A Day trip to "Straddie"

The prior day we debated whether to travel north to the Australia Zoo or go out to the beaches of North Stradbbroke Island by ferry and bus to explore its beaches and hike the Gorge walk. Based on the wise advice of a gracious welcoming host with whom Nancy will teach - Thank you, Margaret - we opted for the latter. The Australian Zoo apparently is a must see but with a long train ride to and fro, the oppressive heat and the fact that it is the summer holidays it will be - pun intended - a zoo!

While we only opted for a day trip to Straddie (as this was the maximum that our winterized white skin could reasonably withstand) the scenery was fantastic. A short 20 minute ferry ride aboard a local catamaran, a bus ride of similar duration and a little walking and stair climbing brought us to the fantastic Gorge walk and to Frenchman's Cove, Deadman's Beach and Cylinder Beach.