Australia part 2 - the amazing Fraser Island!!!

Fraser Island - brilliant!

I arrived at the hostel, locked my back pack to the bunkbed, headed to the bar, grabbed a beer and took in the briefing for the next three days entertainment - driving a 4 x 4 around Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. We were put into groups of 11 - I was blessed in having a fantastic group of people, Welsh, French, Chinese & English - and given a 3 hour safety lecture. The following morning we loaded up the truck, drove the short way to the coast and boarded the ferry.

First, a bit on this place - It is said that all the sand from the east coast of Australia ends up here at some point. Given that it measures 120km by 15km that’s a lot of sand! It’s a world heritage listed island, containing rainforests, over 200 freshwater lakes, marsh land, numerous species of birds, kangaroos, dingoes and (as you can imagine) some beautiful long stretches of coastline.

During the days we bounced around the island - so much so that i broke my toe early on - stopping to sunbathe (40 degrees every day - and it felt it, as there was no freshwater on the island - only our rations), swim in the stunning lakes and explore this truelly stunning place.

At night all of the travellers would meet, set camp - our vans in large circle...like Indians we were - cook, booze on goon (think of the worst wine you have ever tasted, and multiply that by a million or two) and dance under the lights of the vans and the amazing night skies.

Looking back Fraser was a real highlight of the entire trip - and the absolute stand out part of Australia.

After getting back to the mainland, clearing the truck of sand, goon and blood, and after a decent nights sleep I was back on th emove again - taking the greyhound back down to Brisbane, and from their flying on to Sydney.

Australia had been colourful, drunken and great fun but more than anything expensive - so after 5 weeks it was time to go...and with that I took flight to Bangkok and crazy old Thailand.

Australia part 1!!! Featuring the blue mountains, Sydney, Byron Bay and huge waves...

Sydney is certainly a good looking town. The beaches, the architecture, the people, the weather...it's a cool place. Creative. And the pace of life...they just get it.

I spent 2 weeks in Bondi - every day heading down to the beach, and doing not a great deal else. Although that's not strictly true - during my time in Sydney I caught up with old friends from London, and my travels. I also, went for an interview - that went nowhere - took the ferry around to Watsons Bay - where I ate at the famous fish and chips shop, sitting in the park, looking back at Sydney - cruised around the harbour at night on a party boat, visited the beautiful blue mountains, and had surfing lessons.

It was time to get out - Sydney is great, but man alive its expensive. So I booked a trip up the east coast and a day later I found myself on the greyhound coach heading up to Byron Bay. Straight away, as you get out of Sydney, and start moving...properly moving, because Australia is the size of Europe...you notice that Australia is handsome. Really handsome - I had imagined that it would be all dusty outhouses, and thousands upon thousands of miles of red uninhabited highways. But it wasn't - it's green, and lush. Infact, it looks alot like the English countryside on a summers day.

We pulled into Byron Bay, passing a parade of tourist shops selling traveller nic nacs...and pulled into...a hippie commune. Part of the beauty of booking a trip upfront is that you have no idea where you'll be staying - on this occassion I spent four evenings sitting a round a camp fire, and four nights sleeping in a wig-wam.

Having caught up on a lot of reading, I boarded the coach again, and headed to Fraser Island, a further 18 hours up the coast, and four of the best days of the whole trip....