Tasha and Lisa Backpacking Adventures This will be our blog for our adventures to singapore, australia, new zealand and Sanfran. yours truly, Tasha and Lisa

A short stay in Sydney, and off to Coffs Harbour

AUSTRALIA | Monday, 11 February 2008 | Views [1872] | Comments [8]

Good afternoon/morning/evening!

Well, we are now in Coffs Harbour, sadly we only stayed in Sydney for a two days. But they were a good two days. We found ourselves a really nice hostel for the second night and even made it to the Sydney aquarium. Which was absolutely amazing. We walked through the oceanarium and there were 6 foot sharks swimming right over top of us, not too mention sea turtles and Stingrays at least 5 feet across. So beautiful. We will post photos soon. Due to the rain we never made it to bondi beach, but that just gives us a reason to go back!

We left Sydney yesterday at 7am and got to coffs harbour at 4pm. It was a beautiful train ride to say the least. Australia is just the most incredible place, everything from the trees to the sky seem more beautiful here. And everything is all nice and green from all the rain. No rain here in Coffs though! We seem to be running from it. Today we walked up muttunbird island, (i think that is what it is called, i have no idea..) It's just a little like 15 mintute hike up this really big hill that looks over the harbour. It was very beautiful, it's a good spot to do whale watching, when they are in the area. I think they come around in september-october. So we did not see any whales, but we did see these guys catch like a massive fish, it was a like 2.5 feet long. After our little hike we went to get some icecream and the old icecream guy wanted to tell us stories about the days when he was a swordfisherman. And he would smuggle the swordfish from the states into canada, and all this. It was funny. He wasn't a very good story teller, he would get all wide eyed, and pause during the wrong moments for intense empaphis, when there really didn't need to be one. For example, " And I was paid in cash...Wide eyed...pause...swideways glance...Eventually I was paid by cheque." Okay buddy, thankyou for the icecream..we will be on our way now. Yes, it was funny. Anyways, after that lovely little event, we went to book our train seats to Byron bay!!!! YEAHHH. We are going there tomorrow at 4 pm, and will get there 8 pm. We shall dwell there for the next 3 weeks at least. SUPER STOKED. Everybody get presents from byron bay. haha.

Well. That is all i have to say..oh wait..one more thing..

I LOVE AUSTRALIA

okay.

We're good.

Talk to you guys when we get to Byron Bay.
LOVE YOU ALL.

PEACE

Tags: On the Road

Comments

1

Hi ladies! Glad you found a nice hostel to stay in while in Sydney and had fun while you were there. I think the aquarium is in Manly right? I hope the rain gave you a break on the ferry ride over. I Do not blame you a bit for leaving the rain behind you. Glad to see you stopped over in (Bananna country)Coffs Harbour. Worth a visit for sure. How are you enjoying the train travel? Have you been able to check out the bar car yet?oops I guess you can tell where my priorities "used" to be. Man, it is pretty sad that there have been 16 viewings of this sight and I am the one that seems to ramble on the most.(so out of character for me!) Shiskabub! Viewers help me out here. Stoked is a great way to be Tasha.!So pleased for you both. Look forward to seeing the photos from Bryon Bay. I would like to see a photo of "Beware of sharks sign" please. Love to you both , momma mar.

marlene Feb 12, 2008 10:22 AM

2

Hey you two! I'm glad to see that you're updating again! I was starting to get lonely without your stories... I hope you guys are staying safe. I enjoyed the part about the ice cream guy....he seems pretty chill. And the hilltop to watch wales was magical! I truly can't wait to see you two again! Love you both!

Tina Feb 12, 2008 10:23 AM

3

Tasha the new game Turok has been released for PS3.
In Calgary when you buy it you get a hat or a tshirt but in Australia when you buy the game you get a necklace with a shark tooth on the end with Turok ingraved on it. Now I do not care what you have to
do but you can not come home with out one for me.......Please!!

Sincerely,

your loving 5 foot ten Brother

Ostin Feb 12, 2008 12:53 PM

4

Great idea ladies leave the rain far behind. It is good to know that you are enjoying the hostel life and the trains. It seems as though ice cream has become a very important staple in your diet. I am stoked to know I am getting some gifts from Byron Bay, Yes!!

Tasha and Lisa you continue to take care of each other and always remember Benson wise words.

Love to you both,
Mom/Jayna

We need some pictures

Jayna Feb 12, 2008 1:09 PM

5

Hey Tasha and Lisa,

Tash your Mom put me on to this link so I am lucky enough to follow what you guys are doing. It looks as though you are having a good time and love Australia as much as I did. Byron Bay is an awesome place and I tried to get there every chance I got in the three years I lived there. I thought I would give you a little advice on backpackers places.

In Byron there is a couple backpackers I always stayed at. One being Aquarius and the other is The Arts Factory. Aquarius is good because it is right in town and there will be a lot of people going out to Cheeky Monkeys pub (you will see what I am talking about). The Arts Factory is a little different as it is basically a hippie commune. It took me a while to get used to it but everyone is really laid back. Every night there is activities such as a talent night where backpackers are encouraged to join in. I had a friend who stayed there for a month because he lovde it. It is pretty hilarious. It isn't as close into town as Aquarius but I guess it is what you are into.

Make sure you walk up to the light house. It is an amazing view of the headlands.

Stops along the way... Surfers Paradise is really cool. They call it Little Miami because I guess that is exactly what it resembles; I but I have never been to Miami so I wouldn't know. I did really enjoy it. The backpackers to stay there is Nomads. It has a really good location and it is a converted hotel so the rooms are fairly nice and you get your own bathroom.

Brisbane is fun but there is no beach and I think it would only be good for a couple nights. As far as nightclubs go you should go to The Family in the Valley. Ask any one there and they will know exactly where it is. There dress code is specific. You can't dress too nice or they won't let you in, which is weird because it is one of the nicest clubs in Brisbane. It has three floors with different themes in every room and it is really done up nice.

The Sunshine Coast where I lived is nice. It is where the Australians go to holiday. If you get a chance walk through the Tea Tree Forest in Noosa, it is beautiful. The Crocadile Hunter's zoo is also in the Sunshine Coast right outside of Mooloolaba. If you get off at Beerwah train exit you will be right there. Also, since you guys seem to like ice cream so much you should try the Big Pineapple. It is supposed to be some of the best in Australia. I have had it and it is very good. I wouldn't bother going on the tour of the Big Pineapple it is just a little train that takes you around the compound and shows you there thousand pineapples they grow.

If there is anywhere I could reccommend in Australia it would be Fraser Island. Make sure you visit a place called Mackenzie Lake, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. Also the Champagne Pools is amazing. Just above it is Indian Headlands. If you walk up there and look into the ocean you will see the Tiger Sharks feeding ground. More amazingly if you look further down you will see surfers actually surfing a hundred metres away. You are not supposed to go in the water but people do just don't go too deep.

Going North from Fraser Island I think you should have a look at the Witsundays Islands. It is at the most southern point of the Great Barrier Reef. Try and get on a sailing boat tour. They last like three days and they are incredible. Whitehaven Beach is a must see. The sand has such a high silica content it makes it very fine and white and squeeks very loud when you walk on it. It is pretty surreal.

I better get going, I hope I didn't fill up the wall too much. If you have any questions feel free to let me know.

Riley

Riley Orman Feb 13, 2008 10:22 AM

6

Sounds pretty cool. We are looking forward to our gifts from "the Bay". You two are missing all the snow here and all the rain there, must be nice. Love reading all your notes. It makes Australia sound like a place we are going to have to visit......see you next week......just kidding!! Too bad you don't get to see the whales. I think you should check out the tiger feeding grounds from the indian headlands as per above comments from Riley...sounds way awesome, just don't try surfing there!!!! Love you tons, post some pics and talk to you later.

PS - Your brother has not grown 4 inches since you left

Gramps and Gramma Feb 13, 2008 2:09 PM

7

If he isn't 5 10 that means I have shrunk..

just kidding.

hugs from us all and yea have fun but write when you can...

Grandma and Grandpa Feb 14, 2008 10:25 AM

8

Hey Girls, what an adventure you are having. It sounds absolutely wonderful. I would be afraid to go there because I have heard there are very large spiders!!!!! It is all Jayna's fault that I am afraid of spiders. Any way, we were off to Maui for 1 week and it was incredible. We did have some rain, but it was warm and there was no snow, so we did not complain. Keep having fun and take care of each other. We will stay tuned to read of your ongoing adventure.

Aunty Val.

Aunty Val Feb 15, 2008 12:02 PM