Australia

5:30am wake up alarm to go join the tour. The Boshier’s had ordered taxis the night before. We said hi for the first time before getting the taxis to the local bus station. A few minutes later we’re met by the tour bus towing a trailer, and we throw our luggage into the back and find a seat. There are 7 others, some locals, some travellers. We head out of town to pick up one more passenger before driving for 1 hour for some coffee. There are loads of caravan and camping stores around here, and we see quite a few 4x4’s with camping trailers going past. ...

It’s Christmas! We wake up early since we’re still not fully over the jet lag, there are no presents to unwrap because our trip is our present! We can’t decide what to do for breakfast, and there aren’t many options since it’s Christmas Day, so we go to the hotel restaurant. After breakfast, I take the kids for a walk to the Botanical Gardens while Diana washes her hair and gets ready for Christmas lunch. ...

Moreton Island today. We head to the bus station which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, arriving early. Since we haven’t had breakfast we search for a cafe but there’s nothing open before 7am nearby. We buy some snacks from the vending machine, which the kids are ecstatic about, I’m less so, then register for the tour. The coach takes us to the ferry port which is a 30-minute drive. There’s quite a few others onboard, all on some variation of the tour. We disembark when we arrive at the terminal and walk on as foot passengers finding a place to sit in the cafe deck. ...

Koala day today. After breakfast, we head to the river and board the cruise boat which will take us to the Koala sanctuary. We get some good seats on the top deck and cruise down river listening to the commentary. It takes about 1.5 hrs to get to Koala sanctuary, and we’ve heard about some interesting history of Brisbane and seen some amazing waterfront properties. We hadn’t pre-booked holding a Koala since we didn’t realise that was an option. We’re all a little disappointed when we board and find out there is no longer any availability. ...

Last night we arrived into Brisbane after switching planes in Singapore and then went to the hotel and to bed. Today we explore Brisbane! Alex and I take a walk and find coffee and bagels which we take back to the hotel and then eat with the girls. Afterwards we hunt down a Target, which Bella wants to experience and buy water bottles and umbrellas. Target doesn’t quite live up to expectations, but it has what we need! ...

It’s been 13 years since we’ve been to Australia for the Boshier’s wedding, and it felt like a great time to go back and explore some parts we haven’t been to before. The Boshier’s are also keen to catch up and join us on the camping trip too. The plan is to fly to Brisbane and explore the area for a few days before flying down to Adelaide for the camping trip in the Flinders Ranges before flying back to Sydney and then home. ...

After arriving back in Sydney it was time for a nights sleep and to get back out there. Morning flight up to Cairns to do the Great Barrier Reef and the Rain Forest. Caught a shuttle bus into Cairns from the airport and got out on the Plannage. Walked straight into a nice looking seafood restaurant and enjoyed a delicious red claw lobster salad while I figured out where I wanted to go. ...

Final score: 9 days, 3268 km’s, 2 x Speeding fines, 1 x Dropped bike, 1 x Deep sand incident, some really really really amazing riding and some pretty boring freeway Day 6 Wake up about 5ish on account of the heat and light in the tent and get up for a swim. Seaweed seems to have overtaken the beach overnight and so don’t really fancy it in the end and settle for a shower. Pack up the bike and walk into town to get a large hangover relieving breakfast. Take the back roads south heading for Brisbane. Take a tourist drive which sounds nice and turns out the be the one I went on before which was a waste of time. Doh! Get back on the freeway and head towards Byron Bay. Pretty boring freeway riding but just want to get back to Byron for the night. ...

Fraser Island is just north of Brisbane. Completely made from sand which has drifted along the mainland shores. Picked up by a double decker bus, which seemed like a bad sign since I’d imagined a small 4WD mini-bus. Get the ferry and leave the bus behind and ride on the deck. Nice view and some breakfast for the 30 min journey over to the island. Arrive at the island and board a massive 4WD truck/bus for about 30 people. Better than I was expecting. Tour guide is a real character and has some great stories to tell. ...

So. After 3.5 days, 1700 km’s, 1 x $350 speeding fine, 1 x dropped bike, stuck in sand, some really really amazing riding and some pretty boring freeway (hence the fine), I’m finally at the most northern point of my trip. Hervey Bay right next to Fraser Island. Day 1 Set out from Sydney pretty late in the day on Monday and headed over the harbour bridge and up the Pacific Highway. Take in a nice ride through a national park just north of the city on the old pacific highway. Decide to get some distance done and get back to the free way. Heading for Seal Rocks, recommended by Craig’s friend Suze. ...