IT's the holiday of a lifetime that the family of brave Kimberley O'Connor thought she would never be able to enjoy.

But today the teenager who lost both lower legs after fighting back from meningitis is having an "absolutely fantastic" time in sun- drenched Australia.

Kimberley, 19, fulfilled a life-long dream when she packed her bags and headed off Down Under in July - two years after she almost died of the disease.

Before jetting off, she spoke about sights such as Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Harbour bridge she would like to see.

But, for Kimberley, seeing them wasn't enough.

The brave teenager got into a helicopter for a ride over Ayers Rock and saw the beautiful wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef at first hand when she volunteered for the chance to go snorkel-ling.

Already on her travels, Kimberley has been to Singapore, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Ayers Rock and is currently in Sydney.

Before coming back home, she will visit Canberra, Borneo in the East Indies, and go back to Singapore.

Kimberley's mum Lynn O'Connor said: "She is doing really well, she loved Singa-pore and she is loving it in Australia.

"She has made new friends.

"At the moment she is with a New Zealand girl and a Japanese girl and she is having a fantastic time, but you sense she is a bit homesick."

A particular highlight for Kimberley has been the imposing sight of Ayers Rock at night.

Lynn said: "She said it was beautiful. You could see all the stars and the sky was such a beautiful colour."

Before heading off for Australia, Kimberley who had her lower limbs and some of the fingers on her left hand removed when the disease struck, said: "I always wanted to go to Australia, but it had to go on the back-burner when I was ill."

Lynn added: "Pride doesn't encompass how we feel. It's amazing where she gets the stamina and determination from."

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