Sunshine Coast New Years Eve

A very relaxing time on the Sunshine Coast at the end of 2015. We managed to catch up with family and friends whilst up on the coast as the years draws to and end. 

Lovely Coolum Beach

Coolum Beach at night. Decorated for Christmas

Jeff and his mum on New Years Eve

Sunshine Coast (Coolum Beach)

Our little escape from Sydney to see in the New Year and to recharge our batteries after a quick year.

It's hard to believe we were here only two years ago it feels like it was more recent than that. 

Arriving at Brisbane airport BNE

Dinner on our first night

Our first day was a bit overcast and a few showers

Day 2 was much nicer

Cairns - day 7 (last full day in Cairns)

Our last full day in Cairns today and we have spent the day relaxing and just chilling out. 

Feeling sad that this time tomorrow that will be us as we depart Cairns for Sydney. 

Cairns - day 6 (Kuranda Skyrail)

Today we decided to head up to Kuranda for the day and do some shopping  and have lunch and we went by Skyrail in both directions. 

One of the Skyrail cars to wisk you up over the rainforest on the trek to Kuranda

Part of the rainforest

Barron falls

Arrival into Kuranda

Cairns - day 5

We had a very relaxing and lazy day today. It was a public holiday in Cairns today (Cairns show day) so it's a long weekend up here. After our sleep in we wandered down to Rusty's markets for a look around, impressive all of the fresh fruit and vegetables and other bits and pieces. If we had a kitchen it would have been great to pick up some fresh locally grown produce and cook something. It was worth a wander and we did pick up some amazing chilli sauce for when we return home and need some warmth. 

We then walked along the esplanade again and decided to go and discover what was in The Pier shopping complex, it was mostly restaurants around the outside and some specialty shops on the inside. We then returned to our hotel and laid by the pool and I ventured into the pool even though the water temperature was slightly on the cold side, luckily there was a nice big hot tub to warm up afterwards. 

Another beautiful day up here in FNQ and we are certainly not ready to return home just yet. 

Rusty's markets

Some locals relaxing in the sun and a view of The Pier food and shopping complex

A tree lit up at night

The boats returning from another day of cruising around the reef

Cairns - day 4 (Michaelmas Cay)

Today we were advised to visit the reef as it's going to be the best day this week to do so, good temperature with a gentle breeze. So we booked our tickets and set out early to meet our gorgeous catamaran to take us 40 km out of Cairns to the Cay. 

We had a lovely day swimming, snorkelling, seeing the reef in a submersible and also being looked after by the crew with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and happy hour on the way back to Cairns. 

Check out some of our photos to see the beautiful day that we enjoyed. 

Our transport 'Ocean Spirit' for the day. Very comfortable and plenty of room. 

Michaelmas Cay

Fish feeding on arrival

Birds on the Cay that we had to share the beach with. 

Some of the reef from the submersible 

Cairns - day 3

Another beautiful day in Cairns although the temperature did drop overnight and it was actually cool, even the locals have been complaining about how cold it has been. We won't complain as we are still wearing t-shirts although last night we did throw on some jeans. 

We had a lovely walk along the esplanade today and followed by lunch with some friends whom we haven't seen in a very long time. We have a cruise booked for tomorrow so that should be a fun day and we are both looking forward to it. 

Some of the locals sunning themselves and relaxing. 

View of The Pier Cairns from the esplanade. 

More of the locals. 

Cairns - day 2

It was our first full day in Cairns and so lovely not having to rug up for the chilly weather we left behind. We started off with a run along the wharf and esplanade before having some breakfast. We then showered and did some shopping before relaxing by the pool and soaking up the sun. 

We had a very lazy day on our first day in Cairns. 

The sun over the esplanade as we enjoyed our run. 

The pool area at our hotel. The water was to cold to swim in but it was nice lazing on the deck in the sun. 

The familiar landmark above the Cairns lagoon

Melbourne to Cairns (via Sydney)

Today we are off to Cairns and some warmer weather. We had a lovely weekend in Melbourne despite the cold temperatures and rain. 

First flight of the day Qantas B737-800 VH-VYH

Second flight Sydney to Cairns Qantas B737-800 VH-VXF

Our room

The view from our room

Melbourne - day 2 / wet and cold

A very wet and cold day in Melbourne as we tried to make the most of our time as we shopped and dined before seeing 'West Side Story' in the afternoon. 

A very soggy Collins Street

Arts Centre Melbourne

Our afternoon entertainment and a good way to escape the cold and rain. 

Glorious Melbourne in winter

We started our holiday with a weekend in Melbourne first as we have tickets to see 'West Side Story' on Sunday afternoon. 

Sunset over the Melbourne skyline

Our view from our hotel room

Carnival Spirit - Queens Birthday long weekend cruise to nowhere

We enjoyed a relaxing cruise aboard Carnival Spirit from Sydney to nowhere travelling north along the Australian Coast up towards northern NSW.

3 nights at sea departing on Friday 5th June and returning on Monday 8th June 2015.

Our view from our cabin #7186

Leaving Sydney

Getting ready to sail out of Sydney

Carnival Spirit

Sunset over Australian coast

Hobart - last day of our visit to the Apple Isle

On our last day in Hobart we had some time in the morning to explore the CBD before heading out to the airport for our flight home. 

Post office building

Dawn Princess visiting Port Arthur and Hobart

Hobart - day 4 MONA

Today (Australia day 2015) we visited MONA in Hobart, Tasmania. 

Our ferry to MONA

Day 3 - Port Arthur, Tasmania

Sunday January 25 - day trip to Port Arthur.

The Penitentiary (1857)

The Church (1837)

Hospital (1842)

Guard Tower (1835)