The land of Cassowaries, Green Tree Frogs, Tree Kangaroos and Crocodiles....

Also land of sugar, coffee, tea and milk!! Mmmmmm rather good combination don't you think!?

Magnetic Island was wonderful, probably one of best Island experiences for me so far. We all went horse riding (discovered Dominic has fairly severe allergy..), Jacinta, Luke and Benn went bareback in the ocean!! Jacinta has no fear, very happily trotting along - kept up very well with all the adults, left Luke and I miles down the track.

After leaving Magnetic Island and Townsville territory we headed further up north to South Mission Beach. Ocean water is now too cold to swim in, according to me anyway... but kids still swam in the pool. Really enjoyed the atmosphere of Mission Beach and surrounds, many signs to be careful not to hit Cassowaries on the road. We are enjoying learning more about the native animals as well as the changing landscapes. Saw a beautiful green tree frog on the wall of the amenities block at Mission Beach. And love the rainforest!

Now, in Atherton we must be careful not to hit tree kangaroos along the road. Apparently, now there are also crocodiles in some of the creeks and rivers we have passed over. Atherton is sooo beautiful, just love it, but imagine way hot in summer. We visited Paronella Park, at Mena Creek day before yesterday, created by a Spanish man in the early 1900's, just amazing. The last few days we have visited a coffee planation, tea farm, sugar Mill (at Tully), and finally a diary, cheese and chocolate factory. So interesting, has been a wonderful learning experience for us all. Today, is the first day since down south of NSW that we have had to pull out the jackets and long pants, very cool maybe top of 18 or 19C. Really feel the cold, I think I have already climatised to warmer weather!

Well off to cook dinner, lamb chops on the BBQ, pasta and vegies.....

Airlie and Townsville.....

Hello from Townsville.....

We had a wonderful time at Airlie Beach, stayed at the Big 4 just a few km's out of Airlie. Very exciting, we finally met some other families doing the same thing as us, doing the great aussie trip all the way around. Two families had been on the road since January, like us and another family just travelling for 3 months or so. Very refreshing to chat about their experiences and plans.

The Big 4 was brilliant, one of the best parks we have stayed at so far. Had great pool with slides, jumping pillow, playground, tennis court - even had kids club, which I took advantage of. The kids went for 2.5 hours to do craft, games etc, so we had a break (first one ever, with no children at all), all I did was clean the van.......!!!

I have included a photo of Luke and Jacinta doing school work, we usually do this in the mornings while still fresh, unless we go somewhere for the day. In this photo, Dominic is still asleep!! It can be interesting trying to get everyone to bed at a reasonable hour some nights.

While at Airlie Beach, we travelled out to four of the Whitsunday Islands for a day tour. Left home at 6.15 am to board ferry at 6.45 am. We visited Daydream Is, Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island and Long Island and were back by 5.45 pm, what an amazing day. The beaches at Whitehaven were beautiful, and we could go swimming as the stingers are not common this time of the year. Benn and the kids went snorkelling off Hook Island, and the kids went swimming in the pool while Benn and I enjoyed a drink at Long Island Resort, very nice.

We found the sandflies to be rather bad at Airlie, similar to Yamba, Luke's legs are covered with bites, I am the next prone. Discovered rid seems to be the best product for keeping them away, would prefer the natural products, but yet to try some suggested. Now we are in Townsville they don't seem to be a problem thank goodness.

Also while at Airlie Benn went fishing for a whole day with a fellow traveller friend, Barry. They had a great day and caught two 'sooty grunter' (not sure if I have the spelling correct), we cooked them in the oven and they tasted great!

We arrived at Townsville on Friday, had lovely day yesterday at The Strand. It is a water park along the beach with many playgrounds, rock pool and includes an area on the beach with a stinger net. All of us went swimming in the rock pool, the stingers make me rather nervous even if they are not meant to be out this time of the year. Apparently, November to May is the worse time. Today we went to the Tropical Queensland Museum, it was very interesting. One floor was very similar to Questacon in Canberra, with many interactive science activites. We also learnt about some expeditions to the south magnetic pole (I guess link to Magnetic Island?), the Pandora, English shipwreck off the Townsville coast, and many other interesting things.

Planning at this stage to stay in Townsville for a few more days, off to the Aquarium tomorrow. Then a visit to Magnetic Island, special meaning for Benn as his deceased Godfather Uncle Peter lived and worked there for many years.