Brisbane, Gold Coast and Home

Arrive in  Brisbane Sunday 27th October not very keen to be amongst the traffic and fast pace of a capitol city. We venture into the city for a day catching the city hoppy ferry up the Brisbane river. Walk along south bank and wander the city streets. We walk through the recently restored city hall building and do a tour up the clock tower.

 



 

 

 



Gold coast finally....... The kids cant wait to hit the Theme Parks. First stop Movie world which soon becomes a favourite. They love it we have a fantastic day lots of rides and watching shows .Favourite rides: Superman, green lantern and the Scooby doo coaster.



Wet and Wild is next and the weather is perfect lots of fun had here.

Sea world not as popular as movie world but still a great day .Un fortunately not many rides and the rollercoaster was closed kids were not happy! The dolphin show and sea lion pet detectives show were great. Sponge bob Square pants was pretty average.

 



Don't make it to Dreamworld this trip put that on the to do list for another time. Kids talk us into going back to movie world for an afternoon. By this stage we are over waiting in cues for rides.

Wednesday 6th November we start the long trek home. The road trip isn't as much fun coming home. Its hot in NSW 35today. Its been a long couple of days in the car.
 We have had an awesome time, travelled far, seen lots and done some amazing things. We couldn't have hoped for better weather and have already started planning the next adventure. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Seventeen Seventy, Hervey Bay and Noosa

 Tuesday 15th October. We leave Airlie beach and head down the coast. We were hoping to do a tour of the sugar mill in Mackay, unfortunately they are closed for tours due to maintenance. We Stop in at the Sugar shed in Serina instead to see a scaled down version of sugar cane processing. We do our first road side stop at a place called St Lawrence.                                                           
 Wednesday 16th-Thursday 17th.On the road again we pass through Rockhampton stopping for a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn. Next stop is Seventeen Seventy a lovely little spot right on the beach we stay 2 nights but would have liked to stay more spend the day at the beach. Another beautiful sunset over the water.



 

 

 Friday 18th October. From Seventeen seventy we drive to Bundaberg and tour the Bundaberg Rum factory This was a great tour we were met at the entrance by some die hard Bundy fans camping out for a limited edition bottle of Bundy that was going on sale the next morning. This was the 3rd day some had been camping out. Drinks in the bar after the tour at 11.00 am! 5.00 somewhere. 

 



 

Hervey Bay for 3 nights We walk along the very long pier and just about get blown off it was so windy before going to wet side a small water park with a wave rider which keeps the kids happy.

Sunday 20th we do a full day 4 wheel drive bus tour of Fraser Island. An all sand island 4 wheel drive is the only way to go. We had a great day some of the highlights were driving along 75 mile beach, the coloured sands, the SS Mahino shipwreck, Eli creek and Lake Mackenzie. The kids loved the 4 wheel drive bus very bumpy!   

 

 

Tin Can Bay is our next stop. We hand feed 2 wild Dolphins which was awesome. Jess in particular loves this unfortunately we were not allowed to touch them. We spend the rest of the day at Rainbow beach where we have a swim in the surf and go to Carlo blow where the kids have a ball running up the sand dunes the views were amazing. Loved it.

 

 

Noosa Wednesday 23rd -Saturday 26th October.

We spend our first afternoon in Noosa having a look around and wandering the shops in Hastings st

Thursday is a hot day 35 we drive to the Sunshine coast hinterland. We visit the ginger factory, Nut Works, and the Big Pineapple which has seen better days.

 

 



 

We dive up into the hinterland to Montville and Maleny. With picturesque views of the Glass House Mountains and some beautiful homes Maleny is a lovely spot. We spend some time at the Maleny Botanic gardens a private property with lovely landscaped gardens.

 

 

 

 

Friday we go to Australia Zoo. It is a highlight, fantastic zoo we have a great day here.

We finish off our time in Noosa going to the Eumundi markets and a beautiful seafood dinner on the Sat night for our wedding anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

Airlie Beach

We spend 4 nights at Airlie Beach Friday 10th -Tuesday 15th October and have an amazing few days. The highlight of the trip for me so far is a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef  it was amazing. The following day ( Ben's birthday) we go on a boat trip around the Whitsundays, snorkelling at Mantaray bay, swimming at Whitehaven beach and walking up to Hill inlet for a picture perfect view of Whitehaven Beach. While at Airlie Beach we also went to the market on Saturday morning, down to the marina, for a swim in the Lagoon, and fed the Lorikeets at the caravan park.