Port Stephens tour

Saturday 9th February didn't sleep well last night woke up 2ish with cramp in my leg. Then got up at 5.30 as early start today as getting picked up from Mecure central at 7.30 for our port Stephens tour. Was at Mecure hotel earlier than 7.30 and seemed to be waiting a while was a few coaches going past but not ours eventually arrived and had to park out front as no room at back of hotel. It was then to pick up from star city which seemed to take forever but eventually we were on the road to escape the city for the day. We must of been on the bus for over an hour crossing the Hawkesbury river, a holiday hub for boat lovers. Before we reached our first stop the Australian Reptile Park and as soon as walk through door got to touch a baby alligator held by one of the keepers. Then first was 'Spider World' to view the funnel web spider been milked for their incredibly toxic venom, which is one of the only places in Sydney to do it. Spider world puts the 'fun' back into 'funny' by providing you with a great understanding of the eight legged creature. The theme humorously looks at the Aussie tradition of spider loathing, set in the Australian backyard (and viewed from a Honey I Shrunk the Kids perspective) with high-tech interactive exhibits and a giant three-metre high animated spider. It was then to see the famous 'Elvis' the crankiest saltwater crocodile in Australia, who is 50 years old from darwin and is the largest crocodile in the Australian state of NSW. We then got to go feed the kangaroo's in the picnic area where the kangaroo's are free to range in the open space and were so cute. Was good to see the kangaroo's up close and the kangaroo's could come and go as their pleased I got to feed and stroke one, which was good. The emu's were all in this enclosure and could roam freely but advised not to touch them so just took pictures. We then saw the wallabies and Parma wallabies which were very small compared to the kangaroo. Saw the cassowaries a large flightless bird which are now endangered and flying foxes which looked like bats. There are some lovely walks and you got a close view off the koalas which were very adorable. It was then time to see the Tasmanian devil for the first time since been in Australia which looked sweet but the two didn't get on and had a fight. Then to meet 'Hugo' the giant Galapagos tortoise who is 62 years old and their can live up to 200 years old. We then met 'Onka' and 'Damus' two dingos which look just like dogs but don't bark and can't be tamed and tried to show how eat eggs but won't playing as supposedly just punch holes to get everything out. Next was to see the wombat which looked very cuddly and not enough time to see the platypus which was a shame. I also wanted pictures of me in the crocodile mouth but too many to get one so got picture of sign then back on bus and obvisiously some were late back.
Then time to continue on to beautiful Nelson Bay for our dolphin cruise the journey took about 2 hours. When we got there we had about an hour for food which wasn't really long enough to sit down so just got take-away chicken burger and chips then sat looked at the marina. Nelson bay is the main town for Port Stephens and it is unknown the origin of the name some say it is from Admiral Horatio Nelson. Today Nelson Bay has everything the visitor could want as far as facilities particularly dolphin and whale watching, surfing, diving, fishing and other recreational aquatic activities. We then boarded a luxury cruiser which was the maiden voyage to search for pods of dolphins whilst enjoying the spectacular scenery of the bay and Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. Chilling on the top of the cruiser and relaxing into the beautiful surrounds whilst searching for bottle-nose beauties playing on the waves. But unfortunately we never got to see any dolphins or ride the cruiser’s boom net. Instead we had to go back early as something fell off the top of the boat just missing person on top but hit someone on the lower deck. So when we got back the paramedic's were waiting for her so the cruise was only a hour instead of hour and half due to unforeseen circumstances.
Return for a land-lubbing adventure with a four-wheel-drive tour through the stunning desert wilderness of the Stockton Bight sand dunes. Which is located only 10 minutes from the centre of Nelson Bay, it is the largest sand dune system in Australia. As soon you arrive at the sand boarding place you can see camels on the horizon, felt like back in Egypt. The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes is almost surreal dune system it is up to 1km wide, 32km long of coastline and covers an area of over 4,200 hectares. You can imagine yourself on a saharan safari surrounded by glorious dunes, the massive dunes climb up to 40 metres high. First we got to enjoy the comforts of modern 4WD vehicles to take us from near birubi beach to the dunes for us to go take a wild sand-boarding ride. It just looked like a miniature snow board we were first shown how to do sand boarding then time to hit the slopes. So you just sit on the board with hands behind you with feet touching front and go down the huge 60 degree slope. It was lots of fun and I did it 4 times the most tiring part was climbing up the slope, some people screamed but didn't want to incase I got mouthful of sand. On way back to coach sat at back of 4WD as told would feel the bumps of the dunes more but we didn't feel anymore. After this exhilarating trip, we board the coach for the return trip to Sydney watching the film 'Bran Nue Dae' it is set in Broome Australia in the Summer of 1969. Bran Nue Dae is a road movie, coming of age, comedy musical which celebrates the adventure of finding home. It's a happy film with a quirky musical theme which is very entertaining and bizarre at the same time. We disembarking back at Central station at around 7PM and first stop food just went to McDonalds something quick and easy. Whilst waiting for train back saw Jen and Bianca arriving to go out to china town for Chinese New Year, but we just headed home and watched TV. As was a very good day lots of fun just a shame never got to see dolphin s but am sure there will be plenty more time to see them.