Sunday 23rd March 2008 - Kakadu National Park

We decided whilst in Darwin to visit the kakadu National Park. Australia had recently experienced a lot of rainfall so some areas of the park were unfortunately closed due to flooding. However we did get to see some awesome waterfalls, landscape and see some aboriginal art on rocks around the park. We also decided to go on a crocodile cruise, which began with the boat companies snakes being bought out for people to hold and have their photo taken! Everyone laughed as I stood around 100 meters away cringing! On the way back to Darwin we stopped off at a shop run by Aborigines selling art and didgeridoo's etc... This was nice to see as so many of the shops selling the art not owned by Aborigines!

Thursday 20th March 2008 - The Ghan

Because we had travelled by bus from Adelaide to Alice Springs, we had to travel on the famous Ghan train from Alice Springs to Darwin. The train ride took 24.5hrs and stopped off for around four hours at a place called Katherine. This gave us a much needed break from the train and an opportunity to walk round the town of Katherine. What a strange place, the town was very small with speakers all around blasting the local radio station out! Very few people were around as it was a Bank Holiday in Australia. The train itself was actually surprisingly good, the seats were spacious with every two carriages sharing a lounge and dining carriage.

Monday 17th March 2008 - Ayers Rock

Wasting no time we headed from Alice Springs straight to Ayers Rock. We stayed in the area for a couple of days so we could watch the sunset, sunrise and walk around the rock. Unfortunately we couldn't climb the rock because the temperature was above 36 degrees! Not that I wanted to as you know I'm scared of heights, but Steve did. Apparently the Rock and surrounding area is still a very sacred site to the Aborigines and there was areas around the rock you could not photograph. They also do not like people climbing the rock, especially as so many tourist have fallen to their death. However, the rock was awesome, especially watching the sunset whilst drinking champagne!

Saturday 15th March 2008 - Adelaide to Alice Springs

Instead of flying we decided to book ourselves on a two day tour travelling from Adelaide to Alice Springs. The company we chose was called Groovy Grape and so was our bus driver / tour guide. We had a 21 seater mini bus with a trailer on the back to carry every ones luggage. The bus was full and off we went heading towards the Stuart Highway which takes you all the way to Alice Springs. We travelled in the mini bus for around 12 hours the first day and stopped overnight at Coober Perdy, home to 80% of the world's opal production and a landscape that looked more like Mars. The locals live underground and so did we that night! The following day we had a quick tour around and underground mine and then back on the Stuart Highway for Alice Springs.

Now normally travelling in a packed mini bus, temperature outside around 40 degrees, air con off most of the time you getting the picture yet... hot and sweaty! But boy it was the most amazing two days. The bus driver / tour guide was called Clancy and we became the Clancy family for two days, check out our family portrait (Clancy is the one in the blue vest lying down at the front) and he was amazing fun. We had games, sing songs and water fights on the bus. It was an absolute scream and we all got on so well, we met up for dinner our first night in Alice Springs!

Monday 10th March 2008 - Kangaroo Island

After a few days of rest and exploring Adelaide we started our three days, two nights trip to Kangaroo Island. We were picked up from our accommodation along with around 14 others and we began our trip to the Harbour. At the Harbour we were split into two groups and went in a tin boat across to the Island! On the Island we headed to our camp site which was an experience. We ate Kangaroo Fajitas for dinner, well I chose the vegetarian option and whined about poor Skippy all night. Then we bedded down on our swags. Yes we were camping! A swag is a sleeping bag cover that acts as your tent.

Next morning we were up bright and early on off to explore the Island. We visited Flinders national Park, Remarkable Rocks, and did some sand boarding. Now that was great fun watching Steve try to sand board standing, didn't look like the sand tasted too good! I wasn't much good either!

The following day we went on a guided walk with the sea lions at Seal Bay, Koala Bear and Kangaroo watching, swimming in the ocean and our drive including ferry across the water and back to Adelaide.

Thursday 6th March 2008 - Leaving Melbourne

Today we finally had a rest day to chill out, get some washing done and pack our stuff up. We were booked on the Firefly over night bus service from Melbourne to Adelaide. As most of you know I am not a great fan of cities and can't say I'm all that upset about leaving Melbourne.

Wednesday 5th March 2008 - Grampians

Grampians is one of the world's oldest and most spectacular mountain ranges, rich in Aboriginal history, and with an abundance of wildlife. So we decided today we would drive straight into the heart of the Grampians National Park and took a walk through the wonderland ranges. We then drove to the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, full of the history and culture of the local aboriginal communities. No rest for the wicked, off for a hike to the remarkable Jaws of Death/ Balconies and Reeds Lookout. Then we hiked to the base of Australia's most inspiring waterfall - Mackenzie Falls for a quick dip to cool off before making our way back to the city.

Tuesday 4th March 2008 - Phillip Island

Yes we headed out of Melbourne for another day trip to Phillip Island. On the was we stopped at a local wildlife park to meet some furry and cute animals. We stroked a baby Wombat, hand feed Kangaroos and got very close to some Koala's. We then headed over the bridge and onto Phillip Island. Once on the Island we headed to Woolamai beach to see the giant surf, visited the Marine Centre and strolled along the boardwalk to view the majestic rocky coast and home to a colony of fur seals. We they chilled on the beach eating pizza waiting for the sun to go down so we could go watch the Penquin Parade! The island has the worlds smallest pen quins and they emerge every night from the sea and waddle ashore. Around 300 Pen quins surfed to shore over about 45minutes. They would wait for a group of around 10 and slowly waddle across the sand. We were not allowed to use our cameras as we would have scared the Penquins.

Monday 3rd March 2008 - Great Ocean Road

Went on a day trip along the great Ocean Road. We got to see the lighthouse from the TV series 'Round the Twist' the 12 Apostles, London Bridge and Southern Australia's famous Belles Beach. The weather was fantastic all day and our tour guide and group we great fun to be with.