More touring . . .

only this time we were showing Grandma and Grandpa Dammast the Brisbane sights. We spent our first few days after Christmas going to the Mt. Tamborine rainforest, traveling to the Sunshine Coast and visiting the Mary Cairncross Rainforest Reserve and Glass House Mountains, and taking them to visit some local wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. We also went the Australian Outback Spectacular dinner show down near the Gold Coast.

We tried to head to the Gold Coast for a day at the beach but Queensland is currently experiencing some rare weather with cyclonic rain and winds (a cyclone on the north shore of Queensland and severe heat in the south of Australia meeting at the Gold Coast.) Needless, to say we definitely couldn't get in the water and it was even difficult to walk on the beach with the wind. We decided to visit the Q1 Tower (20th tallest building in the world) to take in the views of the Gold Coast, including Surfer's Paradise from high in the air.

We also visited the Queensland Workshops Rail Museum as Thomas and Friends were visiting . . . and it was an indoor activity we could do to get out of the rain! Evan had a great time at the museum (check out his website) and we all enjoyed experiencing Thomas activities with him.

Unfortunately it started raining the day after Christmas and hasn't stopped yet! This is the most rain we have had since moving here . . . and of course it would have to be when we have visitors here!