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As much as we like Brisbane we decided that we wanted to get out and explore the Sunshine Coast, just north of the city, so we hired a car (another Hyundai Getz, which I had always laughed at, but is actually a great little car) and went for a cruise.
Unfortunately we spent the first morning of our road trip in a traffic jam, which wasn't really the best start, but once that cleared we were on our way to beautiful white beaches, blue skies and turquoise waters. Although we were still over 1,000kms south of Cairns the similarities were there, only without the stinger nets, which was good, as I'm not a big fan of jellyfish!
We had planned to sleep in the car on the trip (it's actually very comfortable), however after getting eaten alive on the first night I changed my mind! I woke up with nine sandfly bites on my arms and legs, I'd never been bitten by one of those before, and apparently I am mildly allergic to them! The bites came up in huge lumps, with a red patch measuring about an inch in diameter spreading out from each of them. Very attractive! After that we spent the nights in cabins
We didn't really do that much on the trip, apart from sit on the beach and swim in the sea, but one thing we did do was visit the Bundaberg (rum) distillery. They do a really good tour, informative and fun, and at the end you get to sample the product. They actually make several drinks - a few varients of rum, but also a rum liqueur (very tasty when mixed with cream), and some pre-mixed drinks - rum & cola (which you can now buy in draft form) and rum & dry with lime, both of which were very tasty.
During the tour they tell you all about how the distillery burnt to the ground in 1936, which was quite an interesting story. At the end of our tour, just as we were watching the bottling process, the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building! Didn't see any fires but we did see lots of firemen.... Eventually we were allowed back in the building and we got to the bar.
By far the highlight of our road trip though was the trip to Dreamworld, which is a huge theme park just south of Brisbane. We went on Australia Day, which we thought was either going to be a really good idea (because it's the last weekend before the end of the school holidays so everyone has gone home, and also because everyone will be celebrating at home with a bbq), or a really bad idea (because it's still the school holidays and also it's a public holiday). As it turned out it was a great idea and the place was actually pretty quiet.
This place is amazing! Check out their website at www.dreamworld.com.au (go to 'Rides', then 'Big 5 Thrill Rides'). We decided to start off gently by going on the Rapids (basically a big tyre that floats along a not-very-rough river), but then hit the big time, on The Great Drop. You sit in a row of about 8 people, and the ride takes you up a very high tower (some awesome views of the area from the top), holds you there for a few seconds (to allow you to relax) before dropping you all the way back down again - you reach 123kph in 3 seconds! I loved it but I screamed like I have never done before (didn't even know I could scream that loud!)
Another awesome ride is The Tower of Terror. In this one you sit in a car with 14 other people, and it shoots you out of a tunnel, along a rail, and up the tower (it's on the side of the Great Drop). It actually projects you to 160kph in 7 seconds! I have to admit I shut my eyes for most of this one! I also did something I would never normally do, and bought the photo, but only because the look of complete terror on my face is priceless!
Other memorable rides are The Claw (see photo), and The Wipeout, which spins you around and hangs you upside down over water.
A memorable day and we would definately go back there (tomorrow, if it wasn't $60 to get in!).
We are now back in Brisbane, at a different, much nicer, hostel. We're just chilling out (well, warming up) for a few days, before we leave for Canada on Friday. We met a Canadian guy at the other backpackers, and he said they are having their worst winter in years, even Vancouver has deep snow, and they have had 140kph winds! Going to be a bit of a shock to the system after all this heat.......
previous travel blog entry
Anne and Tony says:
Sounds great, even if terrifying. Hope you received our last e-mail, and one from Grandpa. We are all pleased with your news and enjoy reading all the blogs and seeing the photos. love from us all. Anne and Tony