Australia - Sydney

Next and final stop in Australia….Sydney! We spent two nights in Sydney and had two days for a fleeting sightseeing tour. The first day we walked into town through the botanical gardens to the Opera House and the Harbour Brigde. Then we went to the Sydney Aquarium which was great. The next day we went to Bondi Beach where Mike did some surfing and we then queued up to see Prince Charles. He was meant to be coming to watch a rugby match at the beach as part of his tour of Australia. We had got a great spot where we had been told he was going to walk past. We had gone their specially because I wanted a picture of Prince Charles for my dad’s birthday card. Unfortunately just as he arrived the heavens opened and there was torrential rain that completely soaked us all through. Everyone ran up to the club and Prince Charles went straight inside so there was no picture for my card! The rain cleared though and the match went ahead and although we had completely lost our spot in the end I still managed to get my photo and shake his hand when he was going back to his car. His hands were very soft.

Surfing at Bondi

Harassing prince charles

Debating tactics for the next shot in our
professional outfits

The next day we headed to Dapto, a couple of hours south of Sydney, to stay with my family friend Robyn. Robyn used to live with my family when I was about 4 years old and moved back to Australia about 10 years ago. It was so good to see her and we had such a great time staying with her. One evening we had a yummy ‘Aussie barbie’ with some of her family. We also went to the Blue Mountains to see the ‘Three Sisters’ and walk from the ‘Sisters’ to the scenic railway. Robyn is a keen golfer and after a few lessons in her lounge, upgrading to the garden and then the driving range we eventually felt confident to take on a golf course! Robyn’s brother Chum generously leant Mike his clubs and his golf shoes…and his clothes whilst I borrowed all of the above from Robyn. We only managed 9 holes but we loved it! We even went back the next day for a second game. 

We also spent one day at a water park which was brilliant! Mike and I were running around the park like excited school kids – running between rides and as soon as one ride had finished we ran back to the top to go on it again. We had thought that we would probably be slowing down the pace at Robyns but she had a jam packed schedule for us. It was brilliant and 6 days whipped past and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye! L Goodbye Robyn and goodbye Australia because we were off to New Zealand!!

Incredible Lyrebird in the forests around
Dapto putting on a display

Blue mountains

Jellyfish at Sydney aqaurium

At Sydney aqaurium

Bizarre!

Bearded dragon

Robyn making tea

Bondi beach

Australia - Melbourne & Victoria

Some of the Jaques cows

We were met at the airport in Melbourne by Mikes’ sisters’ boyfriends’ parents, Belinda and Simon. With neither party knowing what the other looked like we were slightly anxious that we wouldn’t know who they were but as soon as we came through to the baggage area we saw the sign “MIKE HARROP (&KATY)”. Straight away we felt at ease with Simon and Belinda, who were beyond generous and kind to us during our stay in Melbourne. We spent our first night with them at their farm house in the countryside of Melbourne. Our first impressions of Melbourne consequently was how green and lush it was, and how lovely the countryside was. The first evening we had crackers and dip followed by huge Australian steaks that Simon cooked up with home-made chips and salad. It was amazingly delicious and we absolutely loved it! It was the first proper steak we’d had since being away and served with a really nice red wine it was the perfect introduction to not only Melbourne but also the Jaques family (having not yet met Linda’s boyfriend, Mike).

On top of Hanging Rock

The next day we went up to the famous ‘Hanging Rock’ (from the film ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’) with Belinda. We spent the walk unsuccessfully looking for koalas but the afternoon didn’t pass by without a wildlife sighting. The ranger showed us some baby owls that were living in one of the trees (and the dead possum he had left for them at the foot of the tree!) Later that afternoon we drove into Melbourne. Belinda and Simon’s eldest son Adam and his wife live in central Melbourne and had very kindly said that we could stay in their spare room. With a great place to base ourselves we headed into the city to meet up with two of my friends that had moved out to Australia the previous year.

The local Kangaroos

The next morning with good weather forecast we headed down to the great ocean road. The Jaques had very generously said that we could borrow Mike J’s car, as he was in England with Linda. So we headed off early to get the best of the good weather.

Just as we were setting off Simon appeared with a picnic hamper for us with steak, potatoes, salad and a bar of Cadburys milk chocolate – saying that we could use the bbq at their beach house to cook the steaks! Amazing!

The great ocean road was a really nice drive and our first stop was Lorne where we enjoyed fish and chips on the beach for lunch. After a nice swim and a spot of sunbathing we headed off along the coast in search of Koalas. We had been told there were some resident koalas at Kennet River where the numerous eucalyptus trees attract them in large numbers. We didn’t need to search for long before we were watching two very docile wild koalas in the trees above. The eucalyptus leaves which are the staple diet of koalas act as a bit of a drug producing a similar affect to cannabis…so I’ve been told! So once you’ve found the koalas you can watch them for as long as you please.

The Great Ocean Road

The Koalas taking it easy in Kennett River

Another highlight for mike was feeding the numerous parrots and rosellas that flocked to him when he produced some almonds. After lots of photos and when there were no almonds remaining we started back along the ocean road towards ocean grove, the home of the Jaques beach house that they very kindly said we could borrow. Mike got the bbq started whilst I prepared the food and once again we enjoyed a yummy steak dinner.

The following 10 days in Melbourne were spent exploring the city and catching up with friends. Mike’s sister Linda, who lived in Melbourne for over 2 years, had given us a very lengthy list of places to visit and more importantly places to eat. We ate at two different very nice breakfast places, had coffees in some very cool cafes and cocktails in some very funky bars. We also went out for some very nice lunches and dinners with the Jaques, one of which was at a restaurant where both Mike J and Linda had worked. So despite narrowly missing Linda, who moved back to the UK in July, we were able to visit some of her favourite haunts.

Crazy cocktails at the croft Institute

Cookies Rooftop bar

Enjoying the cocktails

Another highlight of Melbourne was going to the Melbourne Cup Races! Three of my girlfriends and Mike and I got all dressed up in black and white as is traditional on Cup day. Mike managed to get his full outfit (minus trousers) from the salvos or Salvation Army store for those of you unfamiliar with that abbreviation. I was able to borrow clothes from a friend and only resorted to the Salvos for my headwear! All in all thought it was a great day at the races and despite none of us winning any money on the small bets we placed we had a lot of fun and it was fun to be part of a pretty big day in the Melbourne Calendar.

The 'Salvos' suit doing me proud

\

We also went back to the Jaques family home in the country for a night where we were once again spoiled with a yummy dinner and Mike was able to try his hand at shooting. Unfortunately as it started to rain all the rabbits disappeared so he didn’t get to aim at anything other than a tin can – but he still had a great time stalking around the garden looking for unsuspecting prey with his…ladies shotgun(!) I don’t think Simon thought Mike was quite ready to take on a man’s shotgun just yet!

Getting to grips on the ladies shotgun

Learning the ropes

We both loved Melbourne, the Jaques were so welcoming and made us feel so at home with their generosity  - it was great getting to know them and catch up with friends. All in all a great 10 days and on to Sydney! 

Dinner with the Jaques

Fitzroy Gardens

Outside the croft institute

St Kilda

Surfers on bells beach

The Breakfasts in Melbourne were superb

Australia - Back to Darwin & Litchfield

Heading North on the Stuart highway once stopping at Tennant Creek for the night and then continuing on to Mataranka was a brief stopover, the main attraction being the bitter hot springs. A short walk from our campsite was a lovely natural hot spring. The surrounding forest was home to thousands and thousands of fruit bats and there was a sprinkler system in place to disturb the bats so you had to run between the campsite and the pool to avoid being soaked by the freezing cold overhead sprinklers. It was fun though and we were glad to be in our camper that night and not a tent when a huge thunderstorm hit!

Crystal clear bitter springs

We had been warned about forest fires in the northern territory but we hadn’t really expected to experience one first hand. We did the next day however on our drive to Katherine Gorge. We could see some bellowing black smoke on the horizon but it wasn’t until we got closer that we realised it was enveloping the stretch of road that we were speedily approaching. There were huge red flames either side of the road and lots of black smoke. The birds were going crazy above the scene and the flames were spreading quickly. Luckily there wasn’t any fire on the road itself and we were able to cautiously pass safely but we could really feel the heat in the van and it was quite a scary experience.

We arrived at Katherine Gorge safely however and stayed in a caravan park with a lovely big swimming pool. As it was a really sunny day we spent most of it messing around in the pool, seeing who could do the most backward somersaults in one breath and who could swim the furthest under water (I won the somersaults, Mike won the latter). We then decided to go down to the river to swim. Unfortunately there was no one else swimming and although there was a ‘crocodile management’ sign and it was deemed a safe swimming area, the water was murky and we were both too scared to swim! I literally dunked myself in whilst still holding onto the ladder and was laughing at how chicken I was when I turned around to see Mike doing exactly the same thing, springing out of the water to the safety of the jetty. In our defense the river did look very similar to the one we did the croc jumping tour on.

Katherine gorge

Early next morning we set off on a walk to Butterfly Gorge. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed walking through the forest and down a little creek towards the gorge. I enjoyed the walk until I was meandering along in front and I nearly trod on a snake! It darted out from underneath where my foot was about to land and I yelped. Mike was of course furious that he hadn’t seen the snake and then insisted on walking in front in case there was another one…fine by me! There was another one…if fact there were another two! The second one startled Mike who in turn startled it and it slithered away just as fast as the first but the third was not bothered by us at all and just sat really still on a branch over the path.  So we managed to have a good look at it…luckily Mike didn’t think it was deadly but I was still slightly nervous continuing along the path. Eventually we came out of the forest and down to the Gorge…it was really beautiful and this time crystal clear. We enjoyed a very brief swim…brave enough to enter the water but not brave enough to stay there. We were glad to be out of the water when we squinted across to a sign on the opposite beach that we eventually worked out said ‘Keep Clear. Crocodile breeding area’. When we got back to the Camper there was only time for one last cheeky dip in the pool before we were heading on to Litchfield National Park.

Litchfield National Park is famous for its natural swimming spots and on our first day we visited about 4 different waterfalls and pools which we swam in. The water was always crystal clear and at one particular place you could climb between the pools which were on a slope, with the water from each flowing into the pool below. We also went to another huge pool where you could swim out to mini waterfalls. There was a circular walk with a panoramic view of the falls and surrounding valley that we did before once again cooling off in the pool. We made our staple dinner of pasta and pesto beside the lake and then headed to one of the campsites for the night.

Throughout the northern territory we saw a lot of termite mounds, some huge ones that had had hats put on them and faces drawn on. In Litchfield there is one place where the termite mounds are particularly large and so marked on the map…we of course stopped off for a peek and a few photos. The next day we decided to head off early back to Darwin but before doing so thought we’d get an extra walk in, up to one last view and pool. We set off early in shorts and t-shirts (and walking boots!). The first part of the walk was through forest and then the path emerged above the trees and continued upwards. As soon as we came out of the trees we noticed a couple of horse flies giving us really nasty bites and it wasn’t long before we realised that they were everywhere and we couldn’t hit them fast enough. We started to run up the hill and the horse flies kept coming – it was like something out of a horror film. I ran in front and mike just continually swatted at the biting flies on my back from behind. The bites were so painful and we couldn’t run fast enough! As soon as we got to the top, we stripped off and leapt straight into the pool to escape the biting beasts. The water was freezing but it was sweet respite from the flies. They didn’t seem to like the shade around the pool so from the safety of the pool we inspected the surrounding area. Not seeing any flies we climbed out of the water only to find that within seconds they were on us again. We started the crazy sprint back down to the shelter of the forest, madly swatting as we went…it was horrendous! We completed the 2 hour walk in 40 minutes and were very sore (and out of breath) by the time we got back to the campervan.

We drove on to Darwin and were glad to say goodbye to the horse flies. We had the afternoon to play with and after walking round Darwin for a little bit we had a second lunch of local Barramundi and chips. For pudding we stopped off by one of the mango trees on the public highway and picked some yummy ripe mangoes. We’d been given the tip by one of the people we’d met at the Margaret River wine tour who had fond memories of climbing on the roof of her parents’ car as a child, picking mangoes.

The next morning we dropped off our little camper having driven over 4000km in just over 2 weeks. Although sad to be leaving the northern territory I was ready to leave the humidity and rains that were beginning to set in.  Next stop the very much cooler (in fact cold) Melbourne! 

We finally got the fly nets!

Darwin - storm brewing