Itchy Feet Again

Here I am with itchy feet again and back in the travelling light mode so will be continuing on with my travel blog.

I am going to New Zealand and Australia between February - May next year (2011), and my itinerary is as follows:

17th February. Fly from London Heathrow departing 21:45 arriving into Auckland two days later

19th February. Arrive into Auckland at 14:20, then touring New Zealand until

23rd April. Fly from Nelson at 13.40 arriving into Sydney at 17.50. 4 nights accommodation

24th April. Sydney City Sights and Harbour Cruise Tour

25th April. Sydney Opera House Tour

26th April. Blue Mountains with 4WD Wildlife Discovery Tour

27th April. Board the Indian Pacific (train) and travel to Adelaide in a gold class sleeper. Departs at 14:55

28th April. Arrive into Adelaide at 15:05. 3 nights accommodation

29th April. Kangaroo Island Tour. http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/

30th April. Barossa Valley Day Tour. http://www.barossa-region.org/

1st May. Board the Ghan (train) and travel up to Alice Springs in a gold class sleeper. Departing 12.20pm

2nd May. Arrive into Alice Springs at 13:45. 1 night accommodation.

3rd May. Begin 3 day Alice and Uluru Adventure.

5th May. Fly from Ayers Rock departing 14:35 and arriving into Cairns at 17:35 where I am staying with friends until

15th May. Fly from Cairns at 12:45 to London Heathrow

16th May. Arrive into London Heathrow at 06:35

While in New Zealand I shall be spending a week with an old (no - not old as in 'old'!!) friend from Woking who lives just south of Auckland, then together she and I will travel on the 'Overlander' train to near where Terry lives just north of Wellington in the south of North Island. Carolyn will return to her home after a day or so, then Terry and I will depart on yet another tour of New Zealand. Starting in the North Island, then travelling to Christchurch in South Island where we will hire a car and tour around, this time as far south as Stewart Island and ending up in Nelson from where I depart for Australia. Terry is staying on in Nelson as she is house/dog sitting for her son and family for a few weeks.

My Australian bookings have been made through a very helpful agency in England - 'Freedom Australia'. I telephoned them with roughly what I wanted to do and they came back with a fantastic itinerary which is just right. I have chosen to travel overland by train in Australia. I love train journeys - you get to see so much. (Not like flying where you just look down on things, assuming you have a window seat). Freedom Australia have done all the bookings which has taken the onus off me. Not like last time where I booked everything.

So - watch this space for further updates.