Day 34 - Caitlin's blog

Today we drove through Mackay and Rockhampton.  We are camping at Mount Larcom showgrounds.  We met two dogs.  Their names are Chocky and Creampuff.  We also met a cocky named Snowy.  The dogs were chihuahuas.  We saw four kangaroos and we got some ripe wild bananas off a tree.  We are having lots of fun.  I wish you all could come.  My favourite things have been meeting all the animals and doing all the exciting things like going to Daydream Island and feeding the wallabies.  From the shop I got a Rainbow Magic Book and it was Florence the Friendship Fairy and it had three stories in it and each story has five chapters in it.  Joshua got a Boy vs Beast book and he has already finished it.  Kaleb got a farm animal book.  We are in  Queensland now. We are going to be in a hotel on Friday for a whole week.  I wish you could see everything here.  It is so amazing.  We miss you and love you.  And happy birthday Jack for tomorrow.  Aunty Angela is giving you our present and I bet it will be your best present ever - I'll give you a clue what it is Jack - 'aahh me hearties'.  See ya! 

Caitlin
xxx

Day 33

Daydream Island

Went over to Daydream Island early this morning.  Watched the shark and stingray feeding in the lagoon at the resort.  Then down to Mermaid Beach for some photos with the mermaids and a few games - coconut bowling, bocce and croquet. 

The kids did a fish feeding tour and got to pat the stingrays, hold a shark and a starfish and feed the big cod which they thought was awesome. 

Was a bit windy so too cold for Ian and I but the kids went and had a swim.  Then we played minigolf on the best minigolf course I have ever seen.  And I hear the Eagles won too. Fantastic day!

Day 32

Got in to Airlie Beach this morning (only just - nearly got rammed off the road by a big road train!!)  Headed down to the beach and went for a walk.  Collected some more shells, another play at the playground, looked around the markets.

 Back to the caravan park for a bbq dinner.   Quiet day today, heading over to Daydream Island tomorrow.

Day 31

Had the most awesome couple of days at Magnetic Island.  Caught the ferry over yesterday morning.  Dropped off our bags, hopped on a bus and went bushwalking.  Saw three koalas in the wild which was really cool.  Great view from the top of the fort walk. 

 Back on the bus and down to Horseshoe Bay where we walked along the beach and found shells, crabs, sea urchins and starfish.  Kids had a play on the playground, then back on the bus.  Kids thought it was a roller coaster (or roaster coller as Kaleb calls it).  Some steep, windy roads that the bus zooms around.  Back to Arcadia where we were staying.  Went for a walk to see the wallabies, then for a walk along the beach to see a stingray that Ian had found.  By the time we got there of course, the kids couldn't see it and Kaleb managed to cut his foot on some coral so I had to carry him -'there's blood!!!!!!!!'.

Another play at a different playground (the blood is gone now) then off to dinner and to the Cane Toad Races.  So hilarious.  Kids wanted to buy one from the beginning.  They were given $1 each from some people we met in Lucinda so they pooled their money and Josh kept calling out $3 (when they were going for $40 or $50.  We told Josh we'd put in a bit but he got a bit carried away and made everyone laugh when he bid over $50.  They let us off that one, but then took pity on us and we got the last toad in the last race.  It was so exciting and even more so when our toad won!



Cane Toad Racing




Magnetic Island


Next day we spent at Alma Bay swimming and snorkelling.  Saw some fish and a stingray.  Beautiful place. 



Alma Bay - Magnetic Island













Townsville

 Caught the ferry back to Townsville - kids had a play at the waterpark while Ian went and got the caravan. 
Back on the road and heading towards Airlie Beach.  Camping the night at Home Hill.

Day 29

Went for an early morning walk with Laurie this morning.  Beautiful beaches here and lovely watching the sun come up.  Took the kids for a walk down to the beach at a bit more respectable time so they could collect a few more shells before we headed off.

Had to stop on the way though and get a photo of the 'no swimming - crocodiles' sign.

Kids didn't want to leave - they had such a great time, and so did we!!  Thank you again Laurie for your hospitality - was amazing!!

Then on to Townsville where we walked up and down The Strand.  Unfortunately the water in the water park is not on two days of the week - which happened to be today and tomorrow.  Kids were not very impressed.  They had a play at all of the numerous playgrounds along The Strand as we walked down to the lagoon.

Camping in Kim's sister's driveway tonight (thanks Geoff and Karen) and heading off to Magnetic Island tomorrow.

Day 28

Still in Lucinda.  Such a beautiful place and such wonderful hospitality by Laurie that we just couldn't leave.  The kids are also having a ball and love Laurie (both Lauries and Daphne who are also staying) and didn't want to go so they were very excited.  Went walking along the beach looking for shells this morning. 

Then I went out with Caitlin and Joshua  (in a very small boat) to check the crab pots in the creek - with Laurie pointing out all the spots where the crocs live.  I know I'm a wuss but I was very happy to get back on dry land.  Worth it though - mud crabs for lunch - so yummy!!

 Ian went fishing with Laurie in the afternoon.  I took the kids for a ride along the beach - Kaleb had 2 big stacks on his bike. He was fine though unitl Josh pointed out that there was blood and then he lost the plot!

Beautiful bbq dinner of steak and prawns - I think I want to live here.  But we are definitely leaving tomorrow....I think!!

Day 27

Left Cairns this morning - didn't want to go.  Loved it!!  Yesterday we went in to the esplanade and walked along- fantastic playground for the kids, huge big lagoon only about 1 metre deep, markets, singers - could have stayed there all day.

Headed off this morning, stopped at Mission Beach and went for a walk looking for shells.  Absolutely beautiful place - right near Dunk Island.   Then on to Lucinda where we are staying the night with Kim's Dad, Laurie.  He cooked us the yummiest dinner of barramundi after he had taken the boys out to catch the mudcrabs - they had a ball!

Day 25

Nice quiet day again today in the sunshine (you'll be glad to know it was really cold last night!!).  The kids had a snorkelling lesson this morning which was really good.  They all had a go and got the hang of it, even Kaleb! 

Had a game of the giant chess and a game of quoits - nearly tried all the activities here.

 Had a bbq for lunch with Clint and Ray & Lyn while the kids played in the waterpark.  Sat in the sunshine for the afternoon and then on the jumping pillows.   The kids are going to miss this place!

Kaleb's Blog

We played chess and we did swimming and we had a spa.  We jumped on the jumping pillows.  I learnt how to snorkel.  We had a bbq for lunch and we had fun.  We played quoits and I got 3. I miss you Jack and Jarrah.

Love Kaleb
xxxxx

Day 24

Awesome day today!  Took the train to Kuranda - a little village up in the rainforest.  300 or so metres high, over 55 bridges, through 15 tunnels, past waterfalls - was pretty amazing.  Went to the butterfly sanctuary which was magical.  Hundreds of the biggest, brightest butterflies I've ever seen flying around us.  The looks on the kids' faces when they landed on them was just gorgeous.  Then to the Koala Gardens and fed the kangaroos and wallabies, saw the crocs and lizards and snakes.  Finally off to Bird World where a really big macaw took a shine to Ian, the kids fed some birds, and I got pooped on....twice!!!  To cap it all off, we came down the mountain on the skyrail, and then a bus back to the train station.

The caravan park had outdoor movie night tonight so we had fish and chips for tea and then went and sat on the blanket and watched 'Baby's Day Out'.  Fantastic day!!!

Day 23

Nice relaxing day at the park today.  Went to the adventure playground, played minigolf - Josh got 2 hole-in-ones and Kaleb got one too - very impressive!!  Went and did some bouncing on the jumping pillows - Ian managed to do his flip without breaking anything - also impressive!!  Bit of swimming and kids played for ages in the waterpark.  Nice cruisy day doing a whole lot of nothing!!

Day 22



Ellijaa Falls

 Lots of beautiful waterfalls today on the way to Cairns.  Lots of very long and winding roads through the mountains - my turn to drive today - wasn't much fun towing the caravan around all those bends!!



Lake Eacham

 Stopped at Lake Eacham for lunch which was beautiful.  Didn't get reception until just out of Cairns so the kids scored with an amazing caravan park (other ones were booked!).  It's got playgrounds, jumping pillows, a water park, kids pools with slides, outdoor movie nights, free pancake breakfasts, fire engine rides, basketball, tennis, giant chess, bocce.....the list goes on and on.   I was just happy it had showers!!  A few days to rest and relax now.  Did I mention they have massages by the pool??  :))

Day 21

Kronosaurus Korner Richmond

Following the dinosaur trails yesterday.  Went in to Richmond and had a look around "Kronosaurus Korner' at all the dinosaur skeletons - it was pretty amazing.  Thought we'd try our hand at fossicking nearby - Kaleb found a real skeleton (of a very recently dead kangaroo) but apart from that we did find some fossils.  Some fish bones-ribs and spines, some shells and some coprolite -which basically means dinosaur poo!! It is however, 112 million year old dinosaur poo!  Of course we are keeping it and bringing it home to show for news at school.

Porcupine Gorge

Further along the trail to Hughenden - more dinosaurs, and then off to Porcupine Gorge where we stayed the night.  Walked down the gorge this morning - beautiful scenery and kids had a swim in one of the little pools at the bottom.  Too cold for me but after the walk back up the top we were all sweating again (not good when you haven't had a shower for 3 days!!). 


Innot Springs


Back in the car and off to Innot Springs - some natural hot springs.  We just walked down to the river and there are all these little pools of water.  Some of them were boiling hot but most were beautiful and warm (almost a bath!)  Hopefully be in Cairns tomorrow.  :))

Day 19

Left Mount Isa this morning and headed off to McKinlay - home of Walkabout Creek Hotel made famous in Crocodile Dundee.  The plan was to go and check that out and then head back along the dirt road (ughh, more red dirt) and back up to Richmond.  Unfortunately there had been some rain last night and there was already a truck and 2 cars stuck in the mud on that dirt road so we decided not to risk it.  Back the way we came then.... was a very long drive to go and get a beer!!  But was kind of cool.

Saw lots of interesting animals today - most of them dead.  Lots of kangaroos (still haven't seen a live one!), a pig (???), a fox, an eagle, an echidna, a snake and some rabbits.  Kids want to stop and look at them all  LOL!

It gets quite tiring in the car!!  This is about 10 minutes after we left Mount Isa this morning!

And again this afternoon!!

Through Julia Creek and didn't quite make it to Richmond - had been in the car for quite some time by this stage and we had all had enough.  We only just made it in to the rest stop though - very popular place!

Day 18



Lake Moondarra



Went to Lake Moondarra this morning.  Ian was hoping to do a bit of fishing but it was a bit cold and windy.  Had a look around - humungous lake in the middle of nothing!  Pulled up to have a look and were quickly surrounded by some very friendly peacocks who came and ate out of our hands - don't think I want to repeat that activity - they weren't very gentle!  Took the kids back to the Family fun park to have a play.  We had promised them yesterday that we would come back with their bathers today so they could play in the water section.  Despite today being much colder than yesterday and windy and overcast, they still insisted on putting their bathers on and running around in the water park.  Crazy!! 

Went to the visitor centre and stocked up on Queensland brochures, then back to the caravan park for a bit before heading out to the local for dinner.  Ian couldn't resist (getting 2!!) - $7.95 for steak and chips!!  It was very yummy.  Told the kids we would watch a movie and although they were wide awake, me and Ian were falling asleep so sent them off to bed.  On the road again tomorrow.  :))

Oh, and Kaleb learnt how to ride his bike without training wheels today - was a very proud moment!  Better stock up on Band Aids tomorrow.  :)

Day 17

Quiet day today.  Arrived in Mount Isa.  Did some shopping and washing.  Walked down 'Rodeo Drive'.  Found a really cool park in town with lots of spinning things, water fountains and a bike track which the kids thought was fantastic.  Staying at a caravan park tonight - yay - showers and power!  Had a bbq for tea and listened to some entertainment in the camp kitchen.  Might watch a bit of tv tonight - is it still Grey's Anatomy night in Queensland???

Day 16

Not much excitement today - apart from the snake and Josh nearly falling in the river.  Don't worry - the snake was dead!  Josh did nearly fall in the river though.  Riding across a bridge while going for a walk with Ian, and wasn't looking where he was going.  Luckily there was a kerb on it or he would have ridden off the edge.  As it was, he was dangling over and Ian had to grab him by the leg to pull him up.  Crossed the border in to Queensland today and camping at Coomoweal tonight.  Off to Mount Isa tomorrow.  :))