Around the World in 109 days
Um die Welt in 109 Tagen
04.05.-21.08.2008
Australia, 19.-30.06.2008 
Time zone: Queensland/Eastern Australia = GMT + 10h
1 Euro = 1.55 Dollar
Thursday, 19.06.2008
Photo gallery: Flight to Australia
I arrived at Sydney (SYD) airport in the morning, took the (expensive) train
to the city and had a look at some of the main sights in the city: Opera House,
Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour.
Photo gallery: Sydney
After lunch I returned to the airport and took an afternoon flight to Cairns, arriving around 7pm. At Gecko's Backpacker I met Solveig who had reserved a nice room.
Friday, 20.06.2008
Solveig had to return to Bowen by bus early in the morning and I had a quick
look around thze city.
Photo gallery: Cairns
Then I read my piles of guidebooks and advertisements and then decided to go
to Kuranda, catching a bus at 1:30pm. After putting up my tent (by far the
cheapest private room I can have in Australia) I walked through the local
rainforest to breathtaking Barron Waterfall and Wright Lookout.
Photo gallery: Kuranda
It turned dark pretty fast after sunset so I had to find my way back with my flashlight, enjoying the beautiful sky of thousands of stars.
Saturday, 21.06.2008
In the morning I walked a bit around Kuranda.
Photo gallery: Kuranda
Then I took the next bus to Mareeba, "where rainforest meets outback" as a sign stated on the city entrance, describing very well this green town in the middle of the red Australian desert. I put my tent at a caravan park near Barron river and then walked (rather marched) to Granite Gorge, southwest of the town. At the tourist information they told me it was 12 km, but I were probably 12 miles, taking me 2 1/2 hours, but the walk itself was a great visit to Australia's outback.
The "Gorge" itself was just a little creek with huge granite rocks, well worth the visit. On the way back I watched a fire-red outback sunset and then amazing star views in the sky while walking the road in the dark.
Photo gallery: Mareeba
Sunday, 22.06.2008
Even though my legs did not feel like moving I took the only bus that day and
headed back to Cairns, arranged a snorkeling tour for the next day, based
myself at nice Cairns Holiday Park campsite and enjoyed a nice hike along the
Centenary lakes, over a magnificient mangrove swamp and jungle boardwalk,
visited Gondwana Heritage Garden and enjoyed nice views over Cairns and the
sea from Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.
Photo gallery: Cairns
For dinner I had a regular size (i.e. huge) portion of delicious fish & chips,
one of the really nice things in Australia.
Monday, 23.06.2008
Diving at the Great Barrier Reef!
Photo gallery: Great Barrier Reef
Tuesday, 24.06.2008
Shopping and Beach Promenade of Cairns - and Whisky with the French.
Photo gallery: Cairns
Wednesday, 25.06.2008
Travel to Mt. Isa - Deep in the Outback
Sunset Top Tourist Park, Mt. Isa
Photo gallery: Cairns - Townsville - Mt. Isa
Thursday, 26.06.2008
Mt. Isa
Photo gallery: Mt. Isa
Friday, 27.06.2008
Gl&uul;hwein in Longreach
Photo gallery: From Mt. Isa to Longreach
Saturday, 28.06.2008
Longreach and a night in a Greyhound bus
Photo gallery: Longreach
Sunday, 29.06.2008
Toowoomba, Tabletop Mountain and Picnic Point
Photo gallery: Toowoomba
Arrival in Brisbane, Newmarket Gardens Caravan Park, Ashgrove (4 km from Brisbane, 10 min by bus 325, 345 or 390)
Southbank
Photo gallery: Brisbane by night
Monday, 30.06.2008
Euro2008 finals
Photo gallery: Euro2008 finals
Sightseeing and to the airport.
Photo gallery: Brisbane sightseeing
next: New Zealand
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