Blue Mountains

Hello!
Ruth and I have had a fabulous week in the Blue Mountains.
We arrived last Friday 23rd Nov. The Art Deco YHA was lovely- especially our ensuite room. :-)
The weather during the week was a bit 'hit and miss'. We had mist where we couldn't see more than 2m ahead of us, blue skies and sunshine and torrential downpours! We quickly invested in some very sexy, flattering ponchos- one size fits all!

We did MANY walks and found muscles in our legs we didn't realise we had. These walks included-
* The Three Sisters incl the Grand Staircase (1000 steps!)- about 8K
* Wentworth Falls- about 4K
* Leura Cascades & Gordon Falls- about 10K
* Katoomba Falls incl the Furber steps (hard work!)- about 5K
* Prince Henry Cliff Walk- about 9K

We also enjoyed a great evening in a club listening to a live jazz band. They were fantastic.
One afternoon we made the use of a nearby sports centre and went for a swim and then relaxed our tired, aching legs in the sauna and jacuzzi.
One evening we went to 'The Edge' cinema to see a film about the Blue Mountains- very interesting and great to see aerial views of the Mountains on a HUGE screen.

During the week we treated ourselves to lattes and hot chocs in some of the many coffee shops in Katoomba. One place called 'The Paragon' was particularly good with Art Deco features and homemade chocolates.

We arrived back in busy Sydney today. One night here and then we're off to Canberra early tomorrow morning.

Love to everyone,

L & R x

Newcastle

Had a fantastic time in Newcastle.

It's our last night here tonight- so our last chance of free pub food! :-)
Arrived late last Saturday night. On Sunday we walked into town, around some small markets, enjoyed a coffee and hot choc and shared a calorie-free chocolate brownie. We then made our way to Newcastle Regional Art Gallery.
In the afternoon we went for a swim in the Ocean Baths- freezing but lovely. Free pub food in the evening.

On Monday we headed to the Hunter Valley on a wine tour. Weather gorgeous. The wineries we visited included- Mount Pleasant, McGuigan Wines, Brokenwood, Audrey Wilkinson, Rosemount (my favourite!) and Drayton's. We also stopped at the Hunter Valley Cheese Company and Olive Centre. It was great to taste some of the different wines and enjoy the cheeses. Had our picnic lunch at the Hunter Valley Gardens Village. A great day.
Free pub food and pool competition in the evening.

Today we went on a tour to Port Stephens. Walked a VERY steep 1k to the top of Tamoree Lookout- stunning views across Nelson Bay. Had a paddle in the sea afterwards to cool down.
After lunch, we headed to Anna Bay to do some 'sandboarding'. Absolutely awesome! Zipping down the sand on skateboards, the sand stinging your skin...really exhilarating. :-)
Just about to head down to the pub for our food and quiz night.

Off to Sydney tomorrow.......

L & R x

Port Macquarie

Hiya!
Hope everyone is well.
Had a great time in Port Macquarie last week.
On the Wednesday we walked into town and visited the Port Macquarie Historical Museum. A fab little museum displaying artefacts from convict times (1821).
In the afternoon we walked to the Koala Hospital- the only one of its kind in Australia. Got there for the 3 o'clock feeding and tour. Quite a moving place.

On Thursday we walked to and around Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve- only 3K (short for us!). Weather lovely so found the local outdoor swimming pool in the afternoon and between us swam over 2K. Met up with our friend Jules for a drink in the evening.

On Friday we got the bus to 'Tacking Point Lighthouse' and then walked the 8k coastline walk back to Town Beach. It was wonderful. Views were amazing- including a couple of people on the beach 'letting it all hang out'!

On our last day we did a fantastic 2 and a half hour canal cruise. It was brilliant to see some dolphins along the way. Stopped for Devonshire Tea and visited an oyster farm. Went back to outdoor pools for a swim in the afternoon.

Left on Saturday at about 5pm and arrived in Newcastle at about 10.30pm.......

L & R x

Coffs Harbour

Hi!
Arrived in Coffs Harbour last Friday afternoon. YHA very clean and quite modern. :-)
Once we had settled into our room we checked out the facilities and then went out for dinner.

It was still raining Saturday morning so, after a sesssion at the gym, (mad!) we got the bus into town. Had a wander and enjoyed a nice lunch.
There was a small break in the rain in the late afternoon so we made the most of it and walked to 'Mutton Bird Island'. This island is the habitat for thousands of Mutton Birds who nest here. After a bit of a climb we reached the top and were rewarded with great views overlooking the ocean.

On Sunday, we had planned to go whale watching, but again, the weather wasn't great. So, instead we did the 'Creek Walk' to the Botanical Gardens- about 9K altogether. :-) The Gardens were quite impressive- some of the best we've been to so far. We had our picnic lunch on the way back as the weather started to brighten up.

Yesterday, we hired a car with our friend 'Jules' and headed to a place called 'Dorrigo'. Our first destination was the World Heritage Rainforest Centre. The rain was beginning to stop so we did the 6.6k 'Wonga Walk' taking in some fantastic waterfalls along the way. Brilliant. Enjoyed a lovely lunch here at the Canopy Cafe before visiting the town of Dorrigo and the Dangar Falls.
Made the most of having 'Yolande the Yaris' (!) and drove to 'Ebor' to see some more waterfalls. Returned to the YHA early evening. A great day.

Weather has certainly brightened up today and the sun has come back out again- yippee! :-) Going to have a walk along the beach and then chill out by the pool before we get the Greyhound this afternoon to our next destination- Port Macquarie.......

L & R x

Byron Bay

G'day from a rainy Byron Bay.
Unfortunately the weather hasn't been good since we arrived here last Monday.
But that hasn't stopped us being busy...

On Tuesday we luckily got a 2 hour break in the rain to walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse. A difficult but rewarding walk as the views from the Lighthouse were awesome.

Wednesday was a very interesting day. We decided to go on a tour to a place inland called 'Nimbin'. Our tour company was called 'Jim's Alternative Tours' and it certainly was alternative! Our guide/driver was an ageing hippy who seemed to be stoned for most of the day.
Arrived in Nimbin- and how can I describe it?- a sort of parallel universe where most people were high on a variety of substances, hippy shops selling tie-die items of clothing and hemp and one nice cafe which Ruth and I found to enjoy lunch, a coffee and a hot chocolate. Didn't have any of the cake!
We then got back into our hippy bus and were taken to Jim's friends garden so that everyone could smoke what they had bought in Nimbin- excluding Ruth and I. We went to look at the flowers and trees instead!
Our final destination were the Minyon Waterfalls. Unfortunately there was not much water.
So, all in all, an interesting day. Ruth and I had a giggle.

Today the weather wasn't too bad so we hired a couple of bikes (for free) from the YHA and did a 2-hour bike ride to 'Broken Head National Park'. Had a swim in the pool this afternoon. Tonight we're off out with some of the girls to a bar/club called 'Cheeky Monkeys'.

Head to Coffs Harbour tomorrow morning....


L & R x

Busy Brisbane

Had a fantastic time in busy Brisbane!
We arrived last Thursday and found a day spa. So- being broke backpackers we booked ourselves a massage, a morning at the spa and 7 days free gym membership!
Friday morning- made the most of our 7 day gym pass and used the gym for an hour. We then had a wander into the city centre and into the main shopping area. On the way back we visited St. John's Cathedral.
We were extremely fortunate on Friday night. The Australian Ballet Company were performing for free (!!!) in Brisbane in the Botanical Gardens. Gates opened at 4pm so Ruth and I arrived at about 4.05pm with our picnic, tim tams and wine and settled down about 10 metres from the open air stage- right in the centre. You could say- we had the best seats in the house.
It was a brilliant evening. The ballet was superb. :-)

Sat morning- we were up early again to go to the gym (mad!). We then enjoyed a whole morning being pampered- full body massage, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, exfoliating body scrub, free fruit and tea......it was bliss! Just what we needed after nearly 3 months travelling with heavy backpacks.
In the afternoon we got the train to the Southbank and visited the Queensland Museum and Art Gallery- very cultured!

On Sunday (after the gym!) got the train and then the 'City Cat ferry' to Eagle Street markets. After stopping for a drink and a French crepe we used our passes to go as far as we possibly could on the Brisbane River. Lovely.

Arrived in Byron Bay this afternoon. Time change of one hour so we're now 11 hours ahead of the UK. YHA is nice. Close to beach, shops, cafes etc.
Will write again soon.

Love to everyone,

L & R x

Noosa Heads

Hello!
Hope everyone is well.
We had a very relaxing time in Noosa Heads. The YHA was lovely. Our room was very spacious. Visited Noosa National Park, chilled out on the beach and spent a morning at Eumundi markets- the largest in Australia.

Arrived in Brisbane this afternoon. Nice to be in a city- makes a change from beaches. Got several things planned including going to the City Botanical Gardens tomorrow evening to see a ballet, art galleries and museums.

Will up-date blog in a few days with some pix.

L & R x