This morning we'd planned to use our 'day off' to explore the area a bit further - we were off on a road trip with the French girls to Deep Creek Conservation Park, south of where we're staying.

The drive took about an hour and we arrived in the park after quite a few kms on unsealed roads, which took us back to our adventures in New Zealand! We pulled up at the top of a steep hill and began the trek down to Blowhole Beach - a small bay on the edge of the park. The walk was very steep and we all wondered how we were going to manage the climb back up…

Just after we set off, we spotted our first live kangaroo (we've seen plenty as roadkill!) since arriving in Australia, carrying a joey in its pouch! We all stopped for a photo and we spotted lots more 'roos on the way down the hill, in the bush at the side of the road.

We were all ready for a rest when we arrived at the beach, which was stunning - clear, turquoise sea, not many people around, well worth the walk! We had a swim and soaked up the sun for a couple of hours, then began the climb back up the hill, stopping for lunch just after we set off!

Within about ten minutes, we'd already had enough of the hill, but we'd spotted two 4WDs on their way up from the beach…as they passed us, the first one pulled over and asked if we wanted a lift - YES PLEASE!! We were saved! We all piled in (seven of us in the car altogether!) and we were at the top again in a few minutes.

On the way out of the park, we stopped at a couple of lookout points to take photos and did a short walk through the forest, where we found gum trees and massive palms - no spiders or snakes yet though!

When we arrived back at Chris and Paul's we helped make Chinese pancakes - mmm! Also, we had lamb chops from the barbecue for tea - very Aussie! We finished the night by helping Paul drink the wine he'd bought that day!