Rob's Travel Diary

Hi, and welcome to my half arsed attempt at keeping the world in touch with what I've been up to.

This is was originally for the benefit of my friends in the UK to read while away on my working holiday in Australia, but has now changed to a sort of travel journal and image archive. I'm hoping this information will be of some use to anyone wanting to visit any of these places, or perhaps just check out some of the photos.


Image Gallery

The most entertaining part of this whole thing is undoubtedly the image gallery.
Sinai Desert Sunrise (56K)Here's one of the many - a random image from my favorites.

You can follow this this link to get thumbnails of them all.

Other quick navigation methods are:

By Month

   

By Trip/Subject

   

Filter

I removed the 'everything' link, because there are just too many images here for that.

Make use of the filter page though, where you can choose to view pictures by various keywords.

Most Popular

Here's a bit of silliness... the most viewed images in this section. I think this will have a kindof snowball effect, but we'll see!

At the moment you can just view the top 20.

More

A more informative version of the above trip/subject links:
XML

Rotorua, New Zealand, Jan '11

A trip to Rotorua mainly for mountain biking (see MTB Rotorua pictures on NoBMoB) but also for a little bit of sightseeing at Wai-O-Tapu and some walking even (shock!) in Whakarewarewa Forest.

Bali Aug '10

Short trip to Bali to escape the Sydney winter and scope out locations for the real trip next year.

Ski Japan & Tokyo, Feb/Mar '10

Back in Skiga Kogen for a week of skiing with couple days in Tokyo before and a few more after.

New Zealand, Dec '09

A week of taking it easy and walking a bit on the North island of New Zealand. This followed a week of bike riding in Rotorua, pictures of which might appear at some point.

Tasmania, Dec '08

Nice little break down in Tassie for summer '08.

Barrington Tops, Labour Day Long Weekend '07

Have wanted to visit Barrington Tops for a long time now, and it didn't disappoint. Stayed in the very nice Hookes Creek Wilderness Resort and partook in the obligatory mountain bike rides mixed in with bushwalking and relaxation.

Ski/Tour Japan, Jan/Feb '07

Ski Japan? Absolutely. Loved it. Also took in some of the sights of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara before and after. Japan is very interesting, and the skiing was awesome! A definite entry on the list of places to return to.

Perth & South West WA, Xmas/NY '06

Took a trip over to Perth for Xmas/NY. You know, as you do... ventured down South to Albany and back up through Margaret River wine country. Very nice and relaxing.

Jervis Camping, Labour Day W/E '06

Little jaunt down the coast to camp at Green Patch, Jervis Bay. Cycled here and up in Morton National Park. Very nice but an excercise in sleep deprivation thanks to the Kookaburras sharing the site.

Blue Mountains, Easter '06

Rather nice easter break up in the Blue Mountains. Stayed in a great little homestay in Oberon and enjoyed fantastic weather, activities, food and drink the whole weekend.

Ski Canada & Vancouver, Feb/Mar '06

Time for some 'real' skiing so away to Whistler/Blackcomb we go. Took in the sights of Vancouver for a short rest before heading back home.

Ski/Tour NZ, Aug '05

One had to leave the country for some reason around this time, and in the middle of the Southern winter where else do you go? Well - when it's been far too long since the last ski trip, NZ is the natural option. Popped up to Auckland and toured a little of Northland too this time.

Stockton Beach, Mar '05

The first OFFROADSUBARUS.com Stockton beach trip? I was there! :)

Epping to Chatswood Rail Line Visit - Feb '05

Lucky enough to receive a tour of the soon to be completed Epping to Chatswood rail link. Very industrial, very photogenic, check it out.

Southern Highlands Weekend, Jan '05

Spent the weekend in the Southern Highlands, just a couple of hours drive South (obviously!) of Sydney and stayed at the rather nice Peppers Manor House.

Nelson Bay & NYE, Dec '04

Ahhh... time off between xmas and NY gave time to visit Nelson Bay with Trish & Kate. We also stopped by Terrigal and the rather cool Stockton Beach on the way and shot up past Myall Lakes to Seal Rocks before returning to Sydney for NYE in Manly. Erm... come to think of it, didn't spend much time in Nelson Bay at all!

No NYE fireworks from the city this year (and from what I hear, they've been better anyhow), although I thought a few of the shots of the Manly 9pm ones were quiet arty, so there you go!

Hunter Valley, Dec '04

Weekend jaunt to The Hunter Valley with K & K. You know - the wine region a couple of hours North of Sydney. Cycled around the vineyards, had a top time as usual then dropped by The Entrance on the way back.

Coral Cay Marine Expedition, Fiji, May/Jun '04

Had been trying to find time to join a Coral Cay Conservation expedition since first learning about this back in 2002. When it finally happened it didn't disappoint. Nine weeks on desert islands, 78 dives logged, including 50 surveys, and a whole lot of fun along the way!
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Broome, Darwin, Alice and between, Apr '04

After a nice long summer in Sydney decided it was time to see a bit of the top end. Perfectly timed to coincide with the end of the wet season took in Broome to Darwin, a couple of days in Kakadu, down to Alice Springs and around the red centre.

This was actually meant to be two trips with Adventure Tours running back to back, but actually ended up as four glued together (and then, not even as planned) so for the benefit of the guys I met here they are split up: Darwin-Broome, Kakadu, Darwin-Alice Springs, Red Centre Safari.

Fraser, Great Ocean Road and more, Jan '04

Sean graced us with his precense January 2004, so of course we had to show him around a bit. Fly Sydney->Brisbane, drive down to Byron Bay, take a peak at Surfer's, back up to Fraser Island, fly Brisbane->Melbourne, check that out, drive the Great Ocean Road, then up to Coonwarra wine region before ending up in Adelaide. Phew!

Whitsundays, Nov '03

Attending the Weston wedding on Hamilton Island, originally only planned to be here for 6 nights. However, then heard of a 5 night sea kayak camping trip going round Whitsunday island and decided to tag along, which turned out to be a bit of an adventure, so loved it.

Madrid, Oct '03

Back in Madrid for the weekend (ermm... well, why not?) and actually saw some of the city this time.

Morzine, Jul/Aug '03

Made it to the Alpes during summer this year. Mountain biking in Morzine rocks!

Ski Italy & France '03

The 2003 ski season turned out to be pretty good, with awsome week in La Thuile, something a bit more relaxing in Les Deux Alpes the following week, then a few days in Chamonix to finish off.

Portugal NY '02

Straight after xmas took a trip to Portugal with Matt & friends.

Perfect combination of sightseeing, partying and chilling out, in Lisbon and surrounding area.

Egypt Sep/Oct '02

A month in Egypt, starting with a great tour - Beyond The Pyramids with The Imaginative Traveller.

Followed by a week of lunging around and diving in Dahab, then a week on Carpe Diem.
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Intelaken Aug '02

Awsome trip to visit Patrick and friends in Intelaken, Switzerland

Loads of action sports and partying make this most excellent trip!

Ski Val Thorens & Tignes, Xmas/NY '01

Despite some of the worst snow conditions for 10 years we had a blast with 2 weeks of skiing over Xmas/NY '01. First in Val Thorens (definatly the favourite) then Tignes, with just enough snow falling on the transfer day to keep us going.

Munich Beerfest, Oct '01

October? Munich? Beer? Need we say more? Actually managed to see some of the rather nice city too.

Amsterdam Queensday, Apr '01

Queensday was sold to me by the locals as the wildest party of the year, and didn't disappoint!

If you're going to visit Amsterdam, this day (30 April - actually the exsiting Queen Mother's birthday) is the time to do it.

Spain, Easter '01

Road trip from Madrid to Valencia and back over the easter break.

Barcelona, Mar '01

A few of the sights of Barcelona we managed to fit in while there for Sean's stag weekend. Not many, but the rest are all censored - you understand?

Queensland Sailing & More, Dec '00

Another great trip to Queensland, including three days sailing the Whitsundays aboard 'The Card', an 83 foot Whitbread round the world contender. This part is simply one of the best short breaks you can have!

Also took in more sights around Cairns before flying back to Sydney and then the UK.

Sydney Olympics, Sep '00

Pretty self explanatory. Plenty of sights from "...the best Olympic Games ever." Hey, I didn't say this, just quoting Olympic supremo Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Singapore Stopover, Mar '00

Some images of Singapore taken during my brief stopover between the UK and Sydney.

Ski Chamonix, Feb '00

Returning to Europe... from Sydney... in the middle of winter? Are you mad!!? Well, not when the snow in Chamonix is this good I'm not!

Ski Aus & NZ, Jul/Aug '99

Unfortunately I could only manage a few weekends away skiing this season. Managed to take in the slopes of Thredbo and Perisher Blue in the NSW Snowy Mountains, and a quick dash over the Tasman for a long weekend at Mt Hutt.

Far North Queensland, Easter '99

It was back up to Cairns in far north Queensland to check out a few of the things I missed when up there the last time.

Was pleased to be able to cram in visits to Mossman George and the Daintree Rainforest on the drive up to Cooktown. Took the inland development road back via the rather dodgy Granite Gorge tourist 'attraction' and Lake Tinaroo before checking out out a few waterfalls and the couple of well known giant strangler fig trees up here.
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Ski and Trek USA, March '99

This visit to the USA was originally planned as a stop over on my way back to the UK, but I'm having such a good time in Aus I decided to make it a return trip and stay here for a while longer.

The itenery was a meeting with Sean in Colorado for a week of skiing Breckenridge, Vail and Keystone before a flight to San Franciso where Nicola joined us and I even managed to bump into my dad!

There then followed a crammed few days of sightseeing in a number of California's and Nevada's national parks - Yosmite, Sequoia, Death Valley and Grand Canyon.
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Brisbane - Cairns, Nov/Dec '98

Brilliant trip up the east coast from Brisbane to Cairns, travelling in a Landcruiser with Iain and Adrian (friend and new acquaintance from the UK).

Could have spent a lot longer on this route from Brisbane, Fraser Island, Yeppoon, Blackdown Tableland, Airlie Beach and The Whitsondays, Mission Beach and finally Cairns.

Managed to cram in a 5 day diving course in Cairns on arrival which was superb, but equally as good were the lakes, islands, beaches and incredible waterfalls seen along the way.
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Sydney - Byron Bay, Oct '98

Mahem as the boys from Sussex (aka Dave Wilson and Co) ride into town.

Spent 10 days out of this pretty hectic two and a bit weeks travelling from Sydney to Byron Bay, and back again via the Blue Mountains.

Had my first taste of semi-tropical rainforest and views of waterfalls - very impressive but easily overshadowed by what was to come later in the year.
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Ski NZ, Aug '98

A two centre skiing trip to New Zealand's south islands. We stayed at Queenstown and Wanaka and managed to ski all four of the region's ski fields (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone). Also had a couple of rest days to see some more of the area and take in a ride on the Shotover Jet - pretty cool!
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Sunshine Coast, Easter '98

A short trip into Queensland to visit Noosa and some of the Sunshine Coast.

Spent some time exploring the inland drives between Noosa and Rainbow Beach, relaxed on the coast quiet a lot and viewed the Glasshouse Mountains on the way back to Brisbane for the flight home.
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Ski France, relax in Aus - Dec '97/Jan '98

What I did after leaving Bankers Trust in London and starting work again at EDS in North Sydney.

A bit of skiing in France (while based in Geneva), and a lot of lying around in the sun once I got to Australia, with a couple of short trips north from Sydney to Shoal Bay and Coffs Harbour.
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The Original

And as I don't really believe in removing content you can still find the original Year in Aus here.

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