Bye Bye Cairns

We leave Cairns this tomorrow after more than three months here and, while Alex & I are both ready to carry on with our travels, I think neither of us is looking forward to packing our bags and living like nomads again.  This weekend we had a great BBQ with a few friends on the esplanade to say our good-byes.  Our buddy, Simon, organized it and we had the perfect night for a picnic outdoors.  He’s one of the first people we met in Cairns and he, along with his beautiful German girlfriend Monika (who is sadly has been off doing farm work these past few weeks so she can get her second year visa in Aus), was incredible to us while we were here.  From BBQs to dive trips and gear to drinks every Tuesday night, they were the best & we’re gonna miss them! 

 

Alex, Christen, Simon & Jake

Cairns sunset on a gorgeous 'winter' night

 

And I couldn’t leave town without one last night out with the girls from the bar.  They were super sweet and rallied last night for a Sunday session at Woolshed after I got off work.

 

Christen, Gemma, Belinda, Sarah, Shayna, Nikita & Buddig

 

Up next is a crazy five weeks of traveling around Australia before Alex’s parents arrive in Melbourne for their visit.  Internet is going to be hit or miss depending on whether we’re in a city or in transit but I’m going to try my best to keep you guys updated on our travels.  In case I get behind, here’s where we’ll be and what we’re up to for the next month:

 

Tuesday Sep 11 – leave Cairns in a campervan and head south to Ayr after a quick stop in Kuranda

Wed Sep 12 – Dive the Yongala, an 1800s shipwreck listed as one of the Top 10 dive sites in the world

Thurs Sep 13 – drive to Lark Quarry to see more than 3300 fossilised footprints that comprise the only recorded dinosaur stampede on earth then onto Mount Isa to check out an outback mining town

Fri Sep 14 thru Mon Sep 17 – drive through the Outback to Darwin

Wed Sep 19 – taking The Ghan railway south to Alice Springs

Thurs Sep 20 thru Thurs Sep 27 – taking a campervan to Adelaide with stops along the way to see Ayers Rock, the Olgas and Kings Canyon (and probably Clare Valley – wine region)

Thurs Sep 27 thru Sat Sep 29 – Explore Adelaide

Sun Sep 30 thru Tues Oct 2 – taking the Indian Pacific railway to Perth

Tues Oct 2 thru Wed Oct 10 – Explore Perth (no sure of our exact plan yet but we want to atleast see the Fremantle markets, Rottnest Island, Swan Valley wine region and check out what are supposed to be the best beaches in Aus (no I will NOT be getting in the water) and the amazing hiking around the city)

Wed Oct 10 thru Fri Oct 12 – Indian Pacific railway back to Adelaide

 

After that we have a little over a week to finish exploring Adelaide and make our way to Melbourne before the Styche family arrives…  It’s gonna be a whirlwind but we are excited for the adventure.  Talk to you all soon.  XOXOX, Christen & Alex