We’re on our way. Up at 3:15 am for the 4 am taxi to the airport for the Brisbane flight, then down to the Gold Coast.

Southport beach

We enjoyed strolls along the beach. One man had an Eclectus parrot on his shoulder… apparently it goes everywhere with him. He happily shared…

Lunchtime was approaching and we noticed a sign offering $7 fish and chips, so we gave them a go. That place has to be the best Fish and Chippery on the coast – a huge and tasty Dory fillet and crispy chips the way Jill likes them.

In search of wrapping paper we explored the Pacific Fair shopping centre. It is HUGE! Alas, nice gift wrapping paper was hard to find and we traversed the whole length and breadth before we got something usable. They did have some artistic seats though.

We travelled on, to Burleigh Heads, with nice views, including sightings of whales breeching out to sea. Sadly, by the time I had got my camera organised I was too late for photos.

Then to Richard and Liz’s, where we enjoyed a couple of days of their wonderful hospitality, fine food, conversation and a lovely ambience. Jill enjoyed feeding the local kookaburras, butcher birds and magpies.

On our first day there we headed to Binna Burra and took the Davies creek circuit out to the edge of the scarp. It is a lovely walk,

but the rainforest there was as dry as we have ever seen it. Next day we took a relaxed wander round to Natural Bridge (or Natural Arch as it once was called). It is a very pretty area with lots of walks in the rainforest and along the creeks.

The next day we headed off to the conference at Kingscliff, via Mt Warning. The Mt Warning summit track climbs about 700 m through forest, to the peak with extensive views in all directions. Unfortunately the weather was fairly hazy that day. We’ll just have to come back on a clearer day. We did enjoy the bandicoot under the lookout at the top.

Kingscliff Beach – dawn

Our “Reproduction Down Under 2017” conference ran through Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning, and went well. We had around 70 delegates, many international, and the diversity and quality of their presentations was fabulous. We also indulged in some dawn walks along the beach. Most pleasant.

Post-conference, a drive to Brisbane for a bit of sightseeing and re-packing for the international flight on Weds.

…

Brisbane: we enjoyed a pleasant stay with Viola and her son Phillip. A day wandering around Mt Coot-Tha was very relaxing and a good prelude to today’s flight BNE-LAX-SLC then a 3 -4 h drive. The forest there was dry as could be. Not a trickle coming over Slaughters “Falls”. But it was pleasant in the woodland and the walk was enjoyable. After a good night’s sleep we headed early to the airport to make sure we missed the morning rush hour… It was only after that we realised it was a public holiday so we could probably have had a longer sleep in. Not that we would have slept. Better go before the battery fails.

As usual, I have made a gallery of photos at https://goo.gl/photos/TrswjPPDRFg2o3Vz6. Enjoy.