Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Agnes Waters Queensland 1st September
























































Agnes Water QLD 1st September

Hello to our dear family and friends. This week we find ourselves in a lovely spot called Agnes Waters, right next to 1770. We are very excited as this is the first place we have had surf for a while. We are at a really nice bush camp beside a great surf beach with nice protected waves and warm water. We plan to stay here a couple more days before we head to Fraser Island and Noosa to meet up with Dawnie and Brucie which will be great for a week.

Well last time we blogged we were up at the Daintree and the stunning Cape Tribulation where the rainforest truly does meet the sea. We drove to Cooktown along the Bloomfield track. This dirt track follows the cliff edges up the coast, stunning and entertaining 4WD trail.

Cairns was a huge city for us! We saw the sites like Skyrail and Kuranda railway. Rode our bikes km along foreshores and marinas. Stayed at the most expensive caravan park in Australia $70/night!!!! It was like an adventure park for the kids though. We were going to go out to the reef from here but the weather was too rough.

Next we head down to Mission beach and the lovely Dunk Island. Really pretty. The day trip to Dunk Island was a lovely respite from caravanning, felt like we were living it up in an island resort. Mission was also stunning and Melis met up with one of her primary school teachers Robyn and her husband Ian which was great.

Harry and Piper did a tour of the Sugar cane refinery at Tully, which they found very interesting. Off to Townsville to catch up with cousins, Hi Mandy! Museum of tropical Queensland was fantastic, Marlon just loves museums!

Airlie beach was our next destination. Here we caught up with a Melbourne family the Gouldings that we traveled with across the bottom of oz. We stayed at an amazing caravan park which was like a kid resort, lagoon pools, waterslides, parks, mini golf, jumping pillows. The kids were in heaven and we caught our breath for a few days. From Airlie we went out with Crusing Whitsundays to Knuckle Reef on the Great Barrier reef. The huge high speed catamaran took us 80 odd km out to see to the reef. We saw numerous breeching hump back whales at close range which was great. The cat arrived at the Knuckle reef pontoon. Here we proceeded to snorkel the reef which was great fun. Piper was trying to swim down to all the huge maori wrasse (fish). Marlon liked the wrasse too! Harry decided to do an introductory scuba dive. We were able to snorkel above him and watch and then watch him from the underwater observatory which was fab as the kids got to see there dad diving close up. (see the pics) Next out on glass bottom boats, semi submersible vessels and water sliding between snorkeling and buffet lunch. Needless to say we had a really special day and were exhausted afterwards.

We left Airlie just as the Outlaw biker gangs were arriving into town which was great. We drove further south, skimming the huge industrial areas of Rockhampton and Gladstone and aiming for the smaller towns of Yepoon and Agnes Waters.

Thinking of you all and hoping Melbourne is blossoming with spring time. Go Saints!!
Lots of Love

Melis, Harry, Piper and Marlon XX

1 comment:

Steve, Kath, Chloe and Elijah said...

Well HELLO Happy Travellers! How cool was Paronella Park?! We stayed overnight in the caravan park and did the night tour...great experiences for the kids nightmares for years! Chloe & Elijah also liked the tour at the Tully Sugar Mill but hated the smell... I bet Marlon loves museums just has much as Harry! Luv Kath, Cousy & Kids xxxx