Journey

We were supposed to spend Christmas 2019 with Auntie Teri (Sean’s sister) and Uncle Graham on the Gold Coast, Australia.  Rory had been in remission for nine years, Colt would be old enough to remember (9) and we were back on our feet.  We saved for a family holiday as we tracked the decline in Rory’s mobility.  We wanted to go while Rory was still able to participate in the activities we would enjoy.  The flights and hire car were booked and we were counting down the weeks.  Then in September, out of the blue, Rory was diagnosed with cancer for a second time.  Our lives, and our trip, fell apart.  Luckily we had travel insurance, and it was just prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, so we were able to recover most of the cost.  The money was used to help keep us afloat during the nine months of Rory’s treatment and nine months of recovery.  We intended to try again when we were able.  By mid-2023 Rory had been in remission for three years, Colt was 12 and we had found our feet again.  We decided it was worth a second try.  On Monday 30^th October we flew to the Gold Coast for a fantastic 11 days together. 

Thank you to Auntie Teri and Uncle Graham for providing us with a home away from home; great conversation, fantastic meals, helping with the washing, introducing us to the biodiversity in your backyard and a visit with Uncle Graham to see where he designs and builds motor super yachts.  We made the most of every day, heading out at 7.30am and squeezing in as much as we could into 9-10 hours.  Rory did amazingly well, coping with the change in time zone, unfamiliar surroundings, increased pace and the heat.  Sean and I took turns to push, pull, carry, prop and support him.  He was exhausted at the end of every day but remained well.  We have made a mountain of memories with some stand out moments;

A sweltering 31^oC day at Dreamworld where it was relatively quiet so we could ride all the rides we wanted (even Rory), many twice, with minimal queues.  The Lego store was a treat for Rory. 

Byron Bay – A walk to the lighthouse, the eastern most point of Australia, and a lookout point beside Little Wategos Beach.  We explored Tallow beach with its white squeaky sand covered with round clear disc-like jellfish, and met photographer Kim Carrey www.kimcareyimages.com capturing images of the Eastern osprey which flew close overhead.  We accidentally wandered through to the nudist beach at Broken Head Nature reserve where a man wandered the tide line metal detecting!

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – We arrived before opening to feed honey water from plates to the Rainbow lorikeets for their breakfast.  The boys each held a Stimson’s python and we enjoyed the Wild Skies free flight bird show. 

Burleigh Head – On a clear day we walked the stunning Ocean view track and swam in Tallebudgera Creek.  At the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre we were treated to a traditional song and dance using boomerangs and the didgeridoo. 

Surfers Paradise –Following a swim in the dumpy waves at the main beach we walked out along the seaway promenade at the Spit, the northern-most section of the Gold Coast stretch of beaches with expansive views up and down the coast. 

Springbrook National Park – The view as we drove up the Numinbah valley was like a water colour painting of Australia.  We walked the Natural Bridge Loop which leads to a cave where a waterfall plunges through a hole in the roof.  Twisted strangler figs, Giant hoop pines, and Blue Quandongs line the track.  Sean got 2 leeches on his leg!  The path to the Best of All Lookout (which ironically was clouded in) was dwarfed by Antarctic beech trees, a Gondwana relict of the rainforests of the southern hemisphere.  There was no shortage of waterfalls to admire. 

Mt Tamborine – We walked through the upper canopy of the rainforest in the rain along steel bridges 30m up followed by lunch at Eagle Heights with Teri and Graham and Great Uncle Harry (Grandad Gardiner’s brother)and his wife Sharon who live outside of Brisbane. 

We took a sort break for three days and drove north to Noosa, glamping for two nights at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp https://habitatnoosa.com.au/glamping/  Kangaroo were content to graze around the tents, some with a joey in the pouch.  We took a short walk through giant eucalyptus, paperbark trees and pandanus palms to Mill Point.  With many scantily clad Australians we walked around the Noosa National Park Headland.  We were lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins and a sea turtle.  Following a swim at the main beach we visited Pottery for the Planet, who make handmade ceramics which promote the reusable culture in Australia.  The afternoon was spent on a cruise https://evergladesecosafaris.com.au/ up the southern end of the Noosa Everglades, one of only two everglades ecosystems on the planet.  The waterway is known as the River of mirrors due to the amazing reflections in the water.  The water is clear but tan coloured from tea tree which line the banks.  We were lucky to see a koala in the wild up a nearby tree. 

Glass House Mountains – at the lookout we got a beautiful view of the six mountains and learnt about the Aboriginal legends.  The track is lined with Scribbler gums with markings on the trunk from scribbler caterpillars. 

Eumundi market – with its impressive array of delicious food, didgeridoo and drum musicians, and Australian gifts to take home.   

At the end of the 11 days we were not ready to leave.  We had fallen in love with Australia, particularly its wild places and myriad of flora and fauna; Kookaburra, Cockatoos, Brush turkeys, Pied butcherbirds, Rainbow Lorikeet, Magpie lark, Eastern curlew, Currawong, White Ibis (Bin chickens), Kangaroo, Wallaby, Green tree frog, Water dragon, Loggerhead turtles and Huntsman spiders.  There is still so much more to discover, see and do.  We hope it won’t be our only visit.