East Coast Australia – OZ EXP 21 Sep – 14 Oct
A bunch of homeless backpackers waiting for the next bus to come along.
Well since leaving Sydney on the Oz Experience bus I have had very little sleep, a lot of alcohol, and seen and done things I would have never dreamed of seeing and doing!
It all started in Barrington with a spot of abseiling followed by as much as you can eat pizza then white water rafting – at NIGHT ahhh – finishing off with a nice hot tub looking up at the beautifully clear stars.
Next stop was Spot X surf camp at Arrawarra Beach, where I learned how to surf (badly, but at least I can stand up) – another fear conquered and more parts of my body in pain (was that the surfing or the 2 bottles of vino and no sleep??). Byron Bay was next, and a little dissapointing after hearing so much about it, there was very little to do here except watch lots of DVD’s which we managed very successfully! There was also Cheeky Monkeys, dancing on the tables and getting “infected with rage”.
Had my phone stolen in Brisbane – then got it back again after filing a police report and being very p*ssed off – might still claim for it anyway!! Thats my main memory of Brisbane really, apart from our time spent drinking in casino’s and Irish Bars or being hungover! Went to Australia Zoo & the Crocoseum, the guy who sang at Steve Irwin’s memorial service was there and sang again which was pretty moving, there is like a shrine for him outside aswell.
Sian & Al, Daniel & I, Mr Croc
Frasier Island for me was the main highlight of the East Coast of Oz. 4 wheel driving a 10 person van around the Island, camping outside, living, eating and drinking under the stars, having drunk sleeping bag races, playing ring of fire and getting attacked by dingos – (well they tried to steel our sponge and peed on our toilet roll!) was the best two nights ever for me. Lake Mackenzie & Lake Wabby were absolutely stunning. I dont think camping at home will ever be the same again!
The 10 of us on the way over to Frasier Island, Sleeping bag races, driving along the beach, plane on the beach, last group picture.
Hervey Bay, the base for going to Frasier Island didnt have much atmosphere so we created our own fun (well the boys?? provided it) by drinking some beer and dressing up – Chris you got away lightly, we will have to change that when I visit you in Dublin! We also got stopped by the police for almost pushing each other down the street in a shopping trolley, and another night walked part way home doing wheelbarrows!
Chris being shy, Cormac pouting, Zak’s supermodel pose, Daniel enjoying it way too much, Jen & I – this is a lot harder than what I remember from doing it as a kid! Daniel & I
Next was a complete change of scenery at Kroombit cattle ranch where we learnt to muster goats, catching (lassooing) and branding goats, how to use a whip (ooerr) breaking the sound barrier!! We also did clay pidgeon shooting which I was terrible at and rode a bucking bronco – we tried to do it again later at night, but Jen & I jumped off onto the mats which had been deflated by this point – owch, at least we were drunk so no pain (til the morning)!!
Mustering goats, lassooing, clay pidgeon shooting, bucking bronco time!
Next it was time to hit the sea again for a 2 night sailing trip around the Whitsundays. The atmosphere was great, chilling out on deck, playing cards and of course drinking more beer. The snorkelling wasn’t so great for me as I had an eye infection so couldnt wear my contact lenses. The food onboard was amazing as were the beaches we visited. The last night on the boat a mosquito decided to join me in bed and feast on me all night, so the next two days were pretty painfull, therefore the beer was purely for medicinal purposes!
The crew, the 7 of us, sunbathing on the beach, Al Sian & I, Jen & I almost overboard!
Airlie Beach was one of the cheesiest places ever and we got stuck here for 4 nights. We went on a crocodile safari and was amazed at how close you got to these huge creatures, in the wild – with no protection apart from a small boat – it was pretty scary! We also stopped at some Crocodile Farm where the crazy guys fed the croc’s chickens and knocked some of their old teeth out and stuff with no protection at all. I know I have been to Australia because I have seen and held and stroked so many crocodiles, snakes and kangaroos. The nights were spent in Koala’s, Magnum’s or the Irish bar and normally involved lots of beer and Jaegar bommers resulting in me not making it home before morning most nights!
Croc’s, snakes, Kangaroo’s, the girls in Airlie Beach, Jen & I with Skipper Chris
Magnetic Island was all about limboing and pub quizzing – not your usual pub quiz though, this one was a go fetch quiz – I was shattered by the end of it, and all for 1 free jug of beer between about 8 of us – well worth it! The morning Kayaking was nice and refreshing though, if a bit too energetic! Mission Beach was the next stop where the main highlight was Alison (who has not eaten meat for 13 years) eating Kangaroo – absolutely hilarious.
Other cool stuff Ive done is zorbing at 20k down a hill in a huge plastic ball with a bit of water inside it. Playing lawn Boules, which I thought I would be rubbish at but Jen and I kicked Daniel & Cormac’s asses!!
On the way into Cairns I finally plucked up the courage to do a bungy jump – oh my god I nearly pooed my pants, it was by far the scariest thing I have ever done in my life – skydiving is nothing on this. Also did the ninjin (spelling??) swing, which was pretty cool – kinda relaxing after the bungy jump!!
Bungy jumping & minjin Swing
Cairns was pissing down with rain and pretty windy which (combined with my hangover) meant I missed my diving trip on the great barrier reef – a shite end to the Oz Exp roadtrip. The last night together in Cairns involved lots of jugs of beer and looking very silly in spraypainted straw hats at the dreaded woolshead.
Looking good at the woolshead!!
The final last night in cairns involved winning free bungy stuff which I couldnt use cos I was leaving and then selling it for 50 bucks and spending it all on Jager bommers – deadly things. Dont even ask what was involved to win it!
Pub Quiz games, Cormac & I, Daniel & I, Sarah, Jen & I
Tags: Brisbane, Cairns, Fraser Island, Travel, Travel, Travel
Aymi
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