Woke Mel up early this morning with a surprise birthday cup cake and her birthday presents. (A pineapple in a steel colander filled with jelly beans ha ha). Happy Birthday! Had a hot shower at the truck stop -worst shower amenities ever- but the luxury of hot water made it all bearable! Went to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival about 64kms inland of Gympie. Nowhere in Australia can you visit a Pumpkin Festival such as this. The entire town was laden with Pumpkins an...

A big downpour started just as we left Rainbow Beach. We have been so lucky with the gorgeous sunny weather, it has been perfect all week. Drove to Gympie, such a terrible name; it's like calling someone a 'gymp' which is not flattering at all. But I guess it suits this town as their really is nothing special about it that I can pin point. They do have a steam train called 'The Valley Rattler' that goes through Mary Valley.... But once you've been on Puffing B...

Very early morning and a drive to Tin Can bay to feed the dolphins! Only one dolphin today and his name is Mystique. He turned up in the bay having been attacked by a shark and barely able to swim. The rangers stayed with him 24 hours a day for 7 days (they took shifts bathing water over him and feeding fish to get his strength back to survive). When we first saw him in the water he looked pretty battered and scarred with a very manky looking dorsal fin! Mysti...

Lit the fire this morning as the atmosphere around the camps is fantastic. Gorgeous sunny day, no wind and everyone smiling and happy! Took a stroll along the beach watching the fishermen and 4wd's on the beach while Mel cycled into Paradise Beach. So relaxed today not sure if I will be able to lead a normal life (work) ever again... Went for a ride to Bullock Point which had a boat ramp and guys on the boats selling Mud Crabs. Made a chicken pie with a chees...

Got up at 10am thanks to last nights party. Slowly made our way into town where we headed to Cooloola Blow. Walked through the rainforest and were surprised when we walked out on to a huge sand dune that is Cooloola Blow! Amazing scenes of the beach and the skies which are all different shades of Blue Green. This part of Rainbow beach is know for the 'colored sandstone rocks' which make the area 'Rainbow' colors. Made our way on to the beach to see if their we...