After 13 weeks, five buses, four minibuses, five ferries and two flights, Declan Coyle from Garrison and his fellow passengers on board the Ozbus, Ireland's first ever bus service between Ireland and Australia, have landed in his final destination.
"We've finally made it to Sydney," Declan writes in his latest blog.
"And, the last two weeks in Australia have possibly been the most enjoyable on the trip.
It's the first time that the trip has felt purely like a holiday and not like hard work. We landed into Darwin from Bali and it felt good to be back in a familiar western country."
Highlights have included the outback, with Uluru (Ayers Rock) being the obvious one, but there has been so much more besides.
"The Devils Marbles and Kings Canyon are every bit as spectacular, but probably not as well known. In Darwin we also went on a 'croc' river cruise where the guides hang bits of meat on fishing lines and we then wait for the crocodiles to come and eat, and it is spectacular.
"After the outback, we travelled to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and then, finally Sydney. The highlight was the Great Ocean Road which is part of the highway from Adelaide and Melbourne.
The weather wasn't great but the scenery was still spectacular.
"It's been a bit of a party for the last two weeks. I think everyone was relieved to see the end in sight. Not having to get up early and sit on a bus for about eight hours is probably the main reason.
Our tour guide, Colin has been amazed with how everyone has made an effort to get on.
Everyone who had planned to go to Sydney has made it. He was on the previous trip and only about half the bus made it the whole way to Sydney. It's true that after 13 weeks spending every day with the same 40 people that some people can rate with you, but you just avoid them as much as you can. But, I think everyone has made a great effort. I plan to keep in touch with nearly everybody. Facebook's a great thing!
"It's a bit strange now not having a bus to go on and to make my own plans, but I'm going to spend a few weeks travelling around Oz, my brother Kevin and friend Sean are coming out for a month, so the craic is only beginning!"
