Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast (12/3/12 - 16/3/12)

From Brisbane we headed 103kms north to Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.  We stayed at a caravan park in Cotton Tree, which was right on the Maroochydore River and the beach.  Beautiful, quiet spot between Mooloolaba and Marocchydore.  We had beautiful weather for the first two days, but heavy rain the next two.

We visited Buderim, a town 10kms inland from Maroochydore that had great views back to the coast.  We went to Serenity Waterfall at Buderim National Park.  A nice walk down into a beautiful waterfall.  Just lovely.

On Thursday (15th) it was Ben's 5th birthday.  We spent the day at Australia Zoo, about 30kms away.  We had rain most of the day which was a little disappointing, but we still got to see most things.  We looked very stylish in our Australia Zoo ponchos!

As it was Ben's birthday he got a special birthday badge, free photo (of he and Chloe patting an alligator!) and birthday wishes at the show at the Crocosseum.  Lucky boy!  Australia Zoo is a beautiful zoo.  It is very well maintained and has so many staff about.  We saw alligators, crocodiles, dingoes, koalas, otters, tasmanian devils, wombats, cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, birds, lizards, elephants and many more animals.  The kids patted a koala named Edna - her fur was so soft.  We went for a ride on the "African Safari bus".  Unfortunately we didn't get to feed the elephants (it was so wet) but we did get to see them have a shower.  Steve Irwin is still very much a part of the zoo and it is very sad that he is no longer around.  He was such a great ambassador for animal rights and a wonderful conservationist.  The kids didn't get to see Bindi or Bob, but they were OK with that as they know the kids have to go to school too.

We finished the day off with dinner at the place of Ben's choice.  Unfortunately he chose McDonalds!  The kids loved it and the adults tolerated it (just).  Then birthday cake for dessert.

Whilst in Maroochydore we caught up with Tony and Kathy, who we had met in Sydney.  They live in Mooloolaba.  Was lovely to catch up again and we look forward to seeing Tony and Kathy in 2014 when they plan to visit Albany.

The kids had great fun playing on the river bank and at the beach, making some fantastic sandcastles.

The forecast for the next week along the Queensland coast is rain, rain, storms and more rain!!  Aaaahh!

Next stop Noosa (we think).

Serenity Falls

Bob, Steve & Bindi Irwin with Chloe & Ben - Mooloolaba

Australia Zoo - the birthday boy makes a new friend

Chloe & Ben meet a 3year old alligator

Chloe, Ben & Donna with the Irwins

Beautiful old tortoise

The bird show

The cheeky bird taking the lady's money (he did bring it back)

Shower time

1 of the zoo's two female cheetahs

Finally we get to see a wombat without having to look through glass!

Putting on a show for us

Chloe and Edna

Beautiful baby boy

Looking stylish in our ponchos!