Australia - February 9-23 2017

Australia 🇦🇺

Day 0 airport -> coorparoo -> Obi

After our flight was cancelled we got a wee bit of sleep in our bed and made it to the airport for an early flight - all went relatively smoothly. We arrived in Brisbane and m y cousin Virginia picked us up we got to spend a wee bit of time with family in Coorparoo and then we were off to the Obi Obi. We became unconscious on the way and went straight to bed when we got there.

IMG 0693 2

Day 1 relax -> kenilworth -> strangler figs -> swimming hole -> property tour with bob and al  ...  snapper and salad

We woke up to the strangest wildlife noises and realized we could see no civilization. Bob and Ginia have built an off grid oasis in the hinterland behind Caloundra. The range of different bird calls was so lovely as was the heat - mmmm warm and relaxing.

IMG 0157 2IMG 0159 2

Later in the afternoon we drove in to check out Kenilworth - cute tiny town.

IMG 0695 2

Then we did a walk to see the gigantic strangler figs. 

IMG 0165 2

look you can see my arms - that is because it was so hot!!

IMG 0169 2IMG 0170 2IMG 0178 2IMG 0180 2

perfect temperature water hole swimming :)

IMG 0185 2IMG 0189 2

hinterland views

IMG 0192 2IMG 0198 2

oh hello cutie pie - there are so many of these inside these poles!

IMG 0204 2

Day 2 relax -> play games -> yummy chicken ... beach at mooloolaba -> fish and chips

We spent the morning relaxing more and playing a fun shell game - I think Bob won every time. Then we got a tour of the Obi Hall that was restored and where they have many fun local events.

IMG 0208 2IMG 0211 2

next up a stop in at the big pineapple - which is actually closed and maybe the last time I get to see it.

IMG 0698 2IMG 0699 2

ahhhhh Mooloolaba beach - where the water is also perfect temperature :) and the night is so perfect that you can still see my arms as well as the full moon.

IMG 0224 2IMG 0133 2

Day 3 Obi to Brisbane -> Amy birthday lunch - dinner

We got up earlier to get ready to head back to Brisbane.

IMG 0249 2

got to see a few more fun things on the property like this old restored tractor and some funky motorcycles.

IMG 0256 2

glass house mountain views

IMG 0707 2

IMG 0257 2IMG 0258 2

back to Brisbane for Amy’s birthday!!

IMG 0709 2

big family get together which was perfect for us so we could se everyone :) It was so so so so hot! After this we went back to Mt. Gravatt and had delicious dinner made by Pete -  chipotle chicken, double salad and yams.

IMG 0722 2

Day 4 Brisbane -> lunch Murgal  -> shopping - > drive -> 

We got up reasonably early and heading into the city to do a bit of shopping. Then we met up with my friend Michael for a lovely catch up and lunch - we discovered he lived close to where we were going so we did a bit more shopping and got a lift and tour from him - back to Amy and Pete’s place.

IMG 0302 2

huge stormy storm - with impressive lighting show and rain :) then hang with Amy/Pete (dinner - smoked salmon blackened yams veg poached egg)

IMG 0308 2

Day 5 Breakfast chia mango - flight - downtown Melbourne Rachelle Cat ... 

Pete drove us to the airport early for our flight to Melbourne.

IMG 0136 2IMG 0137 2

made it

IMG 0320 2

Rachelle took us straight into the city to check it out

IMG 0322 2IMG 0325 2IMG 0326 2IMG 0748 2IMG 0749 2IMG 0329 2IMG 0330 2IMG 0757 2IMG 0750 2IMG 0758 2IMG 0760 2IMG 0762 2IMG 0766 2IMG 0767 2

this was a fun Valentine’s Day thing we did :D

Tlife image

IMG 0336 2IMG 0768 2IMG 0337 2

IMG 0338 2

IMG 0769 2IMG 0770 2

IMG 0771 2

IMG 0772 2IMG 0775 2

We made it back to Rachelle and Cat’s place and Cat had made delicious curry veg brown rice - we hung out and prepped for our next adventure.

Day 6 7 great ocean road  - 12 apostles x2 granola ... rocket salad ... 

Woke up early and headed out for the Great Ocean road! Rachelle lent us her car :D

IMG 0777 2IMG 0778 2IMG 0339 2

IMG 0780 2

IMG 0340 2

IMG 0782 2IMG 0346 2IMG 0785 2IMG 0786 2IMG 0793 2IMG 0796 2IMG 0797 2IMG 0798 2IMG 0801 2IMG 0806 2IMG 0808 2IMG 0809 2

first time seeing Koala’s in the wild :)

IMG 0811 2

IMG 0352 2

IMG 0816 2

more koala's

IMG 0820 2

IMG 0821 2

IMG 0355 2

IMG 0356 2

can you see him?

IMG 0824 2IMG 0825 2

made it!

IMG 0364 2IMG 0830 2IMG 0832 2IMG 0373 2IMG 0833 2

Next we drove to John's farm (Bob’s dad) met Bob’s sister and nephew (Dingo - coincidentally also a friend of Rachelle’s!!) and enjoyed pumpkin beet root feta salad bean salad Portobello shrooms sausages

IMG 0378 2

next morning we got a tour of the farm and met the horses

IMG 0840 2IMG 0382 2

back to 12 apostles

IMG 0845 2IMG 0391 2IMG 0851 2

IMG 0398 2IMG 0399 2

more great ocean road

IMG 0401 2IMG 0853 2IMG 0408 2IMG 0409 2IMG 0411 2IMG 0858 2IMG 0416 2IMG 0863 2IMG 0865 2IMG 0871 2

dinner out back in Melbourne at 38 chairs - salmon / pasta 🍝 ...

IMG 0434 2

Day 8 -> Brisbane family party ... 

Up early early early to catch the train and then the sky bus and then our flight back to Brisbane.

IMG 0437 2

Ginia and Auntie Marika picked us up and we went food shopping for fish and veg. :)

IMG 0448 2

yummy dinner: Greek - Eygptian feast chicken /rice with spinach and raisins cumin/ pumpkin beets eggplant okra!

IMG 0457 2IMG 0875 2

Aunties: Toula and Marika

IMG 0472 2

More family :D

IMG 0501 2

cousins

IMG 0486 2

Day 9 -> poached eggs /seafood chowder /mango salsa /guacamole ... hang with fam figure out how to pack everything -> fly to rockhampton

Loungee morning figuring out how to pack everything into our bags - this was a challenge but I succeeded :D

IMG 0883 2IMG 0506 2IMG 0515 2

made it to Rocky - Noel and Joel picked us up :D

IMG 0884 2

Nathanael’s cool hanging bed - he made his own hardware!!

IMG 0520 2IMG 0521 2IMG 0523 2

Day 10 -> zoo ... lamb and veg

Next day we made it to the zoo - it’s always sooooooo hot in Rocky when we are there - look how much skin you can see!!

IMG 0531 2IMG 0539 2

IMG 0893 2IMG 0899 2

Day 11 -> main beach at yeppoon nice ... chick peas tzatziki veg

Fun trip with nephews to the beach :D

IMG 0551 2IMG 0559 2IMG 0910 2IMG 0912 2

Day 12 -> clairview so nice ... fish rice

another adventure to this crazy beach

IMG 0913 2IMG 0565 2IMG 0571 2IMG 0574 2IMG 0576 2IMG 0578 2IMG 0914 2

Day 13 ->  black down ... chicken veg

yet another adventure this time in land to Black Down table lands

IMG 0586 2IMG 0587 2

this did not go as well as one would hope

IMG 0918 2

hello big fella

IMG 0593 2

IMG 0600 2

this water is so nice!

IMG 0611 2

IMG 0924 2IMG 0615 2IMG 0616 2IMG 0618 2IMG 0619 2IMG 0622 2

family pic :D

IMG 0623 2

Day 14 -> rocky -> brissy -> home

Noel drove us to the airport and we caught our flight to Brisbane and then our next flight home - relatively smooth travel mission.

IMG 0125 2

back home 3 hours earlier than we left!

IMG 0934 2

Previous
Previous

National Parks Loop - June 29 - July 5

Next
Next

July 6, 2016 Day 15 Alaska (Glacier Bay Day 8) traveling home