Perth, Cairns and Surfers Paradise Australia

We spent 5 days in Perth, West Australia and visited my sister Angela, her son Grant and his girlfriend Laura, and Leanne, Brett and newcomer to the world Cooper It was nice to see family again and we thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  Perth is a beautiful city built along the Swan River. We also visited Freemantle the main Port of West Australia. We visited the Old Prison there and I have already posted pics of our visit there.

We flew to Cairns via Brisbane, a long day long trip, and my sister Angela joined us on this leg of the journey.

The highlight of a visit to Cairns was a trip to The Great Barrier Reef, which is about 40 miles off  the coast.  We had a fantastic day and Alice went swimming in 60 ft of water..... she can't swim!!!! All credit to her...... she did it and was able to see the beauty of the reef the fish, and the coral were awesome...a GREAT day was had by all!!!!

We also visited a town called Karunda up in the mountains.  To get to Kuranda, you had to take a train  and you returned on a cable car for 5 miles  through the Rainforest..... this was Awesome!!!! also. The cable car was barely higher than the biggest trees and ferns that I have ever seen.

My sister flew back to Perth and Alice and I moved to Southern Queensland, Surfers Paradise. We had 12 days Surfers Paradise which was a bit too long, We went whale watching there and saw  Humpback Whales...quite a spectacle!!!! The seas were very rough and the whale was bigger than our boat which was quite humbling.

We have just arrived in Auckland New Zealand and have six days here before we join our two week cruise back to Sydney, Australia where we fly home  at the end of the month...more news to follow.

 Marra Marra Falls, Karunda

 Alice and Angela off to

                                                  The Great Barrieer Reef!!!!!

 Through  the Rainforest!!

 Yes, that's us!!!

 Suiting up for the reef!!! HELP!!!

 Pelicans on the beach at Sufers Paradise

 Off  to see the whales!!!!!