Sunshine Coast
Trip Start
Jun 29, 2006
1
7
11
Trip End
Jun 29, 2007
Mooloolabah,
Australia
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Brad's family live in a town called Buderim near Mooloolabah on the Sunshine Coast. It's about 1 hour drive north of Brisbane. We spent our first evening chilling out on the beach consuming champagne and fish & chips. I met the parents for the first time and we unwrapped presents I had brought from Cinds & Sebs in Cape Town. It was like Christmas all over :)
I was shown around Mooloolabah and its surrounds the following days which included a drive to see the Big Pineapple and other amazing sights ;) before picking up a surprise visitor from Nambour
1. 90 Miile Beach, Fraser Island
. What a surprise when we bumped into Bushy and Alison in the local McDonalds car park!! I had no idea! Thanks again guys - it was almost as huge as Cindy's birthday surprise in London :) The four of us continued on to share a delicious Thai dinner by the waterfront. The following day we took the car north to Noosa where we had a fine breakfast followed by a long walk through the national park and chilled out on the beach.The following day Bushy and Alison headed back south. Brad and I headed for Fraser Island where we spent the following five days in pure camping bliss, far away from the crowds, at a little site in the north of the island. Fraser Island is the longest sand island in the world. An island filled with pristine freshwater lakes and streams, and 4-Wheel-Drivers paradise. As most of the driving is on sand, a normal car would become bogged immediately and so are not permitted on the island. If you ever have the opportunity to go......do it!! Here is a sneak preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5ECuhlvjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJHGqggQD0M
With our 80's tent and a huge range of equipment (including a kitchen sink), we had a fantastic time camping and a wonderfully fun time together as we explored the beaches and sand dunes ;) It was the perfect getaway
10. Fraser Island
.On our final day together, back in Buderim, we decided to visit Australia Zoo, famous as the home of Steve Irwin and family. "Crikey Mate its huge!" We were stunned by the stereotype banter used in the live performance, marveled at the beautiful animals, and to top it off went home with a $250 stained glass mirror with a picture of the whole Irwin family on it (Only Joking) Crikey Mate! It's the tackiest thing I've ever seen - the gift store was full of them! Anyway, jokes aside it was a great fun day at a very well run zoo.
What a fantastic 10 days :) Thanks to Brad and his family for making me feel so welcome and thanks to Bushy and Alison for taking to the time out to come visit!
I flew back to Perth on the 17th January where I spent one day on final preparations for my return to Africa and finished it off with a wonderful family dinner at my brothers house. We had something extra to celebrate - the engagement of Adam and Toni! Congratulations guys - you have managed to secure my next visit to Oz before I have even departed.
A huge thank you to my wonderful family for accommodating me, yet again. I love you all very much.
And with that a month in Oz was over and I returned to South Africa with my parents in tow....
