Uluru

Helen and I took a plane to Uluru, or Ayers Rock, on Sunday. We arrived at lunchtime, spent the day lounging by the pool. On Monday we did the Sunset & Base Tour of Uluru. It was really impressive, the rock is HUGE. The stories about Uluru were interesting and saw some Aboriginal paintings on the rock face. The sunset turned the rock a bright red, we stopped at a few places around the base then at a look out point where we enjoyed a glass of wine watching the sunset change the rock from red to purple then blue. This morning we got up early to watch the sunrise from a viewpoint at our lodge. It was cool too. Just realised as we were leaving Ayers Rock Resort that the time difference between here and Sydney is 30minutes behind! No wonder we'd been early for everything and the buses had been late!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Gail, Lyn & I are booked in for the 10.05am climb. Make sure we're there early, Helen comes to video, photograph and generally wind us up about the climb! We get breathalised (my first time, honest), briefed and kitted out before we're allowed onto the bridge. We're all harnessed up and attached to the safety rails so nothing can fall off - even hair scrunchies are attached to the lovely grey overalls you have to wear! The first part of the climb was the hardest. We had to climb ladders, no looking down at the road below! Once you're up the view is amazing. We had a really clear day and the harbour looks fantastic. Even have a rest and a chat on the way up. Our guide was fab and told us the history of the bridge and the harbour. The whole experience lasted 3 hours and was well worth it.

Back in Sydney

Can't believe we're back in Sydney already! Staying in Base which is very nice, much better than where we stayed before. Handy for everything too. Kim's sister Clare arrives for her 2 week holiday on Thursday so we go out to Darling Harbour at night for dinner & drinks. Met up with Gail and her friend Lyn for lunch. Have a nice afternoon pretending we're on holiday too and not backpacking! Have drinks at Cruise in the Rocks, then the Opera House Bar then The Establishment, with free champagne. Booked our bridge climb for the following day, hope it's not scary!

Wa gannin to Newcastle!

Arrived in Newcastle Bus Staion, next to Newcastle Central - nothing like the UK one. Different in that there's nobody here, it's like New Zealand all over again. Think the local hide at night. Our hostel is cosy with reception-kitchen-tv room-sitting area. Sharing room with 4 others. Newcastle beach is nice, a bit like Tynemouth I'm told. On our last night the weather's very much like home in that it rains all night! Take shelter in the local pub then cinema.

Coffs Harbour

We stayed in the Hoey Moey in Coffs Harbour, right next to the beach. We had a room to ourselves with own bathroom, fridge & wait for it... TV! This is luxury when you're travelling!!! Had a girlie night watching chick films and Extreme Makeover! Celebrated St Paddy's Day here, starting off in the afternoon. A great day drinking with the locals and even had a pipe band turn up at the pub in the evening.

Sunrise at Cape Byron

We were up at 4.45am this morning to watch the sun rise at Cape Byron Lighthouse. It was a really clear night and the sky was still in darkness when we got there. We watched the first light appearing over the horizon and gradually get bigger until the whole sky was light. Then the sun appeared as a red ball in the sky, it happened so fast. Cape Byron is the most easterly point of Australia we were some of the first people in the world to see the sunrise on 12 March 2007. It was fantastic!

The Arts Factory, Byron Bay

Staying at the Arts Factory in Byron Bay for 7 nights - the longest we've spent anywhere! Byron is cool, and The Arts Factory Lodge excellent. It has a lounge cinema, bar, restaurant, dance studio and gallery space. There's yoga on daily so been doing that, tried Tai Chi and Reiki too. Lots going on here and our room pretty comfortable... can we stay longer??

Nimbin Jim

Went on Jim's Alternative tour of Nimbin yesterday, was fab! We were picked up at the Arts Factory in the morning, in the pub by 11.30am.. just for the loo and quick refreshment!! Then back on the bus to Nimbin - a town where alternative is the norm. Saw a few aging hippies, bought some bracelets and had lunch there. We went round the Nimbin museum, a weird collection of junk art. Back on the bus we stopped at a scenic spot overlooking a 200ft waterfall. Fantastic views from here. Had watermelons and got back on the bus driving rounds roads and enjoying the scenery to a perfect soundtrack of Depeche Mode, Jethro Tull, Yello, REM amongst others, and clips from old movies. Finished the day off with a visit to Jim's mate Paul Retta's house. He's an eccentric man, living on 80 acres of land (a former cow paddock) with countless plants he's grown himself. His house was 1 big room with a veranda overlooking a beautiful lily pond and various pieces of art he's created dotted around. He creates junk art, using anything he finds. Some pieces were very original... Had a cat dangling from the ceiliong and a disco ball in his lounge. Welcome to Nimbin!

Coolangatta, Gold Coast

The Quicksiliver & Roxy Pro surfing tournament is on here just now. Yesterday we went to Snapper Point to sunbathe and watch the competition. Did a little bit of celebrity spotting with Kelly Slater taking part and Matthew McConnechy spectating. Hels managed to film him on her camcorder... she's a big fan! After the surfing was over the surfers played touch football on the beach against real players. Great fun watching, still don't understand the rules!

Wet 'n Wild!

Had a great day out at Wet 'n Wild waterpark. The rides were fantastic and not just for kids!

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Next stop was Surfers Paradise. The white sandy beach is lovely and we had great weather during our stay. There are quite a lot of high rise buildings here but it's a popular place for holidaymakers. Went out for drinks, and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and a lovely Thai restaurant, avoiding the hostel kitchen.

Brisbane, Queensland

Stopped off in Brisbane for 2 nights. While Kim & Laura went off for the day with Laura's Nana's cousin who lives an hour away Helen & I explored the city. Loved the Botanic Gardens, the architecture, the galleries... and the shops! And ice-cream. Doing well on my challenge.

Noosa, Sunshine Coast

We left Hervey Bay for Noosa, staying at the YHA Halse Lodge. It was fab, so fab we decided to stay 6 nights. Noosa is a lovely little town with a beautiful beach and nice boutiques (I was good, honest. All I bought was 1 dress and a pair of shoes.. both bargains). Stephanie from Amsterdam, from our group on Fraser Island, came to Noosa same time as us. She was staying for 1 month after finding a job waitressing. We were all jealous, would love to stay here longer. Our dorm had its own balcony where we could hang out and as we took up most of the dorm we did this most nights. Met some cool people there. Visited the local club, Rolling Rocks which was a laugh. Proper Rave Cave but the Aussies loved it!