Day 136 : Noosa

Arrived at Halse lodge YHA old, wooden framed colonial style guest house. Lots of wild bush turkeys wandering around (in and around the posh shops also!) and rainbow lorakeets and cockatoos.

Day 135 : Brisbane

• Arrived late last night to Brisbane. Staying in the very large YHA which has spectacular views over Brisbane and a rooftop pool. People in our room already asleep which is good as we won’t be woken up in the early hours.
• It’s very hot here. Walked along the very pretty South bank – lots of flowers, funky buildings and a pretend beach pool
• Walked to the CBD via a market where we tried loads of free samples of food
• Had a swim in the pool. Wandered along the Southbank at dusk and watched the bats
• The South bank is simular to London but with more gardens, funky birds and bats. The city is also very geared up for cyclists

Day 133-134 : Halloween and bodyboarding

• (31/10/11) Went for a really good bodyboard (we get free hire). First time I’ve been properly with fins and a wet suit it was awesome.
• Decided to go to the Halloween party at “cheeky monkeys” enticed by the promise of $200 cash for best fancy dress. Last time I went to Cheeky monkeys was with Claudia in 2005 and I felt to old to go there then! I fashioned costumes out of white bin liners and a marker pen. We did win first prize (the people with half decent costumes turned up too fashionably late) but as predicted no cash was involved. We won a $70 bar tab (in a very cheap club) so had some drinks and gave the rest away to random ghost admirers (it was like being a celebrity everyone wanted a picture with us). Had a kebab as recommended by Gaz (almost as good as magic roll)
• (1/11/11) The surf was good Will enjoyed an amazing bodyboarding session – I did a bit but didn't have the stomach for the big waves. Caught an evening bus to Brisbane.

Day 131-132 : Byron Bay

• (29/10/11) Very little sleep on night bus so quite tired
• Went on a rib boat out to Julian rocks out from Byron Bay to go snorkelling – I was quite scared as everyone else was diving so we were by ourselves snorkelling and they were all talking about how many sharks they had seen that morning! The swell around the rock was also quite big but, after an initial freak out, I jumped in and it was really cool. We saw sea turtles they are so amazing – the way they swim is so peaceful to watch. They look like they know the secret to eternal happiness! Similar to when we did dolphin swimming and whale watching, the turtles leave you wanting to see more glimpses of their amazingness. We also saw lots of cool fish like huge puffa fish and also Woobygong sharks sitting on the ocean floor. When we got out Will took off his mask and he had a crab in his ear!
• (30/10/11) Walked up to the lighthouse and the most Easterly point in mainland Australia – very warm, saw some dolphins
• Spent lots of money on tours for further up the coast.
• Went bodyboarding.
• Now sitting watching an impressive lighting storm

Day 129-130 : Water–skiing and relaxing in Copa

• Chilled out in Copacabana. Took Dolly for a walk on the beach – she went mad running in circles
• Looked at the rock pools – funny coral or sponge squirting water in the air!
• Phil got back from work and we went (+ Dolly) out on their speed boat along the water ways it was really cool. We tried water skiing it was awesome fun and much easier than I thought it would be. Went to Terrigal for dinner with Phil.
• Went for a lovely brunch in Avoca with Sally and Dolly.  Chilled out in the afternoon (Phil and Sally at work) watched Downton Abbey on dvd. Had pizza then took the night bus from Gosford to Byron Bay.

Day 128 : Sydney fish market / Copacabana

• Lunch in Sydney fish market
• Visited Sydney Maritime museum
• Said goodbye to mum and dad
• Train to Gosford. We're staying with Phil and Sally - friends of Mel and Gaz - for a few days.

Day 127 : Manly scenic walkway

• Weather rainy today after 4 days of glorious sunshine.
• Caught the bus to spit bridge and walked / picnicked along the Manly scenic walkway in the drizzle. 
• Very nice dinner at the Opium Den in Kings Cross with mum and dad.