SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE, AND THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Hello again!

Nine days ago we picked up our campervan from Jucy rentals in Botany Bay, ready to start our adventure. Now i could spend forever talking about everything i did and the places i've been too, so i'll try not too go on for too long. I will add photos of all the places we stopped, but i'll make each place a separate post and include more photos.

First of all, after getting some supplies from a supermarket, we headed into the Royal National Park. Our first view of the roadtrip was honestly quite breath taking.

We stopped a couple of other times throughout the park before joining onto The Grand Pacific Drive, which took us across Sea Cliff Bridge. Before finally heading to our first planned stop, Kiama Blowhole, very behind on schedule. Because the sun was setting fast we decided to go straight to our planned sleeping spot, but we got lost and didn't arrive in Huskisson on Jervis Bay until 10pm meaning we had no chance in getting a camp site for the night and ended up having to pull up in a carpark. 

After a surprisingly decent nights sleep, we were awoken to the sound of a kookaburra perched in a tree. When we had pulled up the previous night we were surrounded by water, but by morning the tide has gone out and we were parked up next to a white sand beach that stretched for miles. 

Mollymook was next on our list, with a lovely yellow sand beach. Two minutes up the road and we were in Ulladulla. Searching for a place to stop on our map, we came across a place called Pebbly Beach. And am i glad we did decide to go here. When we arrived, after what felt like miles of dirt track roads, we stepped on the beach only to find it scattered with wild kangaroos. We spent a good couple of hours wandering around the rocks and watching the animals. Once done we headed straight to Narooma to find a campsite, this time with luck! 

Day 3! We drove to a little town called Bermagui and found a naturally formed swimming pool carved into the side of the rocks. It was yet another beautiful place. Then to Meribula and through to Eden, the last town before crossing the border into Victoria. Greeted to a bush fire. 

Towards the end of the day is when things start to get exciting... 

We decided to go and see the big sand dunes in Croajingalong National Park, by the Thurra River. But our van isn't sounding so good so we pull off to a campsite in the middle of nowhere called Tabooma. Were we actually brake down. The only plus side was that the sunset was stunning and lit the sky red. 

The following day was mainly spent in a town called Orbost, getting the exhaust fixed. Turns out it has been pretty much ripped apart and sounded like a Harley Davidson! Our next stop was a place called Lakes Entrance which was a town situated on the entrance to the Gippslands Lakes. Afterwards we tried to find a place to stop in Metung, with no luck, but got to see the lovely views it had to offer and instead found a cheap campsite along the highway.

Back on the road again with a working van we headed to Golden Beach, also known as Ninety Mile Beach due to it being, well, ninety miles long. It was stunning and full of shells scattered along the shoreline. 

We then drove to Phillip Island, famous for its Penguin Parade, which we were too late for and glad we didn't get to see in the end. But we did get to camp on the island and visit the Koala Conservation Sanctuary to see them close up. Early evening we made it to Melbourne to catch up with the girls we had met in our Sydney Orientation. It was Grand Prix weekend though so there was F1 gear on literally every corner and every other person! 

Saturday night was spent at the beginning of The Great Ocean Road in a place called Torquay, which thankfully we were allowed to camp in even after the office had closed. 

The first place along the famous road is Bells Beach, famous in itself amongst surfers who flock every year to take part in the Rip Curl Championships. Then we passed under the Memorial Arch. Between here and the next village of Lorne we stopped about every kilometre to take photos of the scenery. Then finally we made it to Apollo Bay, situated directly on the Great Ocean Road. 

Our second day on the Great Ocean Road was amazing. First of all we did the Maits Rest rainforest walk in Otway National Park and then headed to Cape Otway. The drive to the lighthouse was filled with wild koalas clinging onto the trees that lined the road. 

Then we drove for a bit longer until we reached Gibsons Steps which lead down to Gibsons Beach which two of the apostles are situated on. After walking back up all of the steps we drove merely 100 metres before pulling off to the Twelve Apostles lookout. It was quite spectacular to finally see them in real life. The next place along The Great Ocean Road is Loch Ard Gorge which has to be my favourite place along this stretch. It was so tranquil. 

We spent the night in a very small town named Port Campbell before finishing off The Great Ocean Road the following day. The Arch, London Bridge and The Grotto were the names of the limestone rock formations situated between Port Campbell and Peterborough. The Grotto was very pretty and had a little fairy pool in it. We continued west until we hit Port Fairy which wasn't as nice as i heard it was, still glad i visited though. Knowing that we had to drop the van of in Melbourne we decided to drive straight to Colac which we worked out was roughly half way. And there we spent the night before heading straight back to the city to get rid of our loved Jucy Julie. 

  

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE, SYDNEY 2015 | PHOTO DIARY

The crowds gather to watch the Sydney Chinese New Year 2015 Parade. 

Some entertainment before the parade begins. I'm not quite sure what was happening, but it was part of the Korean section and they were "fighting" each other. It got the crowds involved though.

The men must be very strong to walk around holding these people up! My shoulder aches just looking at them.

Finally after waiting for about 2 hours, the parade begun! A lot of my pictures turned out blurry due to the constant dancing and movement that took place, but here are a few of the better ones. 

So much colour everywhere! 

The sheep shearing shed. (No real sheep where involved in this parade) 

The dresses and clothes worn were stunning! 

Everything was so bright and i'm glad i had the opportunity to go. If you're in Sydney around this time of year then it's a must do, though i think once you've seen it once, you've seen it every year. I probably wouldn't go again to the Sydney celebration but maybe a different one. It was a good cultural experience. 

Finally, my favourite section of the parade. I knew i wouldn't get any decent photos of the dragon at the end so i filmed it instead. It was beautiful and i was in awe of the detailing that went into the design and bringing the dragon to life.

MY FIRST HOSTEL EXPERIENCE (AND MAKING FRIENDS)

Hey!

I have just finished my first experience of staying in a hostel, and i'm happy to say that it was better then expected! It was at Base Sydney Hostel.

I don't know what i was expecting to be honest but the thought of staying in one was horrible, but it's fine once you're there and yes, i would go into one again by choice. Well, i'm a backpacker now so i'll be staying in many many more over the year but that's besides the point.

There was one night when everyone in my room came home at 3am, turning the lights on and talking loudly. Which of course woke me up. Then a girl was really really drunk and was being a bit of a nuisance. Also the top bunks were very noisy every time you moved, the whole thing would wiggle even if you moved an inch. The showers were really good which is a bonus and there were lots of facilities to use. On our last night though the fire alarm went off and one of my friends who was on the first floor got evacuated, along with about a hundred or so other people. Apparently fire-fighters turned up and everything, but on the top floor we didn't hear a thing! No one even bothered to wake us up! Thank goodness it wasn't a real emergency...

Okay, so on my first night in hostels me and my room mates had goon (cheap, cheap "backpacker" wine, also very disgusting) before heading to a place called Ivy, which was a rooftop club/bar with a pool that was full of drunk woman. Which isn't a good mix but oh well. I didn't enjoy myself that much because i didn't feel like these were the people that i would become friends with, also drinks were $13 for a single!!!, and in the end i walked back to the hostel and went to bed. Sorry Mum!

The next day though i had my orientation with JobSearch and this is were i found people who i knew i would become friends with because we all were on the same wavelength about travelling and i automatically felt comfortable around them. We had a very enthusiastic Australian surfer come and persuade us to go to Surf Camp, which the two boys went and did.

After orientation we walked to the the harbour and then sat in the Botanic Gardens for a while, and also got to see parrots in their natural habitat! A nice change from seeing pigeons and seagulls.

The evening took us to Darling Harbour, just in time to catch the fireworks which were spectacular. Good job Sydney!

The next day, which was Saturday, we all headed to Bondi Beach to enjoy the sun and get our tan on! It was also a chance to get to know each other, and i finally went swimming which i've been itching to do ever since i arrived in Sydney. I love this place because it's so good to people watch, and it's so full of life.


Sunday was a lazy day, due to the weather being so hot, and the hostel having air conditioning. We did go to Paddy's market though, and i wanted to buy every item of clothing that i saw. After that we sat and chatted until i went out for a meal with my Aunt and Uncle at a Korean Barbecue which was really awesome! In the middle of your table was the barbecue, and it was a buffet so you helped yourself to meat and veg and cooked everything yourself. After filling myself up i went back to the hostel, just in time to go out for drinks with my new friends. We all had vouchers for a free drink at Scary Canarys so we got our Scary Jars and continued to have a good natter.

Monday was mainly filled with planning and a short little wander. Tuesday we went to Darling Harbour again and then walked to Hyde Park. Shopping was involved, let me say no more. Then we went and got our free meals from Scary Canarys, which let me say was delicious!

Wednesday me and another girl spent the day chilling in the lounge area at the hostel before heading out into the city at midday. We came across several protests in one place so decided to sit on the grass and people watch, and also chat. Then we went to St. Mary's Cathedral, next to Hyde Park, and walked around. It was beautiful inside, especially the statues and the stain-glassed windows.

Thursday was my last day with the girls for about a week. We had a nice lunch at Scary Canary's, again!

I leave Sydney on Monday and will be driving down to Melbourne with the boys and then continuing down the Great Ocean Road, so excited!

But for now it was nice to sleep in a room on my own last night. And it was a double bed! Staying at my Aunt and Uncle's house kind of makes me feel like i'm cheating this whole backpacking thing but i suppose if you have the option to, then why not? Plus, i have dogs to cuddle here...

Anyway, that's what i've been up to the past week!

See you soon! x

SYDNEY HARBOUR | PHOTO DIARY

Being in Sydney you can't not go to the harbour! I've been a few times whilst here and it's always just as spectacular as the first time. This top picture was taking from just inside the Botanic Gardens. 

The Rocks in the foreground and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. 

The Sydney Opera House is a gorgeous building and is much bigger in real life then what the photos suggest.

 As is the bridge! This is part of the view from standing by the Opera House.

And this is the view from standing by the bridge and looking towards the Opera House. 

I decided to take a leisurely stroll on my own past The Rocks and under the bridge. 

A few days later i took a walk onto the bridge itself to get a view of Port Jackson (as Sydney Harbour is properly called). Although it costs money to walk over the top of the Bridge, you can still walk across it, level with the road, for free! And if you want to see the harbour from higher up then you can purchase a ticket to the Pylon Lookout for $13 (Adult), which includes 3 levels of exhibits on the history of Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

As i'm a backpacker, i decided not to spend my money and just walked half way across for free. But i feel like the view was sufficient enough! 

I feel that Sydney Harbour is one of those places that will never grow old. You can visit it over and over again and still be in awe every time! 

BONDI | PHOTO DIARY

As i mentioned in my previous post, on Monday i headed to the world famous Bondi Beach. Here is a small collection of the many photos that i took.

I have only ever briefly visited when i was a young child, and that i can't remember. But i do keep up to date on all new Bondi Rescue episodes, so to finally see the beach for myself was amazing!

The sand is so golden and the sea so blue. I wish i had taken my swimming stuff with me, but i know i'll be back.

The lifeguards keeping lookout at South Bondi.

Ben Buckler sticking out at North Bondi.

All the shades of blue in one photo.

The Icebergs swimming pool at Bondi.

WALKING, WALKING, WALKING!

After a long flight i finally made it to Sydney!

I arrived at almost 11pm which meant that i got a good nights sleep and, thankfully, haven't struggled with much jet lag.

The flight wasn't too bad, it was just very long. But i flew with Emirates and they are very friendly, have good on flight entertainment and good food which made the flight better. Also we were given silver cutlery to eat with? Is this just Emirates or is it new? Because all i remember from previous flights is the plastic cutlery that snaps when you use it.

On my first day here i did manage to get myself locked in the house and had to be rescued. I also went for a long dog walk and then headed into the city to get access to my Australian bank account. Which, let me just add, is very easy to do! I got to pick my pin number and then got my card there and then. No having to wait for it to be delivered!

Saturday i enjoyed very much. Two long dog walks, one along the sea. Followed by good food and good company. Drinking ciders outside and chatting/playing bananogram, where can you go wrong? Well, the only downside of the day was the rain but it didn't last too long.

Also i got my first taste of an Australian supermarket, which was located inside Westfield Mall here and it was humongous and much more cultured then those back in England. Alcohol isn't in the supermarket, it has its own shop. Also they pack your bags for you over here, meaning you just kind of stand at the end of the till waiting.

Sunday included yet another long dog walk. This time though, it was incredibly hot out. We did the long walk at Centennial Park is a good few kilometres long. Afterwards we stopped off at Seven Eleven to get Slurpee's (Slushies) and they're so much more fun then in the UK because you get to fill it yourself and it's practically D.I.Y, they also taste nicer. Too much pizza was then consumed.

In the evening we headed to the China Town area to watch the Chinese New Year Parade which i enjoyed thoroughly. It was extremely colourful and everyone seemed cheery, and perhaps very easily please by little things, for example those popping crackers that you throw on the floor and they explode.

Monday was my first day exploring on my own. But first of all a dog walk had to take place, of course! We headed to Sydney Park and then i got a couple of items from the shop before walking to the train station to go into the city.

I got off at Circular Quay, which has to be my favourite train stop because you get a view of the harbour. My first visit was the Opera House, which never fails to be beautiful. From here you get a great view of the Harbour Bridge in all its glory, a perfect spot for taking those must have photos. I then walked back past the ferries and stood facing towards the Opera House from The Rocks so that i could get a good photo of it. On my journey i came across the light up terracotta army and then proceeded to walk under the bridge and then circled my way back to the station.

The clouds where beginning too part so i decided to go to the world renowned Bondi Beach. Here i sat people watching for around 4-5 hours, although i did paddle from the South end to the North. I enjoyed watching the lifeguards drive up and down the beach, telling people not to swim where the dangerous current signs were and to move between the flags. But, people don't listen and in the end a lifeguard had to go and paddle out. Also i got extremely sunburnt.

So far Australia is better then i remember and i'm loving it, even if i'm too hot most of the time. Not that i should complain, i've had enough of the cold!

Anyway, another day of exploring awaits me so goodbye for now! xx 

THE NIGHT BEFORE

So it's the night before i fly and it's beginning to sink in that i won't see my family until next year, that includes my dog who i'm going to miss snuggling every day.

It's just the next few days i want to get over with because 1) I hate goodbyes, i'm a big sook. 2) I hate flying and i'm just trying to push it back into my head about how scared i actually am. 3) I get to see family and friends once i've arrived, and also contact those back in England which i won''t be able to do when i'm in the air.

Everything so far has been quite laid back, even the struggle that was fitting everything into my suitcase. But we did it! Well, i say we, it was pretty much my Dad with me passing items to him. I had to sacrifice a couple of tops and my tanned wedges, which then for some reason set my Mum off and she stood in the kitchen crying because i'm having to leave some stuff behind. For this reason i am dreading tomorrow because she is going to be a mess.

Last week i found myself crying at Dance Moms whilst she was crying about me leaving, and i haven't yet cried about leaving because i know how amazing it will be. It's just the goodbyes at the airport and saying goodbye to the dog who has no idea what's going on... poor thing!

I'm either feeling all the emotions - happy, excited, sad, anxious etc... or i'm feeling nothing. My plan once i'm on the plane is to just get stuck into a TV series because they seem to make time fly by. (PUN! *fist pumps*)

On my first flight i'm going to try and not sleep and then on the second leg of the journey i will try and get a few hours sleep. But i'm landing at night time in Australia so i want to make sure that i am tired and will sleep.

Anyway, i'm now off to have pancakes and cuddle with the family.

See you when i'm in Australia! Au revoir!

-

"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien