Babinda - Mission Beach - Balgal Beach

Some interesting Facts

We have clicked over 30,000 kilometres for our trip.

The tyres on the car have been rotated each 10,000 kilometres, they are still in pretty good shape.

The Lloyd family has gone 615 days straight without eating any Fast Foodfrom the Big 4 - McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks, Pizza Hut. A huge effort.

The majority of Van parks have charged between $20 - $55 per night for a powered site. 

They then try and charge between $5 - $15 per child per night on top.

Occasionally, you find a park that charges a flat rate.

We have been able to camp for the last 10 nights for the princely some of $40 in total.

ie- $4 per night.

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A big "HELLO" to the 4J's (John, Julie, Jason and Janet) from the Gold Coast.
We are looking forward to catching up in the next few weeks. We will give you advanced warning.



To the McGrath family, looks as though your trip is taking on many adventures and can you guys please save some Barramundi for other travellers.

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After leaving Babinda, we head for Mission Beach and find a council run caravan Park , right on the beach. $20 per night for the whole family, this includes showers, power and water. A bargain , when the park across the road charges $60 per night for a family.

Evidence of cyclone damage is still found along this stretch.

Dunk Island.

Hiring a tinnie off South Mission Beach. 

We head off to circumnavigate Dunk Island and a few others.

A picnic lunch on the famous Wheeler Island. 

Named after the famous, Garry and Dimi from Kiama.

Fishing was a must, however , no fish to brag about.

The Dunk Island Resort was smashed to bits by Cyclone Yasi.

 Nobody has decided to buy and rebuild, it remains a mess.

Balgal Beach - The sun comes up for another day.

Little Crystal Creek rock pools.

The kids are taught to check all waterholes before anyone is allowed to jump into the water. Richard goes  into the water to check the depth and for any submerged items. The all clear is given for a jump.

Johno, Brodi, Chace (our Kiwi buddies) and Jackson check out the pool.

Chace and Johno.

Jody has a go.

Jackson hits the pool.

Back at camp.

The AFL and NRL Grand final weekend.

A BBQ  is organised and we have a great time.

Pauline and John Denehy pass on their wealth of travelling experiences to the new vanners. 

Their expertise is extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

The Johnston's are travelling is a really cool motorhome, here we have the tv setup along side the motorhome, under the shade of the blue tarp.

The Mount Ousley School apron gets another workout.

Another of our new found travel buddies, Andreus, teaches us how to cook and eat a mud crab properly- greek style. It turns out brilliant. We caught 8 mudcrabs over the two grand final days.

The temperature heats up, so we head for Big Crystal Creek and take on some bigger rocks.
Once again, we spend a good 20 minutes checking out the depths and surfaces of the rocks before jumping in.

Is that Harry jumping back out?

 Johnno and Brodi have a go.

Bodi shows Chace how to jump!!!!!!!

Chace gets some serious air.

Three kiwis in flight !!!!!!!!!!!

Harry helps Brodi to the next level.

The natural rock slides.

Although the beaches look very inviting, we are still in croc country and will always swim in the rock pools higher up the valleys, as the crocs cannot climb up this high.

Pineapples growing by our campsite.

We head for Townsville tomorrow to start the next adventure.