Tidbinbilla 26/11

After visiting the local fruit market where we managed to purchase some bananas for a reasonable price (only £2.00 a kilo as opposed to £6.00 a kilo which they were when we arrived) we drove 40km to the area known as Tidbinbilla. There were some strange rock formations on the way.



First visit was the nature reserve. In 2003 a massive bush fire destroyed most of the area and over 300 homes. Those trees that weren't totally destroyed were still seriously damaged.





Now gradually the trees are growing back and animals returning to the area.





Only one Koala survived the fire, now appropriately named ‘Lucky’.



Jayne was very wary of walking around the reserve after picking up a leaflet in the information centre informing her that there were 10 varieties of snake in the area all seen regularly in the park and all of which were venomous.

After the nature reserve we headed for the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex which is one of only 3 in the world that provide two way communication with space vehicles. The other centres being based in the USA and Madrid. It was also from here that the first pictures of the moon landing in 1969 were beamed to the world.





Unfortunately it was just as bad here if not worse for intensifying Jayne’s fear of snakes, there were signs every few hundred metres warning you that snakes were around and should be reported if seen. The signs were even posted around the children’s playground, which didn’t ease her mind at all.



Australia is full of dangers, not only are you at risk of fire but also animals such as snakes and spiders. Thankfully we have not seen any snakes yet but here is a massive spider found under our bike cover.

Canberra 23/11 to 28/11

We journeyed inland for the first time with a 280km trip to Queanbeyan which is just outside the purpose built capital Canberra. The weather was very warm during the 5 days we spent there and although only about two hours from the coast the landscape changed dramatically and became a dry light brown colour.



The camp site was close to the town centre of Queanbeyan, which meant at night it was noisy with the local girls fighting with each other whilst the boys drag raced each other around the block. We must have got about one full peaceful night’s sleep out of five.

We did a bit of Christmas shopping which felt very unusual as the temperature outside was 35 degrees and the sun was shining through the mall roof onto the hanging Santa and Reindeer’s inside.



Canberra itself was very nice and spacious with lots of free attractions, which suited us as we have to find some cheap entertainment on our budget. Of course whilst we visited these indoor attractions the sun shone and it was warmer than anywhere else we have been so far. The city is based on a large lake, which is populated by black swans.





Highlights on day one included the National Museum of Australia, the War Memorial and Museum and the Old Parliament building.







The old parliament building with the war memorial in the distance.



On our second day to Canberra we visited the National Archives and the New Parliament Building. We managed to sit in on the daily Question Time session with Prime Minister John Howard. It was very entertaining and animated with several members being warned and one being asked to leave. They enjoyed taking the ‘rip’ out of each other and trying to outdo their opposition as much as possible. It looked like the highlight of their day was their chance to bring each other down in public.



The Old Parliament Bulding with the new one behind it.



Even though we saw the PM we weren't allowed to take his photo so the inside of the new parliament building had to do.


Here is our dry and dusty camp site in Queanbeyan.



David studying where to go next. Notice the reappearance of the beer bottle in the background.

Nowra/Shoalhaven Heads 19/11 to 23/11

After a week in Sydney we headed south and managing to negotiate ourselves through Sydney. Jayne thought she was going home when we followed signs for Liverpool.

















We arrived at a place called Shoalhaven Heads near the town of Nowra, which was next to the river. Whilst we were there the temperature hit 40 degrees. Still it didn’t stop us from playing tennis, if you could really say we were playing tennis, it was a very poor attempt.







Inland it felt hotter and we visited Kangaroo Valley to cool off in the river, but we didn’t see any Kangaroos unfortunately.



















We explored the coast south of Sydney taking in places like Woolongong, Kiama, the Royal National Park and Botany Bay.







Botany Bay was the first landing point of Captain Cook’s ‘Endeavor’ when it discovered Australia. There is not too much fanfare at the site but we took a few pictures of the first landing point. It’s hard to imagine how Botany Bay looked in 1770 as now its flanked by the airport and industry, but it was strange to think that you may be walking in the steps of our forefathers !

Parramatta 18/11

One of the earliest settlements in Australia and 25km inland from Sydney. A nice walk around the early buildings and the river, was followed by lunch watching the local cricket match (including the local midgets) where David tried to explain the rules to Jayne in preparation for the forthcoming Ashes series.

Jenolan Caves 17/11

After the Blue Mountains we carried on our journey to the Jenolan Caves.

The oldest known caves in the world in existence at over 400 million years old. There are several caves to view and our trip only had time for one, the Chifley Cave (named after one of the earlier Prime Ministers of Oz). It was quite a drive to reach the caves up and down a narrow track. A lot of attractions in Australia involve a long drive and varying road conditions.







Local wildlife outside the caves.

The Blue Mountains 17/11

The Blue Mountains (so called because you can see a blue haze above them evaporating from the Eucalypt trees) start approx. 100km from Sydney and we managed to cover 380km in one day during our trip there. The main town in the area is Katoomba.
















We went on the Skyway which is a cable car 200m above the rainforest.
















The most famous landmark is the Three Sisters.


















There was a massive forest fire which closed a major road and threatened local towns. The fire was still burning two weeks later. The helicopters were water bombing the fire to try and put it out.

Sydney 12/11 - 19/11

Took the river cat into Sydney which was a very scenic way of travelling. Cost us about £2.50 for an hours cruise which concluded with us sailing under the harbour bridge and past the Opera House into Circular Quay. We have been to Sydney several times before so we only intended to see certain things this time rather than do everything again.






We had visited Bondi Beach in 2000 but it had been cloudy. This time we deliberately went on a sunny day. It was quite a trek to get there via boat, train and bus but we had a good time there and it is a great place to people watch.



There is a scenic walk along the coast to Bronte Beach. The whole route was the setting for a sculpture exhibition.

Next day we took a car drive to Sydney’s northern beaches. This is Palm Beach also known as Summer Bay on TV’s Home and Away. We wondered how they managed to film with so many flies bothering you all the time.



Next day was the coldest November morning in Sydney for 110 years. It rained heavily so we caught the train into the city to visit some museums and shops. Here we are at Darling Harbour where we experienced heavy rain and then bright sunshine. Jayne was glad she brought her Ski jacket with her, she needed it, it was freezing.