BARGARA TO BOYNE ISLAND

It has been a while since I have blogged and I have so much to catch up on.
After staying in Bargara for 10 days, and finally getting the vehicle fixed, we were very ready to get on the road again to continue this great adventure.

The boys with their friends from Bargara, gorgeous Arie and Emmett.

We headed north to Boyne Island, about 20 min from Gladstone. We stayed at Boyne Island Caravan Park. The staff were really friendly and the facilities were very clean and tidy. It was at this caravan park that I spotted my dream bus.
After walking past the bus several times, (kind of stalking I know) I could make out a young family were the occupants. I spotted the family a couple of days later and pounced on them when I had the chance. They had 2 children the same age as our boys and had been tripping around for 12 months. We got chatting about our adventures and THEN.......they asked me if I would like to have a look inside the bus. My thongs flipped off real quick as I hot footed through the bus door. OH MY GOODNESS, I was in heaven. The bus was so beautifully fitted out with suede lounges, a full kitchen and surround sound for the flat screen TV. They even had a BEDROOM DOOR. It was like walking through a fully furnished modern unit. The father had bought the coach bus and taken 2 years to fit the bus out. He estimated it cost around $200000. To drive the bus cost around $5.00 every km. The family stayed put in towns where they found work which was usually at least 3 months at a time.
As much as I loved this bus it would not always be practical for the sort of travelling we are doing. BUT one day I will get my bus.
From Boyne Island we did a day trip to 1770 and Agnes Waters. Words can not explain how beautiful this place is. Beaches and crystal clear water as far as you can see.

On the 24th May 1770 Lt. James Cook anchored The Endeavour in Bustard Bay and landed at Round Hill Inlet.

The boys kindly volunteering their service to help with the bait fish.

While at the beach the kids spotted some people catching bait fish by dragging a net about knee deep in the ocean then slowing walking the net to sure. We were not sure how legal it was but they caught hundreds of little herring. The boys took no time at all to offer their services to help them get the fish out of the net. They kept the fish the others didn't want although the poor fish did not survive very long.
We had a fantastic day at 1770 and will definately be on our list of places to return.
Boyne Island has beautiful warm beaches and lovely park areas for the kids.
While staying at Boyne Island the Gladstone Harbour festival show was on. We took the kids on the night of the fireworks and they had a ball.
The week-long celebration is to greet the winners of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Fun on the Ferris Wheel at the Gladstone show.


Port of Gladstone is Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port, housing the world’s fourth largest coal export terminal. Having this Port means there is soooo much work available in Gladstone. We were told the average wage is $2000 per week take home. For this reason many of the local businesses struggle to find workers. We weren't expecting Gladstone to be as big a place as it is with a population of around 50000.
We found 4 nights was enough time to look around the area so we packed up and headed to Yeppoon.
Peter and I had travelled to Yeppoon over 10 years ago. The tourism has well and truly expanded and taken over the sleepy coastal town it once was.
We stayed at the Causeway Caravan Park about 10 km from Yeppoon. The Park had a great position straight across the road from the water and parklands. The park itself was a bit run down and in need of some extra attention. So many times Peter and I see these caravan parks that, with a little bit of love,attention and enthusiam could be made so much more appealing than they are.
Down the road from the park was a boat hire hut. We thought we would try our luck at catching dinner. Once again we were unsuccessful but had a whole lot of fun trying.
My enthusiasm for hand washing has died down a little so we have a new rule in the camp. If it does not stink or look dirty it does not get washed. Levi has embraced to rule to the extreme while Zac has been a bit hesitant.
While staying at Yeppoon we made a phone call to Janine and Robert who live on a remote cattle station 160km north west from Charters Towers with their 5 yr old son Mack. They were advertising on the grey nomad site for anyone interested in helping around the property in exchange for board and food. They agreed to us coming so we headed inland towards Charters Towers. We had no idea what adventure was before us.

Much more to follow :)

BUNDABERG..BARGARA 20-04-2011

We had an awesome time catching up with great friends in Gympie but it was time to venture further north to Bargara.
We have had some problems with our vehicle and after a service at Gympie we were told we needed some repairs done to the clutch and fly wheel. We are not overly happy with our Nissan at the moment considering it has only done 30000km. We would happily swap it for our old rodeo.
We have had to stay here at Bargara longer than planned to get the problem fixed. The ute has gone to the service centre today and we are hoping to be back on the road by Friday.
We stayed at Bargara Beach Caravan Park for the first 5 nights. The park is huge and the best part is the skate park straight across the road from our site. Levi was VERY impressed. It felt like we didn't see him for days. He even got out of bed at 6.00 the second morning just to meet his new friends.
Both the boys are getting experts at meeting new friends now. Zac, who normally relies on his big brother to make initial conversation, has come ahead in leaps and bounds and is so proud when he comes back to the van to anounce to Peter and I how many friends he has made. It is moments like these that we treasure and can assure ourselves we are doing the right thing by our boys.

Our second night at the caravan park was very eventful. Peter was feeding the friendly possums making them dance for their food.

It was about 9.00 and the park was quiet until we saw some kids come into the park and start pushing over wheely bins. They then started throwing rocks and smashed one of the grey nomads caravan windows. They all took off except one got left behind because he was too drunk and stoned to run fast enough. They called the police and he sat there prisoner on the grass in front of there van. By this stage there were about 5 other nomad couples gathered around talking about the event. The boy left behind then jumped up and started to sprint off across the caravan park. Peter, being the only man below the age of 60, than took off after the boy in his boxer shorts and thongs. It was quite a sight and one of the nomads nearly came at Peter with a block of wood thinking he was one of the rock throwers. The police soon arrived and I think the boy was relieved to see them after receiving the ear bashing off the grey nomads. The boys were super impressed the next morning after I told them the story. Dad was a super heroe who chased down the baddy.
The first five days of weather here was perfect. Sunshine every day and around 28 degrees. The water here at the beach is soooo warm. We are glad we made the most of it because the weather was to turn nasty.
We had to move to a caravan park just up the road because our sight was pre booked. The managers put us on a gorgeous site over looking the ocean. They did advise us to maybe face our van towards the road in case of high winds. We did not listen cause we were too excited about the view.
That night we soon regretted not taking the advice. The caravan rocked all night in the wind and at 6.00 the next morning, Peter and I were standing out in the strong wind and rain trying to save our awning from being ripped and blown away. With some help from our good neighbour we were successful but drenched.
We have met so many great people on our trip so far. Everyone is so friendly and full of great advice for our travels. As I am writing the boys are next door in a cabin watching movies with the other kids. Mel and Karen are from Toowoomba and are such great people. We coffee and chat together daily. I love hearing about other peoples life experiences. Everyone has a story to tell.
A couple of days ago at the Bundaberg info centre we ran into the Malpass family. We have been following them on the blog for a couple of months. When we pulled up and saw there vehicle, we recognised them straight away. We had a quick chat and I am sure we will catch up with on our way to cape. To check out their blog - http://malpassadventures.wordpress.com
Thanks for reading.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

BRISBANE...TIN CAN BAY....GYMPIE....11/04/2011

It has been a while since I last posted and so much has happened. To break it down we have had some awesome times with family and friends, nearly lost our bikes off the back of the van, fed wild dolphins, had a close encounter with a snake and nearly got bogged trying to drive on the sand.

Brisbane was a great few days with family. I had the luxury of using an automatic washing machine again and caught up with washing all our linen. It was such a treat to sleep in fresh sand free sheets again. The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and enjoyed having a TV to watch.

We left Brisbane and headed to Tin Can Bay. Just outside Gympie we noticed a few cars beeping thier horns. Both Peter and I commented to each other "wonder who they are beeping at".
It was a little further down the road, when we made a fuel stop, that we found out what the honking horns were all about. Our bike rack on the back of the van is usually horizontal. It was now more a 45 degree angle facing downward toward the road. Our bike wheels were cm from touching the road. Peter (who made the bike rack) had an explanation for the reason behind the broken bike rack. I was driving too fast and the bounce from the van had bent the rack. After me explaining we were driving on a bump free highway, I put all my effort in arguing the point and we made a truce. We still have no TRUE explanation for the broken bike rack.

Instead of heading straight to Tin Can Bay we had to made a detour to Gympie and drop the rack and bikes off at our friends house.
Tin Can Bay has population of 2000 people. This quiet little coastal village was beautiful. It was here that we had the opportunity to feed wild dolphins. Zac was very enthusiastic about the experience. Levi was not so happy to be woken for the event at such an early hour in the morning. It WAS 7.00. It cost $5.00 each person to feed the dolphins and was well worth the money.

The weather at Tin Can Bay was very different to what we are used to. The day would start sunny, within 10 minutes of sun it would be raining, then sunny, then rain. It would continue like this all day and night.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon so we thought we would go pump some bait at low tide. We arrive at our destination, got our equipment all organised and headed for the flats. After about 15 minutes of pumping the wind rose, the clouds moved fast and it poured down rain. We continued pumping till we were freezing cold and the rain was stinging our face. The kids love it and were estatic with our fresh bait.

Camp kitchens seem to be a great place for meeting new friends. We met a lovely couple and their sister who were also heading in the same direction as us. We were amazed at how fast they set up there tent. We swapped travel,life stories and mobile numbers over our morning cuppa and I am sure we will see them again.
While staying at Tin Can Bay we drove to Rainbow beach adn then on to Inskip point. It is here that you drive along the sand to catch the barge to Fraser Island.

The kids are getting better and better at making new friends. At the start of our trip they were a bit reserved at going up to other kids and introducing themsleves. They will talk the ear off any new adult. Levi is now more comfortable with introducing himself and Zac follows behind him. Big brothers are awesome!.
We left Tin Can Bay after 2 nights and headed back to Gympie to have a night with our old friends Scott and El and their 4 kids. Scott is a champion and had fixed our bike rack for us. He had cleverly re inforced the racked really really well. Sadly my bike has not recovered from the ordeal and has two bowed wheel rims. Our family bike rides are again on hold. We had a great night of laughs and reminising.
The next day we met up with one of my oldest and closest friends Kylie and her partner Neil along with their two boys. We followed them out to their property about a 10 min drive outside Gympie.
Our first impression of this place was WOW. Everything is green and lush, the veiws are AMAZING. I have never been to Tasmania, but this is what I picture it would be like.
Our first stop before the house was a huge shed fitted out with conveyer belts, cool rooms and a granny flat. The property used to be used as a cannery. We must have seen at least 20 SNAKE skins. Some were over 6 foot long. Fortunately we seen no live snakes, this came a few days later. Peter and I were walking up to the van and I had taken the first step to enter. It was than that Peter told me not to move. I instantly removed my other foot off the ground and onto the step before I asked him what is was. It was a black snake with a light pink belly about half a metre in length. The snake did not last to see the mornning. We have been extra extra extra careful since that encounter.
We then ventured further up the hill to the house. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! WHAT A VIEW!!!!!. I have taken numerous photos but nothing can explain the pure beauty of this place.

The houses and sheds have not been utilised for years, hence the friendly wildlife. There is evidence of huge landscaped gardens that would have been magnificent in there time. We have been slowly pulling back vines and bushes to find numerous concrete paths and steps that would have previously been used to walk and work around the garden. This place has so much history and Kylie and Neil are finding out more and more each day.

They have huge amazing plans for this place and I look forward to returning later down the track to see what they have created. We will be here a few more days before heading off to explore Bunderberg.

KEEP SMILING :)

Bye Tweed..Hello Brisbane

Today we said good bye to Tweed Heads. We really enjoyed our time in Tweed. Boyd Caravan park was a great place to stay minus the midges. We were so excited the first day at Tweed because we thought we got away from the Yamba mosqitoes. Well we discovered midges that were 100 times worst. All these biting insects seem to love levi and I but not so much Peter and Zac. These pesky little things are about the size of a pin head and have left their little red mark before you even get the chance to squish them. Levi and I look to have chicken pox and have had many restless nights scratching.
Our fishing was not so successful, there are no big catches to report. We resorted to going to a fish and chips shop for lunch. While having lunch on the back verandah, over looking the tweed river, we had some friendly (or so we thought) competition for our lunch. There were numerous signs noting to NOT feed the seagulls. As we flapped our arms around us shooing them away they were very persistant. The kids thought it was hilarious when one seagull swooped by Peter and stole his chip out of his hand. Next thing Zac was just taking a peice of fish to his mouth when another seagull went in for the kill. It grabbed Zacs peice of fish out of his hand scratching his face as he flew by. This, Zac did not find so funny. He sat under the table for the rest of lunch refusing to sit where he could be attacked again.
We have been without TV for 2 weeks now and I am loving it. The kids have not complained and we were very impressed that we THOUGHT they weren't missing it. This was until we were at an OP shop in Brisbane today and could not find either of them in the store. Finally I heard Levis loud laugh. I turned around to find Levi purched up on the lounges and Zac on a stool, making themselves comfortable, watching the Simpsons on one of there old TVs.

I LOVE op shops. Having limited space, if I find somehting I want to buy, I need to donate something out of the van. Zac found a bag of mixed toys with little plastic indian figurines, an army truck and a couple of toy plastic crates to put them in. In the middle of the Vinnes store Zac shouts out to me " Two bucks mum,is that a good price? MUUUUUM I said is two bucks a good price?. I replied "Yes Zac that is fine".
We will be Staying in Brisbane a few days then we will be off to Gympie to catch up with some old friends.
We are very happy with our Goldstream camper and were even happier when we set up in only 15min. A quick set up is soooo important when you have been traveliing for hours in the car with the kids. The quicker the set up, the quicker we can sit down and relax with a nice cold beer.

Thanks for reading!

An activity for a rainy day. Boys blasting out a tune at one of the many toys shops we visited on the Gold Coast.

Trip Map

View Our Trip in a larger map

Good Bye YAMBA, Hello TWEED HEADS... 29/03/11

We stayed at Yamba for 10 nights and the time came to leave. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Yamba and will be surprised if we can find a little coastal town that can beat it.
We are now all very relaxed and looking forward to the rest of our adventure.
Levi is doing great with his school work. We have been aiming for around 1 1/2 hrs a day of text book work. He than will do about 1/2 hr to an hr on the laptop doing reading eggs or mathletics ( this part he doesn't realize yet is also part of his schooling.
The boys spent their pocket money on new body boards a couple of days ago. Levi has been making full use of his having a blast and going to far out in the beach. I remember my mum sitting on the beach watching us kids swimming for hours. Mum would be sitting there (what feels like the whole time) waving her arms, like swatting a million flies, mouthing COME BACK IN. I now know what my mother was feeling all those years ago. I am sorry mum for not listening.
Zac has finally begun enjoying the pool. When we first arrived Zac would not even venture off the first step. I am very proud to say, that he is now floating freely around the pool in his floaties and even attempted the water slide.
We have met some interesting people already on our trip. Today at the Maclean tourist info centre we met an 83 yr old lady behind the desk. This lady is AMAZING. She was telling us how she interviews famous people for the radio station. "I have to skype a lot and I record the interveiw and then edit it to block out any back ground noise". She than went on to say how she had to cut back from 35 committees to 13 because she was just too busy. This is the kind of lady I would love to have over for dinner and listen to her talk all night.
We met a family today that have been on the road for 5 months. It was great to talk to them and here of there good and bad experience caravanning with kids.
We are now in Tweed heads for a few nights and than plan to go to Brisbane to catch up with some family.
We are staying at Boyd caravan park. The park is huge but not busy this time of year so the boys have loads of room to bike and scooter around. We are situated right on the river and will try our luck at fishing tonight.
I would like to say a big welcome to my newest neice Mia Grace Brissett who was born Friday. Congrats to John and Bec!.
We are all loving the trip so far and look so forward to what is ahead of us.
Well I'm off to try and catch a fish. I will post some pics if i am successful.


KIDS MOMENT - Travelling in the car and Levi asked Zac if he can watch his DVD player with him, Zac says no. Levi whinges and gets teary. I say "Zac you need to share your movie with Levi" Zac replies with his hand on his forehead "Mum, I was perfectly happy and now I am perfectly sad".

Levi at main beach Yamba

This was about as much use Zacs board has got as yet.

This is the kids box of toys they got to bring plus a box of lego. It has all the essentials - hot wheels cars, balls, tech deck skate boards/bikes and ramps, wrestling figures.

The boys building a dam!

 

Our washing device. Who would of thought hand washing was so hard. After one load I needed a hand massage to work out the cramps.