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.