Heya Occy, few have tried to talk me out of it but all have failed. What you say about the Aus outback is so to, and thats why I can't wait to get back to it. So many placs I'm looking forward to seeing. 
 
I will definitely get to Sydney - probably not too far away (I may well stop in for a few days on my way further north) and will definitely get back to it to have a much closer look down the track as well.  
 
What are slides? :-)