After concrete brisbane we went for the opposite and spent the first night here in 'bush camp'. Only about 6/7pound per person so nice and cheap. In log cabins, with log bunk beds, sinks we embeded in tree stumps, nice river passing by the camp literally 15/20 metres away, true skippy land! This was more of the place we had in mind when backpacking australia. Most people staying here were enroute in 3 day canoeing trips, where as we were just in the middle of nowhere because we're cheap :-)
Told it was fine to swim in the rivers, no crocs, but watch out for the stingrays on the river bed. A girl staying in the camp told us she had stepped out of her canoe and got stung by one, luckily the barb stayed on the ray, where as her friend before hand had the barb lodged in her leg and was taken to hospital - we didnt go swimming. Heavy rain at night time, frogs jumping around all over camp. Problem being some are poisonous and can kill, not the happy kind you have by a pond in England - doubt these were that kind either but ive got no idea which do what so tried not to step on any.
Next day stayed at a normal hostel in the town not the bush. This is the most expensive town on the east coast, house prices starting at $10m. Yes, we picked a stupidly expensive place to visit.
Headed to Austrailia zoo on a special bus which picked us up, watched episodes of crocodile hunter on the way. Zoo fun, hand fed more kangeroos and stroked koala, watched tigers etc and saw the infamous croc show in the 'crocoseum' stadium. On the way back the bus played a tribute to steve which was touching......still was bound to happen in the end. Giant billboards, posters, photos etc everywhere in the zoo, wont be forgotten there for years and years to come.
Last day we went to the beach, night-time had few drinks with people in our room - fun night.
Left and got bus upto hervey bay in morning.