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.