The last two weeks in November.

Brad, Darlene, Jeremy, Jessica and Ryan came to visit for a couple of weeks and it was great to see some familiar faces. We really enjoyed the visit and while they were here we took the opportunity to show them the school where Stephanie has been teaching, as well as the area of Hervey Bay.

On November 21st we went back to the location of the turtles hatching in March and this time we witnessed turtles laying eggs.

Loggerhead Turtles laying Eggs

Around 8pm we went out onto the beach and a female turtle was laying her eggs in a nest. According to the park ranger she was about 30 years old and was about 3 feet in length. She layed 101 eggs while we were there. Unfortunately she made her nest too close to the water and the Ranger decided we would need to move them further up so they wern't washed away when the tide came in.

After she ( the turtle ) went back out to sea we began the process of digging up the eggs. Well, the Ranger did and we mostly watched.

Counting the eggs

Everyone helped carrying the eggs to the new nest

The last week in October

We made a second trip to Fraser Island in October. This time we were able to borrow a friends truck and see the east side of the island. Only 4 wheel drive trucks are allowed on the island because of the rough terrain. The visit to this island turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year.

Everyone on the ferry was lowering their tire pressure to 20psi or lower to prevent getting bogged in the sand and we were advised to do the same.

The roads consisted of very deep, soft sand with pot holes 3 to 4 ft deep.

We spent Saturday exporing some of the island on foot.

Sunday morning about 6:30 we stopped for coffee and some breakfast before exploring the east side of the island

75 miles of beach and not a lot of traffic.

Scenes from the east side of Fraser (Pied Oyster Catchers, Dingo, fishing)

Maheno Shipwreck

This ship, which was an outdated hospital ship from World War One was being towed to Japan for scrap metal, when a cyclone caused it to run ashore on Fraser Island in 1937.

Enjoying the View

The last 2 weeks in September.

For the last two weeks in September we flew to Darwin in the Northern Territory, explored the town then rented a campervan and headed south. Our destination was Ayers Rock but it was more about the trip than the destination. ( a good chance to see what the Outback looked like ). We drove too the middle of the country then slowly worked our way back to Darwin over the two weeks. Temperatures varied between 35 and 40 degrees, dropping to the high 20's overnight so the heat took a little getting used too. Very humid with billions of flies.

Outdoor movies

We decided to take in a movie on the first night in Darwin. Really nice setting...on the beach, home cooked food and under the stars on a beautiful summer evening.

Seriously...you've got the wrong guy!

Another Sunset

Before we headed south on our adventure we went to a Sunday afternoon market in Darwin, then sat on the beach and watched the sun set over the Timor sea.

Destination - 4 hrs past Alice Springs