Resort on the river

Sometimes getting away is easier without hours in the car and this was one of those times! I needed to stay close to home to help with arrangements for my Dad's 'celebration of life' gathering, but both of us needed a break from the emotional week past. That's where Maroochy Palms came in.

Situated right on Bradman Avenue in Maroochydore, directly opposite the boat ramp, this is convienence in extreme. Not only could we wheel kayaks across the road, but the caravan park itself is one of those places you really don't need to leave. More like a resort than a campsite it includes crazy golf (with only a deposit for the clubs), kids movies at no charge, a jumping pillow, gym, fully enclosed playground, pool with a waterfall and a duck pond complete with baby ducks. All that for around $50 per night for a powered site for a small family.

Arrangements made and plenty of relaxing time later, Amber and I travelled slightly farther afield to one of our favourites: Thunderbird Park on the Gold Coast hinterland. www.thunderbird.com


This is a full on holiday destination of another sort. Rather than the usual resort type activities, it's an adventurers paradise with horse riding on well mannered horses, high ropes adventures and a thunder egg mine. (Grab your copy of Kids Welcome to Queensland to read more about that!).

We set up tent in a lovely quiet spot high on the hill and gathered fire wood so we could have the obligatory marshmallows, then walked to the swimming hole for a dip in the hot summer heat. Not generally a worry wart, I found myself tense watching kids leap from the rocks. Probably because I remember a kid dying that way in Airlie Beach after the rains had shifted rocks on the bottom...

My brother Nick and wife Lorna joined us there for a night which was lovely and gave Amber the chance to boast her courage on the high ropes course that morning! She did exceptionally well! Unfortunately the Adventure Parc has discontinued the Sensations Course which was great for little ones, but now she is tall enough for the high ropes, it wasn't missed.

Lorna and her girls took a lovely hour-long trek on horse back which stretched their abilities with constant ups and downs. They loved it!