New Pictures

Ok so finally I have uploaded some new pictures and there are more to come, it takes ages!!! Enjoy people, I think you'll find a few more with me in them.
Love
Dawn
xxx

Magnetic Island

Left Airlie Beach at 8am and we only stopped a couple of times for food etc. When we got to Townsville we drove upto Castle Hill to have a view of the city, much bigger than I thought. Looked nice. Had Cosmic as a driver and he seemed a pretty cool bloke.
We checked out an aboriginal centre quickly before boarding the ferry to Magnetic Island. Looks much more developed since I was last here. We arrived at 3 and had to just dump our bags and head straight out for The Forts walk.
We started the walk and Cosmic pointed out different plants and also the green ants where you can lick their arse and its like lime, noone trusted him though!! He also warned us about the Death Adder as they are around up there but they wouldn't be on the path so that was fine.
We walked for a while keeping our eyes peeled for wild Koalas. Well Cosmic was rubbish cos he just walked right past them but I spotted them. Really close to the path was a mother and baby Koala so we took some snaps and then left them in peace, Cosmic was a bit freaked about how close we were so we didn't want to upset them. I was really chuffed, they looked like they had been placed there in a nice little pose!!
What a fantastic thing to see, I am so impressed and happy to have seen them.
Anyway, we stopped at some great lookouts on our walk with great views of the Island. We also went into these little concrete room things where there were tiny Bentwing Bats, I love the wildlife in Australia.
We got to the top of our Forts walk and had a view of the entire Island which was fantastic. We made our way back down but didn't spot anymore Koalas, so I was great!!! Got a free drink in the bar later for it so that was good.
There was a pub quiz with stupid games going on later on and that was ok but got really boring cos they dragged it out too long. I went to bed at 12.30 and it hadn't finished yet!! Stupid...
I chilled out the next day really, got my washing done, did some very overdue journal and relaxed. I went for a random walk with this guy James which was ok, we went up a hill and down to another beach so there was a bit of activity. Had some dinner while watching the stupid Feral cats trying to find food along with the possems. Had a few drinks and then bed.
I left Magnectic Island early this afternoon and am now in Townsville, off to an agency tomorrow. Hope everyone is well, sorry about any spelling mistakes!!
Dawn
xxx

Airlie beach - Whitsundays

I got picked up at 8.30am from my hostel and taken, along with others, to the Marina where we met our crew and the rest of the group, mainly consisting of alot of crazy Irish guys, and jumped on our home for the next 3 days - Maxi Siska.
The Irish loaded all their alcohol on board and we all ditched our footware and jumped on board. We had the usual safety chat etc and then went off to pick a bunk. I choose a top bunk as there seemed slightly more room.
We went back on deck and chatted/chilled for a bit. All the crew had seperate chats with us. There was Pete the skipper, Tris and Jesse. We couldn't sail on the first day as there was no wind!! But that meant it was lovely weather with calm seas. So on the way to our first stop we saw Turtles getting it on and dolphins getting it on!! We disturbed them but I guess it is spring time...!
We also saw a whale pretty close and then saw a load of whales quite far away, but it was an amazing sight anyway, and they were all jumping really high up out of the sea - almost their entire body was above water. Just incredible.
We had some lunch and then stopped so people could swim/snorkel. I went in but it was really cold and so I struggled with the snorkling. Was in there for a while, great visibility. I got out pretty soon though and chilled on deck. After a while when everyone else had come back in we moved off and parked up in another bay. I went in in my wetsuit and with just a mask and that was cool, swam about for quite a bit. Only 5 of us went back in that time. Quite alot of fish around.
We had more chill time on deck for a while and then went off to where we would spend the night. A few people went for a final swim. Sat chatting and having some drinks. Jesse bought us nachos which we scoffed quickly and then we had dinner which was great. We stayed chatting for quite a while. The Irish guys are great free entertainment, so funny...
The next day was more swimming although we had the pleasure of Paddy swimming naked, he did look like he had white shorts on though.
We headed off mid-morning to Whitehaven Beach and got there around 11am. We walked up to the Hill Inlet Lookout which showed thet fantastic view at the top of the page. Like a paradise beach really, quite amazingly stunning I don't think anyone could dislike it.
We took our photos and then walked down onto part of the beach and the sand was just like powder, so fine. Had to be careful with cameras and stuff as the sand would get everywhere. Went for a quick swim as it was so inviting, but cold!! Because the Whitsundays are protected you aren't allowed to remove anything from anywhere on them so if you get caught with a shell you could get fined $10K, crazy.. Needless to say I didn't touch anything. The guys played football and the girls kinda volleyballed a ball around.
We were at Whitehaven Beach for a couple of hours and when we left we could sail because there was wind - YAY!!
I helped get the sail up and did a spiffing job, I kept my rope super tight!! Well sailing was fun, the boat was really tilted over to one side which was cool. I loved it. We just had lunch and chilled for the rest of the day on the boat as we didn't want to stop now we were sailing.
When we stopped for the evening it was dark so we couldn't really see where the land was. Apparently the crew started looking for crocodiles as they thought they saw the eyes!!
The stars were always stunning while on the boat so we saw the South Cross etc. People pointed out a few but I forget. Paddy was making them up! We had some drinks and chatted. We then went for dinner after which the Irish guys had a great idea to play Kings, a drinking game. Now this is why I don't drink. I got really drunk so much so that I can remember halfway through the second game and thats it, nothing til morning!! I did have to down a mixture of everyones drink though which was, thankfully, just beer and wine as noone had spirits. One of the Irish, Damien, was sick over board - at least I didn't do that, I don't think!!
So I woke up in the morning wondering how on earth I had got there and managed to climb into my bunk, well I amazing had so thats all that mattered!!
I had a really lazy day as I didn't want to be up in the sun and I was tired and, dare I say it, hungover slightly. I chilled out all day, mainly snozing downstairs although going up every now and then and managing to eat lunch.
We got back at about 4pm and got taken back to our hostels etc. I sorted some things out and then we met for food at 7.30. Mark and I were first so we chatted for a bit until the others came. Obviously the Irish lads wanted to play drinking games again... Well, I couldn't manage but I did watch and it was funny. I said my goodbyes and left at 11pmish ready for my early bus the next day.
My group were Mark, Caroline, Cat, Mel, Lisa, Annette, Becki, Luke, Leen and the Irish group - Paddy, John, Big Kieran, Kieran, Damien, Terry-Ann, Peter and one more who I could never work out what they called him. It was a really good weekend although I would've liked to explore some of the Islands more.
Dawn
xxx

Rockhampton

So I was going to maybe work in Rockhampton and stay with Kristine but I decided to just visit and actively look for work in Townsville, as its nicer.
So Kristine and I went to see United 93 which I felt was a good film, maybe because its a true story and it brings back all the emotions of the event itself. It was really good though.
I also spent a day in the Botanic Gardens there which has a small free zoo to look round. The gardens were beautiful and tropical. It has a Japanese garden which was nice and then lovely walkways round the rest with a war memorial in the centre.
The zoo has a couple of chimps, snakes, kangeroo, koalas and emus etc. It was pleasant to walk around. I also booked my hostel for Airlie Beach and my 3 day 2 night sailing round the Whitsundays on Maxi Siska...
Kristine and I went out for a meal on my final night, I was only there 1 1/2 days, and we had Thai. It was so good. It was great to see Kristine again and a bit sad to say goodbye as we are not sure when we'll meet again. Maybe Townsville, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth or UK. I'll def keep in touch though. I need to thank her properly for everything she did for me. I owe her a few meals out thats for sure.
Kristine dropped me off with my bag and I had a walk around town then I was off at 11am to Airlie Beach and ready for my sailing trip.

Kroombit Cattle Station...!

So it was an early morning and Gwen took me to my Oz bus at 7.10am. I said goodbye and jumped on. Shaun was the driver and I was only one of two passengers!! Tracey was the other and she grew up in Milton Keynes, her parents still live in Furzton - Freaky!!
Shaun was a funnyish driver. Working for 8 years in Africa as a safari guide. Talked alot of rubbish but we enjoyed taking the piss out of him!! Tracey was easy to get on with, had a good sense of humour.
We had a laugh on our drive to Kroombit and arrived there around 2pm. Tracey and I wanted to go for a walk so we made Shaun take us, he wanted to chill in the pool!! So we walked up a hill and it was lovely views, nothing around us except countryside, hills and trees. We walked back down and then got told we were going to Lassoo a Goat!!
We headed off up to the goat pen and began to practice our form... I was good until I had to let go and I just couldn't get that right. Well, it was too late no more practice, we watched a couple of guys doing it and then there I was stuck in a pen with lots of goats just staring at me!! I picked my goat and he appeared unfazed by my approach ( I think he knew I wouldn't get him) so I got closer, spinning the rope over my head I decided it was time and the clock was ticking so I went for it and let go of the rope but no I just missed and the goat hadn't even moved!! I had two more tries with the same goat and I got close by getting the rope round his horns but I wasn't quick enough to pull it tight, oh well it was fun. Tracey did better by getting the goat on her second go so she had won!! Damn...
We then had to work as a team, Shaun, Tracey and I, so we had to milk a goat each. We would take it in turns so that one person would hold the horns, the other the leg and then the last would milk. Tracey was due to milk first but she freaked out to Shaun jumped to the rescue... I held the leg up while he milked and then proceeded to drink what he had milked!! I was up next so we found a female goat and while they held it for me I milked like I had never milked before and got some out, Shaun drank that too! Tracey was up next and she had to do it this time, she struggled cos she had an old crusty one but eventually she got a drip and dropped the drip in her mouth!!
We were then due to start competing, us three against three workers (backpacker workers). First we had, pretend, branding. All but one goat were removed from the pen and we had to catch it, get it to the ground and then brand its bum. I did the branding. We did that on an adult goat and then a baby goat, we won!! We then had to catch the goat, get it to the ground and tie three legs together and it had to stay down for 5 seconds. We did well, I tied the legs and the goat was down... We lost though because their stupid goat just ran towards them so they caught it straight away. It was fun playing with the goats!!! The goats were all let out when we had finished violating them.
We headed back to our rooms to shower etcand get ready for dinner. When we came out the Southbound Oz bus was there with its 5 passengers!! We chatted and then had a fantastic home cooked meal.
After dinner we toasted some marshmallows on the fire. We chatted some more and then it was time for some good old whip cracking. We had a little lesson and then it was down to us. I was quite impressed with myself. I could do it almost straight away and with a bit of practice I was good!! I did whip my hand and back a bit so was a bit bruised from the experience. After playing for quite a while we got to try with a bigger whip and the was great, it made such a loud noise. Look at me breaking the sound barrier!!
Tracey, Ruth (girl from Melbourne on other bus) and I were drinking giggle juice, basically cheap sparkling wine... So we had some more before attempting the mechanical bull. Well we all had a go. When it came to my turn I got into position and the bull started, what a fright!! It is crazy and pretty hard. I lasted for 9 bucks or seconds which I thought wasn't bad but my hand and crouch were rather sore from the experience. The winner lasted 12 bucks so I wasn't far behind. I also bruised my knee when I fell off!!
Anyway the rest of the night was relatively tame, we played some games, drank some more and had some moe marshmallow. I had a great time there.
Dawn
xxx

Fraser Island Trip!!!

Ok so Kristine dropped me off at her Mum's house in Hervey Bay. I booked onto a guided tour of Fraser Island. I also visited the large group of Bats that live in Hervey Bay and took lots of photos.
So I left for Fraser pretty early at 7.40am and jumped on the bus to the harbour. We all grabbed our boarding passes and waited for the Kingfisher ferry. When it got there we all poured on, some lady was taking everyones picture but I told her I wouldn't buy it so she shouldn't bother taking my picture...
When we arrived at the Island we all jumped on our bus with our ranger, Patrick, who had a strange look of Patrick Swayze (sp?)!! Don't get too excited girls he didn't have the body!!
So we headed out of the resort and started on the fantastic roads on Fraser which consist of sand and hills. It was really fun bumpy about all over the place. We came across a 4WD type car that was stuck so a few of the guys had to help them out.
We drove for quite a while and then parked up, had morning tea and went off for a wlk to Basin Lake. It was about a 30 minute bush walk which was good. All the lakes on Fraser are fresh water and all come from rainfall. The acidic water in some of them can condition your hair and the sand, being so fine, can exfoliate (sp?) and also clean gold and silver. Quite clever. Anyway Basin Lake reminded me slightly of the Green Loch at Glenmore which was kinda cool. I walked round it but a few people swam.
We walked from there to Central Station through the bush and met up with the Ranger there. We then walked about another 2km to the bus. The walks were really nice but we ended up in a bloody queue because of all the tourists!! Annoying...
Once we were all back on the bus we drove to Lake Mackenzie. We arrived at about 2.30pm and so lunch was set up. A very delicious lunch. We wandered down to the lake after stuffing ourselves! I paddled and the water is just crystal clear, very soft. Again there were alot of people around so didn't manage to get a perfect picture!! It really is beautiful though, stunning scenery.
We headed back to the resort after that for dinner and a few drinks. It was a relatively quiet night as we were pretty tired.
Well the next day we were up at 6.30 ready for breakfast at 7!! We packed up, ate and jumped back into the bus. We left the resort around 8 after waking someone up!!
We drove right across the Island to The Great Sandy Highway which is 75 mile beach and is actually classified as a highway with 100km/h speed limit!! It is full of 4WD trucks everywhere and pretty nice to drive along.
We had a quick stop on the beach to take pictures and then drove further up to Eli Creek which is one of the largest easterly creeks, on the Island, feeding a heap of fresh water into the sea daily. We had morning tea there and Kerry, a girl I met, and I did random things on the beach and took photos.
We then headed further along the highway where we could actually do a scenic flight so I did. We jumped into the little plane and sped off down the beach and took to the skies. It was quite an eye opener to see how big Fraser really is. Even knowing that it is the biggest sand island in the world at 125km x 25km (at the thickest point) I didn't realise the size. There is also such a great deal of rainforest on the island. It was stunning in the flight. We saw dolphins and a massive whale from above so we could make out the shape perfectly!! Fantastic. We also saw some of the freshwater lakes, Mackenzie looking massive!, and the big sand drifts. So we were in the air about 20 minutes and I am so glad I did it.
Once we had landed we headed to the Maheno Shipwreck, which when being towed to Japan in 1935 a cyclone cut her adrift and she was driven ashore, its quite strange to see how much of the ship has disappeared. Anyway, I took a few shots of that and then we had to get going. A few more people did a flight so we headed along the beach a bit to pick them up.
We continued along the beach and after having to drive over the back of the beach and onto another beach we reached Indian Head. We jumped out of the bus and all walked upto the top of Indian Head, it was so warm... We sat up there for quite a while. Saw sharks, turtles, stingrays and dolphins in the sea below it was quite a sight. I was so excited to see Sharks in the wild but I wanted them to feast on something - sick person I am!! After taking quite a few pictures and chilling out on the rocks up there we had to be off.
We drove on a bit more to the Champagne Pools where we had lunch and relaxed. A few people swam but not many. I just photographed it. We had to leave at 2.30 as we had to be off the beach by 4.
So we headed back down the beach and had been driving quite a while when Patrick spotted a Dingo so he slammed the breaks on and a few of us jumped out to try and get a picture. Well, we didn't cos the darn Dingo had scampered off before we could. At least I saw one thought and its not hard to imagine. A skinny ginger dog really...
We carried on down the beach and stopped to check out the coloured sands. Just a quick stop really, a few pictures then we were off again. I think we got off the beach at just the right time as the tide was coming in.
We stopped at a lookout, looking back out to sea which was quite nice and then we were off to catch the ferry. The ferry left at 5pm so I said goodbye to Fraser knowing that it is always changing. I would like to go back without any agenda and enjoy each place for as long as I like.
Fraser Island is made up of sand which drifts up the coast and can be made smaller in extreme weather. I would definately recommend anyone nearby visit Fraser, its quite an amazing natural place.
Dawn
xxx

Hervey Bay - Lazy Days....

I had a very lazy time in Hervey Bay. I had four days there before Kristine was due back so I had to entertain myself. I decided not to do Fraser Island until a bit later in the year, if poss, when it is warmer.
I walked around alot and saw the aquarium which was a bit of a rip off but something to do for an hour or so. I checked out the beach and saw a load of fruit bats nearby which was cool. Went out a couple of nights and chatted to some guys which was ok. Most people don't bother with Hervey Bay, they just use it as a stop of point for Fraser Island.
I also visited the Botanic Gardens and had some great seafood. I read alot and finished my book there.
The accommodation was actually really good. I stayed in The Friendly Hostel which was set up like apartments and no room had more than 3 beds in it so that was great.
Met an interesting guy from Tasmania but who lives in Rainbow Beach. He was very hippyish and spiritual so we had an interesting chat one evening in the hostel.
So when Kristine arrived I didn't really get very active. I got to stay in a home though which was fabulous. I cannot thank Gwen, Kristine's Mum, or Kristine enough for everything they've done!! We watched alot of DVD's, went for walks, had a cycle and got my resume etc sorted out ready to apply for jobs.
Anyway I am currently in Brisbane, emailed some agencies but haven't heard back as yet. Staying at friends of Kristines so at least its a bit nicer than hostels.
Heading back to Hervey Bay with Kristine and doing Fraser Island.
Lets not go crazy with the comments on this one guys..
Dawn
xxx

Noosa!

Well to be honest Noosa has been a real chill out place for me. I have had a couple of days where it has just pissed it down. I have walked round the beautiful national park a couple of times, once wandering onto a nude beach and catching a glimpse of some old guys little pecker!!! Wasn't very impressed thats for sure, I quickly got off that beach as there seemed to be quite a few more old people standing around naked....not a pretty sight!!
I have stayed several places while here. I started at the YHA Halse Lodge in Noosa Heads, bit pricey so I was only there a couple of days, I then moved onto Dolphins Beachouse in Sunshine Beach - such a stunning beach and I was there for about 5 days which was quite nice as they have apartments so we could all just chill in front of the telly!! I am currently staying in Noosa Backpackers ( where I stayed when I was last here 5 years ago!!) which is in Noosaville located on the Noosa river which is lovely.
I have been to the infamous Australia Zoo - Home of The Crocodile Hunter and before you ask NO!! I didn't see Steve, Terri, Bindi or Robert..... It was a great day out though and I really enjoyed it. I have been looking into volunteering there which is something I may do nearer the end of my year here!! Would love to get some experience there, accommodation is a bit of an issue though which is why I'm not doing it now.
Oh I also have to say that I played killer pool one night with 14 people playing and I amazingly came 3rd!!! God only knows how....
I have wandered round the shops here, managed to put a load of photos onto disc and also checked outthe Eumundi Markets not far away. I went there with a girl I met at Dolphins and it was great, we tried so many delicious food samples. I was only really interested in the food there and it was great. Only bought a couple of food items!
I have read alot while here also and so finished my final Dan Brown book, Deception Point (?) and exchanged that for another book which I haven't started yet and clearly don't know the name yet!!
Really apart from all that I have gone on a few jogs so have done a little exercise which is kinda nice. The weather has been great the last few days with nice clear blue skies and about 25degrees. Kelly has come up for a couple of days so we have had a BBQ on the river which was really good.
Ok so I did the Noosa Everglades which were beautiful and a very relaxing afternoon cruise. The reflections are just stunning as was the wildlife and national park. We did see Richard Bransons Island there which he has apparently only used for 5 afternoon parties and has never stayed overnight on even though it cost him around $3million... Crazy man has too much money. We also went through the largest salt water lake in Queensland and it was large. We had to be careful as the lakes were pretty shallow so the driver had to follow the red and green flags.
I got all packed up the next morning and jumped back onto the Oz bus at midday headed for Hervey Bay!! Only 6 people on the bus so very quiet.... We stopped and checked out Rainbow Beach where we also got to play the Digereedoo (sp?) and throw a bomerang - shockingly I could do both kind of.
Dawnie
xx

Ozzy Mobile

Ok so I have had my mobile number for a while and have text people if I have their number but for the rest of you heres my mobile number: 0061423628392 if texting etc from UK. I will mostly reply to texts unless low on credit etc.
Hope you are all doing great xx