In the
Grampians we spend the first night on our favorite
Stapylton Campground. We call it a zoo for obvious reasons. But camping with
a plaster isn't much fun, so we move into a nice and spacious
cabin. I spend the days on the sofa with my new laptop and Debbie goes
climbing with Udo and Helena. Fall has finally arrived,
and on the second day there is a sand storm moving through with wind
speeds exceeding 120 km/h. Visibility drops down to 50 m and less. Daytime temperatures barely reach 15C but in the evenings we have a cosy fire burning.
Debbie climbing Cosmic Psycho (24)
Debbie cranking on Spurting Life (26)
After an easy week it is
time for another medical check-up and we leave for Sydney. We drive
north
through Victoria's back country and old gold mining towns. We stay in
Mount Kosciuszko National Park below Australia's highest summit,
which is only 2229 m. At night the temperatures drop to a chilly 2C.
The
vegetation is very different from what we've seen so far. The traces of
the forest fires from 2002 can still be seen in many places.
Sunset near Mount Kosciuszko
Next morning we get up early and have an amazing view from our tent.
More than 50 kangaroos are out in the meadow and we see boxing
males among them.
Sunrise in Geehi
Boxing kangaroos
Kangaroo we a full pouch
From Mount Kosciuszko we follow the costal road to Sydney, where we
stay with my cousin Roland. We have a relaxed morning in town and visit
the excellent aquarium in the afternoon.
Parrots having breakfast
Platypus - they really exist
Saltie - nice teeth
Large Ray
Big Turtle
Sydney Harbour Brigde
Opera House
Friday afternoon we leave the city for the Blue Mountains which are just 80 kms further west.
