Queensland Coast. Gold.

After two big days on the road from Canberra we set up digs at Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Queensland. What happen to New South Wales I hear you say!? Well, we have seen much of the NSW Coast already over the past several years and as beautiful as the coastline is we are keen to get to Queensland and get to places that we have not seen. So with that in mind we felt that Surfers Paradise would be a fine place to start, hit the go slow button and settle into living out of caravan.

Main Beach Caravan Park, Sufrers Paradise, Queensland

We have already discovered with caravaning that as soon as you hitch your car to that draw bar, its like a new membership. Immediately you have whole bunch of people acknowledging you on the road that would otherwise pass by without thought.  The same goes for when you site and set up your caravan in the caravan park. Before you have time to un-hitch you have said G'Day to you neighbour, find out where they are from, what sort of work they do, where they have just come in from, where their next destination is and all the recommended "spots" for the road ahead. Even the kids are on first name basis with all the other kids in the park by the end of the first afternoon. To say it's a friendly, welcoming community is an understatement.

South Port Sunset, Surfers Paradise, Queensland

So steady as she goes, easy days in Surfers settling into our space (or lack thereof) in the caravan and all that goes with it. The agenda is clear other than a visit to one of the "Worlds", with Sea World the obvious choice as it is just around the corner. The weather has been good (mostly) and the days spent down at the beach, at a park, a cafe or off for a ride or run. I think we can say that slowing down has come pretty easy. 

Notable mention to Lara (7 Years old) take on the "Sea Viper" roller coaster ride at Sea World. The ride included a full loop the loop followed by a double barrel role. She took no convincing to giving it a run, in fact from the get go she said that the ride was a must for her. The boys on the other hand would not have a bar of it.  Only just scraping in under the "acceptable" height bar she dragged me a long for the ride. Funny thing was she knew it was going to be terrifying but was happy to give it a run anyway. She closed her eyes for the whole ride but you could not wipe the smile off her face at the end of the ride. If that was not enough she then immediately doubled up with the "Jet Rescue" roller coaster ride, which had no loops but moved twice as quick. Now she has two up on the boys. 

One of the great parks around Surfers Paradise, Queensland

So we headed off this morning for our second destination, Hervey Bay about 4 hours up the road. Our Caravan is a pop top which means there is a little bit in packing up to do to get the whole thing closed. Without much practice this has taken about an hour an half, we hope to have this down to 30 minutes by trips end. 

Enjoying the thought of the road and places ahead. 

RECOMMEND IN SURFERS PARADISE

• Main Beach Caravan Park. Not as busy as you might think but perfectly close to everything.
• Hard Coffee on Tedder Ave Main Beach for Coffee.
• Currumbin Beach, good for the kids with a sheltered area protected from the surf.