Suffolk Park (Byron Bay) - NSW

18th May - 22nd May 2014

We have just spent the last 4 nights at Suffolk Park, which is about 5 mins away from Byron Bay.  We stayed here as it was much cheaper than staying in Byron itself.  The park managers were lovely and didn't even charge us for the kids, bonus!

We took a lovely drive / walk to the Byron Bay lighthouse.  The views from here were amazing!  From here you can walk to the most easterly point of the Australian mainland!

Spent some time wondering the shops in Byron.  The boys loved the rainbow shop, and l did go and visit the Ghanda shop.  It's such a chilled out relaxed town where everybody rides a bike or skateboard!  It's nice just to sit down the beach and watch everything going on around you!  Very interesting at times!!

The Caravan Park we stayed at was on Tallows beach which was just fantastic.  It was always a buzz of people doing lots of different things, the kids even went for a bike ride on the beach!

Now onto the Gold Coast!

View from the most easterly point of the Australian mainland

View from Byron Bay lighthouse

Tallows Beach

Bike riding on Tallows Beach

Yamba - NSW

15th May - 18th May 2014

Yamba is a lovely little town popular for its fishing.  We stopped here for three nights at the Big 4 Saltwater @ Yamba.  This park is quite a way out of town, but is great once you get here!  Of course the kids were all catered for with all the fun stuff and a fantastic water park, but Stuart was also very happy as we could have fires! 

We spent quite a lot of time at the beach (not in the water) but the kids loved playing in the sand.   Stu and the boys went for a bit of a fish with not much success, although Josh did catch a puffer fish!

The weather warmed up so we spent our last afternoon at the water park.  The boys had a great time and Stu and l sat and read a book!  Tough life!!

We pack up tomorrow and head for Byron Bay.

Our set up at Yamba

 Boys at the beach

Salty's Cove (Waterpark @ Big 4 Yamba)

Coffs Harbour - NSW

11th May - 15th May 2014

We arrived in Coffs Harbour and definitely felt a change in the temperature, it's getting warmer - yah!  We couldn't keep the kids out of the pool for very long, they loved it!  It's a very cool resort style pool, probably the best we have come across so far.

We visited the Big Banana, which at first was a bit of a let down.  All the attractions they offer have really nothing to do with bananas!  We went on a sky walk of the plantation, then on the toboggans. We also played laser tag, go figure!  I really didn't come all the way to Coffs Harbour to play laser tag, but saying that it was fun!  The candy shop was intriguing watching the candy makers make the delicious candy, it really is quite an art!  As bizarre as it sounds there is also a ice skating rink at the big banana, we didn't participate but thought it was very strange.  I think the good ole big banana is struggling a little!

We took a drive up to Sealy's lookout which was just beautiful.  Lots of little places on the side of the road to purchase fresh fruit, particularly bananas!  At the top you reach a lovely look out and can see right across Coffs Harbour, 'twas a little chilly though!

We loved our time in Coffs Harbour and l think it's a very liveable city!  A mix of mountains, sea and shops, what more could you want!

Next stop Yamba!

The lovely pool at the caravan park

Coffs Harbour Marina

Coffs Harbour Marina

Josh close up with the parrots!

The view at the Sky Walk

South West Rocks (Trial Bay) - NSW

7th May - 11th May 2014

Wow what a gorgeous spot!  We stayed at the Big 4 at Trial Bay as they had a special where kids stay for free, bonus!  This park is great for kids with lots of activities to keep them amused!  All the normal stuff pool, jumping pillow etc but also a movie theatre which runs movies all day 8am - 10pm.

On our first day here we went to the Trial Bay Gaol.  This was very interesting and dare l say quite a nice looking building in some parts!  We had a drive around the Trial Bay campground which has lovely views, but also a steep cost to go with it!  This would be fine if we were going away for a short time, but we have to watch the budget with still 7 months to go!

South West Rocks is a stunning location with gorgeous views and beaches.  Definitely worth a visit!

The entrance to the Gaol 

The main dining area

Trial Bay

Beautiful Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay 

Bonny Hills - NSW

1st May - 7th May 2014

Bonny Hills (just south of Port Macquarie) will be our first decent stop!  We are staying here for seven nights which will give us time to catch up on washing, school work, blogging and shopping!

We are staying at the Big 4 at Bonny Hills.  This is a great park for the kids with a water park, go carts, jumping pillow, mini golf and yes it's also on the beach!

Even though the weather hasn't been extremely hot it hasn't stopped Ashton going to the water park each day!  There is also beach access via the park which has been great for a walk, too cold to swim!  Although yes of course Ashton still braved the water!

The one day we chose to have a look around the town and surrounds, happened to be the day of the iron man competition!  There is only one road in and out of Bonny Hills so it was very eventful!  Fair to say we had a very close up view of the competitors!

We did a bit of fishing at Lake Cathie, didn't catch anything but was nice and relaxing to throw a line in!  We took a beautiful drive to lighthouse beach, which yes at the top is a lighthouse.  Stunning views!!

We checked out Port Macquarie and l was quite excited to find a Ghanda shop!  Yes of course we had to go in and purchase something!  Apparently it's only been open for 4 weeks!

It's been a lovely week here, although the weather hasn't been hot it's been great to chill it for a bit!

Tomorrow we leave Bonny Hills and head for South West Rocks, which is only a short trip!

Awesome water park at BIG 4 Bonny Hills

Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills

Bendemeer

30th April - 1st May 2014

We decided to stop at Bendemeer for one night as we are travelling through to Port Macquarie.  This is our first free camp tonight.  Actually it still cost $5.00 but practically free!  It was just a little spot off the highway that did provide a toilet but no light!

The camp was right on the river and provided some lovely views.  Best of all we could have a fire so the boys loved it!

Off to Port Macquarie tomorrow.

The beautiful river view

Josh and Ash by the fire

Dubbo

27th April - 30th April 2014

We have spent the last 3 nights in Dubbo.  One of our main reasons for stopping here was to visit the Western Plains Zoo.  We all had a great, but exhausting day visiting the zoo.  A big favourite of everyone's were the Meerkats.  We were lucky enough to see a baby Meerkat only 3 weeks old.  I've put in a picture of him since he was so very cute!  Second favourite were the Galapacas Island turtles.  The zoo had being trying to breed these turtles since the 80's with no success.  Only a year ago one of their female turtles gave birth to her first baby at age 90!  The zoo believe that the male turtles hadn't matured enough to impregnate the female until now, and they are aged 40!

We also visited the old Dubbo gaol, which was really interesting.  Josh freaked out a little in the solitary confinement cell though!

Back at the park we were asked if we could be extras for the Discover Downunder TV show.  Didn't really know what we got ourselves in for!  Tim Smith the host was advertising a new camping gadget, which is like a speaker for your iphone.  So we all had to dance to terrible country music for him!  Eek!!  Josh and Ash proved quite a hit with Tim as they danced like meerkats with him!  It was very amusing and they ended up winning the prize for best dancing!  They were stoked they got a cherry ripe and a soft drink!  Tim named them the meerkat twins!  For those that want to see us embarrass ourselves the show is airing on 5th July at 4.30pm on channel 9.

Today we leave Dubbo and head to Bendemeer (near Tamworth) for our first free camping experience!

Baby Meerkat

Josh and Ash with the turtle!

At the Gaol, which is right opposite Woolworths!

The Meerkat boys!