kez & hay travels 06

As I flew back, Claudine flew in to meet up down under.  After celebrating our reunion and seeing the sights in Sydney, we hired a car to head up the east coast.  We drove through what seemed to be the greenest part of Australia, passing fields and ranches.  Three days on the road and we'd already drove the length of England but here only covered a fraction of the east coast.  We stayed a night in both Newcastle and Coffs Harbour before reaching Surfers Paradise and the state of Queensland.  Surfers Paradise, and it is, well at least for the professionals judging by the size of the waves.  We were out numbered by Schoolies, (school leavers to us) who descend on the town in November and turn it into party central to celebrate the end of school...... so we helped them!  The beach is enormous, one of the longest in the world and although surrounded by skyscrapers is beautiful. Definitely not a place to relax!

CRIKEY..... We arrived at the Crocodile Hunter's home from Surfers and spent the day watching the famous croc show, feeding the Kangeroos and hugging Koalas. From here we drove to the chic town of Noosa and the next day had a well earned day of rest sunbathing and watching the surfers on the beach. 

Then further north to Hervey Bay, gateway to the world's biggest sand island, Fraser Island.  We stayed two nights and a day soaking up the sun and watching the sunsets in Hervey Bay before boarding the ferry for Fraser.  This island is World Heritage listed and it doesn't take long to realise why once you're off the boat. The only way to get around is by 4WD as the roads are single, sand tracks. Fortunately for the other road users, we decided not to get behind the wheel ourselves and joined a tour with an experienced driver.  The island is heaving with rainforests, sand dunes, dingoes, exotic birds and holds some 200 fresh water lakes.  No crocs here so swimming in the lakes is paradise but the the sea is lethal with undertow currents and man eating sharks!  Driving around was an experience in itself, from 10mph crawling over sand dunes and nearly overturning to speeding through the sea across the never ending beach.  We spent an hour at Lake McKenzie, the most spectacular lake on the island. A real blue lagoon surrounded by crystal white sands. Then explored the Japanese ship wreck and cooled off in the fresh water creeks before heading back to the mainland.

Our next stop was the hippy laid back town, Rainbow Beach.  Apart from sunbathing on the immense and empty beach, we found a huge sandblow to climb.  A 120m high dune on a hill overlooking the town, where locals go to sand surf and travellers for the breathtaking view.

Wanting to see more of the clear, turquoise waters, we booked for a snorkelling trip around Moreton Island.  The deliberately sunk Tangalooma Wrecks were perfect for Claudine's first snorkelling experience, full of life and colour.  The day ended "Boomnetting", being dragged along by the boat at 35mph on a net, holding on for your life (and bikini!) and trying not to swallow a gallon of sea water!

With only a few days left before what we thought was the end of Claudine's trip, we headed for Brisbane, leaving the car in Byron Bay.  But.... not wanting to leave me or this beautiful country, her passport was lost and so we had an extra three days together and I dusted off my consular duty skills to put to use again!!!