My Last Australia Travel

After saying a very sad goodbye to Evatt, Devin, Allie, Jamie and I made way north to Brisbane. We hung out at the train station for quite some time when we got there, but finally boarded a bus to take us to Fraser Island. After almost 12 hours in transit we arrived at Hervey bay, only to be informed that we were heading over to the island that night, something we had not quite been expecting (well if I'm going to be honest about it, due to lack of organisation we really had no clue what we were doing). So onto the ferry we went, our fifth mode of transportation that day, only to encounter a overly friendly skipper who felt the need to dress me up as a pirate. Although this was mildly amusing, the diesel smelling rag that he put over my face and head was not.

Fraser Island is made almost entirely of sand, save for a few rocky headlands. It has gorgeous blue freshwater lakes that are far above sea level, which makes for an interesting geological phenomenon. The island is inhabited by many Dingos, which is a very aggressive and unfriendly dog, likened with the North American wolf. Our guide told us horror stories, one included his grandson being bitten by a dingo, but luckily surviving. The tour was very picturesque and relaxing, a much needed rest after our last week at Evatt. We did head to the bar one night though to watch the State of Origin Footy game, a rugby league 3 series game between New South Wales and Queensland. Unfortunately Queensland won, winning them the title as it was their second win. Surprisingly they still play the third game, but I will be out of the country and I don't think it will be showing in Thailand.

Next stop was a sail through the Whitsunday Islands. Unfortunately our first attempt to get up there from Brisbane was a miserable failure. We hoped on the train to the airport and when we reached the end of the track and had still not come by the domestic terminal, we knew we were in trouble. I made a hectic call to a cab and organized a pick-up to be at a station right when we got there. Of course we were not on the right side of the tracks, so had to lug our bags up and down 2 flights of stairs. In the cab we planned that I would run in as soon as we got there, and attempt to use my persuasive skills to get on a flight that was leaving in 15 minutes. Apparently I need to work on these skills because the lovely customer services agent was NOT going to let us on.

We spent the next 45 minutes figuring out every option and after deciding on 2 or 3 different options, we found another flight to just north of Airley Beach (the port of the Whitsundays). This flight to Mackay of course did not go smoothly. Our first attempt at landing failed and we had to fly back up and try again. Apparently Jet Star doesn't have the proper equipment to deal with heavy fog. Great! Luckily the second time went smoothly and eventually we got ourselves a bus to Airley Beach. Upon our arrival we decided we had recovered from Evatt and it was definitely time for a night out, and it did not disappoint!

The next day we set sail, with our casques of wine in hand, on the Atlantic Clipper. The 3 day trip included fun drinking games by night and snorkeling/scuba diving by day. Allie and I decided to go for a dive and it was an unbelievable experience. The water could have been clearer, but just to be fully underwater for half an hour was amazing in itself!

After our tour, and a plane/train ride later we arrived on the Gold Coast at Surfer's Paradise. Jamie's Mum works for the Marriott, so we got a room there for a very cheap price and lived in style for 3 days. Feeling a bit out of our league at the $57 buffet dinner, we went to the grocery store and ordered up plates and cutlery via room service. Not a normal request I'm sure. We had some very good beach/pool days. A lovely place to relax. Although it is very commercial and touristy, I think because it was the off season it was more enjoyable than it could have been.

Allie and I were then planning on heading down to Port Macquarie (where a lot of our friends from school live) and in a last minute decision Devin and Jamie decided to join us. After an 9 hour bus/train trip, Gen met us at the station and took us back to her place. Her house was lovely and her parents were amazing! We had a lamb roast for dinner over many bottles of wine. Her Dad was even generous enough to give Gen cab money for the night! We headed into town and had a great night. Lots of friends from Newcastle were around and it was cool to see them in their home town.

The next day I had to say goodbye to Devin. It is so hard to believe that I won't see her for so long. It will definitely be a change from spending almost every day with her for the last 5 months. But I was off on a camping trip with Sam and his friend Pete. The car was jam packed with a tiny spot in the back for me (my giant suitcase didn't help the situation). Luckily it absolutely poured rain for the next 3 days! We toughed it out in the tents the first night, but rented cabins the next two. It was a very relaxing trip up the east coast. We stoped in little town - Coffs Harbour, Yamba, Ballina - and then spent a night in the infamous Byron Bay. I really enjoyed it there, but it was much more commercial than I had expected and it was ungodly cold. I honestly don't think I have ever been so cold in my life!

During the days the boys went off Surfing and Spear fishing and i found many relaxing ways to occupy myself - not a bad way to spend my last week! We eventually made it back up to the Gold Coast and stayed at their friends place. It was actually a really nice house that they rented, it even had a pool, although the water was green and had beer cans floating in it! Allie joined us on the Saturday and we had a pretty big night out. Unfortunately Allie somehow lost her visa and ID, which considering we were leaving for Thailand in 2 days was not overly convenient. The next day, as the boys went off spearing, we went into town and did some last minute things before Thailand. For dinner Sam and the boys took us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Then the next morning we were up at 4:30 am to catch a train back to Brisbane to fly out to Bangkok. Saying goodbye to Australia was hard, but hopefully I will be back soon. It was such an amazing time here with unforgettable people!