Caravanning With Kids - Week 12

Wednesday 16th September – Day 78

With our theme park tickets now expired, we spent today actually seeing some of the Gold Coast.  We drove to Surfer’s Paradise where we took the Aquaduck tour.  This is a combination bus/boat so you drive around the streets then straight into the water.  The kids even got to have a drive while we were in the water which was fun!!!  :)  We were taken past some of the mansions along the Nerang River – absolutely astounding how much money some people have!!!

After the duck tour, we had a lovely lunch at the clock hotel ($6.95 steaks) and caught a glimpse of the meter maids while we were there.  We then went for a walk along the beach.  You can’t go to the Gold Coast without visiting Surfer’s Paradise beach!

All in all, it was a lovely family day out with no real agenda other than exploring and spending time together.

Lunch – Clock Hotel

Tea -

Thursday 17th September – Day 79

The kids were booked into the kids activities at the caravan park today so Steve and I enjoyed a couple of hours on our own (always a treasured opportunity on a trip like this).  Naturally the kids had a blast.  After some lunch, the kids had free rides on the parks go karts (thanks to Shakob winning so many prizes at the kids activities) and then enjoyed a swim in the caravan park pool.

It was a lovely relaxing day and a great way to finish our time here.

Lunch - Sandwiches

Tea – Sizzler

Friday 18th September – Day 80

This morning we had to pack up and bid goodbye to Treasure Island.  Initially we had intended to move on to New South Wales and stay in Tweed Heads somewhere but a lot of the places were expensive so we followed some friends advice (and the friends) and went to Kirra Beach near Coolangatta.

It was a huge drive (about 40 minutes).  I think perhaps it is the shortest move we’ve had so far.  After a shop to replenish our food supplies and a little look around, we spent a few hours enjoying the pool at the caravan park before heading out again for ice cream.  The ice cream was awesome although left us not very hungry come tea time!!!! 

Lunch – Salad

Tea – Hamburgers in Bread

Saturday 19th September – Day 81

Today was pretty much about taking it easy and enjoying the lovely spot where we are staying at the moment.  We spent some time in the pool this morning, met up with a lovely couple I have met through the internet after lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon playing beach games on the beach.

Lunch – Homemade Ham Subways (Toasted!!!!  Yum!!!!)

Tea – Pizza and Cheesecake Birthday Tea for Mac

Sunday 20th September – Day 82

We attended the local Uniting Church this morning before packing up a picnic and heading off to the Springbrook National Park for the afternoon and evening.  Our first stop was the Natural Bridge which is a waterfall that falls through a hole in the rocks.  It was simply stunning to see and experience.

Throughout the afternoon we visited a couple of other waterfalls and some spectacular lookouts.  We also booked in to do a Glow Worm tour.

The only problem with the Glow Worm tour was the starting time of 7.30pm.  Getting tea in the National Park proved to be somewhat of a challenge.  We ended up finding a cafe that fed us at 5pm (many others closed at 4 or earlier) and then had a couple of hours to fill in (mostly in the dark).

The Glow Worm tour was amazing.  I had no idea about Glow Worms at all!  For a start, they are not really a worm but a fly larvae (basically a maggot).  I also thought they absorbed light in the daytime and emitted it at night but they actually create their own light.  They are so beautiful.  There are also a variety of fungi that are illuminescent although they are mostly found during the summer months.

Lunch – Ham & Cheese Rolls

Tea – Hamburgers for us.  Hot Dogs/Nachos for the kids.

Monday 21st September – Day 83

Our plans today included a visit to Tropical Fruit World but Steve hurt his back on Saturday (his back seems to be an ongoing issue this trip) and it seems to be getting worse so we decided to take it easy instead.

The kids and I spent some time in the pool this morning.  I was quite intrigued by their ingenuity as they were creating advertising scenes for all kinds of products (mostly made up) and then acting them out, filming them etc (all pretend of course).  It included many “takes” (perhaps a spin off from what they saw at movie world?).  It was quite creative.  If only I could have gotten some of it on our video camera but they weren’t keen to act for the camera.

After lunch we went out for ice cream/ cake.  I really wanted to try this Violet Crumble cake I had seen at the Souvlaki Hut but they keep selling out. :(  Steve decided to see another Chiropractor for his back.  We’re still not sure on the best action for it.

We then went for a drive to Pacific Fair.  It wasn’t all that comfortable for Steve walking around but the Chiropractor had recommended it so we took it fairly slowly.  After a quick tea, we took the kids to see G-Force in 3D.  And I thought the theme parks were expensive?????  Taking the family to the movies (and buying popcorn etc) was almost as expensive as half a theme park ticket.  LOL.  Fortunately we don’t do it too often!  The movie was great and the kids had an absolute ball! 

On the way back to the park, we stopped at a Souvlaki Hut to get me a piece of Violet Crumble cake.  I’d eyed it off the first day we arrived here and then the nearest store sold out and I haven’t been able to get any.  So it was a victory to call into this other store and find they had some!!!!  A perfect end to a mostly lovely day (I say mostly because it’s not much fun for Steve with his bad back).

Lunch – Ham & Salad Rolls

Tea – KFC snack packs followed by way too much popcorn at the movies!!!!

Tuesday 22nd September – Day 84

We have extended our stay here for an extra night to allow Steve to rest his back.  He managed to get into a physiotherapist for some treatment.  His back isn’t straight at the moment and the physio managed to straighten it out.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t stay straight.

The kids spent some time doing some schoolwork and we enjoyed some more time in the pool.  I think we were all in need of a “down day” so it didn’t hurt any of us to just hang out at the park for the day.

Lunch – Pancakes

Tea - Haystacks