Brisbane and Mount Tamborine

Greg has a friend from uni living in Brisbane who kindly let us stay in his backyard, under the large mango tree with a vocal bat population. Alex and his wife Cath have three beautiful children: Jack, 4, Lachlan, 2 and three month old Elizabeth. Our kids were very happy to have a house to play in, including lots of lego and Thomas trains, plus a backyard full of really cool toys, and three new friends to play with.


While in Brisbane we caught a train into South Bank and visited the science centre and museum- free with our Powerhouse membership. There were some fun activities on due to the school holidays up there. After that we took a ferry to New Farm Park which had an excellent playground.

We have become playground junkies and love checking out different equipment. Queensland has much more exciting play grounds compared to NSW. The ferry made me only moderately nauseous which was a happy outcome.

On our second day we went to the much anticipated Dreamworld, which seemed the best option out of the theme parks for a boy who still couldn't get his dressing wet.

Archie surprised us by going on not only the Wiggles Big Red Car but also the Mick Doohan motorbike roller coaster. Sadly Greg was too tall to go on, but when I managed to glance at Archie during the ride he had his eyes wide open and was shouting 'this is cool!'

Greg and Darcy braved the 'Wipeout' ride while Arch and Jess loved the 'Dorothy's Teacups' ride. We all went on the log ride, although Jess became so terrified in the middle of the ride that she climbed over her seat and onto my lap, which made for a scary descent into the splash pool. It was a super day and one I think we'll remember for a long time.

After leaving Brisbane we stayed in Mount Tamborine for a couple of days. It was peaceful with a creek to paddle in, but still no swimming. We all enjoyed looking at the craft etc shops. Jess and I especially liked the fairy shops. Most of the shopkeepers looked a little distressed to see four kids coming in so we divided up to minimise their anxiety. I resisted the urge to buy more German music in the German clock shop- the rest of the family sadly just doesn't seem that enthusiastic about it.