Day Three 31st May - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

A bit of a run through central city Brisbane to make the bus in time, but we made it with about 30 seconds to spare! Headed by bus to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is about 11kms from the city. Founded in 1927, it is home to 130 koalas, and a range of other Australian animals such as the dingo, platypus, Tasmanian Devil, kangaroos and wallabies, wombats (so cute!), snakes and birds of prey. Had an awesome day learning heaps about all these animals, with the highlight being Tom as a snake handler, and Rosa and Sarah cuddling a koala.

Bus back again, and Tom and Ben picked up the rental car, while Sarah, Rosa and Ed came back by ferry. What a great day, can highly recommend the Lone Pine Sanctuary.

Day Two Sunday 30th May

Everyone was still on NZ time and so awake at 5.30 a.m., VERY unlike the Davidsons to be up at this hour - we normally would call this the middle of the night! Kangaroo Point is really lovely with a boardwalk/walkway right around the river, and lots of green areas and playgrounds. There are people walking, running and biking everywhere.

We set off mid-morning and caught a river ferry across to Eagle Street where we browsed the markets, before hopping by ferry across to River Plaza and wandering along the South Bank precinct, taking in Streets Beach, and a busker act at the Stanley Street Plaza which the kids loved. We then caught the train to Norman Park to have lunch with Lucinda (Sarah's cousin), her husband Graeme and their two gorgeous daughters Charlotte (2yrs9months) and Georgie (9months). This was a lovely relaxing way to spend the afternoon and great to catch up with the Priddy family.

Tom - the best thing today was going to Mums cousin and catching up with them.we also went to the market adn had a wee look around then we had a short walk no...I should say a long walk.We also saw a man going on a unicycle 7 feet tall crikey! and a girl was throwing knives at him and he was catching them while riding the 7 foot tall unicycle.

Dad - a fairly relaxed Sunday enjoying Brisbane's efficient public transport system, and a beer/wine over lunch in the burbs with the 2nd/cousins. Tom and I then took the long way home (walk-train-walk-ferry) to make room in the car for the others and carted home a 15 litre tank of drinking water (you can't drink the tap water here). Fairly tired after an early start.

Day 1 29th May 2010

Sat 29th May 2010

AUSTRALIA

After a full-on Saturday morning doing the final packing up of the house (the last minute things always take longer than expected!) TREBSontour departed (less B who was already in Oz) Dalziels Road. Grumps did some final deliveries and J took Sarah, Tom, Rosa and Ed to the airport. Nanna came out on the bus to wave us off. After a week of pouring rain and freezing temperatures, we were looking forward to getting on the plane. Sarah's anticipated relaxing over a glass of wine and trashy mag didn't eventuate when we discovered that this JetStar plane couldn't accept credit card so the kids were unable to watch the planned-for DVD. However, 4 hours later, we enjoyed touchdown in Brisbane with great views as we came over the city.

Apart form Tom's shoes being whipped away for a quick clean, we cleared customs quickly to find Ben waiting for us with a TREBSontour sign. We caught the train into South Brisbane, and a taxi to our apartment at Kangaroo Point. It is dark by 5.30ish, but we could see the river and lights of the city out of our window on arrival. With a two hour time difference it was only 8.00 pm Australian time when we all hit the sack exhausted.

Tom - the best thing on saturday was getting there and seeing Dad because we hadn't seen him in a week.

Dad - after a week in Brisbane at a vet conference I couldn't wait to see the coolest family on the planet. I caught the train out ot the airport and waited for the troops to arrive. A few JetStar passengers started coming through the doors, some families with the kids riding quietly on the luggage trolley or holding firmly onto mum or dads hand, then I spotted a flash of red and blue darting behind the frosted glass. Within seconds the doors opened and out flew Rosa and Ed closely followed by Tom and mum. There was lots of noise, hugs and laughter - the TREBS were reunited and ready to go on tour!