Paronella Park

Paronella park was apparently a QLD must do...........
Basically built by a mad Spaniard and then it has been battered by several cyclones and now is basically a ruin but a family is flogging it off as tourist destination . was OK and an interesting story,gardens were impressive as planted from scratch.
But a few hours here was more than enough we camped overnight as tours were included in the fees.

Etty Bay

Hi there again
Well from the Whitsunday's it's further north to a small beach called Etty Bay.
It was used by the Yanks during the war for R&R and the cassowary's come down the campsite to say hi every day. We spent 2 days here and had a great relax after our stressful time in the Whitsunday's :)
For those that don't know it's the dad that looks after the young, once the eggs are laid it's all up to him.


Lucy makes a new friend


First footprints on the next beach

Dad and chick

Dad

Airlie Beach - Whitsunday Is

Link to Deb's underwater shots just double click on it ( mum)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=557602038&aid=102005#/album.php?id=1312418400&aid=28546


Hi Ya's All.
Well this is an exciting chapter so hang on to your seats for the big adventure.

We got to Airlie Beach and the weather has turned for the better absolutely fine Sky's warm weather and there is a nice buzz emulating from the camper now :)
We debated on he prospect of doing some trips out to the reef and the Whitsunday Islands but was pretty expensive for a family and was basically a bus run with heaps of tourists on the boats, so we then looked at going to stay on one of the islands, once again pricey and not only that you then had to buy all meals at the restaurants at over inflated prices mmmmmmmmm what to do now...????????
Well I have a yachting background and decided to check the Bare boat company's out and there were some good deals so we blew the budget and got one for a week:)
This gave us the options to go where we wanted, dodge the crowds,fish off the vessel, go sailing in a magnificent part of the world, it was our accommodation and last go snorkeling ourselves on some great coral reef.
The deal was done and the stage set for a sailing adventure.The kids have never been on a yacht so a great opportunity for them.
We had our briefing on board and stocked her up with beer and wine oh and some food:)
Then hit the hi seas.
I hope you enjoy some of the small highlights of our trip, it was a beauty ,the weather was excellent and only got a bit windy and rough on the last day.
I highly recommend everyone does this in there life time.


Our Yacht "Kickin Back"

A friendly local came and joined us for breakfast

Ahoy me maties ,you wouldn't' have any spare sunflower seeds would you...

Some of the reef we were snorkeling around

A big big big GT (giant trevally) about 80 to 100 pnds.

Elvis The Maori Wrasse Debs has some underwater pics of us swimming with this monster and patting it underwater. A magnificent animal.

Unfortunately there was no fish on the line:(

Debs on a little beach

Hang on the beach is a little bigger


Now we are getting lonely

Hill Inlet with Whitehaven beach in the back ground.

Now that beach doesn't look to crowded ? Lets Go

Finally something to eat ( Golden Trevally)

Another awesome Sunset

Eungella

Hi all
Well our trip from Maraboon to here was a bit interesting with some dodgy work being carried out after our last little episode. Our hubs were still getting red hot so after some close inspections I realised the brake pads were rubbing so I removed them so we could make camp. Towing a 2ton camper without brakes is interesting to say the least.
Anyway all fixed except a spring needs replacing again but will sought that out in Cairns.
Eungella (yun-ga-la) was about getting some last thermic flights before we head back across the desert to Perth and it also is a fantastic tropical rain forest area.
We did some hikes got leaches crawling up our legs and shoes, saw some more platypus and I got some flying in.


A big kiss to all my fans

Pioneer Valley

Just Enjoying Life

Looking back towards launch (on the top left)