So much for getting warmer as we head north - and here was I looking forward to Queensland! We arrive and, true to form, the Gold Coast experiences its coldest day ever. What is it with us and the weather? Ah well. Let me start where we left off before, at Coffs Harbour on the north coast of NSW.
DAY 41 (4th June): Our first night in a bit of a soggy-grounded caravan park at Coffs Harbour, and we woke to bright blue skies and balmy weather. So off we set for an adventure - to the Butterfly Farm in Bonville, just south of Coffs.
On the way, crossed another Big Thing off the list - Cunningham's Big Bunch of Bananas! That's a whole lotta bananas..
Then onto the Butterfly house, which had some beautiful inhabitants.
This just made J's day.
A pretty pair. The glass house was SO humid that the camera lens was permanently fogged up for the first twenty minutes until the camera got to the same temperature!
Even M (who had been grumbling before we left because butterflies weren't something that HE liked, and we were doing something that only J would like!) was a bit tickled to have his own butterfly fascinator...
Some tried to sneak out :)
J the Beautiful Butterfly!
Another Big Thing on the way home - not sure how correctly this is named, as I am guessing that its relatively close to life size! However, if the internet SAYS its a big thing, then a big thing it is. The internet doesn't lie, does it?
Beach and historic Jetty at the harbour.
Every time we stop at a park with a pool, the kids want a swim. It was balmy enough for them to go this time, so we lazed in the sun, and they had a ball. The water was freezing..... to grown ups!
View of a plane con trail at sunset....
DAY 42 (5th June): The caravan park we stayed at - The Clog Barn - had a miniature Dutch Village attached to it, so we started the day by having a quick look.
Of course there were windmills....
It was good, but they were "kit" models, so in a way, not as impressive as others.
They let us wear some clogs around - they are not the MOST comfortable shoes that I have ever worn!
Next stop, being in Coffs, we of course couldn't not go to....
I guess I don't have to subtitle this one...
Looking up the skirts of a ripening Bunch of bananas.....
J with a Carmen Miranda hat!
While we were having lunch there, the tour guide came out and gave us this "double" banana - which had the equivalent of three bananas inside! :) What made the visit worthwhile was the $5/kg bananas in the gift shop.
Attached to the complex was a toboggan ride - this is NOT how to ride it! Pete's hat flew off, he tried to catch it...... and crashed....... bahahahah!
Finishing in style....
No crashes here!
DAY 43 (6th June): Left Coffs, and headed inland to Lismore, where Pete's brother lives. On the way, we had to pass through Ballina, as it was home to the Big Prawn...
....which as you can see was in a disappointingly derelict state. My advice, if you are thinking of going into the Big Things thing, is to not make it an attraction attached to anything else, or to try and make any money from it. Then it can't be shut down! Ah well.
DAY 44 (7th June): Went for a drive out from Lismore to see the sights, and these are the sights we saw!
Rocky Creek Dam
and again
I went for a walk in the forest (couldn't force the fam this time!) and saw this little guy.
Found ourselves an overcrowded spot for a picnic lunch...
Then drove on to Minyon Falls - not heaps of water, but super impressive drop! 100m fall over the cliffs - hard to get the perspective in the pictures.
From a distance! There was a walk to the bottom of it, but not sure the kids would've made the climb!
On the drive back, driving through the rainforest, we found this...
Which of course had to be filmed - hehehe!
DAY 45 (8th June): Left Lismore and headed north once more. We stopped on the way at a place called Macadamia Castle, which was entertaining for the kids
Cuddly Creatures to hold.
Ok, we need to enrol her in smile school I think she's about to EAT it!
Feeding the goats.
ARRRRRRGGGGHH! :)
I was amused :)
Pretty cool treehouse!
The Big Knight at the entrance (that's another box checked off!)
Another busy campsite at Chinderah, just below the Queensland border. The last cheap campsite before we hit Gold Coast prices!
Next stop was the Gold Coast, but I'm running a little behind, so will wait for next time - and there's GUEST STARS in the next one too!
Hope you are all well and warm!
K, P, M & J
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