Tasmania, Australia.

After only an hours flight from Melbourne we arrived in Hobart picked up our Campervan and headed north east towards Mount Field National Park. Though the places look fairly close on map, most roads are horrendously windy and up and down mountains making even the shortest journey a long nightmare. Anyway we arrived at the national park and went for a walk to the apparently famous Russell Falls, I may never of heard of them but they were none the less very impressive. We spent a few hours walking around taking in other water falls along the way and some beautiful scenery, also seeing plenty of Wallabies and Possums hiding in the bushes. Having been up since 5am to get our flight, we were starting to flag, so having picked out a camp site in our camp book which had only opened in jan'06 we thought we were on a safe bet of a good nights sleep, WE WERE WRONG!! When we got there we were told it was actually shut. Not only that, the whole town of Tarraleah was closed, they did say we could stay, so we pitched up for the night only to find we were the only ones there, there was no reception on our phones, no phone in town and the nearest town was an hour away (Memories of Wolfcreek coming back again). With only the Wombats, Wallabies and Possums for company we had a nervous nights sleep, and for good measure it was absolutely freezing.
The next morning, again thanking my lucky stars I made it through alive (anyone thinking i'm being a bit of a drama queen, please go watch Wolfcreek. I'm scarred for life) We drove to Lake St Clair/Cradle Mountain National Park (South, it takes about 5 days to walk from one side to the other) so we decided to just see the lake and then drive to Cradle Mountain. Took the 6km walk around the lake and through various rainforests then back into the campervan up to cradle mountain. On our way we past several mountains and lakes which reminded us a lot of new zealand. When we got the cradle mountain it was already late so decided to hit the hay for the night. Luckily on this campsite it had a recreation room with a huge roaring fire and civilisation so we felt much happier but still needed to use my hairdryer as a heater once back in the camper van as it was bloody freezing. Up early the next morning to Cradle mountain national park. The views were amazing but couldn't quite see the top of it due to fog and the ranger had told us that they were expecting snow so we decided on the 6km walk around the mountain and decided not to venture up it as we were so not equipped! Eventually at the end of the walk the fog had lifted and we got the spectacular view that we hoped for. From cradle mountain it was onto launceston the main city of the north of Tasmania. Didn't really do much here as the heavens decided to open and it remained bloody freezing. So just spent the night cuddled up playing round after round of shithead (card game) then off to bed! Again another early morning driving to wineglass bay on the east coast took the big climb up the hill to see the impressive views they did not disappoint. Then off to Swansea our stay for the night and we actually found a pub with live music and good food so of course we indulged. Then it was off to Port Arthur, along the way we stopped off at numerous historic attractions and rock formations, some interesting some boring but the highlight was being interviewed and filmed for Tasmanian tourism documentary, so you may get to see Dumb and Dumber on your screens soon (Hope not). We also stopped at the tasmainian devil sanctuary park where we got to see loads of the cute devils and got to hand feed kangeroos and wallabies which was cool. Did see two of the kangeroos having a bit of a disagreement resulting in a boxing match. By the time we arrived at Port Arthur it was getting late so headed straight for the camp site. After trying and failing miserably to get log fire going we had dinner and went to bed. The following day we went to the Port Arthur Historic Site which back in the 1800's was a convict built Penal settlement for those that continued to break the law after transportation here and was supposed to be a grinding system to grind the bad out of you, not a very nice place to have stayed. It was also the place where only 10 years ago the Tasmanian massacre happened, when Martin Bryant shot dead 35 innocent victims in the Broad Arrow Cafe and injured many more. The cafe is now just an empty shell and a memorial to those who died. It was very hard to not get emotional standing in that empty windswept building imagining what happened only 10 years back, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The whole Port Arthur site despite being interesting to look at and read about was quite a dark place.
After Port Arthur we headed to Hobart, again it was late when arrived so did the usual and had an early night ready for the celebrations for the next day of Lee becoming 30 years old!!! old git!! Woke the next morning with cards, pressies and birthday cakes for Lee after celebrating it was off into Hobart for shopping and the cinema wow what a way to spend a 30th birthday. Decided to celebrate properly when we get back to Melbourne. But did make him wear his "i am 30" badges around Hobart much to Lee's dislike oh well!!! The following day we toured the cadbury factory and got loads of free chocolates and then got the plane back to melbourne.
All in all had a fab time in Tasi but think will only come back when the sun is shining and its a lot warmer!!

Lee and Sonya xx

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. (Part 1)

Arrived in melbourne and what a city absolutely buzzing and very cosmopolitan loving it already! Checked into our hostel right in the heart of melbourne where we get free breakfast, internet and free evening meals so not bad for ten pounds a night!
Our first couple of days were spent just getting out bearings around this huge exciting city. Took the free tram around to see the highlights and made Lee get off and explore the Queen Victoria Markets with over a 1000 stalls selling absolutely everything you can imagine i was in heaven Lee on the other hand just followed me around like a lost sheep! But to cheer him up we went to see the MCG stadium where the cricket and aussie rules football is played also drove past the tesltra dome and other sporting stadiums so he was now happy!
The next day we went on a neighbours tour where we got to see the real ramsay street (Pin Oak Court) absolutely fab got to take loads of photos and hear all the gossip about the cast and some up and coming story lines also got to visit erinsborough high school which is actually a school for foreigners who need to learn english! A great day in all and we also got to watch old episodes of neighbours on the coach. The next day met up with Lee's freind Vic who he used to play football with a great time was had and it was great hearing old stories! Then the highlight of the week we went on a neighbours trivia night where we actually got to meet some of the cast members we got to meet kim timmons, stuart (who has now actually left) and the one and only Harold Bishop! It was a fab night we all got to speak to them and have our photos with them and Harold even knew the Ye Olde Jerusalem pub in nottingham. It was a great laugh and the trivia quiz, well our team was abissmal!! Woke up the next day with a huge hangover and we both spent the day nursing our sore heads!
Whilst in melbourne did manage to go to see an aussie rules football game at the MCG thought it was going to be boring but really good seeing a load of men fighting with each other.

Uluru (Ayres Rock) Northern Territory. Australia.

As we flew in to Uluru airport we were flown over the top of Ayres Rock, our first sighting of this amazing Rock, It looked spectacular from above. We arrived at our hostel which was alot better than expected, it had a great alfresco area where they had a superb acoustic guitarist playing at night, he also played the digerido which sounded quite wierd when he was playing it to wonderwall.

After dropping off our bags we decided to go up to the lookout point which is about 16km from the Rock, for a view. It didn't disappoint, it just had this an amazing aura and power about it. We just sat there for ages staring at it. Alot of people that we have met so far in Oz say its a waste of time going as its only a rock, i'm guessing those same people have never seen it in person. Its hard to explain its aura but those people who've been here will know what i'm talking about.

After a crap nights sleep due to some swiss bloke snoring all night we had to get up at 5am to travel to the rock for the sunrise. It was bloody freezing so the free cups of coffee and biscuits came in handy. The sun eventually rose after about one hour of standing in the cold and was definitely worth it. Then it was off for the cultural base walk around the rock. We decided not to climb the rock not only because aboriginal people do not want you to climb it and we wanted to respect their wishes, but also because a guy died the day before as he fell off it and suffered severe head injuries after running down the rock when he saw his bus leaving. But the cultural walk was brilliant we had two guides taking us round and explaining all the meanings of the different markings of the rock and telling us aboriginals stories about the fights that took place on there then it was off into some of the caves, we saw some cool aboriginal art and features including a huge water hole! After the walk it was back to the hostel for some well deserved kip without the snorer then it was up for The Olgas and sunset tour. In the meantime two columbians had moved into our room and we just knew we were not going to sleep much tonight either!
The trip took us to The Olgas another rock formation what a wonderful place especially the walk into The Olgas then it was off for champagne and nibbles to watch the sunset! Again pretty spectacular as the rock continually changed colour and then it was back to the hostel for cook your own meal night! Its a huge bbq area you choose what meat you want and then cook it up bloody marvelous. The entertainment for the evening was an acoustic guitarist who also playing the digeradoo he was fab, we spent the eveing with a couple we had met whilst watching ther sunset called Kam and Tony from london a very fun couple and a good laugh was had.
A truly magical experience and i advise anyone coming to Australia, make the time and see The Rock with your own eyes, i promise you will not be disappointed.

Western Australia (South and The Pinnicles)

After finally finishing our 3 months of work, we picked up our rented Ford Falcon Station wagon complete with camping gear and headed to the southern areas of Western Australia. First stop was Busselton, about 2 hours south of Perth, we arrived in the dark hence plenty of fun and a few arguments in putting up our tent for the first time with no instructions. The first nights sleep was horrendous as we only had camping mats for comfort, the next morning i ached in places i didn't know were possible, so our first job that morning was to find a cheap mattress and the Salvation Army answered our calls for help supplying a thick foam mattress for mere price of $10, it fitted perfectly in to our tent. We were so happy. We now happily headed for the beach and took a stroll along the pier to where the Aquarium was, went 8 metres under water and looked at the stunning scoles of fish swimming about. From here we headed to Margaret River, passing AND STOPPING in numerous vine yards so Sonya could taste vasts amounts of different wines, it wasn't long till she was slurring and telling me how much she loved me. We had a walk around this small but beautiful town before taking a drive to the coast, the scenery was stunning and the waves very high, so we sat and watched some guys surfing while the sun was setting.
The next day was a long drive to Walpole. Along the way we visited Lake Cave which was 70 metres underground with some spectacular Stalactites and s/mites and then climbed the Gloucester Tree which is 60 metres high, only has metal poles sticking out to climb up and no safety harness or netting, so it was quite scary. We stayed the night in Walpole National Park which was quite dense in places and nervracking to sleep especially after watching a film called Wolfcreek (a film about backpackers being murdered in the outback). The following day having made it through the night alive (my mum will be having kittens reading this, hi mum) we visited the Valley of the Giants, a walkway built high up in the trees to view the wildlife. Sonya thought it would be funny to bounce on the bridges making them sway, i'm not good with bridges so wasn't happy. From here we travelled to Albany down on the south coast and stayed at a fantastic camp site complete with spa and swimming pool and right on the beach. The sea was crystal clear and surprisingly warm when i went for a dip. we abused the spa as much as possible and decide it would be best if we stayed 2 nights. We got up early the next day and headed to Two Peoples bay and found another lovely little beach called, ironically "Little Beach" again it had golden sands and crystal clear water, the sun was also shining and it was only the 2 of us on the beach, so while Sonya decided to relax in the sun, i put my goggles and snorkle on and went for a swim. The only thing i got to see under the water was a massive Stingray which was unbelievable as it swam by me without a care in the world. The rest of the day was spent looking at things like "The Gap" and "The Natural Bridge" Both rock formations caused by the hammerings it has taken from both the sea and the wind.
After another night chilling in the spa, we travelled back north to Bunbury, this took us about 5 hours in total, so by the time we got there and had put the tent up we were too tired to do anything other than have dinner and watch TV. The following morning we went to the Dolphin Sanctury and arrived right on cue as 2 Dolphins that were swimming near by came to within a couple of metres of the beach, so with the guidance of the Guides we waded in to the sea knee deep in a line and watched as the dolphins swam right up to us nudging our legs with their noses, a truly wonderful experience and then watched as they swam off out to sea. We made our way back north to Perth or home, as it has been for the last 4 months and camped on the north side of City near to Hillary's boat yard. The houses surrounding it are gynormaous with the boats to match, here we had another sunset moment while eating our fish and chips. Our final full day we headed 200 miles north to see The Pinnincles (Rock formations that were formed some 50'000 years ago) The drive was long and boring and at one point i didn't think we would ever make it, but we did and it was well worth the 3+ hours drive even if we did only spend about 30 mins there. Then it was a 200 miles, 3+ hours drive back. The only blemish on this 10 day trip was some shit nicking my jacket off the washing line on our last night, i only turned my back for 10 mins. Then it was a quick 20 minute journey back into the Perth City centre and hand back our companion of the last 10 days Fred the Falcon.