From Brisbane to Mt Isa

I've found a seat in a 4wd to take me to Alice Springs, Uluru and Adelaide, but I have to get to Mt Isa in the Queensland Outback to catch it. The only way to make it in time was by bus: 26 hours from Brisbane via Toowoomba and Longreach. 

Brisbane. 

Driving through the outback. 

The trusty Greyhound bus. By the time we reached Mt Isa, I was ine of only two remaining passengers. 

Surface flooding caused by recent rain.

Red earth, dry grass, scrubby bushes & anthills. 

Around Byron Bay

lI stayed a few nights with an old school friend who lives in Mullumbimby. Mullum is a more relaxed place than Byron, and almost fully self sufficient. There are several points of interest close by including Mt Warning - the first place in mainland Australia to see the sun every day. 

Mt Warning from afar. 

The scramble to the top. 

The view out to the east coast. 

The track climbs up through rainforest. 

A decent sized lizard near Brunswick Heads. 

Me at the most easterly point of mainland Australia. 

By the backroads to Byron Bay

After 10 days in and around Sydney, I was ready to leave and see a bit more of Australia. I wanted to travel via the backroads from Sydney north-eastwards to Byron Bay on the NSW-Queensland border. Luckily I found a rideshare on Gumtree with Scott from New Jersey. Over 4 days we drove the following route: Sydney-Blue Mountains-Putty Rd-Barrington Tops-Thunderbolts Way-Cathedral Rocks-Dorrigo-Waterfall Way-Sawtell Beach-Byron Bay. Here are a few impressions from the drive.

The 3 Sisters in the Blue Mountains. 

Waterfall near Wentworth Falls. 

Me by the 3 Sisters. 

Camping in Barrington Tops National Park. 

An adult copperhead snake crossing our path in Barrington Tops. 

Nice views of Barrington Tops. 

A wallaby in Cathedral Rocks National Park. 

The Cathedral Rocks.

Cathedral Rocks National Park

Bundeena to Otford coastal walk

This is a 26 km, 2-day walk along the clifftops south of Sydney. There are lots a beautiful beaches, views out to sea and a feeling of remoteness. I found a camping spot with an amazing view.

The coastline near Bundeena

A goanna

My camping spot

Wattamolla beach

Burning Palms beach

Sydney, Australia

I have decided to spend a couple of months in Australia and get to know the country. First stop: a visit to my uncle and his wife in Sydney. They have an apartment near Coogee beach in the eastern suburbs. I started by doing some walks in the area: Coogee to Bondi, over harbour bridge and Spit to Manly. Really hot weather and great scenery!

Lorikeets

Coogee beach

Downtown Sydney

Spit to Manly

View back to the city

Heading north again

After hiking the Milford track, I hitched all the way back to Hamilton via Te Anau, Wanaka, Christchurch, Picton, Wellington and Taupo.

From Queenstown to Wanaka

Wanaka

Christchurch Cathedral ruins

Owhiro Bay, Wellington

Wellington from the Radar Station

The Milford Track

I had intended to hike the 8-day Dusky Track, but due to the rainy weather, I decided to find something shorter. I managed to get a place on the Milford Track, which was very lucky as normally you have to book months in advance. The Milford Track is a 3.5-day hike which begins with a ferry ride across Lake Te Anau. A map of the trail is available here.

The track passes through pristine coastal rainforest, then goes over the Mackinnon Pass and all the way down to sea-level at Milford Sound. Seeing the waterfalls after so much rain was very special. It's a great walk and highly recommended!

Walking the Milford Track