In late September 2007 we went on a three week camping trip from Bungendore to Maroochydore and home again. We travelled up the coast and back inland and had a wonderful time.
Our first stop was Port Macquarie where we went whale watching and saw quite a number of Humpback whales. It was absolutely magic.
We stayed with Meg, Peter and Matthew who own and run an organic macadamia property outside Alstonville in the far north of NSW. They produce chocolate macadamias to die for but also salted and unsalted non-chocolate macadamias as well as soap and other goodies made from macadamia oil. Their products (Organic Healthy Nut) are found all over Australia.
We then had six days on the Gold Coast and stayed at the Treasure Island Resort which has recently been rated the NRMA's top camping ground in Australia. It was fantastic and the pool was to die for with a wonderful slide for both big and little kids. Allan, Jack and Meg spent hours in the pool. There was also a jumping pillow which Jack was a regular on.
Jack lost his first front tooth.
Jack and Meg in the camper trailer.
You can't visit the Gold Coast without going to the Theme Parks (at least if you have anyone under 15 you can't!!). First stop was Movie World which was a blast. Jack had his first roller-coaster ride and just keep joining the queue and going again .... and again .... and again .... and again.
A photograph with Sylvester is the done thing ....
but you can't go past the Wild West Falls ride on a hot day. This was taken at the top of the drop and you spash down into the water at the bottom of the hill. Great for cooling off and an absolutely blast. Jack and I are enjoying the ride this time (last seat).
We met with friends Tracey, Noah and their daughter Ayesha for a wonderful day at Seaworld. Ayesha looked after Meg beautifully and showed her dolphins and all sorts of wonderful things.
Meg with Ayesha giving her a hand.
Jack loves tattoos - so far the non-permanent kind thankfully. He chose this design and had it applied and it lasted about six days.
Meg is not sure about the Skyway over Seaworld ....
but she feels much safer on the ground peeking through fences.
We visited our friends Peter, Marilyn, Jarrod and Eloise in Brisbane and had a excellent stay. The pool was a big hit (as always!) and they had this gorgeous little Noisy Miner nesting in one of their trees and many beautiful red flowering gums.
Jack is a great helper when it comes to putting up and pulling down the camper trailer. Here he is doing the press studs attaching the canvas covers to the trailer.
We visited Buderim to see our friends Sharon and Tiffany Jones at the Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery but Jack was much happier climbing trees than viewing Norman Lindsay!!
We went to Australia Zoo which was THE BEST ZOO and had a wonderful time. We saw Terri Irwin feeding crocodiles ....
and Jack spent a long time on the climbing wall (Allan did a climb too!). Jack is on the left at the top and Allan on the right (both in red shirts).
Meg thought the crocodiles fascinating but only wanted to get near this one. Her nickname now is Croc Bait after a book Jack owns of the same name!
Our first stop was Port Macquarie where we went whale watching and saw quite a number of Humpback whales. It was absolutely magic.We stayed with Meg, Peter and Matthew who own and run an organic macadamia property outside Alstonville in the far north of NSW. They produce chocolate macadamias to die for but also salted and unsalted non-chocolate macadamias as well as soap and other goodies made from macadamia oil. Their products (Organic Healthy Nut) are found all over Australia.We then had six days on the Gold Coast and stayed at the Treasure Island Resort which has recently been rated the NRMA's top camping ground in Australia. It was fantastic and the pool was to die for with a wonderful slide for both big and little kids. Allan, Jack and Meg spent hours in the pool. There was also a jumping pillow which Jack was a regular on.
Jack lost his first front tooth.Jack and Meg in the camper trailer.You can't visit the Gold Coast without going to the Theme Parks (at least if you have anyone under 15 you can't!!). First stop was Movie World which was a blast. Jack had his first roller-coaster ride and just keep joining the queue and going again .... and again .... and again .... and again.
A photograph with Sylvester is the done thing ....but you can't go past the Wild West Falls ride on a hot day. This was taken at the top of the drop and you spash down into the water at the bottom of the hill. Great for cooling off and an absolutely blast. Jack and I are enjoying the ride this time (last seat).We met with friends Tracey, Noah and their daughter Ayesha for a wonderful day at Seaworld. Ayesha looked after Meg beautifully and showed her dolphins and all sorts of wonderful things.Meg with Ayesha giving her a hand.
Jack loves tattoos - so far the non-permanent kind thankfully. He chose this design and had it applied and it lasted about six days.
Meg is not sure about the Skyway over Seaworld ....
but she feels much safer on the ground peeking through fences.
We visited our friends Peter, Marilyn, Jarrod and Eloise in Brisbane and had a excellent stay. The pool was a big hit (as always!) and they had this gorgeous little Noisy Miner nesting in one of their trees and many beautiful red flowering gums.
Jack is a great helper when it comes to putting up and pulling down the camper trailer. Here he is doing the press studs attaching the canvas covers to the trailer.
We visited Buderim to see our friends Sharon and Tiffany Jones at the Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery but Jack was much happier climbing trees than viewing Norman Lindsay!!We went to Australia Zoo which was THE BEST ZOO and had a wonderful time. We saw Terri Irwin feeding crocodiles ....
and Jack spent a long time on the climbing wall (Allan did a climb too!). Jack is on the left at the top and Allan on the right (both in red shirts).Meg thought the crocodiles fascinating but only wanted to get near this one. Her nickname now is Croc Bait after a book Jack owns of the same name!
The kangaroos held a lot of attraction and both Meg and Jack patted and fed them. They were in a huge area and had a special section where people were kept out and they could retreat when they had had enough food and pats!
The end of a great day with Jack jumping with Steve.
Boonah was our last stay for a couple of days before heading home. We stayed with Di, Simon, Bec and Jessie which was great fun. It was hot and the Equine Influenza epedemic had hit home hard with Boonah being very close to Warwick where it all started. We enjoyed the pool to cool off before storms arrived each afternoon and early evening. Jessie had the right idea in the pool ....
Boonah was our last stay for a couple of days before heading home. We stayed with Di, Simon, Bec and Jessie which was great fun. It was hot and the Equine Influenza epedemic had hit home hard with Boonah being very close to Warwick where it all started. We enjoyed the pool to cool off before storms arrived each afternoon and early evening. Jessie had the right idea in the pool ....