Jul 2006

Ending up not doing a lot in coffs harbour, walked along the beach and to mutton bird island. Also went to the porpoise petting place, watched a dolphin and seal show, got to pet the dolphins afterwards. Also stroked some lizards and big python. Got to see some of the poisionous snakes as well (funnily enough we weren't allowed to pet them!!!)

Went off to byron bay on the monday. Byron is really nice. Stayed at Byron Bay YHA which was nice. The first full day in byron started off towards the light house and it rained so ended up playing cards with some German girls in the afternoon. On the Tuesday went up to nimbin and some of the places around it for the day. Nimbin can only be described as a permanant glastonbury, set up by hippies in the 70's, I think some of them think its still the 70's.

The last day in byron walked up to the light house, saw about 8 humpback whales from the most easterly point in Australia. Also saw loads of Dolphins surfing!!!! Walked up through some coastal rainforest and saw some bush turkeys and then walked back along the beach

Heading off to Brisbane next

Still no photos yet, I'm getting round to it. Slowly

From Sydney headed up to Newcastle on the 27th. The youth hostel in newcastle has free pub meals three nights a week, so had bangers and mash and then a pub quiz.

Went on a wine tasting tour of the Lower Hunter valley. Stopped at about 5-6 winerys and a cheese place and a chocolate place. Felt a bit tipsy by the end of the day. All you could eat pizza at the hostel for 6 dollars in the evening!!!

The next day went and visited BlackButt nature reserve, saw a lot of flying foxes and saw koalas. Tried to spot some whales from the beach in the afternoon. Free BBQ in the evening followed by another quiz.
The YHA in Newcastle is really good, if you ever go, big leather sofas, massive kitchen and lots of free food.

Next morning headed off to Port Macquarie. Went up to the Koala hospital, where they rescue Koalas from bush fires and road accidents. Koalas sleep more than I do, 18-20 hours a day.

Went whale watching today, saw loads of Humpback whales on the migration North to their breeding grounds.

Just arrived in Coffs Harbour today. Can't stay anymore than two nights though, as there is some sort of student games on and everywhere is booked out, was very lucky to get a place here. Staying somewhere that feels like an abandoned leisure centre.

Might go and investigate hostels in Byron bay, as its the school holidays in New South Wales and every could be busy. I think that I might try and learn to surf as well, it looks fun, if not that then maybe body boarding

No photos of oz yet I'm afraid. maybe soon, if I find a computer that has an accessible USB socket or in about a month when I burn another CD

Need to decide what to do tommorow, Middle of winter temperatures here at the moment have been about 22 degrees and very sunny!!!!! The australians have been complaining its cold!!!!!!