The Road to Home

When we go to Tom Price we dropped off a postcard. Then we went to Bullara Station for the night. I found it a nice campsite. The next day we drove on some rough roads an got to Exmouth but because there were no campsites we had to go to Carnarvon. When we were there we visited Aunt Ena and I played with their dog. Then we drove to a campsite about 200km away. The next day we started the drive to home. I did feel a bit sad that our trip was over but also happy to see Mum and Harry. Then we drove through Perth and to Bunbury.

Karijini National Park

When we got to Karijini National Park we went to Dales ‘Euro Loop’ campsite and went on the Circular Pool walk. It was a fantastic walk but the water was very cold so instead I climbed up to the ledge where the waterfall splashed down which was warmer than the pool. Then we went back to camp and went to bed. The next day we went to Fortescue Falls which was also freezing. Then we went to Fern Pool which I think was warm but Dad thought that it was freezing. We then went to Circular Pool again because Dad wanted some photo’s. Then we went back to camp and went to bed. The next day we went to Hancock Gorge where I went on the Spider Walk which was my favourite walk. It was a walk where you were in a narrow gorge which had about five mm and you had to swing with your full weight on your hands. Then we got to Junction pool which was a Class 6 so we had to turn back. The next walk we went on was Handrail Pool where you had to use a handrail so you didn’t fall down and die from drowning or die from crashing on the rocks. Dad also pushed us on to what I think was Class 6. Then we went back to the car and drove to the lookouts, at the first one there was the grave of Jim Reagen who was a volunteer rescuer who died in a flash flood when attempting a rescue. Oxer Lookout offered fantastic views. The other two also had great views. Then we went home. The next day we drove out of Karijini. On the way we climbed up Mt Bruce. Then we drove off to Tom Price.

Leaving Broome

When I woke up I immediately finished my book. Then we packed up and drove to a roadside campsite that was very windy so we went behind some trees. The next day we went to Cape Keraudren and had a look at the three campsites and found one that suited both of us. Then I went down to the beach and played in the sand and made a sandcastle. That night we went and collected shells and on the way back I found a dead crab. For a change that evening we watched part of ‘Lord of the Rings’ but the laptop ran out of battery. The next day we packed up and drove to Sherlock River campsite. It was a bit standard but I liked it. The next day we drove to Cossack and went to the cemetery and saw the grave of William Shakespeare Hall and his family who are related to us (Ed. William Shakespeare Hall is actually Max’s Great Great Great Grandfather). Then we went to the visitor centre cafe and got an ice cream. Their we went on the heritage trail and even found the Hall’s living quarters a that my Great Great Grandfather had run Sherlock Station. Then we went to the jail cells and I tried to trap Dad inside but I was missing a padlock. Then we got back in the car and drove to Roebourne Visitor Centre which was also the old gaol (the old fashioned word for jail) Museum and had a look around. Most of the prisoners had been Aboriginal and all of the five hangings were Aboriginals as well, three of them for the same crime which was throwing spears and hitting Dr Vines in the stomach. Then we went to a campsite. The next day we went to Dampier and drove to an information bay to find the Red Dog Monument and then found out that the Red Dog Monument was in the information bay and we found out that there was a record of Red Dog in the Karratha Library. Then we went to get a Red Dog postcard. Then we went to Karratha but the Library was closed. Then we drove to Wyndham which was a town run by the mining company. Then we went to Point Sampson and saw the old jetty. Then we went to Sherlock River again. The next day we drove to Port Hedland and had a look at the Port. Then we went to the visitor centre and watched a video of mining. Then we to the Library and read some books. Our campsite was the golf club and we had fish and chips for tea. The next day we went to Peter’s house and I watched TV for the rest of the afternoon. That night we went to a friends house for dinner and I played with Georgie. Then we went to bed. The next day we packed up and drove towards Karijini National Park.

Broome

When we got to Broome we went to Lucy’s house and she asked us if we wanted to stay there and we accepted. While Dad was speaking to them I went into their swimming pool and Paul gave me a rope so I could swim against the rope.Then we went to bed (a real bed) and I got to share a bed with Dad. The next day we went to Gantheaume point and I climbed over rocks and we looked for blowholes. because a sign said BE CAREFULOF BLOWHOLES but we didn’t find them. Then we went to Cable Beach and I played there for hours. For lunch we went to Town Beach and I played on the playground because Dad said that it would be too hot. Then we had a look a the Sun Picture Theatre but we couldn’t go there because Lucy was cooking dinner so we went home. The next day we went to the Museum which had a lot of information about pearl lugging. I found it interesting because of the way it was laid out. Then we went to Streeters Jetty which would have looked brilliant if the tide was in. Then we had a walk down the street and had a look in some of the shops and saw the world’s largest pearl. Then we found a pearl luggers but the next session at three and went on for about an hour and twenty minutes but because Dad had a phone call to take at four we booked for ten the next day. Then we went to a cafe and got an iced coffee each. On the return road we went to the other side of the street and got some postcards.  That afternoon we went to the beach to see crabs but there were only small ones. Then we got pizza ingredients and went home and had pizza. The next day we went to the Pearl Luggers Tour and they showed us the gear that the divers used to use. We also got to find out about the bends, where nitrogen bubbles get stuck into your blood stream and can kill you and also a diver who earned himself a nickname “The Freak” because he never got the bends. Then I tried pearl oyster meat. Then we went to the old gaol art gallery and I found a painting I really found interesting.Then we went to the markets and had lunch. A very interesting part of the day was going to the photo exhibition which had wild life photos and I talked to the person who had taken them. Then we drove home and went to Sun Picture Theatre and watched Red Dog. I found it very fascinating at the start but at the end when he dies I found very sad. Then we went back home and went to bed.

The Road to Broome

When we got to Mary’s pool campsite we were surprised to see that there were about 50 people there and it was only a roadside campsite. Then we set up and went to sleep. The next day we drove to Fitzroy Crossing and had lunch. Then we drove to our campsite in Ellendale. That night we had some ants attacking us (crawling and biting us) and in the end I filled up my Sprite can with water and tipped it down there hole. The next morning when we were packing up we found that ants were under our swags mattresses so we sprayed our swags with bug spray but it didn’t work so we packed up with them inside. Then we drove to Derby and went to the Prison Boab Tree which had had prisoners trapped inside. There was also a 150 metre trough, it was very long, and a swimming pool that was small. Then we went to get me a doctors appointment for my ear and he put a wick in. Then we drove to the Willere road house and stayed there. Then we had a shower and my wick fell out. Then we drove to Broome.

The Bungle Bungles

After a very long drive we found a gate which was the entry to the Bungle Bungles (the Purnelulu National Park) so we entered. Dad decided to go to the Visitor Centre. After a while Dad got worried that the gate might have been to get to the Mable Downs Station instead but then we came across a sign that said “welcome to Purnululu National Park” so we knew that we must be close. When we got there Dad signed the after hours camping fee form and paid for two nights. Then we went tom our campsite. The next day we went to the Mini Palms Walk which was not mini because it was 5km. Near the end of the walk we missed the turnoff so we had to go walking on the road. When we got to the car park we drove to Echidna Chasm walk. At the Echidna Chasm walk we got to walk through a giant chasm. At the end there were some rocks that filled the whole chasm. I think that it’s formations were fantastic, especially the cave one. Then we drove back to the campsite and had a rest for most of the day. Then we went to the lookout which overviewed a great mountain range and we managed to get there at sunset. After I ran down the hill and waited for Dad because he was a slowcoach. The next day we went to the Cathedral Gorge. On the return walk we went on the Domes walk. I think that it is amazing that nature can make rock formations like that. Then we went to the car and drove off to Mary’s Pool campsite.

Quarantine

In quarantine we had to throw all of our fruit and veg out but they still took less time than we expected. Then we drove to Kununurra and I spoke to Harry on the phone. Then we went to the Ord River Dam. I think it was amazing that they could build a dam so big. We also saw a seaplane. Then we went to the Durack Homestead. I found it very boring because all the artefacts were too old. Then we skipped lunch so we could go to the library. After we went to our campsite and watched Up. The next day we went to the library and I stayed there while Dad did shopping. Then we drove to the Department of Environment and Conservation and got a National Parks pass. Then we saw a farm that got its water from the Ord River Dam. The we drove off to the Bungle Bungles.

Keep River National Park

After driving a short distance we reached Timber Creek, we got a post card and had lunch. Then we drove to our campsite and went on a walk to find some Aboriginal rock art but the path to get there was closed. The next day we packed up and went on the Ginger Hill walk and we saw a structure that the Aboriginals  used to catch birds of prey by twirling a stick with feathers on the top. Then we drove for the Quarantine Station.

Gregory National Park

We finally got to our campsite in Gregory National Park. The next day we drove to a walk to go on. When we got to the top I had a stitch but we also saw some calcite which only grows 2 millimetres per decade. When I could walk again we went back to the car and drove to the cattle yards and we played with an old working sawmill. Then we drove to the Homestead and I swung on a hook that was hanging from a tree. Then I climbed a Boab tree which is a tree that stores water in its trunk. Then we drove back to our campsite. The next day we packed up and drove out of Gregory National Park.

Mataranka

We drove to Mataranka but on the way we stopped at Katherine to get supplies including the new spare tyre that we needed to get but first we headed to lunch. After lunch we went to a Laundromat to clean our clothes. Then we went food shopping and last of all we went to Stuart Highway Tyres and had a look but after checking the tyre size we found out that they didn’t have the size that we needed. Then we went to Mataranka and set up. The next day we went to the museum. I found it very very boring. There were some interesting parts like the old telegraph poles. Then we went to the homestead replica that was made for the movie “We of the Never Never”. Then we went to the thermal springs and I played with a boy called Jayden for the day. Then we drove home and went to bed.

The next day we went on a walk that was 8.2km!! Along the walk we encountered a Bower Bird nest which had shells next to it.  Then we continued. When we finally got there we found the swimming area but Dad said that the current was to strong for me to swim so we walked all that way for nothing, but we did have a bag of salt and vinegar chips. Then we had to walk all the3 way back again. When we got back we decided that it was bed time so we went to sleep. The next day we went to Bitter Springs which was a spring that had a current so strong that you just had to float and you could get to the end. Some people also gave me a noodle to float with. Then we drove to the bar at the Mataranka Homestead to watch a video of “We of the Never Never’, which is played there every lunch time to attract customers. Da also bought me a Ginger Beer to go with our chips. Then we went to the Thermal Pool because the bar is right next to the Thermal Springs. The next day we left Mataranka which was a good campsite I think.

First we drove through Katherine and did some food shopping and received the spare tyre. Then we went to a cafe and Dad bought me  and him a milkshake but I also wanted some chips so I bought some. I really liked the chips because they used chicken salt. Then we drove off to Gregory National Park.

Gunlom

After leaving Maguk we camped at Gunlom. After putting up camp I had a read next to the fire. The next day we went to the waterfall walk and accidentally went to the dunk pool. Then we went to the lookout and when we got  to the top we got a big surprise. There was a swimming pool up there!!! We spent about 5 hours there . I think it was my favourite swimming destination in the Kakadu National Park. The next day we drove towards Mataranka.

Tyre Splitting

Today we packed up and drove to Maguk swimming area and saw that we had a split tyre but we decided that we would worry about that after we had the swim. after swimming we went back to the car to get the spare tyre on because no one can fix a split tyre. First we put the jack on but it collapsed (Ed. actually just didn’t lift the car high enough!) so Dad had to dig a hole underneath the tyre. Then while Dad was digging the hole under the car I started reading the car fridges owners manual. When Dad finished digging the hole Dad wound down the spare tyre and I got the chain off so we could replace it. When we finished we found out that the Nissan cap that went on the wheel to make it look good was missing. Then we drove to our campsite which was only 1 1/2 km away. It was a nice camp except for a lot of March flies buzzing around. Then I fell asleep almost immediately.

Our Little Trip

At 4.30am we got up and drove to the Airport to drop Mum and Harry off at the Airport. When we got there Mum and Harry got a plane to Bunbury. Then Dad and I drove to McDonald’s for breakfast. Then we said goodbye and started driving. After driving for at least an hour we got in to the Kakadu National Park and drove to a $5 a night camp and set up camp. The next day we drove to Twin Falls and got on the boat. When we got there I played in the sand. Then we got to a $10 a night camp site and had a shower before going to bed. The next day we went to Jim Jim Falls which was a swimming area that's water course was a water fall. The water then flowed underground and spread out in to a beach pool. We spent the whole day there swimming and I even made a little house out of sticks wedged between rocks. Then we went back to the car and had a yoghurt for lunch and drove back to our campsite and went to sleep.

The Water Park Again

The next day we went to the water park with Mum and had a great time. We got to go on the water slide with Dad and we spent hours playing there, even after mum left we kept playing. That night we went to the markets and watched a man who was doing a display with fire. We also had dinner and I tried Pho and didn’t like it, then I went on a walk with Mum and got an ice cream. Then we drove home and went to bed.

Litchfield National Park

Today we went to Litchfield National Park. It was amazing because of all the pools it had and we swam in them for hours. My favourite would probably have been the Dunk Pool which had a large waterfall dunking into it. We also went to the homestead and read the book about how they worked every day all day mining for tin and at night cooking for themselves.Then we went to the magnetic termite mounds which the termites build in a south-northerly orientation so that they catch the sunlight in the morning so that in the evening they were still warm . Then we drove back to Tam and Dee’s house.

Darwin Continued

on Saturday we went to the museum and we split up with Dad and me looking for the Cyclone Tracy section while Mum and Harry went looking for the kids section. When we found the Cyclone Tracy section and heard the wind (it sounded like an ocean) and also saw a lot of information of what happened. Then we went to find Mum and Harry. When we got in there I immediately started reading. Then we drove home. The next day we went to the water park which had a giant water slide that had plastic so thick that when you go inside it you can’t see anything at all. They also have two other slides and a swimming pool and we spent several hours playing in the pool or on the water slide. Then we had lunch and drove home. The next day I had to work for 2 hours but as my reward I got an ice cream. Then we drove back home and had a good sleep preparing for the next day.

The next day we went to the General Store to get me and Dad swags. Dad got one that had a built in mosquito net where as I had to get an insect dome and a swag. Then we went to a food court and got lunch. Then we went for a wander around Darwin and when home.

Darwin

When we got to Tam and Dee’s house they provided u with beds to sleep in. The next day Mum, Harry and I explored the Darwin waterfront and got an ice cream while dad was on the phone for almost the whole day. Then we went tot he Aboriginal Art Gallery which had art done by Aboriginal artists. Then we went to the visitor centre because our parking ticket had expired. Then we drove to the old town hall and visitor centre and got some brochures and drove home.

The Broken Caravan

After a long drive we got to Normanton and Dad went to set up the caravan but one corner didn’t go up so he wound it down.Then he wound it up again but this time two corners didn’t go up so we had to stay in a cabin for the night. The next day we drove through Borroloola and Mum, Harry and I got an ice cream. Then we got to Hells Gate and slept in the car. The day after that we drove through river crossings and had dinner at a restaurant. Then we drove to a free camp at Mataranka. The next day we drove to the Stuart Highway to go to Darwin so we could fix the caravan. When we got to Darwin we dropped it off and headed towards Tam’s place.

O’Brien’s Creek

After leaving Undara we turned off at Mt Surprise and went to O’Briens Creek. The day after that Harry and I played with a boy at the Elizabeth Creek. After a while I went out fossicking (for Topaz) with Dad. After a while I got bored, we hardly found anything, abd when we went to a different spot I just played in a rock pool. The next day we left and drove off towards Normanton.

The Lava Tubes

The next day we went to Undara Lava Tubes and got a tour. In the tour we went to a collapsed section and got inside. When we got about half way we couldn’t go any further  because the rest was covered with water because of the floods caused by cyclones. The next one we went to was about the same, it had flooding affect it too. The last one we went to was not affected by the floods and we wouldn’t have gone there normally on this tour but due to the floods we had enough time to go there. There was an exit at the end and the guide told us about how in the olden days people crawled through the exit and came out covered with mud and bat droppings. When we got back Harry and I bought an Australian Wildlife book. Then we hopped back in the car and drove to Mt Surprise.

The Atherton Tablelands

After driving out of Cairns we went on the mountain towards Atherton. When we got to Atherton we stopped and saw a sign for The Empress of Uruguay but drove through. Then we went to our campsite in Ravenshoe and played with some kids from Busselton. The next day we went back to the Crystal Caves and paid to get inside and I had a great time. I think my favourite display would have been the Magic Spheres, which had ultra-violet light shining on a special rock collection that they had collected over a seven year period. When we left we drove to the Curtain Fig Tree which was a tree that had been taken over by a fig. Then we drove back to Ravenshoe and picked up the caravan and drove to the 40 Mile Scrub which was a dry rain forest.

Cairns Continued

After I finished snorkelling we went inside the boat for lunch. It was a very yummy lunch and I had two helpings. Then I got on the glass bottom boat and sped out to a little island of sand and then I saw a bigger island of sand that other people were swimming to. So I decided to swim there too. There were a lot of sharp rocks at the bottom but I soon got over that problem by floating over the rocks. When I got to the other island I made a sand castle and Dad and Robyn went looking for shells. They came back with some shells that looked like fossils. For example Robyn found one that was hollow and had an imprint of a starfish. Then we swam back to the boat and got to go inside the cockpit. and rode home. The next day went to get the car fridge battery fixed. After waiting almost two hours they had fixed it. It cost $112.50 and it was amazing because the cost was $112 labour and 50c for the job. Then for afternoon tea we went to Di and Terry’s who had been reading our blog and Harry started watching Youtube and I watched with him. Then for tea we went to Rob’s house and Harry and I watched movies on his media centre. Then we drove back to Robyn’s house. The next day was a leaving day and Harry and I went to the frog hospital and saw heaps of frogs, Barbara even let us touch some frogs she had. When we got back Dad had finished packing down the caravan so we said goodbye to Robyn and drove off.

Cairns

Today we left Black River Stadium and drove to Robyn’s house. After we set up Harry and I started watching TV. The next day we went to Muddy’s playground and the markets. Then we got an all you can eat Chinese shop and I got the kids plate which was a small plate with a free ice cream. After we played on the playground and then drove home. Then after that we had a barbecue for tea. The next day we went to Port Douglas markets and I pedalled on a bike to make sugar cane juice. I did want some and then Robyn who had come with us bought one cup for three dollars and shared it with all of us. After walking and looking at a lot of shops we got to a shop that let us hold a pigs skull (it was the piggy that went to market). By that time we were all very hungry so we went to a restaurant and I had fish and chips. From there we drove back to Robyn's house and went to bed. The next day we went out to the Great Barrier Reef on a boat that was driven by James who is Dad’s cousin and we went snorkelling and I also went in the glass bottom boat. I saw a lot of coral and fish and fish that were hanging around. Our guide also showed  us some Clown Fish and Spaghetti Coral that was red on the top but white on the sides so that when you rubbed it you could see white.

Magnetic Island

Today we went to Townsville and hopped on a ferry to Magnetic Island. When we got there we got our Mini Moke that we had hired for the day. Then we drove to Colin’s house and I had a Milo. After that we got Colin in the Moke and he guided us to Alma Bay where me and Harry started making a sand castle which had three holes with water in them and I dug another one in the middle to connect the others and I made a big one that got water from the other. Then we drove over a mountain and got to Horse Shoe Bay and had fish and chips for lunch. Harry and I made another sand castle. As the second last stop that was a bay we went to Picnic bay and Harry and I played on a playground. Then we drove to the car hire and returned the car. After we got an ice cream and went on the ferry and got on the top and Harry and I held on the rail. When we got back we went to Toys ‘R’ Us and Harry bought a DS game and we drove home.

Leaving Tim and Suzanne's

Today we left Tim and Suzanne's house. I had a swing on the swing and went really high (I didn’t go through the bushes and plants this time) and then Harry went on. Then we started driving and got to Noosaville and had some lunch at the Pirate Playground and had a play. After we jumped in the car and drove on some back roads up to Miriam Vale up to Pat and George’s house and ate some chips. Then we played with the dogs Foxey and Molly. I then started playing Carnival Games on the Wii while Harry was watching angled on the laptop. The next morning we found Foxey on the bed but to get in she had to stand on her hind legs and tap the door open. Then we drove to Seventeen Seventy which was the first place that Captain Cook landed in Queensland and we built a sandcastle. Then we looked for the Coliseum but we couldn’t find it so we returned to Pat and George’s house and they told us about their work.

The Ginger Factory

Yesterday we went to Tim’s and I drove a back hoe. It was a bit scary. Then while Mum was driving the back how Harry and I made buildings out of rocks and inside some rocks were basalt crystals. Today we went to the Buderim Ginger factory (it wasn’t in Buderim, it was in Yandina) but they had a lot more than ginger. For example there was a fudge shop, a doll house furniture shop and an ice cream shop. Inside we got a ticket for a tasting tour and they told us all about the making of the different types of ginger. On the  door of the tasting tour they had an alarm for no reason at all. We also had a ticket for the ginger train but we missed it to get on Overboard which was a ride that showed the story about a ginger bread man who jumped overboard and went around the world with two cooks on his tail. This was showed by moving puppets. We also bought some fudge and returned to the front desk to get a refund for our train tickets. We bought a menu pack and drove home. Then we went to bed and got ready to pack up the next morning.

Climbing the Mountain

After a long drive we arrived at Tim and Suzanne’s house which is in a place called Buderim. They have two daughters called Sarah and Rachel. Lotte is also with them for one year and she is from Holland. The next day we watched Lotte play hockey but in the first half I didn’t even know which side we were supposed to be going for (it was a draw 1-1). The day after that we went to Maleny. On the way we stopped at a seafood cafe and I had a juice box. After eating we ran to the other side of the lake to play on the playground which had a thing like this:There was also a flying fox that we went on and Harry got a split lip when the hard rubber part of the flying fox hit it directly. Then we drove to Maleny and we went to the bakery. We got some food from the bakery and then she offered us 8 (actually 6) sausage rolls and 2 pies for free!! After lunch we explored the town. There were heaps of shops. The next day we climbed the mountain (MT Coolum) and there were lots of rocks. At the top there was some machinery. I was first going up and down. Then the girls went shopping and we went back home.

My Birthday

Today we drove through the twin cities (Tweed Heads and Coolangatta) which crossed the N.S.W – Qld border with a bridge. Then we drove and set up at Canungra. The next morning we celebrated my birthday by going to the movies and seeing Cars 2. I think it was quite a good movie. After the movies we went to the fish ‘n’ chips shop. Then we went to the bakery and got some apple crumble as a birthday cake. As an end to the day we we went to a National Park to see glow worms. I was the first to spot some. Then we got to0 the cave that had the most glow worms in the walls. It even had a water fall and heaps of water but if you turned off your light you could see hundreds of glow worms on the cave top. Then we headed home and ate my apple crumble.

Mullumbimby

Today we went to Swan Creek but that night it was very cold. In the end we decided to all go to Mum and Dad’s bed but my feet were still cold. In the morning we found out that it had been –7.1 degrees (coldest temperature on this trip and the second time that I had been cold on this trip). Then we packed up and drove to Mullumbimby. The next day we went to Byron Bay and drove past the beach. After that we got some ice cream. Harry got two scoops, Mum and Dad had one scoop and I had three scoops for $6.50. My flavours were Banana Cinnamon, King Caramel and White Chocolate. Then we went to a bead shop to get Harry some beads so he could make some jewellery, we also bought some elastic string. A really exciting part was going to the lighthouse and the most Easterly point of mainland Australia. The next day we went to the beach and had a big swim. A really fun part was making a sand castle with Dad. It had a moat and a tunnel for the water. Then we went to Ocean Shores and had some lunch. The we went on the play ground but some other kids were there too and one was very rude. Then we drove back to the caravan and found Mum waiting for us. That night Mum and Dad cooked the most delicious roast I have ever had in my life. The next day it was my birthday and I woke up to streamers and balloons. Then we packed up nad headed to Queensland.

Moree

Today we went to the Moree Hot Springs which is just a swimming pool except it had the same water as hot springs. It was so hot that you had to get out every five minutes because it was so hot but mum only went out twice!! It was a lot of fun. Then we visited Lauren and Harry and I watched TV. The show that was playing was ‘the Avengers' The next day we rode to the rocket playground. There was a very small slide a small slide) and a giant slide which was about 4our to seven metres straight up in the air. I never went on the smaller slides because I was to busy going on the ginormous one. After that we walked to the Moree Library with baby Beau and Lauren. There were heaps of books. We stayed there for at least an hour an we got some books out on Lauren’s library card.

Dorrigo to Tamworth

We had to drive for a while before we got to Dorrigo but when we did we went tot he Skywalk. You could see for several km’s. You could also buy paintings. Then we went to Dangar Falls. There was a small playground but I didn’t like it that much because it didn’t have a swing. Then we drove through Armidale and passed Tamworth to our campsite which had a lot of permanent s who came for the school holidays. The next morning we met a boy called Blake and we rode our bikes! The next day we just played with Blake all day. We had two games of Uno and rode our bikes. The next day we went into Tamworth and went to the Oxley Lookout. It was amazing. You could see the whole town. Then we went to Spotlight and got knitting supplies. Then we went to the Post Office Clock Tower. Then we went to the Golden Guitar and had a photo.

By the way, I started knitting a scarf and now it is about ten centimetres long and five centimetres wide. The needles I am using are ten millimetres wide.

Bellingen

We are staying at Thora now. It has a lot of space to play on. From Thora we went to Bellingen leaving the caravan at the campsite. When we arrived at Bellingen Mum told us about a person who was writing the Bellinger but his r looked like an n so by the time that they realised the mistake it was too late. The name was already on the maps and people were already calling it Bellingen. Inside we went to the Old Butter Factory. Harry and I stayed inside (the car) but after a while I went to have a look at the camel that was made out of old things. Then we went to the The Yellow Shed which had lots of random things like and iron ore necklace, a sheet of spells and a sheet of instructions for palmistry. There was also a door that went outside and outside were more things for sale. Then we went into the car and drove back to the caravan.

The Big Banana

Today we went to Coffs Harbour and saw The Big Banana. It was about two metres long and about three inches tall.

Then we went to the marina. There we saw some fishing boats with giant boats with giant nets. There was also a fish shop which had all the types of fish you could think of.

Other stores including the home made icecream store and the souvenir shop which I got my sunglasses at. I also got an icecream for $3.50.

We saw some people who were fishing. We then went on the boardwalk which lasted about 1 – 2 km. Then Mum and Dad bought some food and we went on a playground which was quite big. A lot of it was under construction so we couldn’t play on some of it but it was still enough. It would have been better if it had swings that were not baby ones. We did have lunch at the playground. Then we kept playing happily for a long time.

From Watigan Forest to Coopernook

After the Australian Reptile Park we went to KFC and got take-away. Then we went to our campsite which was in the Watigan Forest and set up in the dark. In the morning we found some walking trails then we explored them. Then we went to the Abbott Falls and they were lovely and next to them was a log that crossed the river. I walked across it and back. Farther along the trail there was a tree that had fallen down along the path but it was only about one inch tall so we could step over it. We found that someone had made a cubby by piling sticks on top of rocks. Along  the road to Dungog there was a tree fallen down and we had to saw it with the a handsaw. we are now in Dungog Showgrounds. There was some old machinery and a grandstand to play in. The next day, when we were looking for Coopernook campsite on Forest Rd we ran into a problem. Dad was trying to find our camp but it was hard because a sign said use next exit but it was the exit after that but we did find it. we were staying at Coopernook.we went to Port Macquarie and got fish and chips. The we went inside the Glass House and went up and down with a lift with mirrors inside. There was also a performance group of people who have disabilities called Bago Magic. Next day we went to Taree and got a lead for the gas BBQ and then we went back to Coopernook and played football with a man called Soren who came from Denmark.

The Australian Reptile Park

Today we went to the Australian Reptile Park and saw lots of animals including a lizard, a python and an echidna. They also showed us a show about how you catch a funnel web spider and she was demonstrating with a real one and it wasn’t trained. In a different show my Mum got to hold a python and they let an alligator, a lizard, python and a tortoise roam about on the show pit floor. When we were walking around the park some kangaroos came up to us and we patted them. The we went to Spiderworld. It had a lot of cartoonish things like a two metre tarantula statue that stood on its hind legs. There was also a room which was inside a fake crocodiles mouth and there was a sensor so when you walk in a mummy’s eyes start flashing red and a speaker starts playing a script about reptiles. The Mum said to me ‘Max will you please take some photo’s in Frog Hollow’ so I did then we hopped in the car and then we went away.

We’ve Arrived at Sydney

We arrived at Lane Cove River Tourist Park on Friday and Harry fell off his bike and his hand started bleeding. Then we went on a spotlighting tour and saw two species of possums, a bandicoot and an Australian Noisy Minor which sit on the very end of the skinniest branches to avoid predators (they can not get there because they are too heavy to get across). We went to Sydney on Saturday and went on the train. When we were there we went inside the Opera House. When we were walking we heard people cheering and shouting. We went closer and saw some street performers were there and one jumped over 4 1/2 people (four adults and one child) who were touching  their toes. Now on Saturday we got a funday Sunday ticket which is usually $20 and adult and $10 for all children but on Sunday is only $2.50 each. They allow you o go on all ferrys, trains and buses. On the 29/6/11 you can also go on the monorail all for the same price. We took a train to Sydney and then took a ferry to luna Park and had a look around then we took a ferry to Manly and back. After that we went back home.2

The Botanic Garden

Today we went to the cool-climate Botanic Gardens. We drove up the road and through the driveway and parked, then climbed out of the car to have a look around. There were heaps of things to do. There was even a class room which we sneaked into after we had read a note/post about how the class-room had heating using grass which had a warmth when mixed with oxygen. Then we had a look around the room and then the people who taught the children came and showed us around the class-room. They dropped fish food in the fish tank for the fish and carrots for the yabbies who didn’t want to get into a foodfight (fight over food) even the big one didn’t want a fight either. Maybe it was because it only had one claw. Then we went into the shop and bought a postcard and went down stairs. I looked at the fungi display while my hot chocolate was being made. We had a look around and saw a fungi that can grow up to 8.5km² and after rain it pops up from the ground. Then we drove back to our campsite and Harry and I played on the playground and rode our bikes.

The Cowra Breakout

Last night we stayed at Boorowa. It had a lot of historical buildings including a court house which is now the visitor centre, St Josephs school and the A.N.Z.A.C. mimorial which looked more like a room than a memorial.
Then we drove of to Cowra where the P.O.W. (prisoners of war) camp was. It also had a hologram of the breakout, where 1100 Japanese solgers escaped using sharpened kitchen knives and baseball bats. They brought clothes and towels to aid their escape to get over the barbed wire fences. When Private __________ __________ ran to the machine gun the Japanese were planning to use and started shooting and killed 23 Japanese but later they died themselves. Heaps of men went out looking for escaped prisoners and one found one and he got stabbed in the heart with a sharpened table knife. He died instantly.

(unedited)

Today we went to Questacon we had to do 5 hours of work and then we went inside with a free pass. In Garery (Gallery) one we saw a tuch skreen computer that lets you controw (control) trafic. There was also a airiplain (aeroplane) simulater. I won one and Harry didn’t win any in galery three there were strings of wire and if you moved your hand across the wire it felt like velvet and it had tricks for the eye and ear there was also a Hover Chir (Chair) which was held up by air compreshion and Harry spun me into the sides of the corse I repayed him by crashing him at top speed!!

Next was the Theatre it was about colisions and kenecic (kinetic) enigy which is movement enigey and how it can turn into sound enigey or/amd heat enigey there were a lot of ecspermints (experiments) and I was one of the volenter (volunteers). It also had the Hollywood virsion of an astroyed (asteroid) crassing (crashing) in to earth. It made a shok wave fire and a lot of noese (noise)!!!

Snowy Mountains (Part 2 – unedited)

There was a screen that showed the generaters in every power stashion and if they were idile, unknown, running or syn-con and how full the dams are and it refresses every cupale of minnetes you could also look at a skulpture of the snowy Mountains and you could press a butine (button) marked tunals (tunnels) flashing lights would mark out were (where) tunnals where (were) dug out anuther showwed the water cycle with rain, thunder and litning (lightening) there was also power staishion which told you were (where) all the power staishons were and  anuther was Lake Eukembine different buten showeddams the last one was reservers (reservoirs).

There was also a power bike which you petaled (pedalled) on and it progost (produced) electristety here are the ratings from lowest to hightest – stairyio (stereo), tv, toster (toaster), heirdrier (hairdryer) and a kettale (kettle). There was also a tuch screen machene that you solected a subject there were three first was living, 2nd was werking and playing it had things like this there were people at the movies and they started leving (leaving) and a pirsin (person) said “why are you leving” and they said “the girls are in town”.

The Snowy Mountains

A couple of days ago we were driving across the Snowy Mountains. The lines were yellow so you could see them in the snow. They also had very tall reflector poles so the snow didn't cover them up.

Next we saw a hut that they used in the 1950s as a rest point for bad weather and the postman could only do half of the mail route on horse back so he left his horse at the hut and skied the rest of the way to deliver the post. Then (he) went back to collect his horse.

There was also an article titled "Two Mystery Deaths" which was about three men who stole a truck and stayed the night at the hut and two of the men drunk (sic) out of two paper wrapped bottles that they thought was wine but it was really arsenic which is a poison that was used in sheep dip to kill fleas. After they flt ill and (so) the other man slept in the lorry. He awoke after several hours of sleep and found both men dead on the floor. Then he ran for it. Eventually he admitted himself to the police.

Then we drove up to Charlottes Pass National Park and I saw snow for the first time in my life!! Then Harry Dad and me went and walk(ed) up to the top of Charlottes Pass and we were only about two kilometers away from Mt Kosciusko, the tallest mountain in Australia. At the top of Charlottes Pass we had a snow fight. When Harry was talking to Dad the ice hit him on the arm and a lot broke and went inside his ear. A brilliant shot.

Then I said 'The snow fight hasn't finished yet". Then Dad said "Guess what the snow fight hasn't finished yet' and raced after me with a piece of ice and I hid behind a rock and kept moving along. A crack was in there and I hid inside it. They never found me until it was time to go.

(On Friday we were in Cooma. We looked around town...) and at the Snowy Hydro information centre we learnt lots about the hydro electricity that is generated in the mountains.

to be continued .... 

Koonoomoo

Today we drove into Koonoomoo and Aunty Sally came to meet us. Then we went to the Big Strawberry which had a strawberry sundae which was the biggest sundae I had ever seen in my life. Then we went to Shepperton whish is known for the SPC (Shepperton Preserving Company), it was humungous. It was about 2-3 km². Then we went to an outlet and bought some food stocks for a cheaper price than normal. The =n we saw the Mooving Art which had cows that were made out of fibreglass that had paintings on them. Some included the Mermaid Cow, Leonardo Da Vinci cow Shrek Cow and the picnic cow. Next we went to Kidstown!! It was a giant playground with a slide that was about twelve metres long! I went on it three times. There was also a dairy maze which had jokes and facts about cows. There was also some udders you can pull and a bell rings inside it. There was also a ginormous spider web swing.that we and about eleven others swung on while my dad pushed it. I think it is the best playground I have ever been on and probably will be the best in my life. Then w went to Tocumwal and saw a flooded river. There was even a cut down log that was used for fencing and it had a concrete slab on the bottom of it and it had floated out to the middle of the river. Then we went to the Big Strawberry with Aunty Sally and had some lunch. The next day we went to Aunty Sally’s work which was horse cutting and she showed us how to crack a whip! I think Dad was the best of us all. There were also horses and the ribbons they won.

Leaving Melbourne

 

We are leaving Melbourne today. I had a last play with Iris and then we left. We stopped for lunch and me and Harry went on the swing at the same time. Then we went to a beautiful cricket ground. It was fabulous.

Harry’s Birthday Party

(This post was not edited by an adult)

Today we went to Melbourne on a tram. When we got there we seperated from mum and went for a very very very long walk. We then whent to have a snack which was one slice of pizza each and a Lift to share. After we went to the bank and had a look around(.)  it was made so it looked like it did in the olden days and it also had dsplays like a photo of the bank in the 1920’s and a skale for gold and coins and with the desplay was some real gold and weghts so you could find out how much money you had.


We decided to go to the museum next and looked for food but it was all to espencive so we went back upstairs and destided that getting inside the achule museim because it was ecspenstive for only one hour so we didn’t go there but then insted we went to a mini egsibete which was about King Tut and how scientists found out about his family tree.

Next we got some chips and went home. Then we went to Erin’s house to play and have afternoon tea. Now it was Harry’s Birthday and we had a heap of food. It was very fun.

The Secret Garden

On Saturday we went to the Secret garden with Harry, David, Cameron, Erin and Charlie. There was a big ball which I think was made of marble and it weighs one point five tuns more than the weight of the whole things weight which was two point five tuns. It was held completely by water pressure and you could spin it in all directions.

There was also the giant's chair which we had a photo on

including a lot of games. It was heaps of fun. Next we went on the forest loop walk. It was six hundred metres long – it was very tiring but also fun and exciting.

After we went to the William Rickett’s sanctuary where there were sculptures that he made himself. Most were of indigenous people and if you looked closely in some you could see his face. Some of them even spurted water out. For an example there were two possums that were facing each other and out of their ears was a pipe and water was spurting and in the middle was a drain. The water went down it and then it went out of the ears again.

Warrnambool

(This section is unedited)
At penshurst we viseted the volcano descuvery centre we learned about Metamorphic rocs and left to go to a volcano (Mt Rouse) and climbed it. At Port Firey (Fairy) we looked for fish and chips but they were two ecspencive.

(this version with Dad, exploring the use of bullet points)

• On way to Warrnambool we stopped at Penshurst.
• When we climbed Mt Rouse Harry and I went down a walk trail and got lost without Mum or Dad knowing where we had gone. Luckily we eventually found our way home, but beforehand I had to take care of Harry who got very scared and was crying.
• That night we reached Warrnambool where we stayed at the Showgrounds.
• Next day we visited Port Fairy.
• That night the Greyhound Races were on at the Showgrounds we were staying at and we watched two of the races.
• Next morning we left to start travelling down the Great Ocean Road.

Princetown

Today we are staying at Princetown rec. ground. Then we set up the caravan and Harry and I set off to find a cubby. After a while we found one and when wee were inside it a sheep went baa and Harry jumped out of his skin. The other day we went to Gibson’s Steps which was a beach I and Harry built a sand castle but we built it in a place that had water falling down the side of the rock we were building on and was wrecking our sand castle. Then we went to the Twelve Apostles (only 8 are remaining)!! Then we went to a cheese shop called The Mouse Trap but it was closed so we went off to find the chocolate factory but failing to find it we went back to the caravan and had lunch. Then we returned to trying to find the chocolate factory. When we found it we sawe hat we had drove past it. After that she recommended that we went to Apostle Whey cheese. We went there and found out that the chocolate shop owner used to be the cheese maker then I bought some of the blue cheese.

Cavendish (unedited)

At Edenhope there was the ovel that the aboriginal cricet team traned at (the Aboriginal cricet team was the first Australian team to travel to England.

When we were driving to Harrow the GPS (Global Posishining Sistem) thorte we were past our destination but a sain (sign) said Harrow was in five km.

In Harrow we went to the log jail which was an old jail which was not used any more. we had a look inside it and Mum bumbed (bumped) her head (poor mum) right next to it was the seterles cotige (settlers cottage) which had on display the rooms it was a house which had about nine children then we went tot he Johnny Mullagh Museum (Johnny Mullagh was concidered the best player in the aboriginal team). Inside was a clay monument to Johnny Mullagh which was painted Bronse (bronze). inside was a skale to see which was a hever (heavier) cricket bat redgum or willow (redgum was hever than willow) a difrend (different) plase (place) had a move (movie) about how after a match Dich-a-Dick (Ed. Dick-a-Dick was another of the touring Aboriginal players) using a long skiny shild (skinny shield) and a boomirang he doged agenst (dodged against) seven people throwing at him at the same time.

At Cavendishj we saw the shop that was houme (home) to Aus Biggest Hamberger (which they didn’t make any more). At Hamilton primery and did my N.A.P.L.A.N. We also veseted the waterfulls (visited the waterfalls).

Naracoorte (unedited)

In Naracort we viseted the viseter centre and had a look around and lernt all about how robotic shering works. Then we viseted the shering shed, post ofese (office) and the old school. It was very interesting.
After we went to Narocort caves. There were a lot of caves to choose from. We chose the fosle (fossil) cave there were a lot of bones were more than 5,000 (actually 500,000) years old and we lerned all about limestone formation and pitfall traps and how animals fell down them and starved or dehydrated, there was even a tv crew. It was very eciting and intesting.

Today Harry, Mum and I went to Gorge Wildlife Park which was just opposite our camp. When we got there we got two food packets one grain and one was Milk Coffee biscuits. We even got to hold a koala. There were a lot of animals to see like the Tazmaneion Devle and the Merkats as well as some fairy penguins plus a couple of crocodiles. When we walked by the Monkeys we laughed our heads off because one of them had an apple core in it’s hand and it was banging it against the cage. The next day we went Adelaide again and went to the Bradman museum and using a stump we threw a ball at a water tank and hit it back again. After that we went to the Leanardo de vinchi (Leonardo Da Vinci) experience and looked at the things he made like the portabule bridge, parachute, water ski and the tank (the tank looked like a giant turtle). We also watched a movie about Lenardo de vinchi and all about the things he did, for example the Mona Lisa (Mona means my lady). Next we went to the Library to meet back up with Mum and she had got some books for Harry and me.

Hahndorf

At Hahndorf we went to Melba's Chocolate Factory and tasted chocolate and I brought (bought) a packet of white chocolate Easter eggs.

The inside of Melba's Chocolate Factory

Next we went to Woodside cheesewrights. I bought some pure chunk honeycomb. My favourite cheese was chilli.

After we went to Beerenberg strawberry farm. You could pick strawberries in the field for $3 per adult - well nearly because it's really only 14 years old and under for free.

We went to the main street of Hahndorf. It was very, very long. We went to the Hahndorf fairies in the garden shop. It sold loads of things like toadstools.

The next day we went to Adelaide. We visited an opal mine. We saw lots of different coloured stones.

We saw some balls which were made of metal. There was a fountain and next to it were some pigs. One was even named Truffles. There we saw the silver surfers and they tried to get me with water pistols.

Max and the Silver Surfers

When we left Adelaide Mum got car sick. We decided to have lunch there. I had Hot English Mustard in mine. We played at 'Marshmallow Park'. It had a lot of things to play on. It was fun. Then Harry and I went to the toilet.

The Big Rocking Horse

We packed up at Yacka and drove to Cudlee Creek and stayed there. On the way to Cudlee Creek we stopped at Gawler for lunch. We bought lunch at the shopping centre and ate it in Pioneer Park.

Pioneer Park used to be a cemetery and saw all of the people who died. In the toilet we read about a person who got stuffed in a tree when people were settling there. They found him when they were paving the road.

Next we went to Gumeracha and saw the giant rocking horse. It was made out of 80 tonnes of steel. It had three viewing platforms, the highest one at 18.3 metres high at the head of the horse. It is the biggest in the world made by the Toy Factory. They make wooden toys in the store. They also made wooden games like Catwalk and they also had peg games like Nine Mans Marris and Solitaire. I won one game against my Mum and my Dad won two games against me. Most of the things were hand crafted but some were made in China like the creeping climber which climbed up a piece of string if you pulled two sticks in turn. We then collected our certificate for climbing the big rocking horse.

We finished at Lothebal, to do some shopping.

Easter, Easter, Easter

On Easter We had an Easter egg hunt. Some of the eggs were hidden in the annexe. One was even on the wine bottle. It took a long time. On Easter night we cracked a giant Easter egg with our neighbours, Wayne and Marion. It was terrific.


Me pretending to be a scarecrow

 We drove to Burra and went to the town hall to dress up in old fashioned clothes.

At Burra we saw the churches. They had beautiful patterned windows.

Then we tried to have a sneak peek at the old extinct giant wombat, the Diprotodon. Next we went to the bakery but it was closed so we had to go to the cafe again and I was looking forward to going to the bakery.

Then we went back to the caravan to have tea and Dad cooked pizza for us. Me and Harry gulped down the pizza and Mum and Dad hardly got any. Dad got about 2 pieces and Mum 1.

Yacka

At Yacka we found a place we found a place which we liked so we stayed there.
Tomorrow I found a cubby two of them in fact. One of them was a big clearing and I tied leaves and branched together with grass which became our rope and the other cubby was a tree which had all of its leaves going outwards and diagonally down. One part I made into a door and I even climbed the tree to the top of the cubby.

Next we went to the town (walking) and went on the Yacka historic walk and saw the town hall which had a point on the top and the doorway was an arch and inside was captured machine guns from World War 1. There was a stage and I fell off it on my bottom because I was trying to run off the stage with my eyes closed.

The “Whyalla”



The Whyalla

 At Whyalla we went to the Whyalla Tourist Centre and Marine Discovery. We got a tour of the “Whyalla” which is a warship (it was used by the Navy in World War Two). Before it came back to Whyalla but after it worked for the Navy it was named the “Rip”. The depth of a ship is how much of it sits in the water. The “Whyalla” had a depth of 9 feet unlike the big ships which mostly had a depth of 10 feet or more so the “Whyalla” could go through shallow water.

Lots of Bays

What photo's from my camera now look like



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At Fowlers Bay we went to the sand hills. It was exhausting (Mum brought my camera and it broke). Next time we went we were alone and we followed a dog and he showed us a path way through the plants (it was a bit spiky). Before we got there we went over cow grids (very bumpy and Harry got frightened). When we got there we had to set up in the night (first time ever and we hardly had time for tea).

We travelled to Streaky Bay and saw Murphy’s Haystacks and we climbed them. One I could climb but Harry couldn’t so he made a rock tower (with my help) and got about three nasty cuts. Next time he did it when I pulled and Mum pushed. After we went to Hally’s Beach which could survive against water but it started falling apart because the waves are very strong at Hally’s Beach. Next we saw the Whistling Rocks. They were holes which when the waves swept over them they got water inside them the they shot it out. It was interesting. The blow holes are a short walk from the Whistling Rocks but we didn’t arrive at the right time so the blow holes didn’t work.

Along the road we saw a lizard. It was hiding in a bush and to get it out I rolled a stone into its back and it moved so viciously it gave Mum a fright. We saw some pelicans at the side of the road and Mum took a photo.

After we went to the Tahlia Caves one was underwater cave that had collapsed over many years. The other one had water at the entrance but inside it changed to lots and lots of rocks (some were very big ones too). Ocean Eco Experiences were next and I got to snorkel with Sea Lions. They were very friendly too and only $70 for a child, $100 for non-swimmers and $140 for adults.

When we got to Pilcappa Rock we found out that inside some rocks that hang out there are caves which a little person could fit through and inside one there was a hole which was very big and I ate half my lunch up there and I spent most of my time looking out over the park through the hole and it was very pleasant.


With Mike and his buggy

 In Wuddina we met Mike who was walking across Australia and we had tea with him.

The Long Nullarbor

Eyre Highway today and then we stopped at Balladonia and there was a museum which had part of Skylab!

Next was very, very b-o-r-i-n-g. It was the Nullarbor and especially the straight stretch which goes for 146.6 kilometres. Finally we go to a town. It was Cocklebiddy. It had a gnome garden. A sign that said…

We couldn’t go to Cocklebiddy caves because you had to… be an experienced caver, you had to have proper shoes, eave expected times of return because of the steep slopes, unstable rocks, low ceilings, deep waters and slippery floors.

We went to Eyre Bird Observatory next and saw some views of the Ocean. They looked amazing.


We drove to Eucla and stayed the night at the caravan park.


In the morning Mum, Harry and I rode our bikes to the old telegraph station. It was bricks stacked on top of each other. It was very old.


After we crossed the WA/SA border we stopped off at some viewing places to see the Great Australian Bight. It has rabbit holes. It looked like a giant shark had bit into it.