Murwillumbah NSW and Beaudesert QLD

Monday 15th April  - Murwilliambah NSW

We left Coffs harbour and headed along the Pacfic Hwy to Murwillumbah were we were staying with Rob's Uncle and Aunty for 5 nights. Tuesday morning A had an early morning medical appointment on the Gold Coast. After the appointment we had breakfast at a lovely Cafe in Tugun before setting off to spend the day around the Gold Coast area. We decided not to stay here because 1) the ridiculous prices the caravan park chose to charge such as an extra $5 per night as we are over 22ft and $13 per child per night, both on top of the normal 2 adult rate). We also decided not to do the theme parks with the boys, we felt they were a bit to young to get the most out of it. Wednesday was our home day with a hot cooked breakfast and time to help around the farm, while Rob and J were doing that A and I headed into town to the Murwillumbah farmers market held at the showgrounds then into town to do some grocery shopping. Thursday was our day to explore so we headed to Bryon Bay and up to the lighthouse, the most easterly point on mainland Australia, before having a stroll around Bryon with an early lunch.



J with Cape Bryon Lighthouse in the background


We then headed off and decided to head home via the tweed coast road and found a fantastic spot for the boys to have a splash and swim at Hastings Point on the Cuden Creek.


Hasting Point - Cuden Creek and the Ocean


Next point of call was the Big Avocado at Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah. We found out about the Big Avocado via J's Hema Kids Maps activity Books. J wants to have his photo taken with all thing "big".



J at the Big Avocado


Friday was another stay at home, catch up on the washing cleaning before we headed off on Saturday onto Beaudesert to stay with friends

Saturday 20th April  - Beaudesert QLD



The drive back from Oreillys

 We headed off once again via the Pacific Hwy into Qld and turning off at Beenleigh to head over to Beaudesert stopping for lunch in Jimboomba. Saturday afternoon was spent helping out on the farm with this years hay cut and bailed ready to be shedded. Sunday was spent once again helping out on the farm ( our way of saying thanks for letting us stay). Monday we went up to Lamington National park and up to Oreilly's. Wow what a drive, several parts of the road where one lane only with blind spots but it was really the trip up. We did the Rainforest Tree top walk first before having coffee and cake at the coffee shop / restaurant . The walk is 180metres long with 9 suspension bridges and in most parts 15m above the ground. There are 2 observation decks along the walk way with the highest being 30 metres above ground but with 2 young boys  as access to the decks are via a ladder this wasn't an option to climb. We would have loved to do some of the bush walks but J wasnt feeling the best with the cold and we thought a 3 km return trip (the shortest walk) would be too long and we werent sure if it was pram friendly.

J on the rainforest tree top walk



The view from the coffee shop / restaurant looking towards Mt warning NSW




A replica of the Stinson the crashed in 1937 in which Bernad Oreilly rescued the 2 men 10 days after the crash, sadly 4 other died. 

 Tuesday and Wednesday were quiet days. Tuesday we headed into Beaudesert as we promised the boys a play at the playground and to so some shopping before coming home to let the boys have an afternoon sleep. Wednesday went into Bunnings at Browns Plains about 30 minutes away to take back a leaking 20l water drum and to get a few more supplies as my husband calls them and once again home so the boys could have a sleep knowing we had a big day tomorrow. Thursday, ANZAC day, was spent at the Beaudesert Anzac races with our friends and their family. This was the boys first race met and they really enjoyed themselves with J even backing the winner in the first with myself and Rob backing the second and third horses. Friday morning our lovely friends cooked us up a hot breaky before setting off a little later than usual at 11am up to our next stop at Jordaryan.

Coffs Harbour



We left Armidale and the weather had turned cold and raining for our drive down to Coffs Harbour. At one point of the drive up around Dorrgio the car said the outside temperature was 9 degrees but as it was raining provided us with some wonderful waterfalls to pass by. By the time we reached Coffs Harbour the sun was shining and the temperature was 27 degrees.

One of the many waterfalls along Waterfall Way



looking out from our site at Sapphire Beach caravan park



On arrival at Coffs Harbour, some 3 hours after we left Armidale, we checked in to our caravan park the Sapphire Beach Caravan Park also known as Split Solitary Caravan Park about a 10 minute drive north of Coffs. We decided to stay at this park for 2 reasons the main one being Rob's niece's live a 5 minute walk away and two the park didn't charge for children under 5. We had booked here for 11 nights and paid $356 for a powered site ($32.35 per night) with 2 nights being at peak rate due to NSW School Holidays (which was only $40 a night anyway) and also received 10% off with our RACV membership. Only a small park right on the beach which is pet friendly and set amongst a rainforest gardens with their own billabong, pool, playground with mini golf and camp kitchen. Amenities where coded for entry and clean. Another park we would stay at again of we were ever to travel up this way again. Our site was number 68. 

Looking from the beach towards Spilt Solitary Island



J at in the pool at Sapphire Beach Caravan Park




Sealy Lookout



Thursday afternoon was spent setting up and exploring the park and the beach before catching up with the neices after they finished school. Friday, it rained all day so we went to Park Beach Plaza did some grocery shoping and a general drive around looking of Coffs in the rain. Saturday morning was once again raining but between rain showers we headed up to Bruxner Park and up to the Sealy lookout and the skywalk giving amazing views of Coffs harbour.





looking back up the Bellinger river showing the Mylestrom
tidal river area and Rob



Sunday both Rob and A weren't feeling the best so we just stayed around the park. I took J out shell forsicking on the beach while the 2 sick boys rested. A decided he didn't need an afternoon sleep so we thought we would go for a drive south in hope he would fall asleep in the car (which he did for only 30 minutes). One the way i googled what we could see in the area and we decided to go and see the Mylestom tidal river pool which is part of the Bellinger river. What a little gem for little kids, a netted pool with a boardwalk around the outside, the boys had a ball trying to catch tiny fish with their hands as the tide come in. (there is a surf beach on the other side of town for the older children) After a few hours playing here we drove back to the caravan park via Urunga then back up the Pacfic Highway.



Mylestom tidal river pool looking down from the road



J swimming in the Mylestrom tidal river pool

Monday we headed up to Bellingen and the Bellingen Valley. After morning tea in Bellingen we head 12km out to Gleniffer to the Promised Land and the Never Never creek. WOW what a magical spot. The Never Never creek is crystal clear and in parts very shallow. We spent a good hour here doing nothing but listening to nature and throwing rocks back into the river, so peaceful and relaxing wish we had taken our lunch and had a picnic. The water was a bit chilly but I'm told its a popular spot to go swimming in summer. We then drove the promised land loop which crosses the Never never creek many times and back to Coffs via the Tuckers Nob State Forest Road to Valery and Bonville (is unsealed in sections). and back on to the Pacific hwy. 

The Never Never Creek



The Boys sitting riverside at The Never Never Creek

On the way home we called into The Big Banana to get that happy snap of all things big.



A, Shandelle and J at the Big Banana

 Tuesday we had a quiet day we spent the morning at the beach and and the afternoon was spent doing domestic duties but we did head up to Emerald beach to see Look a Me Now headland which gave us  fantastic views over the coast, the ocean and out to the Solitary Islands.

Look at me know headland looking back at Moonee Beach with some Kangaroo's in the left hand corner

Wednesday i had a hairdressers appointment and a osteopath appointments so the boys spent another day just around the caravan park, the beach and great playground not far from the caravan park. Thursday we went out for breakfast and then to Marine Dolphin Magic (formally known as the pet porpoise pool). We decided to do Dolphin magic rather than Seaworld on the Gold Coast as we felt the boys were a bit to young to do the theme parks. It cost us $83.50 ( $33 per adult and $17.50 for children 3-15 with under 3s free) but was well worth it with the boys getting up and close with both a seal and a dolphin for free kisses with professional photos before the marine discovery show. J also got the opportunity to feed a seal,  and fairy penguins.



Part of the show




J feeding a seal at Dolphin Marine magic





J feeding the pengiuns at Dolphin Marine Magic

 Friday was niece's day, we spent the day with the girls before they headed to their dads for school holidays. First we went to Carobana, a working factory and shop which makes and sells carob products and honeycomb. We were disappointed to find that the plant had broken down and was not working when we arrived but it was still great to have a look through and learn about carob and honeycomb making. (was free entry) They had free samples to try which tempted us to buy some carob buttons for A to try (due to his intolerance's he has never had chocolate or carob) and some carob coated honeycomb pieces for us. We then headed for the marina and walked out to and over Mutton bird island then back along the marina checking out of the fish in the shallow water before having lunch.

View from Mutton bird Island looking back at the marina the jetty and Coffs harbour

The boys went back to the caravan park for afternoon sleeps and rest while i took the girls shopping for their birthday presents.

Saturday we headed up to "CurryFest" at Woolgoolga. The boys had a great time watching the street parade, the singing and dancing and Rob and I enjoyed sampling the currys. Sunday was spent at the beach as this was our last caravan park on the beach for about a month as we head into central Queensland. Sunday afternoon was spent packing up as we left on the Monday

Next destination..... Murwillumbah

Newcastle / Tamworth / Armidale

So from Sydney we headed up the Pacific hwy on our way to Stockton Beach at Newcastle. We called in on our way to catch up one of Rob's friends from his university days and her family and Somersby for morning tea, then continued on to Newcastle.

We arrived at the Stockton Beach and were given our site allocation of 230 which was prefect for us with the playground opposite our site and behind that the amenities including a children's bathroom which were entry via code only. We booked for 2 nights paying $76 ($38 per night) with children under 5 free. The Park is a lovely spot backing onto the beach, though mainly consists of holiday permanents but only a handful where there when we stayed. There is no pool here but via the office you can get free passes to go to the public swimming pool next door. As we arrived mid afternoon by the time we set up and made a trip down to the main street of Stockton Beach to get some groceries from IGA it was nearly dinner time so after showers for the boys we headed out to the RSL which had a great specials menu for dinner.

Wednesday morning saw us catch the ferry from Stockton Beach to Newcastle ( a 5 minute ride cost  adults $2.50 and children $1.20 each way). 


Stockton Beach to Newcastle Ferry


We made use of the free public bus that takes you around  inner city Newcastle passing by the grand Catholic Cathedral and having morning tea and doing a bit of window shopping on Hunter street before catching the ferry back to Stockton Beach to sit in Pitt street reserve and watch 3 tug boats head out and collect the Hua Ta, a South Korean coal ship come in. 270 meters in length by 43m and can carry 77273 tones. One massive ship



Hua Ta coming into Newcastle Harbour


After the boys afternoon sleeps we walked along the 2km shipwreck walk which lines the breakwater 16 wrecks forming the walk with the most visible being 'Adolphe'  a French barque. While walking we we lucky enough to have 2 fighter jets fly over us from the nearby RAF base at Willamstown.


Shipwreck walk





The wreck of Adolphe

 Thursday we left Newcastle and headed to Tamworth. We stopped for lunch at Willow Tree were the boys had a play on the playground and got to see a coal freight train pull up to the signal. J was very impressed it had 3 engines to pull it. Around an hour and half later we pulled into the driveway of Grandma and PaPa where we spent Easter catching up with family.

Next Stop after Tamworth was to be Coffs Harbour but we thought we would break up the drive a bit for the boys and catch up with Rob's brother and his family in Armidale so we spent our first night free camping at Dumaresq Dam (camps 7 161). So peaceful here, and a very popular spot, we wished we could have stayed a bit longer than just overnight.

Dumarseq Dam Armidale

We woke on Thursday morning and the weather had turned it on for us, cold and raining (the first lot of rain since we left home 4 weeks ago) so we set off for our next destination of Coffs Harbour via Waterfall way.

Sydney

2 1/2 hours after leaving Gerroa we arrived at our next destination. Lane Cover River Tourist Park in Macquarie Park.What a beautiful park set in the Lane Cove National Park only 10km from the heart of Sydney.

Once you enter the park its like your a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you cant even hear the traffic. The only reminders that you are so close is the low flying aircraft during the day (6am - 10pm) as your on the flight path, but with 2 boys that only added to our fun, with "Plane" being screamed many times with 2 boys stopping and pointing. We had booked in to stay 6 nights here and for a powered site paid $234 so $39 a night and the boys where free as the park doesn't charge for children under 12. The park is run by National parks and Wildlife NSW and are environment friendly having installed solar panels, rain water tanks and even collect food scraps for their worm farm. Amenties were clean and tidy and the showers even had glass shower screens

Thursday morning was spent at a medical appointment for A which we had arranged prior to our travels to keep on top of his medical issues. The afternoon was spent doing the domestic chores, washing and cooking as A also have several food intolerance's so i make everything for him from scratch.

Friday we decided to go to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I show horses and the last time i came up to the Easter show was 19 years ago back when it was at Moore Park so it was exciting going to see just how the show was set up at Hombush and see what my fellow competitors were raving about. We were just amazed such a professional set up and i can see why many Victorians make the 14hr trip up each year. One day i hope to get back up there to compete again perhaps when the boys are a bit older. Included in our admission ticket was the bus which stopped about 800m away at the train station from the caravan park. The boys ruled what we saw at the saw as i was outvoted 2:1 with A not voting. We wondered through the poultry pavilion, the pig and goat pavilion, the sheep pavilion where J got to shear a sheep and take home some of the fleece.

J shearing a sheep

 Next stop was the beef pavilion and to watch the judging of the Limousin breed, then a detour through the horse stables and up to the main arena. Sadly the horses had finished for the morning but we did get to watch the lunchtime entertainment of the showtime freestyle and the Team D Max Precision Driving Team.

The boys then left to go back to the cattle judging while i watched only one class of the horses the shetland stallion 4 years and over class before returning back to the boys to watch more Limousin judging as well as Murray Grey and Simmental judging. Only to be informed afterwards that J wants to show cattle rather than horses. We then we around to the woodchop stadium and were lucky enough to be able to watch world champion David Foster compete and win before heading to the showbag pavilion and then having a ride on a 1898 wood fired merry go around.

The boys and Shandelle on the merry go round

On our way out at the save our bibly stand J got to hold a snake, much braver than his mum.

J being very brave with a snake around his neck

After a big day at the show we spent Saturday just around the caravan park as Rob and J were booked in to do a free night tour with a ranger from the park at 8.30pm (well past J's bedtime) He was so excited to see brush tailed and ring tailed possums, bush turkeys nesting in the trees, kooaburras and spiders.

Sunday was family fun day where you can catch as many trains, bus and ferries all day on the one ticket ($2.50 Adults and J was $1.20). We caught the train from North Ryde train station (800m from the park) into Town Hall and walked across to Darling harbour to visit the National Maritime Museum. J and Shandelle bought the big ticket which allowed them access onto the vessels as well as the exhibitions and galleries (Adults $25 Children $15 (4-15years) while Rob and A in the pram just did the Galleries and exhibitions (Adults $7 and A was free). J and Shandelle explored the submarine HMAS Onslow, the destroyer ship HMAS Vampire, a replica of the HMB Endeavour and the tall ship James Craig as well as climbing the Cape Bowling Lighthouse.

onboard HMAS Onslow



HMB  Endeavour replica



Tall ship James Craig

After the museum we caught a ferry from Pyrmont Bay Wharf stopping at 3 wharfs including Luna Park before going under Sydney Harbour bridge and into Circular Quay Wharf with the opera house on your left hand side, then it was a short train ride to Wynward station  to get onto the line which allowed us to get home

Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House from the Ferry

Sydney ferry

Monday we caught the train back in to Town Hall once again back to Darling habour and visited the SEA LIFE Sydney Aqauirum. We had booked a glass bottom boat road as well but sadly they stuffed up with the allocation times giving us a 11.30am timeslot when the boats only run on the hour and thus had to get a refund, still the boys had fun seeing all the different sea creatures. The afternoon was spent packing up and playing in the pool only to see just before dinner the travelling family that we met at mallacoota arrived. The boys had such fun catching up.

SEA LIFE sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE sydney Aquarium - love these fish it looks like they are wearing lipstick

So Tuesday was our leave day, we said goodbye to The Grant family and we hope to see them again on our travels. Next stop Stockton Beach at Newcastle.