Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a cute little beach town in northern New South Wales. When we first arrived in Brisbane, we spent a night there with a friend visiting from England during the Byron Bay Blues Festival. Some friends from Brisbane moved there recently so we hope to visit more often in the future.

Jon hit the sand while body surfing (the lighthouse is in the background)

Digging holes and filling them with water: what can be more fun?

Jumping the waves with help from Grandpa Morse and Uncle Jon

Yippeee!

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park is also located near Cedar Lake Resort. We took in two sites during our afternoon there: Purlingbrook Falls and Natural Bridge. Both were spectacular. Maxwell especially liked the cave that is a part of Natural Bridge.

The meandering stream above Purlingbrook Falls

Purlingbrook Falls

The falls into Natural Bridge

The cave at the base of the falls at Natural Bridge (bats and glow worms live in the cave)

The treetop ferns in the rainforest

Lamington National Park

We took a trip to the Gold Coast hinterland for a few days, staying at Cedar Lake Resort. The accommodation was certainly not glamorous but it was superbly child-friendly. We swam (lots), rode on pedal boats, fed turtles, played mini-golf, and took trips to some of the national parks nearby.

Like on their last trip here, my parents wanted to head into the rain forest. Unfortunately, we didn't all fit into the car so Grandma graciously opted out.

Posing during our snack break in the rainforest botanical garden at O'Reilly's

Uncle Jon and Max

Siblings

Our family on the treetop walk

Uncle Jon and Grandpa on the treetop walk

A view through the center of a Strangler Fig that had killed its host

The path to the treetop walk

Feeding the Rosellas--Max was especially happy that one landed on his head

Playing the Shopping List game with Grandma and Grandpa Morse

Gma & Gpa Morse and Uncle Jon Arrive

Grandma and Grandpa Morse and Uncle Jon arrived yesterday. We've already swum twice.

Snacks at Southbank

Southbank with Uncle Jon

In the pool with Uncle Jon

Arriving at the airport

The Baya Fairy Visited!

On Thursday night, The Baya Fairy (read pacifier or dummy fairy) paid us a visit to take Max's pacifiers and leave him a present in their stead. The Baya Fairy took the pacifiers to newborn babies that need them. He's only asked for them once and seemed satisfied with the explanation for where they went. When he woke from his nap on Friday, he slid a trunk in front of the bookcase where his pacifiers had been kept but obviously did not find what he was looking for.