You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.
Yesterday was our final day in Airlie Beach, and our final day on the coast. From here it is time to turn West and make our way in land. It is almost a shame really leaving the beautiful coast for the dry and dusty outback, but we want to be well off the coast before the school holidays.
Kate and Fi were a little concerned yesterday as another caravaner had mentioned in the laundry that they were heading north and had to book ahead because it was already getting hard to find vacancies. School Holidays are approaching, and the parks are filling up!
Mark and I had to explain to the girls that we will be well off the coast by tonight and are confident that were we end up today is not a place people will be flocking to for the school holidays! A quick look at Google Maps and they finally got it!
Now the adventure begins…
Anyway, yesterday was a lazy day, and probably one of the most relaxing yet. We all woke slowly getting some much needed sleep after our big day on Daydream Island, cooked up B&E’s for breakfast before getting on to some hard core relaxing. Event the kids seemed a little slower today, not bugging us to go to the pool or the park. Was a great way to spend the day.
In the afternoon while Kate and I looked after the kids, Mark went for a haircut and Fi and Zac popped into the local Coles store for supplies, working off the assumption that things will start to get more remote from here on in! Zac, taking his own money must have been really concerned about the remoteness, because he came back with a huge shopping bag of water balloons and lollies!
When they returned, I found a local Thai masseuse in Cannonvale finally getting that massage for my back. Was a great massage (just like being in Thailand) and I feel about 15 years younger with all those travelling knots worked out. I can finally move again!!
Anyway, not much more to report, had a BBQ cookup for tea, then packed some of the big stuff away to ease the process in the morning. Big day on the road today as we point towards Mount Isa, but being 12+ hours away, I think we will have to find something along the way.
So I’ll leave you as I sing (in my best country music accent) “On the road again… I just can’t wait to get on the road again……”
I am sorry I haven’t kept up with the blog I have had so much fun that I just could not do the blog. Any way I will start from the start.
I woke up just before the parents woke us up and I heard dad lets wake up the children so I went up just at that moment and said I am up. I think they had a little surprise but we still got up and started the trip. When we finally got to the very first place I was happy but still I was tired when we got there we settled down and the people who run this place had given the kids chocolate and the parents got scones I happily got my chocolate and left the camp site to explore with Matt.
When we got back into the car we split up with the Matt Kate Mark Clare Emma. And we headed to Mary house when we got there I was surprised it was so big and in my room Mary gave me a remote and opened the cupboard. Yay I got a TV yes then when I was in bed I was watching Cartoon Network. In the morning I woke up and then for lunch I got fish the best fish so fresh and was the best I never had so much 3 pieces of full sized pieces or 4 I don’t know haha. should have done the blog early so I could remember.
After we had to leave again awww I had love staying with you and having so much fun but I guess can’t have fun for ever and anyway we are going to THEME PARKS yes can’t wait.
Just when we where about to leave Sookie came and gave us sun cream and so much stuff. And that’s just what I needed when I got burned on my knee and after a little chat and being help up for an hour but it was great help.
when we finally got to the next place matt said to me he got water balloons but they are so small you can’t find a tap to put it on and I said to mum I think she wanted to buy some milk and bread all the way at the milk bar gahhhh I am tired but I managed to get a deal with her to find a tap to fill the water balloons and we walked around and bang we found one on the front of the caravan so as you can see inside your head me with a water balloon bang bang bang the whole site was wet in 3-4 mins and then we went to the park and found an indoor play Center yes cant wait to go there and we went and had so much fun with the slides ball pit mirror place. then I was bed time next day we went to sea world and the only thing I remember there was the worst thing that dumb ride going 1000000000 km per hour and of course first in line get to go in front zoom I hated it. I got off and I was dead I was a zombie coming back to life I was shattered no more rides I was silent for almost the whole day.
The next day we went to wet and wild I went this ride to get me pumped up from the last ride and then went to the black hole just when we there about to go I jumped out and with his leg Dad dragged me back in and ripped my hand in the end I love it and went down again and after that me and matt went to the spa then went on the first ride again and then the tornado a funnel with water and you spin around and then we did 2 more ride where dad cheated and then we left. I would have stayed there for another year to do some more rides but I could not 🙁
the next day was just relaxing then we left again and to skip a bit we went on a boat to go snorkelling and going to the beach.
At first I was snorkelling but then I realised my fins are to small and I need some bigger ones so in the end I went to the BEST BEACH EVAAARRRRR 🙂 when you walked you would sink so quick me and matt found some rocks where we jumped and I sinked in at one point and could barely get out LOL.
Then we had to go The next day I realised I got burned AHHHHHH hurts so bad so for the whole morning I was reading until 3-4 pm dad said the slide was on I decided to go and I had a great time there. and with the care package sookie gave us we used sun burn cream and it help so much.
If you guy are up to this point going why is Zac doing so much well I am on dads laptop so I can type fast I also haven’t touch a pc in 1000 years well it seems like that and I want to get 1000 words.
Any way when we where about to leave we were playing with a bird going to it and then running when we got close it was like (screaming) with its neck so long ready to pounce.
And then we arrive to this place where I am at right now. On the first day we went to the shops and I saw balloons normal 20 pack say mum can I have a massive water balloon out of this no she said. I put it back and oh my gosh how could I not see the packet 200 water balloons right next to it I ran to mum and said please I have she said sure all in my head I was thinking is yes yes yes yes.
when we got back I started filling them up and throwing then It was my birthday I forgot all about it I liked daydream island shame the beach was full of coral so when we came back Matt and I challenged the parent at a water bomb duel. At first I got dads feet wet Matt got Marks feet wet as well dad threw a water balloon at my shoulder but I move it backwards with the impact and I did not explode thank god and matt dodged then they had to go to the toilet so we planned a ambush we hid behind the car and when they where coming back we threw and they were splashed with water than they were like alright let’s go it the old way back to back walk 10 paces mum counted and just like I suspected Dad and Mark turned at 4 and I dodged matt umm he got wet so with my luck I did not get wet hahahahahahaha my magic powers combine my birthday I am so powerful. Then I had hungry Jacks then happy birthday and bed well that’s it for now I hope you enjoy this it took forever hahaha I am listing to music only way I did not get bored well its 1225 enjoy and I also want to say thank you all for my bday gifts I love you all thank you for your time in reading this.
Well, as I mentioned before, yesterday was Zac’s 12th Birthday, and what better way to spend it than at the Daydream Island resort.
Was a very early start yesterday, we had to leave the caravan park at 7:20am to make our way to the mariner in time to check in at 7:45am. A number of us hadn’t yet seen this time of morning, but everyone did what they had to in order to be ready to leave bright and early. We made it there with plenty of time (for me to grab a coffee from the coffee shop!), checked in and boarded the large twin hull catamaran that would ferry us across to the island.
Everyone was in good spirits and full of excitement as to what the day may bring. The water was smooth and flat and it was going to be a beautiful day.
Was only a short trip on the ferry from Airlie Beach, taking just 25 minutes from departure to arrival.
With out feet firmly on shore, the biggest question was… “what now?”
First things first we needed to change into our bathers which were still wet from the afternoon spent swimming in the caravan park pool the day before. We headed to the resort reception where we managed to find a toilet in which to change. We also managed to find a resort map and after studying it, the closest beach was Mermaid beach.
As we left reception, we passed some of the “living Reef” that flows through out the resort. A man made reef filled with tropical fish, stingrays and sharks!
We even managed to find Nemo, small though he was!
I was most impressed by the Dolphins leaping out of the water, the water wasn’t even deep!!!
I dragged everyone away from the reef and headed for the Mermaid Beach. As we finally arrived at the beach and settled on some lounges in the shade as goanna wandered by to say hello.
Mermaid Beach wasn’t much to write about given it was more coral than sand and not at all friendly to our feet. I even tried to go for a swim, but it was so rocky and sore on my feet I could barely stand, and gave up before I was waist deep! The girls did like this beach though, and I guess we could make it into the next Disney blockbuster… “The Princesses and the Mermaids!”
The view of the water was beautiful, but there wasn’t enough shade for us all to sit in, and man was that sun hot! I managed to position myself mostly in the shade, but had my bum sticking out, and after a few minutes it felt like someone was shooting me with a laser beam in the butt!! Poor Zac whose lounge was in full sun tried to hide under a towel, but he might as well tried to hide in the oven! If we had stayed too much longer we would have been eating roast Zac for his Birthday!
So, crappy beach and not enough shade we checked the map and decided to head to the other side of the island to see if the beaches were better there. Was a good trek, about 1km in the blistering sun as the smart people in Golf carts wizz’d on by. We really should have figured out how to get one of the free carts that would shuttle you from one side to another… oh well. As we neared the other side, we stopped to look at the tale of the three brothers that were turned to stone in that very place by Medusa. Jess, our champion reader, read the tale to everyone before the girls tried to wake the brothers with a kiss in the hope they would tell us where the buried treasure was. No luck unfortunately. Hopefully you can read the tale for yourself in the below photo.
Just around the corner from the three brothers, we found a great playground with slides and tunnels and without waiting, the kids dropped their stuff and disappeared inside. I think they would have liked to play a little longer, but after 10 minutes in the heat with the water in sight through the trees, we dragged them through to the beach. Unfortunately what we found was more coral! Seems all the beaches on Daydream were not sand but washed ashore coral. Resigned to the fact we wouldn’t get to the beach, we retired for a swim in the nearby pool.
Now here was when I started to get a little edgy. You see I am not a person who likes to just sit and laze around the pool all day. Especially when you are on a Whitsunday Resort Island… lazing around the pool could have been done in the caravan park! I headed to the water sports stand to see what they had on offer. There was a glass bottom boat tour that interested the older girls… bah can’t think of anything more boring. Been there, done that and really as a scuba diver, staring at the reef through the bottom of the boat just doesn’t do it justice! Me, I wanted to hire a self drive boat and go exploring the islands.
Everyone started to get on edge, especially me as I watched the day tick away with nothing planned…
We had a great feast of a lunch at the Boathouse Bakery using the vouchers from the tour, then returned to the pool to re-screen before I cracked it and said I’m hiring a boat from 1pm to 4:30pm and taking Zac out exploring, while the rest can go do the 1 hour glass bottom boat tour. Finally with a decision and just before 1pm, Fi, Mark and I went to book.
Well, as it turns out I was right… on an island (not a theme park) you cant wait until the last moment to book stuff… The glass bottom boat tours only ran at 10am and 11am each day due to the tides and the afternoon hiring of the boats started at 12:45pm for the briefing and were all booked out anyway!! Grr…
Deflated, we headed back to the pool to tell everyone, agreeing we would hire some snorkelling gear and see the reef up close ourselves. As everyone jumped into the pool, I commented to Mark… “we wont get to snorkel”. “Yes we will, yes we will” he replied, but I just shrugged and pointed out the clock was ticking… guess who was right again!
So, I resigned myself to the fact the most exciting thing this thrill seeker would do on the island would be laze around a pool 🙁 Oh well, at least the kids still had a ball!
After a few hours of pool play, Jess studied the map and found the rain forrest walk back to the other side of the island which she thought would be exciting. We packed up and headed for an easy stroll through the rain forrest. What we found was more of a trek!
Confronted by steep stairs and a sign warning of steep ascents and rough terrain ahead, a few of our party started to have second thoughts. Jess was still keen, so I said I would do the trek with anyone that wanted to go, and everyone else could take a buggy back where we will meet them on the other side.
While Zac was the most vocal for the buggy, slowly everyone came around and we began our climb into the rain forrest. The track was single file, steep and rocky with tree roots sticking out to catch the unweary. I did crack it at one stage as Jess took a tumble behind me. The girls were all jostling to be first up the track (not something you can do on a single lane path) and walking so close to each other it was only a matter of time before someone had a serious accident. Also, I was sick of everyone standing on my thongs! “Spread out” I growled at everyone.
Now nature walks are fantastic. We saw some amazing views from the back of the island and the wild life you can see if you are quiet and listen for rustling in the bushes… or at least could have if the noisy ones up the back yapping away didn’t scare it all away!!! Luckily we did manage to see a few of the local rock-wallabies that must have been deaf!
I enjoyed our nature walk through the rain forrest, and I know at least Jess did, but back on the other side and finding Lovers cove closed for a wedding, we made our way to the pool to cool off again before heading for the boat. Managed to see a few more rock wallabies sunning themselves on the grass of the resort.
We made our way to the pool for what turned out to be the shortest swim ever. As the parents didn’t feel like getting wet again, just wanting to sit in the shade for a moment, we told the girls they couldn’t go in the deep pool with Clare and must stay in the shallow pool. Well, I didn’t see exactly what happened next, but somehow Tara and Jess had a fall and Jess landed on Tara’s head. With the twins screaming at each other, and Emma slapping the water yelling “No… I don’t want to swim in this pool…” we made our decision. Get out and get changed… we are heading for the boat.
We did make a short trip past the shop for a few souvenirs before heading to the dock to wait for our boat. The kids all posed for a few photos… I even managed to get one of Matthew smiling!!!!
Back on the boat, it was smooth sailing back to Airlie Beach. I even managed to get a great panorama just before we pulled into the mariner…
Being Zac’s birthday, he got to choose what we had for dinner, and it seems “The burgers are better at Hungry Jacks”, so it was HJ’s for tea. Afterwards, we returned to the caravan for cake, and to sing Happy Birthday. As you can hear, it was a little subdued after our long day.
PS – I was so tired I even fell asleep in my chair watching a movie!! Woke up all alone outside as the others just left me and went to bed!!!
Today I will go Quentin Tarantino, and go backwards.
Happy Birthday Zac, one more year as a tween! Zac had wanted KFC for his birthday dinner but the nearest are Hungry Jacks and McDonalds. HJ’s is was
Then back to camp for the birthday cake. Notice the two large hand decorated candles his sisters made in kids club yesterday.
Prior to this the boys thought it prudent to challenge Craig and myself to a waterbomb duel – guess who came off second best!
Today saw our day trip to Daydream Island. The cat ferry is much faster than our prior cruise and it is only a 25 min trip. The kids were all we want the beach, we want to swim……..
After a quick study of the resort map and changes of clothes, we headed to Mermaid beach. The girls thought this was great but unfortunately this, and as it turns out, all the island beaches are coral and not kind to skin! But guess why the girls liked it??
From here we found the playground after a walk to the other side of the island. Also a massive pool and the place we had vouchers for lunch. After a 5 minute swim, the kids were all “we are so hungry”. Did i mention it was 11.15 and the had just demolished a large back of Doritos and a packet of bbq rice crackers.
Lunch was nice after a wait from the bakery (and a mix up of the order). I recommend the lemon tart – very nice.
Right next to lunch was one of the resorts “living lagoons” with Nemo, Dory, other fish and sharks. It was also lunchtime for he sharks and fish with the kids there wanting to watch. He even let them throw in some of the food which Matt though was great. Matt kept asking the marine guy questions, what is the rarest shark they have etc but the best was why re the beaches all coral because they hurt my feet. The guy gave a great answer but it didn’t help with his feet so Zmatt had moved on. I learnt something!
Kate and Fi then went shopping – in the islands seemingly only store and the girls came out wanting mood rings, bracelets etc. who would have though they would want bling?
Jess had asked to go back to he other end of the island by the rain forest walk. Great idea we said until the girls saw a massive row of stairs. Next thing they (Zac as ringleader) saying they wanted a golf cart ride back instead. No such luck and off we went with our bush tucker local guide – Craig! In the lead. The path was hilly and “natural” with rocks and roots and a band of kids talking non stop. If there was any wild life we would never know. Craig lost some patience after a while of little feet stepping on his thongs. Yes all 4 girls where walking so close, jostling for first spot behind Craig. Lucky he did not have wind……….
We did see lots of spider webs and some Proserpine Wallabies
Eventually we found the resort again (i was only 1km and Craig did not lose his way again :-). As we had some time we set off for the pool on that side to cool off. Unfortunately 3.2 nano seconds in it fell apart with Tara and Jess in tears. Thats it we are off. Shortest swim on record.
On the way back we may have stopped for icy poles and Emma gave up food to get one of those rings- she must have wanted it badly to forgo an icy pole! Now the test will be how long will these $5 rings last before Emma and the girls have lost theirs……..
While waiting for the ferry the kids kindly gave us some nice photos
The wives even posed on the boat ( it was hard to get photos with Emma and Tara standing in front using my sunglasses as mirrors to preen themselves and check their hat angles!!)
Some scenery
Matt then caught his first holiday gecko tonight (watch out geckos)
But would have dared with this one on the beach today? No he tells me, sharp teeth!
But again last and not least, happy 12th birthday again Zac!
Blog is a little late today for two reasons… One, Mark did a great job of chronicling yesterday, and two, the boys left early this morning on an ULTIMATE JET SKI ADVENTURE!!!
We were picked up in the bus just after 8am, and after picking up two more couples from other resorts around Airlie, headed to the mariner to gear and be be briefed. While signing our life away (don’t you love indemnity forms), the operators discovered that the Indian couple, dressed as if they were going to the movies, actually couldn’t swim!!! Now seriously, why would you book into a jet ski tour if you couldn’t swim?? They even indicated that if they fell off in the water wearing a life jacket they wouldn’t be comfortable enough to climb back on without panicking????
Bizarre!!
Anyway, they headed back to the bus, we headed for the water. I was a little relieved they made that call, cause we don’t want any non-confident riders slowing us down!
Geared up, we jumped on a jet ski for a quick driving instruction, then slowly headed for the mouth of the mariner. We almost made it too, but the leader got the call over the radio that Mark and Mattie’s jet ski had a broken engine mount, so we had to wait while they another out to us. A quick jump on to a new ski and we were off.
Whoosh…. jumping across the small half metre swell at 50-60kms per hour. Zac was cheering and laughing as we cut across the waves. This is good fun!
First stop was a 3 mast sailing ship wreck that had been blown into shore during one of the recent cyclones. We all paused in front of the ship for a photo before slowly motoring over to visit the green back turtles. Switching off the ski’s we floated in the water as the turtles came up for breath around us.
There was a swirl of mud in the water, then a head poked out as they surfaced out of the muddy weed gardens for air. One surfaced right in the middle of the ski’s, looked around realised were were there then quickly and madly swam back under the water. Was very funny.
We stopped here for about 15 mins before heading over to the next point (forgot its name). This was fun as we got a little further out to sea, and managed a few jumps at top speed over the swell. Zac holding on for dear life behind me was having a ball, especially as we weaved left and right through the waves. At times we would dig in a little too deep sending a spray of refreshing water over the top of us.
Zac and I were first in line for most of the trip, but at one stage we fell in behind Mark and Matt. Now the instructor had been clear at the start of the trip to stay in his white water… the trail left behind his ski, as he would find the safest route around obstacles. Mark, bored by the slower riders in front started weaving side to side within the widening trail. What this meant was by the time it came to me, the trail was so twisty that we could barely stay on track!
Zac and I trying to stay within the trail fell further and further behind before I realised what was going on, and we made a high speed bee-line cutting trough the twisty mess. Of course I got my own back as after the next stop, Mark and I switched places and it was my turn to leave a twisty mess for him… LOL he said at one stage it looked like I had done a figure 8!!! I did make it super bad on purpose!!
Don’t worry, it was all just good fun and we made sure we were safe at all times Mum…
The tour was only an hour and half long (way too short), and as we slowly motored into the mariner, Mark, Matt, Zac and I all decided we needed to buy Jet Ski’s when we get home. Not sure how Kate and Fi will feel about this, but I’m sure they will come around eventually!!! What do they say… sometimes it is easier to say sorry :p
We had an awesome time, and the boys want to come back and do the longer 4 hour trek across to DayDream island another day… we will see….we will see.
All the photo’s from our adventure will be on Facebook later, so will add a link once they are up there.
Back at the Caravan, we met Kate and Fiona who had had a nice relaxing massage around the pool (see we are good husbands aren’t we), while the girls all had a ball making candles in kids club. Having a bite to eat for lunch right now before the girls head back to Kids Club for the arvo session to make frames.
Guess the rest of us will just have to head for the pool. Only other important decision to cover off today is what fantastic family tour will we do tomorrow?
What a relaxing day, after i left the last post we headed to Big W for Kate to get some more clothes!! She had to leave the wardrobe at home……
Then down to Airlie Beach proper. A nice town that is not overly commercialed but is undergoing rejuvenation. Lunch was at the Hogs Breath Cafe for steak
We were looking for the Lagoon
and had not found it but then when telling the kids to stop hanging off the balcony, there it was.
We spent the arvo there and the kids had a ball. Shallow parts, deeper than me parts, somersaults, backflips, oh the fun
Mike, after kissing a dirty on Blarney Stone you may need one or two of these
Craig and myself certainly enjoyed a couple with steak!
Maybe we should more up here, we have a branch
Maybe branch manager a one of the homes on the hill??
I will start with saying that Craig should publish a caravanning book. His piece today on the caravanners code is spot on. I like the hand off the wheel. You do feel part of a community, something you don’t get in town and when covering vast differences, it is nice to acknowledge others.
I can’t tell you their names, but the couple that gave us their Camp 5 book we awesome. As Craig noted, when leaving my Camps book got “packed” with all the open house cleaning. He had lots of great tips then handed the book over and apologised for all the handwritten notes! Why i don’t know as the hand written stuff is the gold!
As soon as we got here the kids hit the play equipment. Here are some pics from first thing this morning
Then they were hot “Dad/uncle Marty” can we go to the pool! Ok then. I have just spent the last hour in the pool with the kids having a ball. Zac got collected by Matt on the waterslide. This is what happens when the rules don’t get followed ( ie stopping on slides and going before the slide is clear – they were warned after the first incident, but boys will be boys.
Clare is a waterbaby. Has to go on the waterslides by herself and swim by herself even if perhaps a bit out of her depth. Will try and get some photos.
It is a great park and very tropical. Maybe we might move here not Yeppoon!
Here are some pics of Clare. She got her own bowl, her own cereal, her own milk and as i watched her eat, she just looked so contented.
Not sure what the rest of the day has in store but i bet its lots of tropical fun! Better get more bushmans as the sandflies like to bite…….
