In Canada we call them snowbirds, in Australia we call them grey nomads. After a few years of spending their winters in Mexico, my parents decided to brave the long flight and live as grey nomads on this side of the world for a little while. I was so excited for them to come and experience what a life is like here. And it was so wonderful to see them and give them both a hug after nearly 14 months!
We spent the first day or so just catching up and relaxing by the pool. Although they were missing their friends in Mexico, I think we made them feel right at home with the sunshine and tropical surroundings. We then started introducing them to all the great things we have to do around here starting with Australia Day celebrations. We started with some drinks at an outdoor patio …
…and then headed to the sailing club for dinner. Mom even decided to try oysters for the first time…
We tried to make it up to her with a fabulous fireworks display on the beach…
And no trip to Yeppoon is complete without a visit to Cooberrie Wildlife Sanctuary. Especially when you love animals as much as my mom does.
After a few days, I had to go back to work, but Rob continued the touring with a hike up Kemp Hill to Turtle Lookout, a visit to the Caves, and of course a tour of the university.
We then set off on a little adventure, taking a few days to drive the 7.5 hours to Brisbane. The first stop was a drive through Agnes Water and lunch in the town of 1770, famous for being the second landing in Australia by James Cook.
After lunch, we made our way to Bargara with a quick stop at Bundaberg Rum of course.
Before dinner, we went for a nice long walk on the beach
And were fortunate enough to see this huge clutch of turtles hatch.
And here they are making their way to the water…
Aren’t they the most amazing little things?!
Bargara is a wonderful little town right on the beach so of course I made sure to enjoy the peaceful setting with a run while everyone else was still asleep.
I made the run count with a fabulous breakfast at the Windmill restaurant. Seemed fitting for mom and dad!
After leaving Bargara, we made a quick stop in Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is particularly popular in our winter months (beginning in July) because of all the whales that travel through there so we are definitely planning to make a trip back down there.
Since we couldn’t see whales, we opted for dolphins in Tin Can Bay. In this small little town near Rainbow Beach, there is a small pod of about six dolphins who come into this bay nearly daily. To make sure the dolphins weren’t being fed the wrong kind of food or too much food, a group of volunteers started an official feeding program (which is now supported by the Australian government). Every morning, the volunteers share general information about the dolphins and also the backstory of each of the dolphins that come in to visit them daily. It’s amazing that these wild mammals have established a routine that gives them daily interaction with people.
After feeding the dolphins, we drove a little way further to Noosa Heads, one of the most popular destinations on the sunshine coast of Queensland. We weren’t planning an overnight in Noosa but did pull over to see one of the many white sand beaches. The sun and sand were so bright, it was hard to get a good picture but it was a gorgeous spot. The number and expanse of the beaches here in Australia still amazes me.
We left Noosa to spend the night in a town called Maroochydore, another town right on the beach.
After an evening of drinks and great food, we got up to spend the day at the Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
I feel like we’ve visited more zoos since coming to Australia than all the years before that put together! But this Zoo was worth the visit. It is absolutely pristine! Every animal looked in top condition and the grounds were spotless.
Staff were even raking the grass in the Africa area among the rhinos, giraffes and zebras.
And of course, no Africa section is complete without Meerkats. They are seriously the funniest little creatures to watch!
We left the Zoo to head to our last stop…Brisbane. We knew mom and dad were planning to spend a few nights here before heading back to Canada, so just spent the one evening here, but we enjoyed a lovely dinner along the canal in Southbank. A perfect way to end our road trip.
As Rob and I started our 7.5 hour drive home the next morning, mom and dad boarded a plane for New Zealand to begin yet another adventure. They are certainly making the most of their time on this side of the world. I’m so excited they’ve had the opportunity to see so many different places and things! They will be on their way back to Australia shortly and will see a few places we haven’t even made it to yet. I can’t wait to hear more about their adventures when they come back here for a few days at the end of March.
Wonderful blog about our time together Barb! We really loved spending all that time with you and sharing such a great adventure! Can’t wait you guys again at the end of Mar h! Have fun in Canada and don’t forget your long johns!
This is something that fascinates me about travelling: how truly connected people and places are. You mention James Cook in one of your writings. I was born just a few miles away from where James Cook was born. We both climbed Roseberry Topping many times, obviously not together! There is a monument at the top of Roseberry Topping (known by the locals as Raspberry Top) in his honour. Cook’s voyages, particularly those to Australia were required learning for me (and no doubt my Dad too) in history class. My cousin and her husband, both Drs. work at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Botany Bay is forever etched in my memory! I should go there sometime… We found the place in Hawaii where he was killed and saw a monument erected in his honour there, even though it would seem that the Hawaiians we’re much fans of him.
You’re right Barb, one can never see too many koalas, or meerkats for that matter. I’m pretty sure Hanna, our grey cat, thinks she is one.
I guess I should have known you would have had to learn about James Cook in school Janet. I’m still learning all the history and information about Australia and I’m enjoying the experience. The connections to other places and people is truly fascinating especially now that things are so accessible. Maybe one day I’ll get to experience Roseberry Topping. So looking forward to seeing you this week (and Hanna if she’ll venture out and say hello!).