At 22:20 Jeremy arrives in flight EK430 at Brisbane Airport. Drove back to Gympie in thick mist. Jeremy settled in quickly and we all went to bed around 01:30.

Drove around Gympie and had a beer at the Rattler train station. Drove to Amamoor Creek to see if we could spot a platypus. No luck. Back to Gympie via Kybong. Dinner at the Gympie Sports Club, watching the kangaroos between the golfers.

Drove to Noosa with 2 e-bikes. Cycled fom Noosa Civic along Eenie Creek Road to Castaways Beach (and partly through a bush track and a creek). Had a beer at Sunshine Beach Surf Club. Cycled to Noosa Heads, Hastings street and followed path along beach and boardwalk. Cycled to Noosaville and used the shared path along the river to get to Tewantin. Had a beer and fish and chips at the Nooosa Marina. Cycled back to Wallace Park, Shorehaven Park, got lost and made it to Weyba Road. Took the Mangrove Walk. Then used the path through Weyba Creek Park to get Back to Eenie Creek Road, and then Noosa Civic. Loaded up the bikes and went back to Gympie (via Pomona) and had a quick look at Mount Cooroora.

Imbil lookout, Lake Borumba, Pies at Imbil Bakery, Kenilworth Pub, Fig Tree Walk.

Glastonbury, Point Pure Lookout, Kinbombi Falls, Woolooga, Miva, Dickabram Bridge, Beers at Theebine Hotel.

Brunch at Farmer & Sons, Southside. Mowed the Lawn. Started packing.

Finished packing. Lis brought us to Nambour Station and from there we took the train to Brisbane International Airport. Our flight to Christchurch left 20 minutes late - not too bad. We arrived at 02:00 at our hotel (Tuesday morning). After a 5 minute wait, numerous calls and buzzes - the night receptionist showed up. We got our keys and a very nice room - with a view over the Botanic Gardens. All the highlights of the CBD are in easy walking distance.

Christchurch. Got up at 09:00. Had breakfast at the Riverside Markets. Walked to the bus hub and got 2 day passes. Took the bus to the Gondola and went up Mount Cavendish. We walked around the top of the mountain for 2 hours. Had lunch. Took the Canterbury History Tour. Went back down the mountain in the Gondola and took the bus back. It was cold and we were worn out. Had a beer at The Fiddler - an Irish Pub. At the hotel we changed into warmer clothes. We walked through the Botanic Gardens and the found the Pegasus Arms. We had dinner. And as it was trivia night so we stayed around just to see how it was done. We ended up helping the smallest team (3 students). It was a totally enjoyable time. I racked up 17,253 steps.

Had breakfast right next to the Hotel. Followed the tram route through the city - walking. Went to the Cathedral Square, Victoria Park, Town Hall, Hagley Park. Went into Canterbury Museum in the old Canterbury University grounds. Had (a big) lunch at Sampan House. Looked for ear phones and an extension cord and universal adapter. Got them at the The Warehouse and a phone store nearby. Walked back to hotel for a rest. Then went to the Arts Centre. Saw a film about artist Eileen Collier. Saw the exhibitions. Had a wine and beer tasting, at The Cellar Door - just opposite our Hotel.

Took a taxi to the airport. It was too rainy to take the bus. Got our rental car and drove off just before 11:00. It was a fantastic drive - mountain tops covered in snow to our left, big waves from the ocean crashing on the shore to our right. Lovely winding twisting roads through the valleys with overflowing rivers and streams. We had lunch in Kaikoura at an Irish Pub called the Srawberry Tree - Great Pub! We had a look at the seal colony there, then drove on to Picton. Nice drive through the vineyards of Marlborough. In Picton our dinner was a very New-Zealandish lamb shanks, mash & veg, at the diner opposite our hotel.

Left our hotel and got to the Interislander ferry port before 09:00. Waited a long time before we could board. The ferry was an hour late. The ferry trip was beautiful and peaceful until we got out of Queen Charlotte Sound and hit the open sea of Cook Strait: 2 hours worth of 3.5m swells. Jeremy did not feel well. After getting off the ferry terminal we drove straight to our hotel. Parking was a problem, but we got that fixed. Our room wasn't ready and only had one bed. That was fixed too. We went out for an evening meal and a beer.

Wellington. Went to the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa. Walked along the Wellington harbour southwards. Jeremy went up the mountain all the way to Mount Victoria Lookout. I went back to the hotel and made dinner - a quiet dinner in our hotel room for a change. The hotel room has a fully functional kitchen and laundry.

Started the day with a sleep in. We then washed all our dirty clothes in the wonderful laundry. We took the cable car (a funicular) up to the Botanical Gardens. Jeremy took the Northern Walk (up another mountain) while I rested at the Begonia House. Instead of taking the cable car back we walked through Bolton Street Cemetery all the way back to town and our hotel.

On the road to Rotorua: Travelled alongside Lake Taupo, then stopped at Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon - then took the Thermal Explorer Highway all the way to Rotorua. The raging stream at Huka Falls provides hydro-electricity for 15% of NZ's needs. We passed some massive Geothermal Power stations as well - you can see why 80% of NZ energy is green. The steam just comes out of the ground - everywhere between Taupo and Rotorua. The Craters of the Moon is next door to Huka Falls and both are just north of Taupo. The Craters of the Moon is a leisurely one hour walk in a crater, walking in sulphurous steam between hot springs, mud pools and geysers. We ordered food from 'Oppies Restaurant and Takeaway'.

Rotorua. Went to Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village. Plenty of hot water pools, bubbling mud pools and geysers. Ate corn cooked in the village cooking pool. Drove to Lake Tarawera - a beautiful drive. Then back to Redwoods. Jeremy decided to walk over the mountain. I drove to the other side to pick him up. The meeting point was hard to find and the rain was pouring down. Jeremy arrived worn out and wet - so we moved in to the nearest shelter: Secret Spot Hot Tubs! We rented bathers and towels. After beer and a bath back into town for a meal at Cobb & Co.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley and boat trip on Lake Rotomahana. We drove back south some 26km to Waimangu Volcanic Valley and walked two hours down to Lake Rotomahana. We saw even more and better hot springs and geysers than before. We arrived at the bus stop to take us back up - it would have been too strenuous to walk back - and we noticed that the tour boat was offloading the last passengers. We asked if we could travel on the boat. It was a Yes. So we managed to secure a private boat trip over the lake, just Jeremy and I, and our skipper Daniel. We were in time to catch the next bus back. Afterwards we took a long route back to Rotorua, circumnavigating Mt Tarawera - 30km of dirt roads. It proved to be a good practice run for the Coromandel Peninsula. Got food from Oppies again - it's good - so if you are ever in Rotorua..

This was planned to be our longest journey in one day. It was. We drove via Tauranga up the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula to Hahei and Cathedral Cove. We walked the pathways to Cathedral Cove and intermediate beaches for 2 hours. We could not stop taking photos - every turn was a new magnificent shot. We had a small lunch in Hahei and drove onwards. We took the shortest route to Coromandel, which was a dirt road for the most part - and over the mountains of the Coromandel Range. When we reached the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula we headed south towards Thames and from there back on main roads towards Auckland. We arrived in Auckland late - well after dark.

Found Washworld, 57 Saint Lukes Road, Mount Albert, Auckland 1025 - and washed the car - just to disguise the fact that we had travelled on a lot of dirt roads. Delivered the car to the airport and purchased 2 Auckland Travel HOP cards, and travelled back into the city by bus and train. Went to Mount Eden, a volcanic peak also known as Maungawhau. It was a long climb up but the view was worth it. We discovered the food courts (Harbour Eats) opposite the Britomart train station. A great place for food.

We took the bus to Britomart, walked to Queens Wharf, and took a ferry to Rangitoto Island. We followed the paths all the way to the summit. It was an even more arduous climb - but again with spectacular views. We took a detour to the lava caves and went through them on our way back down to the ferry. We has a meal and beer at Harbour Eats again.

We walked to the Auckland Museum and had a good look around. There was plenty of interesting Maori artefacts and history to be seen. We walked to Parnell station and got to Britomart. Jeremy wanted to climb one more volcano - One Tree Hill. Jeremy took bus 70. I took bus 27 and we met up at the hotel again in time for our last evening meal in New Zealand - burgers at Fat Puku's.

We took a taxi to the airport. Our flight was only a few minutes late out of Auckland. We arrived in Maroochydore on time but it took a while to retrieve our luggage. Lis was there to pick us up and we got to Gympie later in the afternoon.

This was a rest day - sleeping in, unpacking and washing clothes.

Eumundi Markets, climbed Mt. Tinbeerwah, drove to Boreen Point and had lunch at the Apollonian. Drove on to Rainbow Beach and walked to the Carlo Sand Blow.

Mountain biking in Tinbeerwah (the most dangerous thing I have ever done) then cycling to Tewantin for beer and fish and chips.

Climbed Mount Cooroora (the NEW most dangerous thing I have ever done). Had a beer in the Pomona Pub and a hamburger at the corner cafe (Mountain Stop Cafe).

Jeremy was interested in dirt biking so Tim came around with his dirt bike so that Jeremy could get some practice - in our back yard. It wasn't easy, and the dirt bike wasn't in perfect working order. Tim's ute got bogged as he was leaving, Our neighbour Bernie, helped pull Tim's ute out. In the evening we arranged for the RSL courtesy bus to pick us up for a meal at the RSL. The earliest bus to take us home was at 10pm so we walked to The Bunker. Jeremy had a beer and Lis had Licor 43. Then we walked to the Empire Hotel. It was Karaoke night - thoroughly enjoyable - so much so that we missed our bus back - so we grabbed a taxi home.

An unplanned rest day. All 3 of us, may have had just a little too much to drink..

Cycling from Kingaroy to Murgon. We packed the bikes on the back of the ute. Lis dopped us off in Kingaroy. Jeremy and I cycled along the Rail Trail to Murgon - with short stops in Wooroolin and Wondai. Beautiful scenery - even camels - on the way. According to my cycling app: distance: 45.71km, moving time: 2:23:40, elevation: 157m, average speed: 19.1km/h, top speed 55.2km/h, total elapsed time 2:56:48.

Gym for Lis and me. Postponed mowing and lazed around for the rest of the day. My bike was literally falling apart - it needs urgent maintenance. Pie floater for dinner.

Mowing day. After mowing I dropped my bike off for repair and we went to Cedar Grove (near Amamoor) to see if we could find goannas. We tried the hiking trail but crossing Yabba Creek was too difficult. Most of the stepping stones had been moved in the recent floods. Jeremy got across with wet feet. I did not.

Bike was fixed so I picked it up after dropping off Lis. Drove to Tin Can Bay, had coffee and cycled around for 2 hours. Drove to Inskip Point via Cooloola Cove and tried driving on the beach. Then we took the Cooloola Way to Kin Kin. It was a bit rough but all in all a great 4WD experience.

Mothar Mountain Rock Pools and walking circuit. Tried walking up to Boulder Mountain - too wet - too rough. Drove around trying to find a road up to Boulder Mountain. Did not get further that 300 Bacon Road, Cedar Pocket. Went back to Gympie and had lunch at the Phoenix Hotel.

Packing. Dinner at the Jockey Club.

Jeremy drove us to Nambour station. Lis drove back. Jeremy and I took the train to Brisbane Central. We walked to Flynn Hotel from there and checked in - great rooms! We bought some basic stuff for the fridge (beer and breakfast). We took the 'Airtrain' to the airport. We picked up Joshua and Sylvan who had arrived early. We took a taxi back to the hotel.

After breakfast on the balcony overlooking the city, we went walking. We got Go-cards for Josh and Sylvan then walked via Anzac Square, Post Office Square and went into the Post Office for Sylvan. We walked to the Botanic gardens and spent some time there. We crossed the river via the Goodwill Bridge and explored Southbank. We had a wonderful lunch at the Plough Inn. We browsed through the Queensland Art Gallery and crossed the river again via the Victoria Bridge. We had a look in the old Treasury building which is now a huge casino. We walked to and around the Roma Street Parklands - had a small dinner at the Transcontinental, cocktails and whiskey at the Gresham.

Brekkie on the balcony, then rushed off to catch bus 471 to Mt Coot-tha. We all stepped off at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens (one stop before the summit). Sylvan could not tear himself away from the plants. Jeremy and Joshua wanted to walk to the summit and bushwalk to some waterfalls and an old gold mine. So we split up. Jer and Josh went hiking. I explored the gardens with Sylvan. Sylvan got permission to take some cuttings from plants he could not get in Europe. Jer and Josh took a wrong turn and almost missed the last bus at our rendezvous point at the summit (Sylvan and I had taken the bus up). The bus dropped us off at Adelaide street and we got to the Post Office just before closing (Sylvan needed to buy an envelope to send his cuttings home). We went to Riverside and took the ferry to Southbank. We had burgers at Brooklyn Depot - then Whiskey tasting at the Cobbler (Jeremy still searching for an Australian whiskey to take home).

Breakfast at Knowhere - just opposite our hotel. Posted Sylvan's envelope. Rented bikes from 99Bikes. Cycled, cycled, cycled, cycled (Riverside, Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba, West End, Dutton Park, Eleanor Schonell Bridge, St Lucia, Toowong, Go Between Bridge, Southbank). Had 4 x pizza at the Plough Inn. Jer and Josh took a detour to see the top of Kangaroo Point and back via Story Bridge. Sylvan and I took the more leisurely route back over the Goodwill Bridge and through the Botanic Gardens, all just in time back to 99Bikes on Elizabeth Street. We finished off with cocktails and whiskey tasting at Death and Taxes (Jeremy is still trying to find an elusive peety/smokey flavoured Australian whiskey).

Breakfast at Knowhere again and got a taxi from there to the airport. No problems checking in or anything. We got a taxi to our hotel and settled in. By 5 we were walking the Esplanade and looking for a place to eat. Too much choice! We are right in the centre of town.

I met up with Stan while the boys walked to the Botanic Gardens. We met up at the Chinese pavilion there. We had a bit of a scare. Jeremy had been attacked by a magpie. Got him in the eye. Stan brought him to the nearest medical centre. We lost Jeremy for a while because he was sent to another GP. There was no damage to the eye - just a red mark - he got some eye drops to prevent infection. In all the confusion I did not get a photo of Stan - but we had a great lunch all 5 of us at NOA. Made plans to see Stan again on Tuesday.

We walked to Cairns Central and took the train to Kuranda. A fantastic train ride uo the mountains and through the rain forest. Kuranda was great too. Visited the Koala Gardens and Birdworld. Had German Sausages for lunch. Josh and Sylvan went souvenir hunting. Jeremy and I had a beer at the Kuranda Hotel. We took the Skyrail down - even better than the train! We had two stops on the way - Barron Falls and Red Peak - and both are worthy of a good look around - and photos. We arrived too early for our bus so we ended up walking to the Armoury Museum next door - took some fun photos there too. In the evening we had some massive burgers at Jimmy's on Shield Street.

The Reef. We spent a whole day on the Outer Barrier Reef with Passions of Paradise - they have a big catamaran - with sails. I snorkeled, as did Sylvan - but he stopped after 10 minutes. I had assisted snorkeling, with a lovely helper (Ariel) and spent more than an hour snorkeling in 2 sessions. Jer and Josh had 2 sessions of scuba diving. We all saw plenty - the reef looked perfectly healthy. Jeremy got sea sick on the way out and even worse on the way back. Of course we had to celebrate and we ended up in Hemingways Brewery.

Shopped at Woolies for meat, bread and veg and had a BBQ on Cairns Esplanade. Cleaned and packed for our trip to the Daintree.

After some effort we managed to get a taxi to the airport to pick up our rental car - a Kia Carnival. A beautiful brand new 9 person car. We drove to Mossman where we met up with Stan. Stan gave us tickets for the Daintree Ferry and we drove to Stan's place. Stan's neighbour Jimmy took Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan up to the top of the waterfall behind Stan's place. Stan and I walked to the base of the waterfall. Stan had a little accident and cut his hand, Michelle patched him up quickly before heading off to work. We spent the afternoon going to Cape Kimberly and afterwards had a BBQ and bonfire at Stan's. The Daintree is beautiful but nasty. We had bites and stings from midges, sand flies, mosquitoes and paper wasps. The plants are not nice either - the "wait-a-while" vines can cut and leave splinters that are difficult to remove. And the stinger trees are in Stan's garden as well.

Cape Tribulation with Stan. We did the Kulki Boardwalk at Cape Trib, and the Dubuji Boardwalk through the mangroves on the way back, as wll as some lookouts on the way. It was a nice drive. After dropping Stan off we drove back, crossed the Daintree River again on the ferry and headed to Port Douglas. We did the Four Mile Beach Cliff Walk and had a drink at the Court House Hotel. Then we drove back to Cairns and parked our car just around the corner from our Hotel.

We got the car and dropped it off at Cairns Airport - without any problems. We were early for our flight. After the bag drop off we had a breakfast at the airport and waited for our departing flight. Our flight (VA780) left 10 minutes late but arrived in Brisbane 10 minutes early. We got a taxi to the Transcontinental Hotel - opposite Roma Street Station. I watched over the bags while Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan crossed the Kurilpa Bridge to do some extra exploring of Brisbane. We took the last train to Gympie and arrived at 20:37 where Lis picked us up and brought us home.

Rest day. Unpacking and washing. A small drive around Gympie.

Noosa Coastal Walk. I dropped Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan off near Hastings Street in Noosa Heads. They walked to the start of the coastal walk, then walked to the end, and then an extra kilometer to the Sunshine Beach Surf Club - 8km in all. We had lunch there. We took the Mary Valley road back home, and stopped at Long Flat Hall on the way.

Sleep in. Resting. Jeremy decided to 'walkabout' Gympie. We tried for lunch at the Mt Pleasant Hotel but were too late - the kitchen had closed. The live music was okay though.

Joshua and Sylvan decided to go to Bundaberg Rum Distillery and back via Hervey Bay. On the way, just before Childers, we stopped to visit a small local zoo (Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo). Joshua and Sylvan took the Distillery tour in Bundaberg. We wanted to eat at Grunske's but the restaurant was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We took a small detour on the way home, i.e. via Hervey Bay and got snacks from Subway.

Kenilworth, Fig Tree Walk, 4WD to Boloumba Falls (crossing Boloumba Creek two times via fords with running water), Maleny, Mary Cairncross Park (view Glasshouse Mountains + Rainforest walk), Montville, Kondalilla Falls. Mapleton Falls and back via Obi Obi Road.

Eumundi markets, climbed Mount Tinbeerwah. Had lunch (4 kangaroo burgers) at the Apollonian in Boreen Point, back via Kin Kin.

We drove to Pomona. Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan climbed Mount Cooroora. Afterwards we had a lunch (burgers at the Mountain Stop Cafe). We went home early to shower and rest. Watched a movie and spoke to Stan via a Whatsapp video call.

Shopping at Sunshine Plaza for Joshua and Sylvan. Cycling for John and Jeremy. We parked the car at Sunshine Plaza P2 and agreed to meet at 14:00 at the food court for a late lunch. Jeremy and I cycled from Maroochydore along the river and then north to Mudjimba, We took the coastal route back home through Mudjimba, Coolum Beach, Peregian Springs and home - just in time to pick up Lis.

The Mary Valley Rattler steam train. We got to the station just before 10:00 and were guided to our carriage - number 507. It was a nice steam train ride through the Mary Valley to Amamoor. In the evening we had a meal - smoked BBQ meat dishes - at The Bunker, had some drinks at the RSL and finished off with karaoke at the Empire Hotel.

Glastonbury Creek Bushwalk, Point Pure Lookout and Eagles Nest 4WD, Woolooga Station, Theebine Hotel for lunch, Dickabram Bridge, Kinbombi Falls. We came across a tree snake on the bushwalk and three kangaroos wanted to cross the road in front of us as we left Kinbombi Falls.

K'gari (Fraser Island). This was a trip with Lis, Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan. John stayed home (and rested).

Joshua and Sylvan visited Australia Zoo. Jeremy and John climbed up Mount Ngungun, around Mount Tibrogargan, and up Wild Horse Mountain as well as taking photos from every Glass House Mountain Lookout on the way.

After a short visit to Eumundi market, some shops in Gympie (looking for souvenirs) and a lunch at Hungry Jacks, we went to Mothar Mountain Rock Pools. We climbed up to Boulder Mountain but only Jeremy made it all the way. We went back to Gympie for some shopping at Coles. Josh and Sylvan loaded up on Tim Tams.

Amamoor State Forest - bush BBQ at Amama day-use area - Amama walking track and Cedar Grove. Last dinner in Gympie at the Jockey Club.

After packing, we drove to Lis at her workplace to say goodbye. Lis did not get a chance to do so in the morning. We then drove to Brisbane Airport. We were early so we had coffee and snacks at Skygate/DFO Brisbane. After checking in we had a final drink at the airport before Jeremy, Joshua and Sylvan passed through to security.