Whitsunday coast

Monday 24th August

Today we took a drive to cedar creek falls, a waterfall near the Conway national park.

At it's the dry season there was actually no waterfall, but the pool at the bottom was good for the boys to have a swim to cool down, and they had a few small turtles for company.

Back to dingo beach for the afternoon playing in the park and on the beach, with a final hour on hideaway bay.

Finished the day with a relax in the hot tub and a barbecue. Now on to the packing before we drive on up the coast tomorrow.

Just over 252 km to Townsville. We're staying just north of there at a sugar cane farm, thanks to Matt's parents.

Whitsunday islands

Today was the coral reef exploring day. We had an early start to meet in time for the boat.

Once stinger suits were provided (for warmth as it's winter, rather than for jelly fish protection) and the Thundercat boat was fun on the way. High speed and lots of splashing! Good job we had waterproofs with us.

First stop for snorkelling was near hook island on the Whitsundays. Amazing coral just out from the beach (reached by a small boat with outboard motor)

We all enjoyed the sights and after an hour we moved on to a new snorkelling location where there were far more fish, and when they were fed from the boat they all headed for food.

Lunch was waiting on the boat when we returned and after lunch we moved on again to another island. This was the view of the day ...  We could walk over to Whitehaven beach, famous for its pure white sand. Amazing.

We enjoyed almost 2 hours on the sand and in the sea. Saw a manta ray and a little shark so we stayed in the shallows.

On the way home in the dark, it gets dark here about 5.30pm, we saw a kangaroo at the side of the road too. A good day for wildlife.

Hydeaway bay

The hot tub at the house is v popular and we can wander to the beach in 5 minutes so we did that this morning and took flippers and snorkels along too. We had the beach to ourselves! It is winter but it was about 28c.

After lunch back at home we explored a different part of the beach before returning for a barbecue tea.

There are stunning views from the house, which really is in the middle of nowhere. The water supply is rainwater tanks in the back garden.

We've had bird visitors to the balcony. Parrots at breakfast time and kookaburras in the evening.

Travelling north

Fri 21st August

2 flights later, one to Brisbane and one to the tiny Whitsunday coastal airport and a hire car collected we're at our second holiday base at Hydeaway Bay.

It's a secluded spot with a great view from the balcony.

Sydney day 7

Thursday 20th August

Cockatoo island

This island is the biggest in the harbour and has a mixed history of being a prison, a shipyard and a place of industry.

A windy ferry crossing over but a lovely sunny day for exploring with the audio guide and kids trail.

During ww2 after Singapore was captured by the Japanese, this is where allied ships came to be fixed up as it was the only place in the south pacific able to do so.

Picnic lunch and an ice cream at Darling harbour before a visit to our local park on the way home.

Packing up this eve before flying up to the Whitsundays on Fri. No internet there so updates less regular.

Sydney day 6

Taronga zoo

We met Jo (Patricia and Bruce's daughter) and her family at the zoo today. The twins, Ben and Sam are almost 4 and they loved our boys, who helped keep control by holding their hands and pointing out animals. Pete, Jo's husband, is a police rescue worker and he kept us entertained with stories of exciting rescues.

We saw lots of Aussie animals - kangaroos, koalas, bandicoots, platypus and Tasmanian devils amongst others, and the bird show with condors flying in from afar was entertaining. The zoo is set up on a hill with views of the harbour and we all enjoyed the cable car journey over the trees (twice!)

Thai food in a local restaurant was a lovely end to the day.

Sydney day 5

Tuesday 18th August

After a slow start to the day with breakfast in a local cafe we made our way into the city, walking over the harbour bridge this time. Matthew, Peter and Joanne climbed the south west turret (89m above sea level) for a different perspective of the bridge and the harbour.

We walked around the rocks, where the first settlers made their home, then took the ferry over to Watson's bay, which is opposite Manly on the south side of the harbour entrance. The catamaran ferry gets there quickly so we had time to explore and find one of the two lighthouses before having a paddle on a beautiful secluded beach and a play in the park before catching the last ferry of the day back into the city.

It's time the boys were tucked up in bed so we're all set for an early start tomorrow to meet relatives at the zoo.