Sunny QLD! Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast

There is something about southern Queensland for me that feels like home. Most likely this has to do with the fact that I loved visiting my Aunty, Uncle, and cousins here quite regularly as a young child with my Mum and sister. The other part for me is the tropics, the lush green tropical vegetation and impossible hills, and that distinctive rainforest smell. I thought that when I grew up I would move here, so I could live in a beautiful old Queenslander home on stilts and live in the middle of the rainforest! Although that is unlikely to ever happen, it is still a beautiful and very fun place to visit.

Gold Coast

What is a trip to the Gold Coast without visiting a theme park or two! First stop - Movieworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Blaire snuck in for a photo with the 'ducky' and 'pussy-cat' (middle front)... a bit of a generation gap with the Warner Bros characters for my young kids, but they enjoyed them nonetheless. 

Damien smiling and Cooper stunned on the Roadrunner kids roller coaster - Movieworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Batman in his pretty awesome Batmobile - Movieworld, Gold Coast, QLD 

Batman being subdued by the bad guys...but not for long! Theatre in the main street - Movieworld, Gold Coast, QLD

'Super Blaire' and 'Cooperman' saying hi to the Justice League in the parade - Movieworld, Gold Coast, QLD

The next day, still donning our super hero alter egos, we headed to Seaworld for the day. First up was a visit to see Dora. Couldn't believe how much both of their faces lit up to see Dora in person! Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD 

Such amazing creatures. I lined up for 45 min for first row seats at the dophin show, and we weren't disappointed - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Blaire mesmerised by the dolphins leaping out of the water - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD 

Spinning in circles at the dolphin show - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Amazing finale to the dolphin show - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Snow-cone anyone? Cooper is not so sure - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD

Jet ski action and tricks - Seaworld, Gold Coast, QLD 

This was the amazing pool AND water slide at our caravan park. Kids could have spent the two days in here and been happy. The heated spa in the back got a lot of use too - Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, Gold Coast, QLD

Our last night before leaving, the kids making the most of the heated pool - Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, Gold Coast, QLD

Brisbane

We only had one full day in Brisbane and wanted to make sure we made the most of it. A view of the Brisbane CBD from Mount Coot-tha - Brisbane, QLD 

After a day trip around the city we met up with professional photographer John Elliot for a tour of the Brisbane River on a River Cat. I first met John in Port Hedland when he mentored a photography workshop run by the local art gallery. John was more than happy to catch up with us for some photos and dinner in the city - Brisbane, QLD

Cheeky Miss up to her usual cheekiness 

The Story Bridge, one of the many bridges that cross the Brisbane river, is actually the longest cantilever bridge in the world. It also looks pretty good around sunset time too - Story Bridge, Brisbane CBD, QLD

A rare family portrait, thanks John! - Brisbane River, Brisbane, QLD

Mentoring the next generation of photographers (from left) Cooper, & John Elliot

Southbank at night - Brisbane River, Brisbane, QLD

John Elliot, a brilliant photographer, is also very well known for his writing and social documentary of the Australian country music scene.

Brisbane CBD and Story Bridge - Brisbane, QLD

Sunshine Coast

On our way into the Sunshine Coast we stopped in at the iconic Big Pineapple and met up with one of our dear Port Hedland friends, Wendy & Reilly, and their two gorgeous kids, Zara and Flynn. Damien and Wendy and the kids can be seen at the lookout at the top - Big Pineapple, Woombye, QLD

Did you know it takes approximately 3 pineapples to make 1x 450 tin of sliced pineapple?
Pictured are some of the pineapple plants overlooking the animal farm at the bottom of the hill - Big Pineapple, Woombye, QLD

Taking the pineapple train through the rainforest at - The Big Pineapple, Woombye, QLD

We took a drive around the the mountain ridge via Maleny on our way to visit Australia Zoo. A quick stop for a beautiful view over Mount Coolum, the Maroochy River, and Buderim, and Blaire and I took the opportunity to 'work it' for the camera - 

A huge image of Steve Irwin greets you as you approach Australia Zoo.  There is a large memorial area inside the park for Steve, with photos and news articles that commemorate what he achieved for animal conservation as well as for Australian tourism. Although I was never a huge croc hunter fan, you feel a lot of respect and admiration for the guy when you see how the park respects and looks after its animals so well.

A big croc - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD

Did you know Australia is the only country where wild Dromedary Camels exist. Australia exports them to Saudi Arabia (their country of origin)! - Australia Zoo

Quick someone save my baby girl from that dinosaur eating crocodile!!!!

The elusive and extremely dangerous drop bear. We made sure to put a good smear of vegemite behind our ears to repell these viscous killers.

This is actually the world's most venomous snake, the Fierce Snake. A single bite from this guy has enough venom to kill 100 men. Crikey!

A kookaburra - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD

Torres Straight Pigeon - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD 

They are all warm and soft and furry, it's actually really nice patting a koala

Ok so tigers are NOT native to Australia, however there is an Asian animals section at Australia Zoo. This guy was just amazing.

Tiger leaping - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD

This lovely spotty lady lives in the Africa section. I love Giraffe's :)

Had to do the obligatory posing of the kids on the giant crocodiles of course - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD 

Nope, not a statue. You do NOT want to try and sit on this guy - Fang 1 - Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD 

 Ok so you may have noticed in the above photo (and below photos for the next few weeks) that Cooper is wearing a sling... not to harp on, but basically he fell off a trampoline and broke his elbow. Poor little dude is coping well but will be very sad to be missing out on all the jumping pillows, water slides and swimming for the next few weeks.

Waiting for the verdict on his arm - Nambour Hospital, QLD

Our last evening saw us take a drive out to Mooloolooba Beach for a last play, and meal with Wendy and the kids. Cooper and Zara having fun - Mooloolooba foreshore, QLD

Zara and Flynn racing on the slide - Mooloolooba foreshore, QLD

Mooloolooba foreshore, QLD

We headed to the Mooloolooba surf club for dinner, and they happened to have a face painter there for the kids. Blaire's very first chance at having her face painted, and does she ask for a butterfly or a love heart? Nope, she asks for a crocodile! Hilarious as she shows me her crocodile growl.

Sydney and Northern NSW

Moving north we left Ulladulla and travelled 225kms to visit family in Sydney. Now, Cooper has been on the hunt for Nemo for over 16,000kms now, so it was a bit exciting thinking we might meet him and maybe even Marlin in Sydney! It was also a bit exciting to get to finally spend some extended time with my cousin Katherine, which we haven't done since we were little kids. We were welcomed with open arms by Katherine and her partner Paul, and made sure to return the good favour with friendly conversation, laughs and good food. Five night passed very quickly!

Sydney
On the way to Sydney, we visited Mitch and Nicole in Wollongong. We met these guys on a boat cruise in northern Vietnam on our honeymoon in 2007. Such a friendly, great couple who now have the addition of their gorgeous little 3yr old boy Flynn to their family. It was great to stop in say hello. Thanks for a hot cuppa and a chat guys!

Blaire having a great time exploring all of Flynn's toys

As we arrived and parked on the street, I opened the car door to get Cooper out and two of our Tupperware water bottles rolled out of the footwell, onto the street and into the drain. On telling Mitch, he says "oh, stuff goes into that drain all the time" and promptly removes the grate for us. Mitch then volunteers 3yr old Flynn for the retrieval, but he wasn't too keen!

No dad!

Damien then volunteers Cooper for the job. Cooper insists on having shoes on, but is more than happy to have a go in the drain!

Trio of cuties, (from left) Cooper, Blaire & Flynn

Heading onward to Sydney, we travelled via the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge. The bridge, located in Illawarra, NSW, was opened in Dec 2005. It replaced a large section of the original Lawrence Hargrave Road that had degraded so badly that regular rock falls and slips had forced its closure in Aug 2003. It is stunning to drive on, but incredibly difficult to locate a good vantage point for a photo. This was our third stop on a very windy day (see the churning surf and sea spray in the atmosphere) to look back across the bridge, and a very frustrated husband was relieved I finally got a shot.

Day 1 Sydney - Our first full day in Sydney, Paul and Katherine took us out to visit to Kurnell to see the spot where Captain Cook landed in Botany Bay in 1770. 

Katherine and beautiful baby bump having a chat and getting to know her two little second cousins, Blaire and Cooper - James Cook Landing, Kurnell, Sydney, NSW

Day 2 - A day trip into Sydney city via the train to have a look around, get my poor overused camera a professional clean, and to take the kids on a ferry on the harbour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water on the Manly ferry

The Opera House, Sydney Harbour

Panorama of Sydney harbour from my iPhone (as my camera getting a service on the shore) -Sydney Harbour

It took ages to capture a synchronised lick! Enjoying some lollipops, and the the view, at Manly beach on a rainy day.

A quiet day in the water at Manly Beach - Sydney, NSW

Along the Corso in Manly (the mall that runs from the train station to the beach), there are several tracks of water fountains that bubble away at differing heights. Damien took great joy when the fountains were lower to run the kids through them telling them they were going to get wet. They were screaming with delight! - Manly Corso, Sydney, NSW

That night, Katherine treated us to her famous home made pizzas which were delicious! Apparently the secret is in the careful selection of only the freshest ingredients, but we think it's her giant Pizza spatula that gives her the extra street cred! 

Nom nom nom (translated as mushroom, fetta and fresh basil)

Blaire making the tough decision between blocking out listening to the stick blender in use, or eating her corn...she chose both

All tuckered out passed out after a hard day of Sydney shenanigans!

Day 3 - We headed due east for a day trip from Sydney to visit the beautiful World Heritage listed Blue Mountains - Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, NSW

Blaire taking a look at the Three Sisters through the binoculars with Dad's help - The Three Sisters, Katoomba, Blue Mountains, NSW 

The Three Sisters - Katoomba, Blue Mountains, NSW

Day 4 - For our last full day in Sydney we headed out to Cronulla Beach to enjoy the sunshine and have a relaxed lunch at one of the cafe's along the beach. Here the kids are jumping the rock wall on the foreshore.

Cronulla Beach busy on a nice sunny day

Competition for the waves - Cronulla Beach, Sydney, NSW

This was Paul's nightly game with the kids to calm them down. See who can be the stillest and quietest for the longest. Even the dogs joined in to have a turn. Best game ever! Thanks Paul 

Couple of last snaps of the beautiful couple before we headed north (from left) 'bump', Katherine, and Paul.

The family portrait

Port Macquarie
It was a long travel day via the Sydney traffic for the 385kms to Port Macquarie, and although we left mid morning it took us 6hours of driving (2hours to travel 75kms through the city) to arrive by late afternoon. The sun was shining and we got out and about for the couple of days we were in Port Macquarie to enjoy it. As a result I didn't really take many photos...

Drying off the beach towels, and reminding everyone who the best AFL team is! 

The face of a little girl who did NOT want to get out of the pool yet.

Port Macquarie Town Beach

Coffs Harbour
Easter Saturday it was back in the car for a further 160kms north to Coffs Harbour for the remainder of the Easter weekend. We were seeing some spectacular NSW coastline and were loving the beautiful beaches and warmer weather for heading north.

Due to the heavy rains and flooding risk in Coffs, the caravan sites were elevated much higher than the road. With our van being low to the ground anyway, this provided some difficulty in getting onto the our designated site. At one point the chassis was scraping across the concrete pad (pictured), however some sympathetic fellow caravaners quickly volunteered to assist us, and we finally parked the van.

A visit to the Big Banana. Couldn't pry the kids away long enough from the free samples to smile for a photo! - Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW

One of the interactive displays played Carmen Miranda signing about banana's and you could take a photo wearing a fruit hat! - Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW

The Big Banana - Coffs Harbour, NSW

Cooper has developed smile fatigue. Being 4 is hard work, and Cooper just can't seem to muster enough energy for mailing in all these photos we have been taking. So I decided to help him out on this one - Sealy Lookout, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Yep, domestic duties still have to be done when you are travelling. Washing Day - Coffs Harbour, NSW

Cooper discovering that sand gets caught inside your budgie smugglers when you swim at the beach. Damien taking great delight in Cooper's reaction - Park Beach, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Blaire and I playing games in the shade and warming up after a swim - Park Beach, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Teaching Cooper to play Patty Cake, Patty Cake.

Cooper playing on the water slide at the caravan park pool - Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Weeeeee!!!!! Damien carefully taking Blaire on the water slides - Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour, NSW

The kids wearing their soft serve ice creams :)

On our drive out of Coffs we stopped at a service station to refuel. There was a riddle written on a board at the entrance. If you were able to guess the answer to the riddle you got a free freddo frog. I guessed correctly. Can you?
Riddle: A frog jumped into a pot of cream and started treading. He soon felt something solid under his feet and was able to hop out of the pot. What did the frog feel under his feet?...