Cyclone Anthony

After a sleepless night without power next to a noisy river that was widening we got up at 6am to see the damage!  We were heading for the bus that we should have got on overnight to Cairns!

The water is coming up out of the main drains which was flooded the night before!

The clean-up begins!

We are managing to get north to Darwin just before Cyclone Yasi is predicted to strike.

Whitsunday Islands

We set off aboard the tall ship for a Whitsunday Island adventure. 

Within minutes Mark was at the wheel of 'Alexander Stewart'!

The deck was perfect for sunbathing!

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We arrived at Whitehaven beach for a bush walk to the lookout point.

Saw this little fella along the way - bout the size of your hand

The view from the lookout point - totally amazing!

Long arm shot lol!

This is the Alexander Stewart - our bunks for the night!

Lets hope for calm waters and star gazing!!

Little did we know what was on the way!

Next morning we were told we had to head back early as Cyclone Anthony was heading for Airlie beach.

After a morning of snorkeling we had a rather rough 4 hours journey back to land!

Its hard to believe when we get back to Airlie that there's anything but sun on the way!

After-party at Beaches was good fun and a great finish to the trip  with all the lovely people we met on Alexander Stewart!

                                                                                  

Great Barrier Reef

We went out for a day cruise around the Great Barrier Reef for some snorkelling!

Kates horror as we see a 2m long White tip shark!!

It was just one big fish tank!

The Coral of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mark looking hot in his stinger suit lol!

Time for a sunset cruise home!

Perth

We had an unexpected nights stay with Craig, Emma & kids along with Shorty which was fantastic!

Best night in W.A!

Thanks for the hospitality and a fab weekend -see you in the UK :-)

How could we refuse an Ice cream with such a name :-)

Walk on the Wild side

After whale world we went to this wildlife park where  we got to see some of Australia's native Animals!

Lucky Kate couldn't get the Koala under her jumper!  

As you can see he was full of beans lol!

Albany Whale world

Our last stop down the coast was Albany fanous for its Whale hunting.

This is the carcass of a relative of the Blue Whale- the blue whale would be half as big again!

This is the harpoon thats was used on the actual ships!

Obviously with the best (wo)man at the wheel!

They used to kill sperm & humpback whale for their oil -shipped off to light up London Village.

Green Pools -Denmark, W.A

                      We spent the day on this beach, a bit of the beaten track - a real little gem !

Valley of the Giants walk, Denmark.

On the way down the coast before we got to Denmark  - our next destination, we stopped to do the Valley of the Giants Tree top walk.  This metal frame suspension path went through the tops of the Karri & Tingle trees, about 75m at one point!

This is us inside the Tingle tree!

Margaret River

This is Surfers point in the Margaret river region.  There was Kite-surfing, wind-surfing and normal surfing in fact any kind of surfing was done at this point!!:-)

We came back here for this amazing sunset.  you can just see the die-hard windsurfers on the horizon!

Yallingup Beach

As we venture further south in Western Australia we keep coming accross beaches like these, long white sands withcrystal clear water and hardly anyone around.  This is the more untouched side of Oz!

Busselton Jetty

This is the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere about 2km long.This is the first stop after Perth in WA.

Ayers Rock Uluru

We were up at 4am to see the sunrise at Uluru.  When we got to the viewing piont it was pitch black with just us 8 and the smell of breakfast cooking!  We saw some amazing stars including the Southern Cross.  The sun started to rise at about 6 to reveal we were truly in the heart of the outback.

After bacon & egg butty and a cuppa we wait for the sun!

The sun starting to peep out in the background and you can just see Uluru to the right.

The view from the bathroom  - Ayers Rock.

We continued our Desert Awakening tour with a drive around the rock, Fantastic so amaing in the flesh!

Now for Sunset!

                                    

                   You can see the rock loose its redness from the sun to its natural grey colour!

                                  

Sydney festival

Last day in Sydney & the start of Sydney Festival.  Great ending.  Live music all over the city, fireworks over Darling harbour.

Arrested Development on stage  - Mark couldn't wait for Mr Wendell!(lol)

Sydney came alive!!