A quiet night before heading to Brisbane tomorrow.

No-one likes a smart-arse!!

So the final day of my diving course. Straight out to the marina and onto the dive boat, back to the Solitary Islands. Much more relaxed diving today, the first dive was about 40 minutes down to 18 metres, the second was the same but on the other side of the island. Really enjoyed it today mainly as I was able to relax and take in my new surroundings rather than sucking on the regulator like my life depended on it (I can hear you all shouting that yes, indeed my life did depend on it, but you know what I mean???!!!???)

Then back to the dive centre for the dreaded written exam. Took about 30 mins to do, lots of maths so had to switch on the remaining brain cells. Handed in the paper and ten minutes later was called in to see Vicky as she thought I may have ansered the wrong question paper. At this point I was unsure if they were taking the piss or I had really stuffed up! Thankfully it was piss-taking!! I scored 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I passed my PADI Open Water Diver Course with flying colours. I also met an English girl diving today so we planned to have some dinner to celebrate, a chinese and a beer!