On Thursday Nikki got up at 530am for a day trip to Moreton island leaving Leanna in bed and set for a day of chilling out in Brisbane. As we'd bypassed Fraser island, the largest sand island in the world, on our rush to get down to Brisbane and out of the floods, the 3rd largest seemed like a good alternative. As its less publicised it turned out to be cheaper and less crowded too. I joined 8 others in a four-wheel drive and we caught a ferry across, relaxing on the deck and looking out for dolphins. As we pulled up on the beach we saw the Tangalooma shipwrecks looming out of the water and expecting an exciting pirate type story i was disappointed to learn they were actually deliberately sunk in the 50's to create a harbour for boats to get protection from the wind. We roared off down the beach in our 4WD and set off across the sand dunes to 'the desert' where we'd do some sandboarding. Being a lone traveller meant i got front seat, prime viewing spot for when we hurtled round the bend and came head on with a bus! Being a one lane sand track meant neither could move so we braced ourselves for the inevitable collision. Pretty scary stuff but luckily we'd managed to stop so we didnt hit with too much impact and lcukily noone was hurt. Unfortunately our car came out worse off with broken lights and a smashed in radiator so we were bundled into another tour vehicle passing by while our guide stayed to sort out the mess. With that drama out the way we arrived at the desert, an expanse of pure white sand dunes which we climbed to the top of and then raced down head first on a plank of flimsy wood. Think we must've booked the economy tour as the group we had joined had flash plastic body boards with handles and everything! Had the same effect though and it was loads of fun, although the walk back up for a 2nd and 3rd go was pretty tough! Back to our guide and bad news as our vehicle had been declared un-drivable meaning we couldnt finish the rest of our tour- swimming in the blue lagoon and dolphin watching from the lighthouse. We were dropped at the only resort on the island where we spent an afternoon on the beach, using theor pool and setting up our own picnic in their restaurant! It was still a great day and on the walk back to the ferry we even spotted some dolphins jumping in and out of the waves- who needs to drive all the way up to a lighthouse! Back on the ferry to Brisbane where we met a new driver waiting for us with a refund.

Next say we made the most of the free activities around Brisbane and headed to Queensland museum. Not too impressed with what it had to offer but did manage to get a picture of Leanna with a great white shark, although she hasnt actually looked at it yet! In the afternoon we went to Roma Street parklands and enjoyed an hours tour around the gradens and lake with Rik, an elderly volunteer. We probably werent as enthusiastic as he hoped when he pointed out and named every flower we passed, we were more concerned with the hundreds of spiders that loomed above our heads in their giant webs! but we did appreciate how colourful and beautiful it was and Nikki thought how much her aunties would've enjoyed it! After walking around all day in the sun we decided a white wine spritzer would go down nicely so we jpined all those indulging in an afterwork drink and started our Friday night out on the town in Brisbane. We decided to make it another birthday celebration for Leanna so out came the birthday sash, crown and badge as we headed back to down under bar. Some people who recognised us from Monday night thought the birthday accesories were just a ploy to get free drinks again and although this wasnt our original intention it did happen to work out quite nicely for us both! Met lots of fun peopel and had a good old dance before crashing into bed at 530am.

Next day we spent getting over hangovers in the botanical gardens. Not as peaceful as we were hoping given there was a music festival taking place in the middle of it and hundreds of people who had flocked to see rock bands perform. Spoke to a charming young local who decided to help himself to Leannas water before throwing the rest of it over the two of us and walking away. Although it was quite refreshing in the heat we werent too impressed! Tomorrow sees us back on the Oz experience and heading south to Surfers paradise.