Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne

As the weather was quite nice on Tuesday, we decided to walk the 3km walk from the hostel to the Cape Byron Lighthouse and the most easterly point of Australia. It took in excess of an hour getting there as we got a tad lost. The views there were something, with the sights of the nearby beaches, local park and the old lighthouse master house. Lucky the journey back into Byron didn't take half as long. We enjoyed out last few hours in Byron, by going swimming, and watching a movie; Jeff lives at home before packing our stuff to catch the midnight bus to Sydney. The bus journey from Byron to Sydney took in excess of 12 hours.

We finally around into Central Station after 12.30pm. We arrived at our hotel, which we got half price on line, well done Niamh. The Y hotel was about 15 mins walk from Central Station. We rested for roughly about an hour, before heading out on the big wide city that is Sydney lol. We walked to Central Station and got the free bus 555 towards Circular Quay. From the Quay, we walked along the towards  the Opera House and had a look around. As the weather was so hot and nice, we walked through the Botanic Gardens. Whilst in the Gardens, we walked to the famous Mrs. Macquarie Point and  Mrs. Macquarie Chair. The views from this point have been some of the best, we actually seen in Sydney.
After a quick bite to eat, we strolled through the CBD to the Darling Harbour, as we were going to Madame Tussauds. Madame Tussuads wax museum,  was such a fun, random and enjoyable experience.

 
After our fun time in the wax museum, we walked the short 10 mins distance to the Westfields building, for the Sky Tower Eye. The ticket included a short 4 D movie promoting aerial views of Sydney. After the movie, we went through metal detector, which we both thought was usual for such an experience. Then got the lift up to the observation deck of the tower. We arrived on the deck such before the sun was setting, and  the views of the city and suburbs were unbelievable and only got better as twilight approached. Before walking the 30 mins back to the hotel, we stopped off in Woolworths for some essential items.

The following morning, we got up early as breakfast as included in the price of the room. Then we walked to Central station, where we got the Multi Day ticket for 22 dollars and the train to Circular Quay. Once there, we went to Wharf 6 and got the ferry to Manly Beach. We spent our Morning and early afternoon, where we strolled the length of the surrounding 3 beaches along the beach front, which was relaxing. From Manly beach, we strolled towards Shelly beach passing Cabbage Tree Bay, which has its own unique marine life. The weather was in the high 30's when we were there. As recommended on Tripadvisor, Niamh got Fish and Chips and had them by the wharf near the walk of the Olympians. After lunch, we walked along little Manly beach which is the home of the Olympians.

  We got the ferry back into Circular Quay, then got the train from here to King Cross Station. We walked around here for a while, of course seeing the famous, Coca Cola sign, the El Alamein War memorial and then walking into Oxford street. On Oxford st, we went into the famous Stonewall Bar, for a quick drink. You can sense the building is full of history.

                            

Friday Morning, after a quick breakfast, we made our way to Central Station, which wasn't fun in 42 degrees at 10 am in the morning. We organised ourselves and caught the 12.30 pm bus to Canberra. We arrived into Canberra just before 5 and made our way to YHA hostel, which was quite central. We decided to discover the local area. We had been warned by someone that you could probably see Canberra in  an hour, we of course thought they were only messing. How wrong were we, in just under 75 mins we saw what Canberra had to offer, Capital Hill, International Flag Display, Captain Cook Memorial and National Buildings. As there wasn't much to do that night, we decided to spend some more time doing ancestry research.

Saturday morning, we made our way towards the Bus transit centre, and caught the 2pm bus towards to Melbourne. We both weren't sorry to see the back of Canberra. The bus journey took just over 8 and half hours, passing through Wagga Wagga, which of course was made famous by Dame Edna Everage.
When we arrived into Melbourne, we got a taxi to Niamh's Friends house in Windsor near St.Kilda. Some how, I found my self been dragged out for a while in Richmond, ended up not being a bad night.
Sunday, we spent recovering before going down to Fitzroy beach for lunch with the girls in the house. After some so so food but amazing wedges, we walked along the pier, where we got to see some kite surfing and a cute penguin. 

Surfers Paradise & Byron Bay

We managed to get a lift to the Roma Street Coach Station, for our 11.30 journey to Surfers Paradise. The Journey took roughly about 75 mins. We then waited for the free YHA shuttle bus to our hostel in Marinars cove on Seaworld Drive. After we got checked in and settled, we caught the bus to Seaworld for the afternoon, as we has our VIP passes. In the park, I went on the 2 rollercoasters, the Sea Viper and Jet Rescue and We both went on the Viking log flume ride. Once the park had closed, we got the monorail from where we were back towards the main entrance. We left the park and got the 750 bus into Surfers Paradise for some evening wanderings. We had dinner near the esplanade and from here we walked along the beach front. We got the bus and decided to chill and relax as we were up early the next morning.

Wednesday morning we were up early and at Seaworld about 9, which was hilarious as the queue for the VIP passes was down into the car park. However once we finally got in, we had such a relaxing, sunny and fun day. We got unlimited free refill drinks for 10 dollars, and we made sure to make use of it through out the day. During the day we got to see Spongebob Square Parade, Jet Ski Extreme Stunts, and meet Spongebob and Patrick. Throughout the day we got to see various animals and shows such as the Buddy and Clawde Sea lion fish detective show, Dolphin Imagine show and Seaworld is the only place in Australia to see Polar bears and 3 species of penguins. It was unusual to see Spongebob in 3D, and it was funny. A new feature of the park was the Dinosaur Island and discovery centre. We didn't manage to get everything done as there so much to see.

Thursday Morning, we decided to go Wet n Wild water park, the VIP pass queue was low here compared to the one at Seaworld. The water park was very busy, and queues for most rides were unbelievably long. For certain rides, the queues were in excess of over an hour plus. Some of the class rides include Aqua loop, Black hole and Tornado. One of the long queue rides was for the Constrictor, we waiting in excess over 90 mins for the ride, lucky enough the ride actually was worth it, unlike waiting 70 mins to go on the River Rapids. Lucky as the park was open until 6, we got to get on most of the water rides. We got a bus to Helensvale Station and got the connecting 715 back to the hostel.

Friday Morning we went on Island adventure Tall Ship cruises, to South Stradbroke Island - Mclarens landing. This was quite a peaceful, chilled out afternoon with live entertainment provided. As we decided to spend 2 extra nights in Surfers, we had to change room on Saturday morning. So while we were waiting for the room, we decided to do Paradise jet boating. Jet boating involved 360 degree spins and we all got quite soaked, was hilarious yet fun. Once we got back to the hostel, we got our new room and showered before getting the free shuttle into surfers where I meet 2 mates from home.
We managed to get a small lie in on Sunday before, deciding to head to Seaworld to spend a few hours to do the stuff we had missed out on before. When we arrived after ten, there was no VIP queue this time. During our time here this time, we went on the skyrail, saw 2 polar bears - orphaned twin brothers playfully fighting in the water, Niamh got her photo with Mrs Puff, and went to Seaworld's new area, Castaway, where we had fun with the Battle Boats, some how I yet again got totally soaked. After relaxing for a while and dinner back in the hostel, we went into surfers paradise and skypoint. The views up in Q1 area of Sky point, are breath taking both times we have been here. We decided to take the long walk back to the bus stop, by strolling along the Esplanade and through the beach front markets. We spent Sunday night watching Sherlock Holmes in the hostel, with free popcorn provided by the hostel.

Monday morning was an early rise, to pack and check out from the hostel and catch the shuttle to the transit centre. Once at the transit centre, we booked the next bus 11.15, for Byron bay. Although the journey itself only takes in theory about 75 mins, as we pass from Queensland into New South Wales, we lose an hour. However as went entered the areas near Byron, we were meet with traffic due to the Downpour so we didn't arrive into our stop until gone 2pm. Lucky for us our hostel was only 2 mins walk from grey hound and woolworths. The afternoon has been spent relaxing as the weather been quite wet and is a day for been indoors.
   

New Year 2013

After some morning relaxation and a few pre-drinks on NYE, we got ready to make the trek towards South Bank for the New Years Celebrations. Once off the bus, we made our way towards one of the many entrances, were all bags were checked on entry. We had dinner at a quaint little Italian. The city had arranged live music through out the day and evening at various spots in South Bank. After a slight mishap with flying a medical helicopter, the 8.30pm show finally got under away at 8.40pm. The Fireworks during this show was nothing compared to what the countdown and show was at midnight. The atmosphere was electric along the river bank with in excess of 65,000 people gathered for the celebrations. When the countdown to midnight and 2013 began, everyone got into the spirit by shouting and cheering together, and suddenly getting to their feet. The show at midnight included a light show which involved the use of surrounding office blocks across the river, an unreal fireworks display which made the previous show seem like just a warm up act and was fantastic.

 Translink, the transport body in South Queensland provided free transport between 9pm till 5.30am including buses, trains and ferries. It was a fun and enjoyable night.

Over our routine coffee on Wednesday in Gloria Jeans, we started discussing and arranged plans for the next few weeks including booking the hostel for our next port of call, Surfers Paradise. It was an earlish start the following morning, to make our way into Culture Quarter to catch the River Cruise Ship, Miramar II, which departed and made it way towards Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at about 10 am. On route we got a running commentary about historical events and buildings that we passed. We decided to only get a one way cruise ticket, so we could spent more time in the sanctuary.
We arrived at about 11.15, we got a map and schedule and made our way towards our first animal talk of the day, at the main enclosure: Wild Enclosure, Fur & Feathers. From here we went and purchased the photo ticket required for the Koala Hug. It was a surreal feeling holding the female koala.

As we had a few mins to spare before the Birds of Preys show, we checked out some of the adorable koalas, and birds. During the Birds of Preys show, the birds came at times scarily close as they flew over your head.

After this show, we made the sort journey to the Sheep Dog and and Sheep Shearing show. As we watched the Sheep Dog maneuver the sheep, we both immediately thought of the film, Babe. Watching Dan shear the ewe, was an unusual experience, and even more so as you got to touch and feel the sheared sheep after the show. On the way towards the Main Enclosure to see the Snake talk, we got to see various barn animals and reptiles  such as Perentie which is Australian Monitor Lizard, next to this exhibit is the Tails and Scales reptile house. This reptile house has on exhibit, various species of snakes, komodo dragon and turtle nursery. At the Snake talk we got to see the python, that wasn't in the reptile house.

As we had free time till the next talk, we decided to go explore more of the sanctuary, along the way we got to see, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, Wombats, Dingos and various species of Birds. Some of the prettiest birds included princess parrot, lorikeet, and kookaburra. During the platypus feeding, we learnt, that this one was a male, and was one of the first successfully bred in captivity in Victoria. The male platypus has a large spur located on his hind legs connected to venom gland and that platypus lives mainly along the east coast near Tasmania. From here, we went the short distance to the Tasmanian devil exhibit for our last presentation of the day. During the presentation we got to see the devils been feed, which was unique as these carnivorous marsupials devour everything including the bone. When they bite down on the bone, you actually hear a bone crushing noise.

On the way out, we went to the cafe, to collect our koala photo and then made our way towards the bus. It was an unique experience and well worth the visit, resulting in a fun filled day.  

We decided to spend our last Sunday in Brisbane by going to various different Theme Parks, so we got the 9.04 am Gold Coast train from South Bank To Coomera, where we got the connecting bus to Dreamworld. It was my goal to get on the remaining thrill rides I had so far missed and Niamh's to finally get to meet Po in land of awesomeness. As we had World Pass we were able to skip the queue and go straight in. First ride we got on was the Thunder River Rapid Ride, where poor Niamh got soaked. From here I braved the fears and went on Buzzsaw followed by the Giant Drop, both were scary and nerve-wrecking but yet exciting. We  finally got to meet Po at about 11.30 in the courtyard, third time lucky. We went into the tiger lair and was able to see 2 tigers above our heads, was an unique sight.

After a while, we entered White Water World through the World Pass area, We got comfy and I finally got to go on the Wedgie Ride, which was different but awesome. I didn't get to go on a few of the previous rides I had been on and we had fun also in the Cave of waves,before deciding to get dressed and catch a bus to Movie World to go on some rides and finally get to see the All Star Movie World Street Parade, as it wasn't on the last time we were there, due to White Christmas. We both got to go on our favourite rides too before we got to leave. Scooby Doo Disco Pop Video was on 2.40 pm which was like a live action mini detective episode, was unusual but neat. About 3.30pm, the Parade began led by Bugs Bunny himself which was full of Looney Tunes Characters and Action Figures, and had elements of dancing and meeting the public which was all fun and energetic.

After the Parade, we managed to get on the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster before the crowds filled up again. Lucky for both of us, we managed to get onto Justice League 3D ride and for me the Superman Escape before closing time at 5. I just got into the queue at 4.55 before the ride closed. All in all, was a tired but fun filled day.
Monday, we managed to book our greyhound bus tickets and get the packing underway .