Sunday, March 10, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
Tiring weekend
But venue almost sorted for wedding and a relatively calm day at work today! Hopefully!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Day 19
So the penultimate day in the van, the last full day in it if you like, and happily having spent so long in it previously it was great to spend hardly anytime in it, not driving more than 40 miles all in for the day.
That's because today we went to Australia Zoo, made famous as the home zoo of the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin who tragically died back in 2006.
We arrived in good time for the 9am opening time, and once in immediately headed for Roo Heaven before all the crowds in order that Amanda and I could get some good times with the Kangaroos and wallabies and feed them prior to all the crowds and whilst they were still hungry. This turned out to be a great idea. After this, we saw and patted some koalas, then we went to feed the elephants. Amanda liked it so much she went back for seconds.
We then travelled around the zoo a bit more, before heading to the crocoseum, the big stadium built in the middle of the zoo in order to watch the entertaining show with a wide variety of animals, concluding with the big salt water crocs performing the show that Steve Irwin would have done back in the day.
We had an (expensive) lunch, then spent the afternoon alternating visiting the animals and watching the shows, the Tiger show and Birds of Prey shows were both very good. In the end we left at around 4.15pm, which shows how good and big the zoo was.
We headed up the hills behind the zoo to find our campsite and after getting some beer and meat rations in, we had a nice BBQ to celebrate our last night in the van.
Onwards to Brisbane and Steve and Dani's tomorrow.
That's because today we went to Australia Zoo, made famous as the home zoo of the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin who tragically died back in 2006.
We arrived in good time for the 9am opening time, and once in immediately headed for Roo Heaven before all the crowds in order that Amanda and I could get some good times with the Kangaroos and wallabies and feed them prior to all the crowds and whilst they were still hungry. This turned out to be a great idea. After this, we saw and patted some koalas, then we went to feed the elephants. Amanda liked it so much she went back for seconds.
We then travelled around the zoo a bit more, before heading to the crocoseum, the big stadium built in the middle of the zoo in order to watch the entertaining show with a wide variety of animals, concluding with the big salt water crocs performing the show that Steve Irwin would have done back in the day.
We had an (expensive) lunch, then spent the afternoon alternating visiting the animals and watching the shows, the Tiger show and Birds of Prey shows were both very good. In the end we left at around 4.15pm, which shows how good and big the zoo was.
We headed up the hills behind the zoo to find our campsite and after getting some beer and meat rations in, we had a nice BBQ to celebrate our last night in the van.
Onwards to Brisbane and Steve and Dani's tomorrow.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Day 18
Another day, another early start, 7am alarm for our trip down the coast to the Sunshine Coast.
First stop after a quick drive around Hervey Bay was Tin Can Point, where they feed dolphins ever day at 8-9am, however unfortunately as has been the case so often in this trip, the distances between places was quite large so we didn't arrive until 10am by which time the dolphins had been and gone. However on the trip over we did experience a large brushfire, fortunately not too closely, however close enough to smell the burning and see the skies darken.
After this, we headed to Noosa and the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, where we partook in some lunch and a walk through town and along the beach, before heading to Sunshine Beach for some sunbathing and a swim. Unfortunately sunshine beach and the Sunshine Coast only lived up to their names for around a half hour as after this the cloud tumbled in and we had a short sharp shower. As such we headed to the van and slowly drove down the coast to Golden Beach where we set up camp.
This allowed a bit of chill out time, a wee walk into town, the writing and posting of some post cards and then headed to the local club, this time the powerboat club for dinner and a couple of beers, which was a lovely end to a quite uneventful day.
Alas, we also think it may have been the first day where 30 degrees was not breached, although this is guesswork, as lunch in Noosa sitting outside was real hot!
First stop after a quick drive around Hervey Bay was Tin Can Point, where they feed dolphins ever day at 8-9am, however unfortunately as has been the case so often in this trip, the distances between places was quite large so we didn't arrive until 10am by which time the dolphins had been and gone. However on the trip over we did experience a large brushfire, fortunately not too closely, however close enough to smell the burning and see the skies darken.
After this, we headed to Noosa and the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, where we partook in some lunch and a walk through town and along the beach, before heading to Sunshine Beach for some sunbathing and a swim. Unfortunately sunshine beach and the Sunshine Coast only lived up to their names for around a half hour as after this the cloud tumbled in and we had a short sharp shower. As such we headed to the van and slowly drove down the coast to Golden Beach where we set up camp.
This allowed a bit of chill out time, a wee walk into town, the writing and posting of some post cards and then headed to the local club, this time the powerboat club for dinner and a couple of beers, which was a lovely end to a quite uneventful day.
Alas, we also think it may have been the first day where 30 degrees was not breached, although this is guesswork, as lunch in Noosa sitting outside was real hot!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Day 16 & 17
So as you might have worked out, there was no Saturday diary written. That's because we were off the mainland for the weekend, enjoying the two day Fraser Explorer Tour of Fraser Island.
Once again we had to wake early, as we had a 7.20am pick up in a bus to take us to River Heads where the Fraser Venture Barge was to get us to the Island. Well this was eventful in itself, as the large current caused by the tide made embarkation of people and particularly 4x4s somewhat exciting. However we all managed to get on safely, and around 35 minutes later we met our tour guide Les who got us on board the largest bus I had ever seen. The need for this customised bus was almost immediately apparent, as all the roads on Frazer Island are, like the island itself, made entirely out of sand. This meant the roads were very very bumpy and caused a significantly jolly ride.
First up was Lake Mackenzie, a lake on the island with no source except the rain and no way out except for evaporation. The waters were very clean and quite cool and it was itself a cool way to start the trip, albeit a bit busy.
Les then had us on a rainforest walk where we saw a large lizard and some other bits an bobs, including some massive trees. Following this we went to the Eurang beach resort for a buffet lunch and then hit the beach, doubling as the highway, up to Lake Wabby, where a 40 minute walk took us to some incredible sandblown dunes and a cool lake at the bottom. We spent the rest of the afternoon there, before walking back to the bus and heading back to Eurang for dinner and a nights sleep.
Happily on the way back, we bumped into some dingos, stereo dingos in fact as there was one on either side of the bus. Although very slight and cute to look at, the number of stories Les told us meant I was happy we saw them in the van and not face to face. Dinner was again lovely and plentiful, and after a couple of beers at happy hour at the beach bar we went to bed.
Another early start so we could get back on the beach and drive up to Eli Creek, a large natural spring, where we had a swim (a real lazy river) sunbathe and watch all the backpackers behave stupidly. Once Les got the van across the Creek we headed North to the Champagne Pools and Indian Head. Here we saw some great views, but also were lucky enough to see sharks, dolphins and a turtle in the sea below us.
Back on the bus to a larger beach as the tide had retreated and we had lunch at the Maheno Shipwreck, before heading back to Eurango for a last shop and wash before a slow and relatively long trip back to Hervey Bay via Kingfisher Resort this time due to the tides. All in all a great weekend, with our guide Les really making the trip with his informative, humorous and educated stories and tales.
Dinner was a forgettable Mexican.
Days 16 & 17
Apologies for the delay in updating the blog, however we were away form the campervan on
Friday, January 11, 2013
Day 15
After the slightly demoralising day yesterday, today was much more fun, particularly this morning when we went to reef2beach surf school to learn how to surf. The guys teaching us were ridiculously laid back and nice, and after about 30 minutes technical training on the beach, we hit the water and had two hours of trying to stand up and grab a wave.
All I can say is that I managed to stand up and surf a few times, but also managed to wipe out a few times as well. Net end result, big smiles, sea water and sand everywhere and some sunburn with the water washing the sunscreen off!
Following this, we had some lunch then hit the road for Hervey Bay, our 'base' for our weekend trip to Fraser Island. As usual the trip was slightly longer than planned despite only one short stop, but we found our beachside property promptly and after some clothes washing etc, we were able to grab a bit of dinner and look at the Internet to catch up on some news.
Early start tomorrow and probably no diary as we hit up Fraser Island!
All I can say is that I managed to stand up and surf a few times, but also managed to wipe out a few times as well. Net end result, big smiles, sea water and sand everywhere and some sunburn with the water washing the sunscreen off!
Following this, we had some lunch then hit the road for Hervey Bay, our 'base' for our weekend trip to Fraser Island. As usual the trip was slightly longer than planned despite only one short stop, but we found our beachside property promptly and after some clothes washing etc, we were able to grab a bit of dinner and look at the Internet to catch up on some news.
Early start tomorrow and probably no diary as we hit up Fraser Island!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Day 14
Unfortunately Day 14 was probably the most boring and uneventful of all the days we have experienced so far, with the vast majority having been spent behind the wheel of the van as we drove from MacKay to Agnes Water/Town of 1770. There was little to see or do on the way that added to the lack of enjoyment.
We had been trying to get down as quickly as possible with the hope of joining the Chopparoo tour however, we were to be left unhappy as the numerous roadworks slowed progress to a crawl.
After a look around the very small towns, we found a campsite and headed into town of 1770 for a lovely meal. barramundi again for me. It was delicious!
Another poor nights sleep as the van was very very hot. Surfing tomorrow to cool us down!
We had been trying to get down as quickly as possible with the hope of joining the Chopparoo tour however, we were to be left unhappy as the numerous roadworks slowed progress to a crawl.
After a look around the very small towns, we found a campsite and headed into town of 1770 for a lovely meal. barramundi again for me. It was delicious!
Another poor nights sleep as the van was very very hot. Surfing tomorrow to cool us down!
Agnes Water and 1770
After the longest drive ever, we have made it! It feels more temperate than elsewhere!
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Day 13
Day 13...unlucky for some, it not us on this occasion. Along with it being Amanda and my 5 year anniversary, it was also possibly one of the best days yet!
Another relatively early start, with a 7.30am alarm, in order that we could be picked up by the good people of Ocean Rafting, for our Northern Exposure trip around the Whitsundays with them. The early start actually was for a relatively sedate start as it took some time for check in and boarding to be completed, however almost immediately after we boarded our boat, 'Jammin'' we understood exactly the power and speed of the boats.
The morning was spent scuttling around a few island spots with stops for snorkelling in two
Locations. At the first, it was for snorkelling amongst the coral, at the second, it was fish, fish, fish, with so many fish around, it was impossible not to touch them.
Following this, it was time to head to Whitehaven beach on Whitsunday Island, and wow what a place. Bright blue sea and pure white sand. We walked up to the lookout for better views then went back down to the beach to play with the crabs. Just an amazing place. Back on the boat we grabbed another lovely lunch, then we had 45 minutes to enjoy the beach, just an amazing, amazing place!
Then it was back not the boats for a little bit of fun, pulling turns and jumps and generally seeing the power of the boats!
We arrived back in Airlie beach, grabbed the van and after some supplies, hit the road for MacKay, where after a slight problem finding a caravan park, found one in Beaconsfield where we cooked up a BBQ and chatted with the locals.
Just a good day all round.
Another relatively early start, with a 7.30am alarm, in order that we could be picked up by the good people of Ocean Rafting, for our Northern Exposure trip around the Whitsundays with them. The early start actually was for a relatively sedate start as it took some time for check in and boarding to be completed, however almost immediately after we boarded our boat, 'Jammin'' we understood exactly the power and speed of the boats.
The morning was spent scuttling around a few island spots with stops for snorkelling in two
Locations. At the first, it was for snorkelling amongst the coral, at the second, it was fish, fish, fish, with so many fish around, it was impossible not to touch them.
Following this, it was time to head to Whitehaven beach on Whitsunday Island, and wow what a place. Bright blue sea and pure white sand. We walked up to the lookout for better views then went back down to the beach to play with the crabs. Just an amazing place. Back on the boat we grabbed another lovely lunch, then we had 45 minutes to enjoy the beach, just an amazing, amazing place!
Then it was back not the boats for a little bit of fun, pulling turns and jumps and generally seeing the power of the boats!
We arrived back in Airlie beach, grabbed the van and after some supplies, hit the road for MacKay, where after a slight problem finding a caravan park, found one in Beaconsfield where we cooked up a BBQ and chatted with the locals.
Just a good day all round.
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