Sunset over Australia
So, about that slowing down on the Sunshine coast bit, well, knowing us we just couldn't sit tight for 3 weeks straight so we decided to take an adventure packed 9 days to Tasmania.
We apparently could not get enough of sleeping in converted minivans, so decided to dip back into the near freezing weather and explore the place where the Cape Grim Air Pollution Station claims Tasmania as having the world’s cleanest air. (The lack of pollution is due to the island’s southerly latitude, its position in the Southern Ocean, low-key development, distance from other land masses, and the cleansing effect of the Roaring Forties -Strong westerly winds that carry pollution-free air thousands of kilometres across the Southern Ocean. For those of you who were curious :)
Tasmania is a beautiful island with stunning white sand beaches, and landscapes that are rocky and rugged to green rolling hills and fertile valleys. The cities and towns in Tasmania are very historic from the times when it was mainly an 
isolated prison island. We found big stone building and old church
es and bridges in every town we visited. We enjoyed the various campsites where we were surrounded by wildlife. Unfortunately we saw most of the wallabies, possums, wombats, and birds wildlife on their backs or smooshed on the side of the roadl... That's why everyone has big grills on their cars! We also visited Mt Fields National park to see massive waterfalls, rainforest, the second tallest trees in the world (mountain ash eucalyptus), and to play in the fresh snow. We spent out last d
ay exploring the orchards, vineyards, and bays of the Huon valley ending it with fish and chips in Hobart harbor.Before and after our Tas adventure we were able to spend some quality time on the coast with Lynne and Steve, Drew's aunt and uncle. They have a beautiful house and land where you wake up every morning to kookuburras, and rainbow colored lorikeets songs. We spent our 
days surfing and swimming at the numerous beaches on the sunshine coast. We spent an afternoon at the Noosa Jazz Festival listening to amazing artist and one young artist, Smokin' Joe Robinson, left us stunned with his brilliant guitar talent. It has been so com
forting to stay with family and wind down after living in a van for weeks at a time.
We spent a day at rainbow beach discovering the colored sands and the cute little towns along the way. We stumbled upon a small lake with a gorgeous botanical garden. Since it is spring time we enjoyed all new colorful flowers as well as seeing a snake winding its way in the shrubs. Steve even let us take out the boat to go fishing down the Maroochy River.
What a fantastic trip we are having so far. Next stop is Bangkok and many more adventures to come.
days surfing and swimming at the numerous beaches on the sunshine coast. We spent an afternoon at the Noosa Jazz Festival listening to amazing artist and one young artist, Smokin' Joe Robinson, left us stunned with his brilliant guitar talent. It has been so com
forting to stay with family and wind down after living in a van for weeks at a time.
We spent a day at rainbow beach discovering the colored sands and the cute little towns along the way. We stumbled upon a small lake with a gorgeous botanical garden. Since it is spring time we enjoyed all new colorful flowers as well as seeing a snake winding its way in the shrubs. Steve even let us take out the boat to go fishing down the Maroochy River.
What a fantastic trip we are having so far. Next stop is Bangkok and many more adventures to come.
