Oceania Day 14
Climbing to Extreme Heights
This day was all about the iconic sights of Sydney: climbing the harbour bridge, and having a look around the opera house.
Oceania Day 13
These Mountain’s Got the Blues
We should really have planned more sleep into this trip; but we were out just after 07:00 to start our tour of the Blue Mountains and some of the sights we'd pass on our way from Sydney.
Oceania Day 12
Last Day in Cairns
Our time in another city had come to an end, and to finish off we looked around a wildlife dome situated above a casino.
Oceania Day 11
Back on Land
This was the day we journeyed back to land, paid the reef tax, and went out for one last meal with the friends we'd made whilst diving with Scuba Steve.
Oceania Day 10
The Great Barrier Reef Day 2
Our second and final full day of the live-aboard meant a bit more snorkelling for me.
Oceania Day 9
The Great Barrier Reef Day 1
Our first day out on the open sea didn't go quite the way I'd expected it to. The conditions were also very different to anything I'd experienced before.
Oceania Day 8
Diving Day 2
Another day in the classroom, and also practicing some of the Open Water skills we'd need for this PADI qualification.
Oceania Day 7
Diving Day 1
As we were in Cairns, it meant we were close to the Great Barrier Reef. It felt like it made sense to learn how to scuba dive whilst there so we could get even closer to the reef afterwards. For our first day most of the time was spent in the classroom.
Oceania Day 6
Into the Rainforest
To save on money we'd booked another overnight flight to Cairns; but it meant by the time we'd arrived in the city for a tour of Kuranda we were very sleep-deprived. To get to the rainforest we took a cable car up through the trees, then explored the village before taking the train back.
Oceania Day 5
Around Darwin
An unexpected city tour to avoid the heat, a deserted national park on a perfect sunny day, and some of the worst table service I've ever encountered. It was certainly an interesting day in Darwin.
Oceania Day 4
Swimming With Waterfalls
Even before sunrise, the humidity in Darwin was almost unbearable. Fortunately we'd got a tour booked for the day which would be on an air-conditioned bus.
Oceania Day 3
Melbourne
We hadn't made a plan beforehand of what to see; but felt like going up the SkyTower for a view over the city might be a good idea. When the day was over it was time for an overnight flight to Darwin.
Oceania Day 2
Phillip Island
For our first full day in Australia we had a guided tour to Phillip Island that included a few stops along the way. We saw koalas, and kookaburras, and got to look around a chocolate factory before seeing the march of the little penguins.
Oceania Day 1
Two Days of Travel
Travelling to the other side of the world takes a long time, and the massive time difference certainly doesn't help. It would be worth it though as this was the start of our self-guided trip around Australia and New Zealand.