Day 7 - Cinema and North Burleigh Head

Well the sun was shining again today and we all went to the Robina Shopping Centre - it is quite large - Sarah wanted to look for a couple of things, so Ian and Frank took the 3 kids to the Cinema - booster seats, popcorn and Ice Age 4 - what more could they want.

Immy and Ethan were still telling us all about the Outback Spectacular, they loved all the horse activity.

Sarah succeeded with her shopping, however the weather had changed a little, but we still decided to drive to Burleigh Head Beach with a packed lunch.

How's this for huge cuddle - a Labradoodle

and a gentle giant

We then walked down to the beach - love these multi rooted Pandanus Palms which line a lot of our beaches.

The kids took off onto the beach

Most of the beach was closed due to the high seas "scarping" the beach

but Ethan found the swimming flags.

 

They ran

and played

We the walked up to the Headland Park

The sky was really closing in now but the Board riders were still out there.

I just love Burleigh in any weather

Dan enjoyed his "swing" with a spectacular view

Then it was time to join the others

to go back to the cabin for a swim in the heated pool.

Day 6 - Pelicans and Outback Spectacular

Another beautiful day here on Tuesday - kids started with an early morning workout on the Broadwater inlet beach behind their cabin.

Great area for kids

Ethan hands some advice to Dan

understood and actioned.

We then take a longish walk along Broadwater's Inlet path

Pretty and peaceful

with a couple of playgrounds along the way.

Now to the banks of a pool in the Inlet

in time for the daily feeding of the Pelicans

and there is a huge fish and chip shop behind this deck

Little Dan eating his chips whilst watching the huge Pelicans

The feeding is about to start

Ethan has a go, and is successful - the 2 pelicans on the lower right have both caught Ethan's fish offering!

and Dan's fish (top right) is still in the air!

Back over to the little beach

Time to head back to the Cabin

Ethan is quite interested in watching this Jet ski being hooked up to tow away.

Frank and I used to walk this path every morning when we first moved here in 2009 - our van was parked in the same park as their cabin is.

Another stop at one of the playgrounds

Dan in his helicopter

Ethan loved this thing!

Back to the campground - Ethan is standing in front of the Coast Guard station beside the Park.

This night they all went to the fabulous "Outback Spectacular" Show - horses, dogs, bulls, whips and all kinds of other aussie things in this show - and their hats.

Ian told me the following morning "it was extroardinary" - and it is.

They brought back these great photos for us - after a super night.

Day 5 - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

On Monday we set off to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - this was opened in 1947 as a scheme to stop the local lorikeet population destroying his flower plantations.  The sanctuary now houses one of the largest collections of Australian native species in the world.

Our first stop was the Koalas

Then to a presentation on some of our wildlife

The Dingo - our native dog (or wolf) was first.

Followed by my most favourite species (good for shoes)

The kids didn't mind handling this non poisonous exhibit

a carpet python

Then they brought out a handsome little blonde possum

The park also contains a serious aspect of its work and exhibits, and behind the scenes includes a state-of-the-art veterinary and rehabilitation hospital where lots of sick and injured animals are brought every day.

We stopped to look at this absolutely huge

Wedgetail Eagle

Then en route to the Crocodile area

Ethan found his own native habitat species

A frilled lizard

Then we saw the largest Crocodile - his name is "Holy".

He is over 40 years old and about 5 metres long.

Ethan and Immy were quite excited to be able to hold a baby croc

it's little mouth was taped shut though.

It didn't phase the little man either

\

Next was a walk up to the Kangaroos

Ethan, Immy and I

spent ages up there

They both wandered very carefully through them

patting them when they felt happy to do so

Love this photo below

They were fascinated with some of the Mum's with the Joey's still in their pouch.

There were Emus wandering around us

Ah, a non native - a colourful Macaw from South America

We then went to a Flight Bird Show

A Barn Owl above and a Bunyip below

This miniature railway has been running here since 1964

Next stop was

Wild Island

another activity area for the kids

The flying fox

was the favourite

for the 3 of them

The sun was still shining

So Sarah, Ethan and I decided to wheel a sleeping Dan down to Currumbin Beach, the boys brought the cars - and Immy down.

We decided to go up to the Surf Club

for a drink

a glorious view over Currumbin Beach

and 3 huge helpings of cake

and milkshakes for the little ones

The kids were enthralled with the view from the balcony

Ah, and Ethan lost another tooth over the weekend.

Dan doing some "waiting" work

Downstairs for a late afternoon walk

along Currumbin Beach

At this stage Ian started to feel queezy - maybe big spoonfuls of each of those very rich cakes!

The kids didn't seem to be suffering though

having races along the beach.

The stroller stands guard over the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club at Elephants Rock

and we bid our farewell to go home and flop into our lounge chairs for the evening!