We took a break from packing to drive down to Monterey to attend Annie’s b-day party. Annie is the girlfriend of Alf, who I work closely with at PAIFF. We dropped off a load of stuff at the new house and went up and over 17. We found a nice place for fish and chips and boat watching, bought some xmas gifts and then headed over to the party. Page was so fun, chatting everyone up and wanting to be a part of everything. She had a bit too much chocolate cake, though…

After visiting the reef, we decided to spend the rest of the trip on dry land around Airlie Beach. We did a couple rainforest hikes and lounged around the Airlie Beach lagoon… We climbed up Mount Rooper outside Shute Harbour, beautiful island views.

 I was having a heart attack at this moment.

 Down the trail to Swamp Beach – did you know the highest concentration of CROCODILES in Queensland happen to be in THIS area? Thanks Brendan for letting us know!!!!!!

 Back at the condo relaxing and enjoying our Cockatoo neighbors

 Not always so chipper…

 Rainforest hike to Wampoo trail. Gorgeous!

 Back at Airlie Beach for a picnic on our last night. I love the kisses from my girl.

 Page’s first ever picture she has taken, not bad… 🙂 And that is a wrap! More to come from Brisbane back at the rents!

After a good night’s rest back on the shore of Airlie Beach, we decided to venture out to the Great Barrier Reef. It was a 2.5 hour boat ride to the reef, Page cooperated nicely and slept through the bumpy parts on the way there and back. There were many sick travelers, but she did very well. I never thought I would ever be lucky enough to see the reef. Brendan and I took advantage of the childcare and bailed for an hour and a half to explore the reef. When we got back on the boat, we heard people asking for Brendan Gibson and we knew were in trouble. Poor Page. As soon as we picked her back up, she was little miss personality again. Oh, but it was a great hour and a half!

 This may also be illegal in Queensland…

 Page chasing the balls in the reef. “BALL?”

 There was an observatory underneath the pontoon and we took Page down to check out the sights.

 “Gaga! Gaga! Goggies!!”

Early morning wakeup to board to Scamper out to the Whitsunday Islands.

Our own private taxi – the captain asked us if we were going to live on the island (I guess we had a lot of stuff…)

 Arriving at Whitehaven Beach!!!!!!!!!!! Words cannot describe how beautiful this island is.

“Where is your seat Mum?”

We camp in comfort when we have a boat to carry all our gear.

 The troops are exhausted! I think I’ll go sit on the beach…

 While the bubbie is still snoozing, we enjoy the crystal clear warm water.

 Happy, happy!

 She is awake and ready for some beach action!

 “How about we build a tidal pool to play in Dad?”

 Early evening walk up the beach

 Taken by our new German friends just as the party boat arrives to the island. We met Jerry and Anna who camped next to us, the poor young travellers had been dining on ramen noodles for weeks so we brought them into our camp and fed them a yummy dinner and breakfast before they had to go.

 Now off to explore the island and Hill inlet. I have never seen water so blue

 Page saw one her favorite things up close! A helicopter and she can even say the word now…

 After 12 km’s Page was still a trooper and loved playing with Dad’s hat

 I couldn’t resist painting Page’s toenails *Coral* while she slept – she woke and giggled at her new pretty toes…

Rainforest hike over to Chance Bay

 Page hangin’ with our Sydney friends Karl and Jenny

 Future boater 🙂

The only highway heading north in Queensland is only 2 lanes wide. If something goes wrong then you just have to wait.  People had been stopped on the highway for 6 hours due to a oil tanker crash, luckily we had a 4 wheel drive car and we were able to sneak onto the old highway and by pass miles and miles of cars to be third in line when the road finally opened. Good thing we weren’t in a hurry!

 Miles and miles and miles

 Nasty spill!

 We made it into Sarina Beach for a quick rest. The beach wasn’t at its best as the coral spawn was making it a bit stinky…

11 Peace Street in Bundaberg and Grandma Page’s home (our Page’s namesake)

 Give us a kiss love! Lovely lunch with Aunt Catherine and Uncle Frank in Bundy

 I finally get to see a kangaroo!

 Nuts

More nuts

Slightly aggressive wallaby

 Sunset back at the condo in Yeppoon

Little yoga sesh on the deck

After spending 10 days in Brisbane and a short jaunt to Melbourne with just Brendan and myself (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!) , we were off on our Queensland Coast adventure. The plan was to visit some friends and family along the way up to the Whitsunday Islands. We had no plan, and decided to wing it each day.
First rest stop at Noosa Heads, a beautiful beach town a couple hours north of Brisbane. Brendan and Page found a tidal pool to play in and some seagulls to chase.

Next stop was at Eumundi to grab a meat pie and play at the kids park. Page loved going in an out of the toy trains.

Our final destination of day 1 was at Hervey Bay to visit dear friends Nel and Nifty at their new house. We did a short at the beach at sunset.

Page couldn’t help but find rocks to play on!

It may be illegal in Queensland…