On the way home

The family are extremely sad as we are in the car and heading to our home sweet home. All the good, bad and funny memories we had will always stay with us forever and on. Over all we had an astonishing time and enjoyed all the unique towns and beaches that we came across, and all the long and short journeys travelling in the terracan were great and at times boring. This was one trip to remember.

Sydney / Bondi beach

Left Shoal Bay nice and early to try and beat Dad's worst nightmare, traffic. Once we crossed the Sydney Harbour bridge to Dads horror we went straight into the big city centre instead of the freeway. Tragedy, in the biggest city in the country with a caravan on the back. With Dad swearing and cursing we finally made it out of the busy city and back on track. The day we went to Sydney we went to the Harbour bridge, the Opera house, the entrance to the harbour, the city and swam at Bondi beach. Bondi, I thought had a very eccentric culture and socially had surf groups, swimming groups and surf lessons. Economically parking was an absolute fortune and the beach is home to the T.V show Bondi Rescue. Later on after the eventful day we had some hot Thai for dinner.

Shoal Bay

Shoal bay is a tiny little town placed right over the bay and looks over the turquoise water. Looking from a social view I didn't notice anything but economically there was shops and accommodation all along the Main street, Culturally half the restaurants were Italian pizza places.

We didn't do very much as we stayed over night, so we had a look in town played some tennis and had pizza for tea.

Forster

Arrived at the stunning town of Forster which overlooks the lake and the ocean. In the evening we went a lookout. Dad spotted big shadows about 50 m from where we were standing.

A couple of minutes later whales were jumping and splashing with the dolphins. All up there were 5 older whales and a baby whale.

The walk continued down to one mile beach where there was some sand dunes. I lost my phone but after a long search I found it under some sand.

The next day we hired a boat and went out on the lake fishing. Josh caught 6 Flathead and a snapper, Dad caught 2 bream, Flathead, eel and a colourful wrasse.

I caught 7 Flathead and a bream. Just as we were about to go back 5 dolphins were swimming next to our boat and like Fraser island Mums camera went flat.

Socially lots of whale watching tours, Culturally lots of Asian restaurants.

Economically the town was very build up having massive high rises everywhere.

Port Macquarie

We walked into town to get some bait and some seafood for dinner.

We threw our lines off the rocks at the front of our caravan park.

We only caught 2 little Flathead and a bream.

At the BBQ Culturally we met some Germans who were socially backpackers.

In the town there were big high rise apartments for accommodation

Yamba

Economically huge for its shops and accommodation, and is also voted Australia's number 1 best town. Surprisingly from a social and cultural prospective no backpacker or tourists from other country unusually for pretty much the first time this trip, and no tours other then fishing charters.

Arrived at the stunning caravan park ( that was on the T.V show Get Away) at about 4, and quickly got to the pool after setting up.Later on the kids (Eb, Josh, Harry, Brandon and I) went up to the T.V room to watch the Bourne Ultimatum.

Harry called Josh a filthy Ranga and Josh hit him. Harry then threw a chair at a Josh and they started fighting, due to the fact that Harry is smaller then me Josh won.

The next day the sun was out so we went down to the magnificent, amazing, excellent, beautiful and astonishing Turner's beach.

We did some boogie boarding until lunch, being hungry we went into town and got a meat pie.

Afterwards we went to a big surf beach (not as good as Turner's) and went boogie boarding, at 4 we went back to the caravan for a fish.

Lots of bites a dart, bream and Josh foul hooked a massive sting ray. Being hooked at the barb we had to cut the line.

Yamba was awesome.

Gold Coast

On the way to the roaring city of the Gold Coast we stopped at some truly magnificent places.

The spots, in a region known as the sunshine coast included Maroochydore, Coolum, Noosa and many others.

We arrived soon after at our Grandma's empty house in the quiet suburb of Coombabah which is only 5 minutes from the city centre and overlooks a river.

Most of the family were very happy to be sleeping in beds after a long month of sleeping in the van.

We made ourselves at home in next to no time and had tea.

The next day we went into surfers paradise and by accident drove onto the indi 600 track the day before the big race, it didn't seem to bother anyone though.

The next day we went into White Water World at 10 o'clock in the morning. Harry (from up the street travelling with us) and I ran up the huge flights of stairs to go on the green room and the coaster which were both raft rides.

My favourite ride and the scariest was the wedgie, where you stand straight up on a platform, the platform gives way and you rocket straight down an enclosed water slide which is travelling at an extremely fast pace.

Economically White Water World was a huge cost, but is now earning thousands of dollars a day as thousands of people flock to this wonderful kids heaven.

Socially lots of school excursion, groups and birthday parties use White Water World as an enjoyable place.

Culturally lot of tourists once again.