It’s now well over three weeks since we returned back home to Worcester, in the UK. The first few days home were dreadful for me as I suffered from jetlag. I would wake up at 3 a.m., bright as a button, ready for the off! I did give in one morning and actually got up! Nausea plagued me too, but after about 6 days of feeling like part of me was still whizzing around on a plane, things settled down, and our version of normal returned.
Now it’s the 22nd of June and things are much more ordered. I’m back to getting up at 5 a.m., sorting the dogs, and then off to work. However, I do have a new normal for work as I am happy to declare myself part-time! At lunchtime, I finish for the day and come home.
As anyone who owns their own business knows, we never really stop working, but for now, at least, I might have more time…
Back to Australia. Since returning, lots of people have asked what our favourite parts were. Which adventure was your highlight?
I thought it would be interesting to list the cities we visited and the highlights for each…
Here we go with our whistle stop tour of Australia…
Melbourne
Phillip Island showed us the penguins coming home to roost.
We visited Brighton Bathing Boxes and admired their artistic exteriors.
We saw the live theatre show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which has a long waiting list in London, and we didn’t think we would ever get to see it!

Saw our first koalas and kangaroos at the Moonlit Animal Sanctuary.
We had lunch in the old gold rush town of Castlemaine.
We took a night time tour of Melbourne Gaol.
The Queen Victoria Market proved a fabulous place for a touring breakfast.
Of course, the main reason for our trip was for me to judge Cairn Terriers at the championship show of the Cairn Terrier Club of Victoria. This judging appointment was a great honour with some beautiful dogs to judge.

Sydney
We walked up and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Our 5 star hotel was room with a view plus and gave us breakfast looking at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Our tour of the Opera House was just exceptional; we learnt so much.
Being bombarded by cockatoos as we walked through the Botanical Gardens was very entertaining.
Brisbane
The Australia Zoo visit showed us conservation combined with entertainment to the highest level.
Cuddling a Koala was a dream come true!

We discovered Felons (pub) under Story Bridge, sampling some superb real ales.
We devoured pancakes in an old converted church!
Cairns
We stayed in Trinity Beach, with its beautiful morning walks, great restaurants and stunning views.

Kuranda Scenic Railway showed us what travelling on an iconic railway is like!
The Rainforestation tour of the rainforest in a 1944 ex army duck was great fun!
We saw a Golden Orb spider in her web and were rather glad she stayed there!
The Aboriginal Experience of digerido playing, spear throwing and boomerang throwing introduced us to some entertaining First Peoples.
Kuranda Heritage Village markets enabled us to dispose of our money in its glorious shops and stalls. This resulted in us being unable to stick to hand luggage only rule…
We toured over Saddle Mountain and saw its views.
Cairns Aquarium prepared us for our tour on the Great Barrier Reef.
We chartered a helicopter flight out to Great Barrier Reef. Our day on the Reef will live in our memories forever. The warmth of the water, the sun on our backs, the colours, the history, the plans for the future. The sheer beauty of our natural world in all its glory. Simply exceptional.






Heberton Historic Village showed us what life was like in the first settlements.
We took a drive around Atherton Baldy Mountain area, over Mount Peter and the Lamb range areas of Cairns. Saw mango trees and fruit farms the size of London!
We took a tour to Port Douglas and passed a forest fire on the way.
Visiting the Australian Artillery and Armour Museum got Chris shooting, not archery this time but real live bullets from heritage guns.
Lots of beach walks were taken, and coffee stops just to be in the moment and bottle those feelings for us to recall on grey winter days back in the UK.
We’d hoped to see wild playtpus, but it wasn’t to be, we had fun looking, though
Darwin.
The Army Truck Tour showed us the best of Darwin, the tour guide was excellent, and in one morning we saw all there was to see in Darwin.
Watching a film at the Deckchair Cinema with its ninja possums and fruit bats was a wonderful evening. The goat curry and g&t’s made it super special
Pee Wee’s at the Point. Well, what can I say about Pee Wee’s… with the views across to Darwin’s skyline, excellent service, 5* food and service, it was one of those nights that will last in our memories forever!
The Ghan Expedition
Lots of people don’t know of The Ghan, so it’s easier to explain if I say it’s like a cross between the Orient Express and a Cruise!
Our time on the train was fun and we saw the Katherine Outback Experience, watching horses and dogs in training.
The Alice Springs tour showed us a beautiful gallery of First peoples art. We took a short walk in a Nature reserve, and climbed up Cassia Hill with its magnificent views.
Simpsons Gap was quite simply breathtaking.
Anzac Hill War Memorial reminded us of those who lost their lives at war.
Flynns Monument proved an interesting interlud and the Kimberley nature centre was fascinating.
An evening spent eating a lovely meal outdoors at the Telegraph Station was one of the best and the star gazing lecture after dinner made us laugh, cry and simply be in awe of the world above our heads.
Opal mining in Coober Pedy was something else! We spent time down an actual working opal mine. Ate lunch underground and visited active opal mines.
The Breakaways were breathtaking as National Parks go ❤️
Of course, a small purchase was made in the opal shop!!
We had a campfire and canapés around a fire pit in the middle of the outback.
Adelaide
Adelaide arrived and left all too quickly. It’s a beautiful city and we might be back…
The tour back to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road was eventful.
Kingston’s crayfish proved a giant statue to see. We stopped in Robe, Laver Hill, and Geelong. Taking lunch on Geelong sea front was lovely after we had driven through forests all day.
We had an afternoon tea with friends after a leg aching walk up Split Point Lighthouse.
Throughout this tour, I have consumed crayfish, half a tonne of prawns and smoked salmon, oysters, kangaroo, crocodile, shark, and octopus. All prepared in every way, shape and form, and I don’t mind sharing with you, how delightful it all was!
Australia was an absolutely wonderful holiday 😀
Australia gave us so much! Before we departed, I was nervous about spending so much time with the other half… at home we pass, as the saying goes, like ships in the night. This time together, thousands of miles from home reminded me that the other half is actually quite decent😉, makes me laugh, and looks after me too.
At home we are both taken over by all-encompassing hobbies. But now, we have resurrected our date nights. Our time together, no dogs, no archery, just us!
I have a feeling Australia will continue to have an impact on me for years to come.
I welcome the bottled moments, the memories, and the smiles 😃 that come when I think about how lucky I am to have shared Australia with you all but especially with the other half!

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