From the beach to the bush and homeward bound...

Amazing how time flies.
As we settle into the camper trailer for the last night of our trip ...at Skennars Beach near Ballina... we can't believe it has been seven weeks and 11,000 kilometres since we left home at the end of June.
We have seen some amazing sights, had some great experiences, met many new camping friends, and it has firmed our resolve to make getting away in our camper trailer a regular event.
So the last few days...
Monday morning we packed up and bid a sad farewell to Airlie Beach. We just love that place and will be back there as soon as possible.

Airlie Beach

Coincidentally as we drove out and took one last look at the marina...my next book...Dangerous Desire...which begins at that very marina went live on Amazon! Hopefully an omen for great sales.
A long, long trip down the Bruce Highway through unending roadworks for seven hundred ks until we reached Lake Monduran near Gin Gin just before dark. Definitely requires another and longer stay than one night for some serious barramundi fishing. The only downside is the midges. We survived the Northern Territory, but now we are covered in bites.

Morning at Lake Monduran

We had to wait around the next morning for the damp trailer to dry out before pack up, and went for a walk along the dam wall and to the lookout, and spotted a platypus.

Lake Monduran

 Only the second platypus we have ever seen in the wild.

Spot the platypus

Back on the road and a quick visit into Maryborough to visit my cousin, Janice and her husband, Ian. We were very envious to hear about their planned trip to the UK and Europe. A bit far for the camper trailer!
A late lunch in Gympie and some more wildlife. A pair of swans and their cygnets entertained us as we sat on the grass and had a lunch break.

Down to Bribie Island to meet and spend a great night (with dinner at the Woorim Surf Club) with my writing partner for an upcoming series, Sally Rigby (Sara Hantz) and her husband Gary. We became known as #8 rather than the Smiths!

Sally and me...#1 and #5

 We stayed in one of their lovely apartments and can recommend On the Beach at Woorim...if you are looking for a relaxing location for a holiday.

Woorim Beach

An early start today, down through Brisbane and a quick visit to Uncle Tom and Narelle, the parents of my cousin, Michelle who sadly passed away in May. It was lovely to catch up and Tom gave me an orchid to plant in the garden at home.

Nothing like family!

So our final set up tonight. Back in New South Wales, a cold north easterly is blowing off the ocean and we are reluctant to step outside to the kitchen to cook dinner.
Home tomorrow to meet our house sitters, Katy and Jason, see family, distribute presents and greet Bob Dog and the cats.
Till next trip... which will be soon...stay posted!
And thanks for following our first adventure. We hope you have enjoyed our outback blog.