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.

Hello from Mackay

Today is Sunday, we have been in Mackay now for a couple of days. We are all loving the warmer weather - compared to out west (just slightly cooler). Luke is not feeling well today, woke up very pale and hot, so I am just hanging out with him this morning while Benn takes Jacinta and Dominic for a bike ride.

Since writing last we have spent three nights in Rockhampton, which we all loved. Country towns sure have a different feel to them. Amazingly, on our day of departure from Rocky we meet a couple across from us from a property near Wyoming, the Fletchers, that know Benn and his family very well. Just amazing!

After Rocky we decided to go out west to see a Coal mine and go fishing at Lake Maraboon just south of Emerald. Really interesting country side, I remember going to Emerald when I worked for QR about 12 years ago, still love it. So much development, they now have two Centros. We visited the International Coal Centre at Blackwater and also had a tour of a working mine. All went out in a little bus and then stood on a platform to view the dragline in action. The size of the equipment was HUGE, the big trucks can carry up to 300 tonnes of coal, eight wheels on the trucks, each wheel costs $85,000. Very interesting ....... I have a much greater appreciation of what happens in mines now and the value to our economy and electricty etc.

Bit of a drive coming back to the coast (took us about 6 hours including breaks), off to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tomorrow.

Another Barrier Reef Video

This was the video I was supposed to post on the last entry.....

did you see all the blue fish in the movie below???? (from Luke)

Still on the Queensland coast.....

I am writing from another beachside park, the town of 1770 just south of Gladstone. This is our fourth night here we are leaving tomorrow for Rockhampton. Yesterday, we went out on the Spirit of 1770 out to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, it was amazing! We went swimming with turtles, many colourful fish and beautiful coral - so wonderful seeing the kids excitement.

Below I had put a video that Luke took while we were swimming....

Before arriving here at 1770 we have spend time at Cotton Tree (Sunshine Coast) which was also on the beach. After that we had a week at Caloundra and had visits from my parents, my sister Janine and her husband Joe, Benn's brother James and 3 of his children, and also Benn's mum and sister Gemma. All up it was a very social week and wonderful to catch up with so many members of our family.

After Caloundra we then moved on to Hervey Bay - which was fabulous to take the kids and return to the place we were engaged 12 years ago. Memories, memories...

From Hervey Bay we ventured out to Frazer Island for a Mothers' Day treat, spend the weekend there having a treat staying at the resort and four wheel driving on the beach! Lots of fun, we also saw three wild dingeos and the boys swam at Lake Wabby with dozens of Catfish.

Well, off to bed now ready to get up early to pack up for another day of driving....

Loving Queensland

Hi!

Today we are in Toowoomba, where we will be staying for a week. Benn has returned to Armidale to get some important jobs completed (like finishing a fence etc). Mum has come up to stay with us until his return, so we have a weeks accommodation in a house!! Rather amazing to have so much space! The first night here all the kids found sleeping in other rooms rather strange and came to visit during the night! Much better the second night!

Easter was lovely in Brisbane, we stayed at the Big 4 Caravan Park in Apsley northside and spent time with Lynne and Sarah (our sister in law and niece). During the week we had a great day at Southbank, also a whole day and Wet n Wild on the Gold Coast - the new tunnel that goes under Brisbane was very exciting to travel on and it only took us an hour to get to the coast from the northside! We also managed to catch up with James (Benn's brother), we had a lovely dinner together - camp style! The Hat display at the Art Gallery was a huge highlight with the kids getting to make their own hats out of the materials provided - all was free.

I am finding that I am really enjoying just driving and looking at the different towns, houses and landscapes - fabulous just to take time out and 'smell the roses'!

Going up North

Well it has been a little over 2 weeks since I last wrote. We are slowly making our way up to Queensland. Huskisson (Jervis Bay), Newcastle, Port and Sawtell have been lovely places to stay at. Our next stop is Yamba where we will most likely spend Easter before going to the Gold Coast. This morning we have spent a few hours home schooling - I am getting into a good routine with it and the kids are enjoying it too. We are all loving the warm weather, I am really glad we made the decision to change plans and go up north this time of the year.

Can't add any photos today as the power switch broken on my laptop where all my photos are saved!! Hopefully I can get it fixed soon - bit of a challenge when travelling to know best place to take it too!