7. The one with the waterslides

Current weather: 26/16°C,
Total distance travelled: 3105km (+37km)

A lot has changed in Airlie Beach since our stay at Portside for our Honeymoon 13.5 years ago. What was a construction site has been transformed into a huge grassed area and playground (which the kids put to good use) at the end of the Bicentennial Track (also extended since our last visit).

Our 5 days in Airlie Beach were marked by waterslide and pool fun, mini golf games and evenings at the Outdoor Cinema. For the most part, it was too cold (low 20s) for me (Carolyn) to join in the water fun, but to the kids great delight, on our last day, Matt and I both braved it and checked out whether the waterslides were as ‘epic’ as the kids claimed them to be. The verdict?! They were pretty awesome, but

Matt discovered the hard way that they were designed for kid-sized bodies, as the sharp direction changes sent him flying! Perhaps he shouldn’t have launched himself down them with such great force?!

On Wednesday, while the kids enjoyed the water activities and I relaxed by the pool, Matt expertly completed the last big job that (due to a weekend of vertigo) he didn’t get around to before we left. This involved wiring the car battery to the charger in the caravan so that we can run the fridge/freezer while we travel… is there anything he can’t do?! Hopefully now that all the big jobs are done, he can start to feel like he is on holidays!

Perhaps our favourite activity at Airlie Beach was the approx. 14km return bike ride we did from our Big 4 accommodation along the length of the Bicentennial Track. We stopped for a swim at the Lagoon, conquered the ‘Ninja Warrior’ course (as the kids called it), played at the playground and had lunch of sushi and chips while looking out across the water. The kids were pooped by the time we returned, but the promise of a Quelch upon our return to the van was enough to keep their legs turning! Perhaps the enjoyment of this ride

has made it worth bringing our bikes… Matt may think otherwise!

Joshua discovered his new ‘favourite’ type of bird, which he affectionately named ‘Statue Birds’, otherwise known as the Bush Stone Curlew. They make a horrific wailing sound, especially in the evening and could easily be mistaken for statues as they remain very still for an extended period of time. Much to Acacia’s disgust, Joshua took it upon himself to share his food with them, as he assumed them to be starving, the way they wail!

We also met an incredible Golden Orb spider, whose home was just outside reception. While I am typically not one to enjoy the company of spiders, this one has some beautiful markings (which I made Matt photograph so I could view them from a distance) and a very distinct face. When it had disappeared by the time we left, I found myself hoping it hadn’t become a bird’s lunch!

While our stay in Airlie Beach was lacking our dear friends, the McLeods (who were planning to meet us, but canceled when the Q’land border was closed to Vic), we had a wonderful time together, making many happy memories, which is what holidays are about.