Hervey Bay & The Great Sandy Straits

We just returned from spending the weekend with friends at their beach house located about 3-4 hours north of Brisbane at Tuan, QLD. This area is called The Great Sandy Straits. We also traveled to Hervey Bay while in the area. We were able to do some fishing and learn about the different fish in the area, as well as the different techniques used to get bait, etc. Rather than paying for bait, they pump yabbie's from the sand and use yabbie's as fish bait (see pictures in slide show.)

We went up to Hervey Bay for lunch and to see the area. Hervey Bay is where alot of whale watching tours take place during whale season (June - October.) During our stay we were also able to see across to Fraser Island (the largest sand island in the world.) We weren't able to travel to Fraser this weekend but are hoping to get there in the next few months.

On Sunday morning we went onto the beach when the tide was out to visit the soldier crabs (see slide show.) The sight of the thousands and thousands of soldier crabs running away from you as you walked was phenomenal! There were all different sizes and they were a beautiful blue color. When they sensed you were close they would burrow themselves down into the sand and disappear. I was totally in awe of the sight!

A couple of weekends ago we went to Brisbane Forest Park to visit yet another beautiful area of Brisbane that was right at our doorstep. We enjoyed several different lookouts along the drive and a lunch up on Mount Nebo. Before heading home we went through the wildlife zoo with the boys and got to see pademelons and wallabys (smaller kangaroos) and I finally was able to see my very first duck-billed platypus!! I had wanted to see one before leaving Australia so I've now seen most of the unique animals that I had on my list! Here are some pictures:

Wivenhoe Lake/Dam: This is where Brisbane gets most of its water from, and as you can tell the lake is somewhat low, thus resulting in the water restrictions we are under.


Jolly's Lookout from Brisbane Forest Park - you can see Moreton Bay in the distance


Australian Education:
Local elections were held recently and here is a picture of a church that housed voting booths. They have TONS of signs up outside of the voting booths and people continue to hand you ads, etc. as you enter to vote, I guess hoping you'll change your mind on your way in to vote. I recently heard on the radio that almost 5,000 individuals did not vote in the QLD elections like they were supposed to (they are required to vote here) and would be fined $75 each for not showing up. They also said that the QLD Government might override the fines this election. Interesting.


Also, here are some pictures of a popular sport here in Australia . . . lawn bowling. I haven't seen alot of younger people doing it but it seems like a popular retirement sport. They don their matching uniforms and hats and seem to have alot of fun.