Having a GREAT time in sunny Queensland!! Staying with Alison, Andrew and family- they are LOVELY! Today is our first day taking it easy and chilling out around Oxford Street in Brisbane.

We arrived up in tropical Cairns last Monday to do a quick explore of the town and visit the lagoon/esplanade area. Our hostel was the backpacker haven "traveller's oasis'" with hammocks and a Croc BBQ/ didgeridoo evening which was a lot of fun - chatting to folks from all over Europe. We set out the very next day in our BEAST of a camper van down the Bruce highway to Brisbane. A looong day of driving saw us arrive at beautiful Airlie beach, gateway to the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef, so we decided to spend a couple of nights there. We had a fab day trip out snorkelling the reef which was INCREDIBLE and seeing Whitehaven beach and the Hills inlet - so nice!

Back on the road we headed down to the Beef Capital of Australia...any guesses?! Rockhampton! My friend Will that I met out in Japan took us on a tour of his hometown and fed us well with his family - another BBQ with views over the town. A really nice night.

Next heading south was a brief stop at Hervey Bay to see Fraser island and unfortunately be too late for a whale watching tour (damn). We drove on to Noosa and spent the night there. (10% off for being Scottish but called Irish- bonus!!) A very swanky beach/ boat resort place that is...we moved on!

A detour saw the sunshine coast beaches and the all important BIG PINAPPLE before arriving in the lovely city of Brisbane.

On Sunday we headed into the city using Andrew's usual method- down the river by ferry- such a good way to travel! Don and Tessa were staying with the Clarks too so they came into town with us. We saw the sites, the Southbank markets and had a ride on the Brisbane eye. It felt a bit like home as there was a Scottish festival going on by the river - so bizarre! Entered a contest to win tickets to Scotland so fingers crossed!! Moving away from the bagpipes and kilts we explored the city centre and botanical gardens and had Japanese food in China town. I then took Stephen to the WWE Raw wrestling tour on which we have very different opinions!!

Monday we took the car back north to AUSTRALIA ZOO home of the legend that was Steve Irwin. It was a great day saw all the usual ozzy animals as well as elephants, really tame tigers and some red pandas- so cute! Also saw some shows like the bird show, snake show and CROCODILE one featuring Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin!! They were filming for channel 9 so we were lucky to see them all.

Tuesday we headed on a family expedition- us, Alison, Declan, Ryan, Don, Tess, Jim and Hazel to SEA WORLD. It was such a good day despite a change in the weather (a bit wet). Saw shows with dolphins, sea lions and water skis, went on some seriously fast rollercoaster rides and just had a lot of laughs! Stephen (NOT a rollercoaster fan) was shocked to see an 8 year old Clark, Uncle Don (recent heart attack), Alison (recent surgery) and even an almost 80 year old Jimmy all queuing up for these rides while he had to be dragged by Hazel just to go on the log flume- SO FUNNY!

Yesterday Alison, us , Dec and Ryan kept up the pace and went to MOVIEWORLD! Another massive park with some seriously scary rides- I survived the Superman (I'm so proud!). Following that myself and Stephen even managed to do the ZORBING that we've been talking about. The one with the harness was a bit sickness inducing but the Hydro one was fun! (see pictures if confused!)

And as if that wasn't enough excitement we are getting to see whales afterall going on a whale watching tour tomorrow out at Redcliffe!! (yeah!!) Flying back to Melbourne in a couple of days...but it has been a fantastic trip to Queensland.

Just wanted to say a massive HAPPY BIRTHDAY to mum for tomorrow, I'm sorry I can't be with you and hope I can make it up to you at Christmas!! Have a wonderful day, be spoiled and also enjoy your holiday!!! I LOVE YOU MUM XX

Sorry for the long blog....

L x