Spending the last few hours in Australia enjoying the signts and sounds of the city.

Walked down to Bondi Beach, where he surfies were all out in force. There are some beautiful cliff walks down here, but for some bizarre reason the coast is dotted with various works of modern art, part of Sculpture by he Sea. I'm glad I found out as it was inwardly tutting about people dumping their rubbish on the beach.

Spending the last few days of my short holiday in Sydney, a city you really do have to love. Even in its rather smoggy state, thanks to the fires in the Blue Mountains, it is still a glorious place, full of energy and character.

Staying at Bondi Junction this time, a little way out from the centre but with a gorgeous view. Yesterday visited the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, which has some amazing vessels. One is a replica of James Cook's ship HM Bark Endeavour, the vessel he was traveling in when he landed in Australia and claimed it for George III. Its a tiny vessel, difficult to comprehend 90 people traveling on it for three years during that expedition.

Today took the ferry over to Manly and walked the Coastal way to Spit. Some great views and it gives you a real sense of the size of the harbour.

Took in the sites of the Capital region starting with a visit to the Parliament, built into a hill overlooking the city.

You can just go in and wander around, although security is tight. There are some interesting old objects in such a new building, ranging from a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta, to the desk Queen Victoria used to sign the Commonwealth of Australia into existence.

The Old Parliament Building, half way down the hill, now holds the Museum of Australian Democracy which is fascinating.

Today dropped back to the coast and stopped off at Botany Bay, where James Cook first landed in 1770. He was met by two natives how basically told him to go away. He didn't take much notice.

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Continued following the state line up the course of the river. Back into Victoria to pass the Hume Dam, now charged with regulating the level of the river annually. Funny being in a state full of Victorians. And not one in a frock coat or dressed in crinoline.

The terrain is very different here as I head up into the Australian Alps. Some impressive hydro electric plants on the way up. The water is piped through the mountains where it is used for electricity before being used to fill the reservoirs and irrigate large chunks of three states.

Eventually left the river and crossed the pass back into New South Wales. Some beautiful scenery with snow, appropriately enough, capping the Snowy Mountains. Finished the journey in the national capital Canberra.

Back to the course of the mighty River Murray. (It's compulsory to use the word mighty when mentioning the Murray).

Stopped off in Echuca, once the home to the rivers biggest fleet of paddle steamers. There are still quite few, now chugging up the river with cargos of tourists rather than bales of wool or logs.

The ships are original, and still powered by steam, so quite impressive that they are still working after a hundred years or so.

The city is also home to fleets of houseboats hired out for trips up and down the river. It was quite entertaining to sit on the river bank, watching the bucks parties loading up the tinnies, and launching themselves into the water.

Now in Aubury, just over the border in New South Wales.

Took a detour from the Murray to travel down to the goldfields and the city of Bendigo.

Stopped at Wycheproof where I climbed the local mountain. Not a big deal as it is a grand total of 49m high/ It does however stand out from the surrounding plains and provides a wonderful view of miles and miles of cornfields.

Went down a gold mine today, no free samples unlike the coal mines in the UK. Cheapskates. Very interesting and gives a flavour of life during the goldrush. The population went from 800 to 20,000 in 1851 with more gold found here in the 19th Century than anywhere else in the world.

Continued my voyage inland along the course of the River Murray, Australia's longest river. At 2,375 km it traverses a large part of the east of the continent and drains an awful lot of land.

The early settlers used the rivers to explore the interior and set up communities all along the river. Part of the joy of exploring new countries is to come across vibrant and thriving communities, living lives in places you never knew existed,

Such is the Riverland, a string of towns along a section of the Murray, each with their own character and purpose.

Now in a new state, Victoria, and the town at the top, Mildura. Some lovely old buildings. Popped across the border into Wentworth, located at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers. They welcome people with a tractor on a pole. They like tractors up here.

Had a relaxing couple of days in Adelaide. Visited the botanic gardens and took in a couple of museums. The museum of immigration was particularly interesting as it detailed some of the stories of some of Australia's immigrants as well as the effect their arrival had on some already here.

Took a trip down to Geelong on the tram, for a refreshing walk by the sea. Didn't get as far a Brighton, but hit the outskirts of Hove.  Refreshing trip apart from the flies. I had forgotten how tenacious they are in Australia. Not like the polite flies in England, these ones are straight in your face, no holes bared.

Said goodbye to the Southern coast and headed back to Perth to catch the plane east.

Said goodby to Perth with a twilight trip on the Swan River. I think the captain had done the trip before, but it was a bit worrying when he got the crew to sit on the roof of the boat to see if we were going to fit under the bridge.

For a test I put Sidney into my sat nav and got told it would be 4110 km and would take me 45 hours to drive. I guess flying part of the way was a good idea.

Now in Adelaide, just 1450 km from my flight home and a 15 hour drive to come. Just as well I have 10 days to do it in.

Short day today as I've lost another 2.5 hours by flying east. South Australia is now on daylight saving, and its nice to see the evenings giving out.

Arrived in Albany after a long drive along the coast. Stopped in Denmark for the night but no sign of the little mermaid. Albany has that end of he world feeling you get in these out of the way places. It reminded me of Ushuaia at the bottom of Argentina. Both city's are the last stop before Antarctica.

Visited an old whaling station on the edge if the bay. It was operational until 1978, slicing up whales caught in the southern ocean. It is now a museum dedicated to saving the species it came close to wiping out, but you need a strong stomach to look at some of the pictures.

Drove up to Natural Bridge, a granite outcrop at the edge if the sea. The wind was ferocious and the waves impressive. Not a sea you would want to be caught out in.

Today drove up to the Porongrup National Park for a stunning walk along the ridge with views for miles either side.

Exploring the coasts and forests of the southwestern corner of Australia. Yesterday did both capes in the Margaret rive area. Started with Cape Naturalistie which has some great walking trails and a little squat lighthouse you can climb up. Progress on the path was impeded for a moment by a snake lying across the path, but I rustled some branches and it slinked away.

Finished with Cape Leeuwin at the south western corner of the country, which features a very tall lighthouse and a waterwheel turned to stone.

Today turned my attention to the Southern Forests. Climbed to the top of the Gloucester tree. Easier said than done as the way to the top was by a series if metal pegs sticking out of the tree. Felt highly dangerous, but the view from the top was stupendous.

Traveling in the South West corner of Australia some 150 miles south of Perth. The region has some spectacular scenery and some wonderful drives.

Visited Wellington Park which has a large reservoir, currently overflowing thanks to the wet September in the state. Quite amazing to see the water pouring over the top.

Visited the Dolphin centre in Bunbury, but didn't see any dolphins. Apparently the sea was a but rough for them to come into the shore. THe centre was full of irritating little creatures, it's school holidays, as well as lots of aquatic dwellers such as Octopus and Sea Horses.

Now in Bussellton, home of the longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere. At 1.8 Km it's quite a walk out there.

Turned south across the Indian Ocean and am now back in the Commonwealth of Australia. Speedy entry to the country, and despite not landing utill 11.20pm, was in the hotel by half twelve.

Spent Saturday wandering the streets and enjoying some of the little luxuries that were denied me in Singapore, such as chewing gum and crossing the street on the red light. Visited the Perth bell tower and got instructed in how to ring a bell. The bells come from St Martins in the Fields and still sound pretty good.

Today went down to Fremantle and had a look at the old jail. It was in use until 1992 but is now a museum. Thousands passed through its doors since it was built by convicts in the 1850s. Most Australians have a convict somewhere in the family tree., not like us English.

Last day in Singapore, so took a walk down o th new flower gardens. The are built on reclaimed land near the marina and are spectacular.

I'm not sure what the structures are, but you can climb up some of them for wonderful views over the whole area.

Finished my trip with a gentle walk along he river back to the hotel, then catching the train to the airport.

Took the train up to the old ford motor factory in Bukit Batok. Nothing special, you may think about an old defunct car factory, but this has an important historical legacy for Singapore as it was here that the British signed the unconditional surrender to the troops of Japan, in 1942.

What followed was four years of misery for the inhabitants, especially the Chinese who were massacred in bulk. Anyone with any anti Japanese leaning was disposed with, often in the most brutal manner.

The factory is now a museum and is filled with sobering displays, including the table where the surrender was signed.

Finished the day with a trip to the top of the sky park, the building that looks like a ship, for a wonderful view of the city as night fell..

Got out into the country today. Well thats a bit of an exaggeration as Singapore is so built up it doesn't have any real countryside, but it does have some wonderful parks and open spaces.

Walked the Southern Ridges from Kent Ridge to Mount Fabor. There are some wonderful views over the harbour, which is jam packed with ships loaded with containers. The walk takes you across the Henderson Waves, a footbridge suspended 36m above the road. Not for those who are afraid of heights.

Neither is the cable car which propels you from the top of Mount Fabor, across the harbour, to the island of Sentosa. The island is a kind of Blackpool in the sun, a pleasure resort, where the main objective is to get you to spend money on tacky rides. Nice to wander around though and you can stroll right down to the sea.

Have left the chaotic, random, dusty, disorganised city of Colombo and arrived in the organised, spotless, efficient clean city of Singapore. Quite a contrast.

Apart from a few plane changes at Changi, I've only visited Singapore once before, on a day trip from Malaysia. It was 12 years ago and so much in the city has changed.

They have moved the Merlion for a start, the proud symbol of the city that once stood at the river mouth. The who waterfront has been redeveloped with some amazing buildings to be seen and the Merlion now spouts into the Marina.

Spent the day exploring the old town. Stopped at Raffles, but only for a pic, and climbed the forbidden hill. The Kings of Singapoura had their palace up here, now its a lovely place to stroll.