Welcome to part two of Travel like the Novels where I look at some of my favourite”travel” novels and explore how to take a trip inspired by them.

A lot of us just like Bryson wouldn’t have a clue who the Australian president was, but again like him that’s not going to stop us setting of on an Aussie adventure.

With so many tourists’ heading straight for areas like Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast why not head the other way and visit the beautiful Blue Mountains in New South Wales. It’s endless landscapes providing breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness from the National Park (http://www.nationalparks. nsw.gov.au/), including The Three Sisters an unusual rock formation shrouded in legends of witchdoctor spells from old Aboriginal tribes.

If the south isn’t you thing why not make your way up the red sand deserts that surround the outback town that is Alice Springs. A town that is the gateway to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park and for some seems like a mirage amongst the stretched out sands. It’s here you can discover Australia’s rich Aboriginal heritage and explore the outback by camel

at dusk. With the ground being a rich red colour it is difficult to tell where the land begins and the sky ends during the stunning sunsets each day.

Head slightly east and you can find yourself in Idalia National Park where the red desert starts to be infiltrated by vegetation and the wildlife roam free. With plenty of bush walks you’re sure to find some of the several types of wallabies and kangaroos hopping around. Other treasures you are sure to stumble upon in the area a number of Aboriginal heritage sites, including stone arrangements and campsites. You can even camp in the park yourself but be aware the facilities are limited and we’re not exaggerating the toilet consists of a dug out hole. So unless you’re a hardcore camper it may not be for you.

We’re not saying you should avoid Sydney or Brisbane but with opportunities like these laying further inland you would be a fool to not grab yourself a car and taking your adventure on a coast-avoiding path.

The story of The Beach sent hundreds of backpackers in search of tropical bliss, leading many to the Southeast Asian island of Ko Phi Phi. Granted when it was originally discovered by hippie adventurers it was an Eden of jungle and glistening waters with only a few bungalows dotted around and now it’s more notorious for its Full Moon parties and tourists taking diving trips but never the less there is still the sense of paradise on certain parts of the Island.

If its real island life that you after head further into the center of Ko Phi Phi where the jungle starts to over take the skylines. It’s here you will find the same adventure and local lifestyle that Richard does in the book, it’s also here that you can find that hut styled accommodation again just like those written about in the novel. One of the best for value and location is Chunut house (http://chunuthouse.com). These bamboo huts may not look like a lot but from £15 per night including breakfast you can’t really ask for much more! The daily yoga sessions, along with Thai cooking classes and each room having a porch or balcony attached to it leave this a little hidden village amongst the ever- growing tropics.

To get a real feel of how tranquil Ko Phi Phi really is and see where the film version of The Beach took place take a trip out to Maya Bay. It was here the famous shark scene takes place . Whilst here take the time to venture around the small bay and explore the caves and shallows, just remember safety first.

If you chose to stay in the bay until the cool night air rolls in you will experience the clearest night skies, with every corner brimming with starlight. This is perfect opportunity to put on a snorkel and experience illuminations under the water as well. With the likes of Maya Bay tours(http://www.mayabaytours.com) you can get up close and personal with bio-luminescent plankton, who react to movement in the water so whilst you swim through them it will feel like being in the middle of your own psychedelic and all drug free! After chill on the boat and make friends with all the other like- minded nighttime snorkelers.