Australia, Part 2

Australian gum trees along Queensland coast highway

After a flight to Sydney, a flight to Cairns in northern Queensland, a rental car, and a GPS, 1750 km of Queensland coastline received "a good look".  Visits to Daintree rain forest, Daintree River Cruise, Port Douglas, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays Islands, Bundaburg Rum Distillery, Agnes Water, Seventeen Seventy, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Noosa, Great Australian Zoo, and Brisbane completed the two week life as an Aussie .  All points deserve closer description, but that results in a book.
     Accustomed to the frequent bursts of awe exploring New Zealand's magnificence,  Australian countryside seemed to extend through billions of gum trees.  Eucalyptus trees.  Everywhere.

Airlie Beach area

The drive seemed similar to the Western USA with the beauty noted within slight deviations of uniformity.
And then arrival to some place like Airlie Beach.  Eucalyptus trees accentuate these views simply by not being there.  Traveling down the coast involves interruptions of splendor.

Whitsundays

 Splendor at Whitsundays Islands.

Returning after whale watching

 Splendor at an evening ride from Airlie Beach.

The Tail of a Whale

Hervey Bay.  A whale resort stop for whales on their way to warm waters, a little rest and relax, and attempts to fulfill nature's callings.  Frolicking in the coastal waters along the Australian shores, the whales generate another tourist industry.

Friend from the deep

This guy (girl?) provided considerable interaction with the boat.  She dove underneath, lifted her head to examine the passengers, performed headstands and somersaults.  She understood her role in the entertainment business.  Multiple excursions occur daily in search of the whale watching phenomena.

Back on the road

Bundaburg Rum Distillery

 Bundaberg, Queensland in the midst of sugar cane fields found a means to use the sugar by-products.  Rum.  An afternoon tour of the distillery also provided an opportunity for carry-outs.

Steve Irvin's Australian Zoo

Further down the road the doctor and blonde woman located another nugget.  The Great Australian Zoo, founded and managed by Steve Irwin and his family, displays the country's array of storybook life forms.  Crocodiles star in many of the Zoo's attractions.  After nearly completing the length of Queensland, a live kangaroo escaped the diligent eyes.  The Zoo, of course, allowed the kangaroo experience, somewhat less realistic, but closer than expected.

Wombat looking for a nap

The blonde woman momentarily disappeared.  No where to be found.  The doctor frantically ransacked the grounds.  She found a few liked minded girls to rub ears and share stories.

Found by Roo

Looking for the lost blonde woman

Emu looking for a friend

Sometimes one just needs some company.
This Emu did not wish the visitors to leave
as she followed along the path.  Lonely.

From the Zoo, the travel path continued on down to the final destination of Brisbane.  A lovely city by the Queensland coast in the southern part of the province.  Architecturally vibrant and a fitting location to complete the Australian excursion.  A Cirque show, the Botanical gardens, the river tour, outdoor music options, early spring flowers, and, once again, tasting delights maintained the educational pace.  Brisbane transformed into an international city over the past thirty years from what local historians termed a cow town.  A young Chinese woman explained that she worked in a graphics design firm, hoping to stay in Brisbane for the near future, as she directed the older couple through the city streets.  The couple explained to her that they have two eligible sons.

Brisbane River front

Portions of Brisbane city center from the bridge

Brisbane City walkways

Botanical garden

Willa Jane flower

Under the tree of wisdom

Loitering through the streets, gardens, and walkways of Brisbane brings more smiles, and more ah's.  Both Cheryl and Tom spent as much time as possible under the tree of wisdom.













The Australian voyage came to a close for the doctor and blonde woman under the equator.  They returned to New Zealand to complete the peek.  Australia needs further evaluation.  One could easily stay years.  World visitors and local Aussies amplified the wonders.

Love you, Willa

Love you, Family

Love you, Blonde Woman.  35 years of exploring life!