6 - 9 December 2003

Our first stop in Australia was Brisbane, midway up the east coast of the country. We arrived there on the night of Sandy’s birthday. It was a very nice city and we enjoyed walking around the downtown area. Besides taking time to recharge after our time in Africa and India, we spent a day at the Lone Pine Sanctuary, home to many koalas and kangaroos. We took another day trip to Australia Zoo, home of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in Brisbane, Australia:

10 - 13 December 2003

After a 14 hour train trip from Brisbane, we arrived in Sydney. We spent three days seeing the major city sights: touring the Sydney Opera House, walking across the Harbor Bridge and taking a harbor cruise. We also visited Darling Harbor, Circular Quay, a city museum and the old Government House and botanic gardens. One night was spent having dinner with the family of Kristen’s classmate who had just moved here.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in Sydney, Australia:

14 - 16 December 2003

To get to Adelaide, we took a 24 hour train trip aboard the Indian Pacific - a famous train that goes lengthwise across Australia twice a week. We rode in the seat class, which meant that we spent the night sleeping in the reclining seats, rather than in a much more expensive sleeper, We did have use of a nice lounge car and dining car, through. Once in Adelaide, we visited the South Australia Museum and a quaint zoo. The weather started to get hot and it was over 100 F degrees when we were touring the zoo.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in Adelaide, Australia:

17 - 18 December 2003

We rented a car in Adelaide and began to drive north, toward Alice Springs and Darwin, our final destination. As we reached the Outback, the land changed into the famous stark red landscape. In two days we made it to Coober Pedy and an underground hostel that we stayed in to beat the heat. It was over 110F degrees at 3:00pm!

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in the South Australian Outback:

19 - 20 December 2003

After turning off Stuart Highway and driving about 140 miles west, we reached Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru. This is sacred Aboriginal land and we spent two days visting the rock and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) that was in close vicinity. The weather was hot and rainy. We stayed at the hostel in the resort area and enjoyed relaxing by the pool. We also had an early Christmas dinner at one of the nice resort restaurants, courtesy of Darren’s parents.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in Ayers Rock, Australia:

21 - 23 December 2003

We left Ayers Rock and drove five hours to Alice Springs. We spent three nights in a hostel in the center of town. Our sightseeing included visits to the Royal Flying Doctors Service and the School of the Air, both which serve the Outback. We also made time for a visit to a reptile center and a camel farm, where we all rode a camel.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in Alice Springs, Australia:

One of the Litchfield National Park waterfalls:

24 - 28 December 2003

On Christmas Eve, we left Alice Springs and continued north, past the Tropic of Capricorn. We drove all that day and Christmas Day and then reached Litchfield National Park on 26 December. We spent the afternoon viewing several beautiful waterfalls. That night, we made it to Darwin, our final destination in Australia. We were there during “the wet” or monsoon season and it rained most of the time. On Sunday the 28th, we celebrated Lauren’s 13th birthday by taking in a movie and having dinner at a pub.

To watch an overview of our time in Australia, click Australia Video.

Current Time in the Northern Territory, Australia: