Due to the flooding in Queensland (read previous post) we have decided to embark on local day trips with all our free time. Today we went to the Royal National Park. It is Australia first National Park and second in the world (Yellowstone in the USA being the first).
This was our first time here and personally I liked it better than the blue mountains. It was beautiful! In addition, it is a shorter distance to drive (45 mins compared to 90 mins) but in a different direction from the blue mountains (south). Due to the kids, we kept the hiking to a minimum and still the park greatly exceeded our expectations. Here are a few pictures of what we found.
First, after a short hike through rain forest to a beautiful lookout, we drove to a fresh water lagoon with a waterfall. It was right by the ocean and the only thing separating the lagoon from the ocean was a small sand bar.
To the beach!
Almost there...see the sandbar?
My boys...too cute!
Crossing the sand bar
Thomas who still can't smile for the camera
Mary was quite adventurous jumping off the rocks!
The water was actually blue, but it looks yellow in this shallow area due to the sand and no blue sky!
Olivia saw quite a few fish with her new snorkel set from Christmas
Stan and Miss Mary
I am kicking my self for not getting a group shot under the waterfall so the picture below is off the internet :-( but that is what it looked like!
We were swimming away from the falls and closer to the sea, it is kind of deep by the waterfall!
It was about to rain but the sand was warm so I had the kids bury me
After finding the lagoon we drove around to some beautiful look outs!
and did a few quick hikes with the kids
When Stan left PwC his team bought him an Akubra hat as a parting gift. They are authentic Australian (the word derives from the aborigines) and over time the inside of the hat molds to the shape of the wearers head. Different from a cow boy hat (as the front tips more down) but similar idea; usually people in the bush wear them to protect themselves from the sun. I guess that makes Stan a little closer to being Aussie?
4 comments:
What a gorgeous country you now are living in, and it is great you explore. The pictures are simply beautiful, but you guys are even more so. Boy, wish we were there to give you all big hugs.
jealous of the hat
I love how you had the kids bury you. I take it you guys are fine, even with all the rain and flooding?
I'm so glad you have enjoyed Stan's time off - looks like gorgeous weather! Awesome jellyfish! Can I be a member of your once-around-the-boat club?! Love you!
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