29 September - Day 35 - Traralgon

Yes folks - we're back home. We left Moss Vale this morning at 07:00. We hitched the van up in a brief break between showers and headed down the Hume Highway. Throughout the day we continually ran into showers and this meant that there was nowhere that we really wanted to spend more time. We had morning coffee in Cooma and a quick bite to eat in Cann River and then pushed on and reached home by 5pm. We've had a wonderful time. We enjoyed great weather everywhere and got to do all the things we wanted to do and some more. A very relaxing time and everything we wanted the trip to be. So, until our next 'family' adventure I will track my motorbike activities on www.theosmotorcyclediaries.blogspot.com

28 September - Day 34 - Moss Vale

After a very chilly night we woke to an overcast, drizzly day. Moss Vale and the surrounding area is quite lovely but we've never had much luck with the weather here. Last night we had great steaks at The Briars, which is a restaurant and resort based in an old heritage building. The meal and the service were outstanding. Today we're resting and watching a few movies. Had a quick visit to town to photograph some of the tulips which are in bloom at the moment. This weekend the place will be overrun with visitors to the Tulip Festival. We'll make an early start in the morning with the aim of reaching Bombala or even Cann River. Either way this will have us arriving home sometime late on Friday.

27 September - Day 33 - Moss Vale

We left Port Macquarie at 07:30 this morning with the aim of tackling Sydney traffic in the middle of the day and not the peak. Our original plan was to overnight in Mittagong, but the caravan park there was full - a combination of school holidays and the Tulip Festival. Fortunately we were able to get a site at the Moss Vale Caravan Park down the road. The weather is cool but fine and so we have booked in for two nights so that we can check out the tulips tomorrow too. That means we hit the road again on Thursday and should reach Traralgon late on Friday.

26 September - Day 32 - Port Macquarie

We left the Gold Coast this morning at 7:40 to start the trip home. We had thought of spending some time in Coffs Harbour, but when we got there the weather wasn't inviting, so we kept driving. The skies finally cleared as we approached Port Macquarie and so we decided to stay at our favourite caravan park there. We had dinner at La Roma, the local Italian restaurant, and we've just walked back to the caravan - just as well as we shared a whole bottle of red. Tomorrow we plan to reach Mittagong just South of Sydney. We've meant to spend time here on other holidays but the weather has never been right. We'll see how we go tomorrow. From Mittagong we're only two days from home.

25 September - Day 31 - Gold Coast

Our last day on the Gold Coast. Had lunch at Pacific Fair. Today is the first day for weeks that we may see a bit of rain, so we'll pack up tonight just in case. Tomorrow we start the trip home. Our day by day travel plans will depend on the mood and the weather, but we should be home in a week or so.

23 September - Day 29 - Gold Coast

Spent some time at the Robina Shopping Center. We've watched this place being built over the past few years and it's all finished now. It has to be seen to be believed. Late in the afternoon we took a ride to Level 77 of the Q1 building which is the highest residential tower in the world. The views from here in the evening light were incredible. Finished off the night with dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant in Labrador, Lannai Thai.

22 September - Day 28 - Gold Coast

Unbelievably, today was another fine day, and we spent it by driving to Mt Tambourine which is a mountain top village located about 35 km from the Gold Coast. It features lots of interesting shops, art galleries and antique shops as well as my favorite, a German Cuckoo Clock shop. Another great day on the road.

21 September - Day 27 - Gold Coast

Another lovely day on the Gold Coast, although a little windier. Rosa did some shopping at Australia Fair, while I fiddled around having a better monitor installed for the reversing camera setup. Went from a 3.5" to a 7" monitor which is also a lot brighter. Now I can actually see what's going on. This evening we attend the evening performance of the Great Moscow Circus. What a show! Every act was outstanding but the finale was the scariest thing we've ever seen. It involves one, then two, then three and finally four motorcyclist riding around the inside of a mesh sphere, only 4m. In diameter at 80 kmh. Absolutely crazy. If you get a chance, go and see this circus.

20 September - Day 26 - Gold Coast

Our second day on the Gold Coast. Took it easy with a bit of shopping and a 5 km walk in the evening. The great weather continues.

19 September - Day 25 - Gold Coast

Left Maroochydore at 9:45 this morning headed for the Gold Coast, a trip of 170 km. Being a Monday morning the roads were quite busy. We were settled on our new site just after noon. Once again we're staying at the Broadwater Tourist Park in Southport. We're booked in here for one week. The forecast for next week is all good, however there is a lot of haze around from bush fires in the area. This produced a spectacular sunset.

18 September - Day 24 - Maroochydore

Our last day in Maroochydore. The Queensland school holidays have started and over the last couple of days the Jayco camper vans and families with children have been arriving in droves. We had lunch at the Sunshine Plaza, and spent the rest of the day just relaxing around the van. There is a nice lake in this park and I spent some time photographing the ducks. Tomorrow we're off to the Gold Coast where we are booked in for a week. The forecast is for another week of sunshine. If that's how it works out, we've been very fortunate indeed. After that we're on our way home at a leisurely pace.

17 September - Day 23 - Maroochydore

Saskia and Peter arrived around 7 pm last night. After pre-dinner drinks we had dinner at a restaurant called India Today. We had the most amazing Indian food I have ever experienced. We've always enjoyed all our Indian dinner outings but this fare was simply amazing. What a great night out! Sas and Pete stayed in a cabin here in the park and so we resumed with bacon, eggs and hash browns this morning. Today was the warmest so far and we spent it relaxing and chatting under our awning till Sas and Pete had to head home around 3 pm. After that Rosa and I went for a great walk along the Maroochydore River. It was great watching all the people fishing, boating and playing in the water.

16 September - Day 22 - Maroochydore

Another day of pure relaxation on the Sunshine Coast today. Had to get up a bit early because we knew the power would be out for a few hours, so we had to do the toast and porridge before 8 am. Drove to Mooloolaba for lunch and then a bit of shopping at the Sunshine Plaza. Getting ready for dinner with Peter and Saskia. They are driving down from Gympie after work and staying overnight in a cabin here in the park. Looking forward to a great night out. Had a beautiful sunset tonight which means another good day tomorrow.

14 September - Day 20 - Australia Zoo

Woke to a perfect day this morning, with a forecast temperature of 26 degC.
Our plan was to visit Australia Zoo which is about 30 minutes from here. Our last visit was in 2005, the year before Steve Irwin was killed. Queensland in general is suffering from a drastic reduction in overseas tourists, and this was evident at the zoo too. Which was good for us because, unlike our last visit, there was no competition for seats at any of the events. AZ is still one of the great days out here in Qld. Everything is done so well, and the passion of the staff so evident that you're enthralled all day long.



There were so many highlights, including the Koala encounter, the feeding of the elephants and the crocodile show.



Our final event was the show at the Tiger Temple which feature a great sow involving three Sumatran tigers. Altogether a great day out.

13 September - Day 19 - Maroochydore

After a little drizzle overnight the weather brightened again today. Decided to take a drive to Montville, which is in the hills which form the hinterland to the Sunshine Coast - a bit like the Dandenongs in Melbourne. We had lunch in a beautiful spot called Poet's Cafe. From our table we had a great view all the way down to the coast. Then, a couple of hours of browsing lots of interesting shops including the Black Forest Cuckoo Clock shop.

12 September - Day 18 - Maroochydore

Big trip today! From Noosa to Maroochydore - total distance 34 km. We're staying at the Maroochydore Palms caravan park, one of our favourites. I think this is our fifth visit. We have a week here before we move further south, probably to the Gold Coast.

10 September - Day 16 - Noosa

A beautiful day again today, and a great day for one of our favorite activities here in Noosa - walking the Tanglewood Track in Noosa National Park. This hilly, 5 km walk offers a great variety from dark mysterious forests to fabulous ocean views. We've walked it many times and each time it is an exhilarating experience. After the walk we had quite an appetite which was easily fixed at a gourmet hamburger bar in Noosaville.

9 September - Day 15 - Noosa

As forecast, today was the first real wet day we've experienced so far. It was forecast a while ago and our plan was to go to the movies. After a nice lunch in Hastings St in Noosa we caught the 1:20 showing of Red Dog. We really enjoyed it and the fact that it is based on a real story made it all the more enjoyable. The story is set in Dampier in the 1970's and the feel, the people and the music of that mining town took me straight back to the atmosphere of Bougainville. The weather has already settled down and the forecast for the next week is fine and warm. We may go for our usual treck through the Noosa National Park tomorrow, and on Sunday we expect a visit from Peter and Saskia.

7 September - Day 13 - Noosa

Woke to a beautiful, sunny day this morning. After a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs, we headed off to the Eumundi market which is held every Wed and Sat. This market which covers many acres in the center of town is one of our favorite outings on the Sunshine Coast. We had German hotdogs and sauerkraut for lunch with blackberry crumble and coffees to follow. Got back to our van around 1:15 to settle in for some serious relaxing.

6 September - Day 12 - Noosa

Our second day on the Sunshine Coast started with rain. By mid morning this had cleared, and a pleasant day followed. We drove to Noosa Heads for lunch and some quick shopping in Tewantin. As you can see above the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing.

5 September - Day 11 - Noosa

Spent four wonderful days with Peter and Saskia and Lexi in Gympie.
We mostly sat around and talked and drank on the beautiful new deck they have built on the back of their house. We had some great meals and a few bottles of special wines. Altogether a fine time together as it always is when we pass through Gympie. Left there about noon for the 60 km drive to our next caravan park in Tewantin which is part of Noosa. We'll be here for a week.

2 September - Day 8 - Gympie

Drove from Toowoomba to Gympie yesterday (275 km) and arrived early in the afternoon. It was great to catch up with Peter and Lexi and then later in the afternoon with Saskia. The new outdoor area extension at Peter and Sas's place is spectacular and we sat out there and squeezed every last bit of sunshine out of the day. Went for a drive to Tewantin today and stocked up on curry powder from the Indian supermarket there and had lunch in a nice cafe on the foreshore. The Pajero had its 150,000 km service today and was declared to be in excellent condition. More sunshine this afternoon and after a few beers and G&T's we'll think about BBQing some excellent fillet and rib eye steaks. No idea what's planned for tomorrow - isn't it great.