I went the Beaches and Reef tour June 2004, quite simply the best holiday I have ever had, meeting so many people from different backgrounds has truely opened my eyes to the world outside of Scotland! At 19 iam lucky to be well travelled thanks to my parents, but this was one holiday where there wer no parents.
A month away in the land of Oz... I would advise a couple of days in Sydney before the tour starts, the sights are amazing, especially up the bridge! If your going out when its winter out there, May-Aug I would take warm clothes, even hat and scarf, it was a wee bit chilly now and again.
So the tour.... be prepared to make an idiot of yourself, it will happen on the tour at some stage, but its all about having fun.
I have a very vivid image of Byron Bay, alsolutely stunning, we had lunch on the beach, with the sun shining down! Spotted a few dolphins too.
Surfers Paradise has something for everyone... for some its the beach, learn to surf, others go sky diving, my mate Debbie and I hit the shops, the safe option! Spending a fortune in Tiffany's and several other shops, Surfers has it all! It was Dracula's at night for a meal&show... very weird, as you ride a ghost train to get to your table for the meal! Good show though, then its out on the town of some partying!! Brisbane for lunch, just a quick visit, then a drive to the Adora Downs. I should warn you in advance....you might see a spider or two!!! The next day is heading back towards the coast, visiting a wildlife park where you can pose with a koala for a photo! Smile!!! Out onto Fraser Island staying in basic log cabins...keep the doors shut for dingos and Im not joking!! My tour group spent the night in the bar singing their hearts out at karaoke!! I could hear them from my room so I went to investigate!!! Time to chill out by the pool.
Ok Rockhampton....strange town, kinda quiet, with not alot to do but go to the pub,oh but while I was there it was biker heaven, picture this.... grey bearded men cruising through the town on theue bikes, yes it happened!! Next morning its onto bus, some with hang overs...dont drink too much the night before!!Ferry to Whitsundays for two days...wow, totally amazing sunsets, time for chilling out. Back to mainland, 9hour drive to Cairns, ahh!! Time for some bus games! In cairns, debz and I opted for hot air balloon (warning very early start, totally worth it and the champagne breakfast after.) Next day was barrier reef, takes about 90mins to get out there, if your worried you might get sea sick take something for it, it can get choppy at bits, once your there get your stinger suit on and get snorkelling unless you can scuba dive oh and slap on the sun screen! I got burnt, badly. Looking like a lobster on my last night with the group.At night its out in cairns, party party party...for some like me it was the last night as I flew back to Sydney for another couple of days.
If you have any questions, you can ask me!
YeeHaa!! Ride into the sunset and never look back
