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Australia Feb 2018

January 2018 - May 2024
An open-ended adventure by Ali Read more
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  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 20

    Mt Coot-tha, Saskia and Pizza

    February 19, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Met Melissa at the lookout at the top of Mt Coot-tha with fantastic panoramic views across to Brisbane and beyond to the sea. Melissa brought a little friend James one of the children she looks after. We went to the Botanic Gardens and had a walk around, very peaceful. Dropped the car back at the hotel and then walked to the South Bank to look for a restaurant for the evening. Chose Italian. Went to the Beer Garden behind the City Beach where we were joined by Saskia (Alis friend Jennys daughter). Saskia said that her Dad David was in Brisbane and arranged for us to meet up. Ali last saw David 25 years ago when doing her around the world trip with Jenny. Met up at The Kitty Bar part of the Casino with great views over the harbour. After spending an hour or so reminiscing we went off for our meal. Had a lovely time and then back to the hotel for some tearful goodbyes. End of an amazing few days in Brisvegas.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 21

    Sunshine Coast ?

    February 20, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Packed up and left Brisbane after a great few days. On the way up to Eumundi we stopped off at Caloundra . Reminded me of a british seaside resort with the sea fronted by holiday appartments and hotels. Had some coffee and breakfast in a cafe and a walk round the shops and then off to Jennys. The house is lovely set in lush green vegitation. I now know why the area is so green as it hasnt stopped raining since we got here. So much for Sunshine Coast. Still its not cold still low 20 degrees so we will still try and do some stuff. Booked a trip to Fraser Island on Thursday which should be good hopefully the weather will improve.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 22

    Eumundi, Noosa, rain

    February 21, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Weather not looking good so we decided to stay local and went to Eumundi town where there is a massive market every wednesday and saturday. Loads of stalls selling craft goods. We had a walk round and got caught in a massive downpour. Had to go off and buy some plastic ponchos as we were not geared up for this. Bought some amazing swiss cheese and some rosemary and sea salt macadamias. Drove to Noosa and in between showers managed to get a walk along the beach and along Hastings St with its chic boutiques and french quarter restaurants. Had lunch in the Surf Club overlooking the beach and then went through Noosa woods to view the mountains shrouded in cloud. Had a walk to Tea Tree Bay and watched the surfers and then up to Laguna lookout for a panoramic view of the area. Back via the shops bought some Barramundi fillets and some other bits from Coles. I cooked in the evening and we finished off with the cheese and a very tasty red Chris Ringland Barossa / Shiraz 2014 delish.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 23

    Fraser Island

    February 22, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Alarm at 4.45am ready for trip to Fraser Island. Drove to Noosa Marina and picked up the large converted truck that would take us on our adventure. We should have travelled along the beach but the high tides and strong winds had revealed rocks making the beach impassable. Took the inland road to Inskip to pick up the ferry. Once across onto the Island the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy most of the day in the dry. Fraser Island is the worlds largest sand island. It is amazing how it manages to support such a variety of plant life, rain forest, lakes, creeks and animals. It has been a world heritage site since 1992 one of only 400 in the world. Our vehicle took us up the beach at a speed of 80kph skirting the waters edge to find the firmest sand. After about 30mins we turned inland to our first stop, Birabeen Lake. A fresh water lake on perfect white sands. We went for a paddle and then were off to Central Station. This was the centre of the logging industry which survived until 1991.From here we had a walk through the rain forest where the creeks are so clear the sandy bottom gives the impression that there is a scum on the surface.We stayed there for a BBQ lunch and then went further north. We visited 3 locations. Firstly the wreck of the Maheno a WW1 hospital ship that was on its way to Japan to be scrapped when it came ashore in heavy winds in 1935. Not much left now but an interesting relic of the past. From there on to the Pinnacles a formation of coloured rocks. We then turned back to Eli Creek. This is the islands largest creek and pours between 80 - 100 million litres of water an hour into the sea. The area was full of back packers floating down the creek on rubber rings. We stopped for a walk and a cup of tea and a Lammington. A young Dingo came to see what was going on. The drive along the beach took an hour, 75km of white sand.Got the ferry back to the mainland, it started raining again. Because the tide was out we were able to get back to Noosa on the beach so made good time and were home by 6.15pm. Fell into bed at 9.30 knackered,Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 24

    Ginger Factory

    February 23, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Weather not great again today so we decided against the Zoo and instead went to have a look at a local ginger factory. Buderim ginger is some of the finest in the world, grown locally they can usually get three harvests a year as the crop grows very quickly. The early crop produces the most tender ginger, less fibrous than the stuff we get in the uk and perfect for making confectionary ginger, cordials, crystalised, marmalade and marinades. We did a factory tour and then had a tasting, showing off the various uses for the product. We picked up a recipe card and will be having a go later. Had a little shop and then went for a walk through the rain forest garden. Then drove to Maloolabaa a smart coastal resort.We had some lunch and then had a drive round the coast stopping off at a number of view points. Went and picked up Izzy from school, very impressive facilities and took her to a weekend music camp where the various school orchestras and bands would reherse and then play a concert on Sunday. Came home, weather very wet so was surprised when Jenny suggested fish and chips by the river. Shouldnt have worried though, drove to Noosaville and picked up fish and chips, salt and pepper squid and potato scollaps from the Boathose and sat under cover next to the river with a lovely bottle of red. A nice way to end the day and our very adventurous if slightly damp visit to the Sunshine Coast.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 25

    Sunshine Coast to Sydney

    February 24, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Woke up to brighter skies today, typical as we are leaving to go back to Sydney. Said our goodbyes to Jenny and Steve and set off to the airport. Dropped the car off and checked in early. Our purchases made our bags overweight and as Jenny had sent us away with a bottle of Bombay Sapphire we had to pay a bit of excess baggage. Had some breakfast and then sat and watched the planes enjoying some sunshine. Really humid but no complaints. Lisa and Dave met us at the airport and after a quick stop at Dan Murphys to top up on booze and then a stop for ice cream it was back to the flat where they had prepared a lovely meal. We had a good catch up and went through a few bottles of wine, fell asleep on the sofa.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 26

    Kitty Flanagan

    February 25, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Felt a bit delicate this morning, but weather not great so we had a quiet morning. Went to Darling Harbour and had some food and then on to the Roslyn Packer Theatre. L&D had got tickets to see stand up comedienne Kitty Flanagan. Very funny. Got an Uber home in the damp weather. Watched a movie and had an early night. Weather going to improve in time for our next trip. We will be going to Canberra and on the way stop off at Jervis Bay for a couple of days of sun. Its Daves birthday so they have arranged to get together with some of their old friends from when they used to live in Canberra so that should be very good.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 27

    Shopping, Sushi and Scallops

    February 26, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Went for a wander around the shops. Went to a shopping mall, it had all the usual things, clothes shops, food outlets and of course the flip flop vending machine !! Had some yummy sushi for lunch and then went to pick up stuff for the evening meal. I was cooking Scallops with cardamom carrot puree and pancetta crisp, good old Barramundi fillet (left over and frozen from the last time) with salsa verde, carrott and courgette ribbons lemon crushed potatoes and asparagus wrapped in pancetta. Dessert was a ginger cheesecake using some ingredients bought from the ginger factory. Played some cards, big win for the boys had a couple of drinks and then early night ready for early start tomorrow for our journey to Jervis Bay.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 28

    Fitzroy Falls, Hyams Beach

    February 27, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Left Sydney at about 8.20. As suspected slow traffic but we picked up a takeaway coffee and despite a few drops of rain the sky looked clearer so we were hopeful of some better weather. We headed south on our way to Jervis Bay for a two day stop before moving on to Canberra. On the way we stopped off at Fitzroy Falls about 2000 ft up with stunning views across the valley. Didnt realise how high up we were which accounted for the chilly temperature 16 degrees C (ok I know its not Siberia but its as cold as we have been for a month). From there we went to Kangaroo Valley a small town, strangely no Kangeroos but it did have an award winning pie shop. I was tempted with the cheese burger pie but instead went for the Steak and Peppercorn sauce pie, delicious. We carried on to Hyams Beach, found the property we were staying in which was stunning. Had a walk down to the beach. A real natural beauty with a long sweep of sand flanked by forest. The sand was so white you couldnt look at it without sunglasses. We decided to spend the rest of the day on the beach as it was so nice.We stayed until 5.30 and then back to the house.I set up the BBQ Ali made a salad and we had Prawns with a spicy dip, sausages and onions. A few glasses of wine and an early night as it is going to be another lovely day tomorow.Read more

  • TravelerAustralia Feb 2018
    Day 29

    Murrays Beach, Bluebottles & Blenheim

    February 28, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After a coffee at the local cafe we drove to Murrays Beach. This is part of Boodaree Nationał Park the only park run by Aborigines. The beach is fantastic, a long sweep of beech bounded by forest. We had aswim and then the first drama of the holiday. Lisa was stung by a jelly fish, known as a bluebottle this smałl jelly fish has a long bright blue tendril which wrapped its self around Lisas leg and foot. We needed to get some cream from a chemist so we went in to Husskisson for some lunch. The Husky pub is a lively pub overlooking the water. We had some food and a few drinks, that and the cream helping to aleviate Lisas pain. Then off to Blenheim Beach, another beautiful small beach with a rocky outcrop at each end. Stayed till late afternoon and then back to the house for more beer and some nice Sardines on the BBQ. Played cards, girls won again.Read more

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