Australia: Enchanted Garden Adventure Park

 We had a great time Tree Surfing.  The older 4 kids and I participated in two courses and the older three got to do an extra one.  We balanced on moving boards, swings, and rope nets.  It was fun!  All the kids put on their brave face and conquered.  The flying fox at the end of each course was a highlight for us all.  

 The tree surfing course was part of the Enchanted Gardens Adventure Park, so after we had a morning full of tree fun we explored the park.  There were a variety of different mazes, life-size brain teasers, tube slides, gardens, and statues.  We had a great time exploring.

Australia: Surfing 101

Zachary and Eric had a wonderful time learning to surf, the rest of us had a great time on the beach or in the water depending on which individual you are speaking of.  

The boys started on land wiggling into their wet-suits, and learning the basics of surfing.  They then hit the waves and spent 45 minutes surfing.  They were the only two so they got lots of one-on-one attention and lots of practice.  They were tired when finished.

Both were able to get up and surf, although there were plenty of tumbles as well.  It was a morning well spent.  At the end of the lesson the instructor let Wendy have a go.  She was excited.

Australia: Tuki Trout Farm

Sheep Shearing

We drove to our next destination, Tuki Trout Farm.  It is a working sheep ranch and has a natural spring that they have made pools and raise trout as well.  We got to see them shearing the sheep.  We also got to fish, they make it easy to catch a trout.  The 4 older kids caught our dinner.  The hosts made a delicious meal for us.

After a restful night we woke up to a wonderful breakfast.  Super yummy and filling.  We ate it on a beautiful outdoor patio that had a great view.

Australia: Grampians National Park

We drove about two and a half hours north to Grampians National Park.  It was a totally different world than the ocean, but beautiful.  Here we visited Brambuk Cultural Center, where we saw our first Kangaroos and visited a Aborigine Museum.  We also hiked to Mackenzie Falls, and enjoyed a wonderful evening/morning at Grampians Pioneer Cottages. 

 Here is a video of where we stayed.  It was such a fun place and the kids could run and enjoy themselves.  It was next to a zoo, so we saw Zebra, Buffalo, and heard all sorts of animals as the sun set and rose.

 The entire time we were surrounded by great sticks for walking and making a band.  Here is a beautiful song from EWH, a wonderful mountain band.