Sunday, September 25, 2016

The Blue Mountains

I'm sad it has taken us this long to visit the Blue Mountains, since they are only 1 1/2 hours from us.  We really loved visiting them and the surrounding towns.  They are called the Blue Mountains because of the abundance of Eucalyptus trees emit an oil into the air combined with dust particles and water vapour that create a distinct blue haze you can see from a distance.  (Thank you for the info Carolyn!)  They are truly magnificent.  We spent the day at Scenic World thanks to some awesome friends hooking us up and really enjoyed it.  They have a Scenic Skyway, Cableway, and Railway that the kids really enjoyed and all gave some different but gorgeous views. 
I feel like this picture in the distance you can see the blue haze mentioned above.  They are definitely not like the mountains we are used to at home but have their own unique beauty.  The rainforest canopy is amazing to me in itself.  The bush is so dense it looks like a giant green blanket. 
Nelson Crew

Katoomba falls what looks like the base but is actually the top.


Love these peeps of mine!
Three Sisters 

Katoomba Falls from the Skyway at Scenic World
Orphan Rock.  You used to be able to climb to the top but it started deteriorating and is no longer safe. 
Steepest passenger railway in the world through the rainforest.  I felt like I was on a Jurassic Park ride!

Another view of the 3 Sisters. 

And another...

Our spot for lunch was also pretty stunning! 

Cant wait to come back!

The Blue Mountains

I'm sad it has taken us this long to visit the Blue Mountains, since they are only 1 1/2 hours from us.  We really loved visiting them and the surrounding towns.  They are called the Blue Mountains because of the abundance of Eucalyptus trees emit an oil into the air combined with dust particles and water vapour that create a distinct blue haze you can see from a distance.  (Thank you for the info Carolyn!)  They are truly magnificent.  We spent the day at Scenic World thanks to some awesome friends hooking us up and really enjoyed it.  They have a Scenic Skyway, Cableway, and Railway that the kids really enjoyed and all gave some different but gorgeous views. 
I feel like this picture in the distance you can see the blue haze mentioned above.  They are definitely not like the mountains we are used to at home but have their own unique beauty.  The rainforest canopy is amazing to me in itself.  The bush is so dense it looks like a giant green blanket. 
Nelson Crew

Katoomba falls what looks like the base but is actually the top.


Love these peeps of mine!
Three Sisters 

Katoomba Falls from the Skyway at Scenic World
Orphan Rock.  You used to be able to climb to the top but it started deteriorating and is no longer safe. 
Steepest passenger railway in the world through the rainforest.  I felt like I was on a Jurassic Park ride!

Another view of the 3 Sisters. 

And another...

Our spot for lunch was also pretty stunning! 

Cant wait to come back!

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Moreton Island/ Tangalooma



Our first trip to Moreton Island was a spur of the moment day trip in April 2016.  We drove up from Gold Coast and caught a tour leaving from Brisbane.  It's a little over an hour ferry ride there, where we snorkelled, had lunch swam in the gorgeous clear water and sadly returned.  I was in love and couldn't wait to go back for a longer stay.  
Moreton Island is the 3rd largest sand island in the world and teaming with aquatic wildlife.  






Sea Stars on the sand bar.



Our second trip to Moreton was during Australian winter the end of July into August. It was still amazing, the water was a little colder but we still had so much fun.
The Villas we stayed in at Tangalooma Island Resort.  They had a beautiful view of the beach and Ocean and you could walk right out and be at the beach.  
View from our room.



Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks.  The wrecks are made of 15 ships that were intentionally sunk in 1952.  There original purpose was to make a safe place for anchorage for recreational boats.  They have become an artificial reef abundant with wild life.  






We also enjoyed Kayaking the wrecks and Paddle Boarding.  There is a Sand bar behind the wrecks that stretches down to the resort.  It is a great place to spot Sea Turtles, Rays, and Dugongs. 


Sting Ray my mom caught a pic of as it was passing by.

The Sand Bar is also littered with Star fish!  I wish I would have got a better picture but they are everywhere. 

Some Sea Stars that have died and washed up on shore.  They are white here but when they are alive in the water they have a variety of colors. 
Moreton Island is known for their Sunsets which I thought was strange because how can you have an amazing sunset every night?  Little did I know, every single night we had a breath taking sunset! 1st night.


Every evening a pod of 12 wild dolphins swim in to get a fishy snack.  We were able to each feed a dolphin a fish and pretend they swam in just to see us!  There were also two adorable playful babies but they don't allow anyone to feed dolphins under 2 years old so they don't interfere with their nursing.  
Kookaburras also fly in every evening for a snack from the resort.  The enjoy everyone taking their pictures and telling them how beautiful they are.
Then they fly up to higher ground to remind everyone that they are superior and we are lucky to be in their presence. 


Whale watching season was in full force and really incredible.  We saw over 10 whales including a Mum and her calf and barely reached the outskirts of the island. 
Sunset #2

Tangalooma Wrecks form Above.  They used to be higher but because of corrosion started toppling over.  It became dangerous and last year they came and cut them all down so no one would be hurt.  


Ferrying back to Brisbane and enjoying sunset #3