Monday, May 5, 2014

Family Holiday - Mount Gambier - Day 3

We started day 3 a bit later than previous days. The kids were enjoying sleeping in and it was cold in our little cabin so no-one wanted to get out of our nice warm beds.

First thing though we headed to the local skate park. The kids are all pretty good and roller blading/skating and enjoy going on the ramps at the skate parks. We usually go first thing in the morning because there aren't many people there yet so we can get it mostly to ourselves. This one had a great section that was perfect for the girls. They aren't quite up to doing big ramps yet but this had a section of smaller ramps all together that they loved. I didn't get any pictures but I got some video which I will put into a separate post.

After skating for about an hour we headed to Centenary tower. it was a very steep hike but well worth the view from the top. You can see the whole township of Mount Gambier as well as all the way to Port MacDonnell which is a 20 minute drive away.


This picture is looking at the caravan park that we stayed in and beyond that is the Blue Lake.


My lovely Caity! Love that girl!


My one and only!


Huh! 
This boy is so hard to get pictures of. He never looks at me!


Pretty girl!


Listening at the door. The kids said they could hear music coming from inside. When we went up it was all locked up. Apparently if the flag is flying from the top of the tower you can go inside. We kept checking but we never saw that flag during our whole trip.


Love this bunch of crazy kids!




After our long hike we were ready for some lunch. We had stopped by the shops earlier and got some stuff for a picnic. We headed to a huge park near valley lake. We had stopped by the day before for a short time and the kids really wanted to go back and spend some more time there.
While having lunch we met up with some friends from Adelaide who were also having a holiday in Mt Gambier.

After lunch we all headed over to a wildlife sanctuary to have a wander through.

Another statue to pose with!







Someone was feeling happy!


Wallabies!


Caitlyn liked to read the signs and tell us what to look for.




We did find a koala. He was too busy eating to pay much attention to us though.

After our walk we headed into town for some afternoon tea at a chocolate shop. The kids and Buzz got ice cream and I had a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie. It was all so yummy! We definitely weren't watching what we were eating while on holidays.

After that we headed to the shops to do a bit of shopping. The kids all needed some extra winter clothes so they all ended up getting a jumper or some new long pants.

Again the kids were very tired as we went back to the cabin to relaxing before dinner but it didn't take them long to gain some energy and head out to the jumping pillow.

We had to call the kids back when it was dark outside. We were heading back to the Umperston sinkhole to feed the possums before going to dinner.

We had some grapes with us so that's what we took to feed the possums. When we got there there were a few other people around but we could only see one or two possums. The kids were a bit afraid at first as the possums would take the food right out of your hand but it didn't take them long to get the hang of it. While we were there quite a few more possums came out of hiding including a mother with a baby on her back. They were high up on the wall so we threw some grapes up there for them. Buzz managed to get a few of the possums to come down lower so that the kids could reach them. The kids loved it. After a little while some other people came along and tired to feed the possums some apple but they rejected it. Then one of our kids tired the grapes and they took it straight away. They really enjoyed the grapes. We finally ran out of grapes and were feeling a bit hungry ourselves so we left to go to dinner.
We promised the kids that we would come back and do it again the next night.

After a yummy dinner at 'The House of Snitzel' we headed back to the cabin for some TV before bed.





Sunday, May 4, 2014

Family Holiday - Mount Gambier - Day 2

After a quick breakfast we all got ready and headed out the door. The kids wanted to walk around the Blue Lake and check it all out. We started at the same lookout that we had walked to the day before. The kids again tried to throw things over the edge trying to get them to land in the lake.


Haylie found this pine cone and wanted me to take this picture. I think she even managed to get us to bring it all the way home with us.


Amie started walking along this raised bit that went alongside the path and everyone had to follow.


We stopped at another viewing platform along the way. From this one we got a good view of the pumping station.




At another viewing platform. By now the kids were starting to get tired and asking how much further it was. At this point we were only halfway around but it is 3.6kms altogether so they did a pretty good job.


We decided to do the tour that went down the waters edge. Its the only way to get closer to the water. While we were waiting the kids wanted to get some pictures taken. They are such poser's!





The first part of the tour was a little bit boring to the kids but the liked getting into the little tiny elevator. It had a small window so you could see the tunnel that the lift went down in.
When the lift doors open you walk through this tunnel to another viewing platform.



I just loved how clear and blue the water was. It was beautiful.



Amie took this lovely picture!

After the tour we continued our walk around the Blue Lake. At one spot we found what Buzz called 'rapenzel's tower.


Heading up to the tower.



Inside the tower.


We then continued up the hill that was behind the tower to another viewing platform.





Haylie found another spot that she needed a photo taken.


Lachlan's thinking man pose.

You would think that after all that walking the kids would be really tired, but no. They wanted to head over to the jumping pillow at the caravan park. We had seen it the night before but hadn't let them on it because it was all wet and dirty. It had dried in the sun and there was no one else on it so we let them have at it for about an hour.


I only took one picture of them but I did take some video. I might add that in a seprate post.

After eating our leftovers for lunch we headed out for some more exploring. This time we got into the car and headed to the Umpherston Sinkhole. It's really just a big hole in the ground but they have put some gardens and walkways in this one. It is really beautiful.


Looking through the vines that hang from the top.






My handsome boy!


Cheesy girl!


Bees!


Looking up at the bees.




The kids got hold of the camera again.






Love those vines!

After the Umperston sink hole we stopped at a place called CupKates for some afternoon tea. I got a yummy lemon curd cupcake and all the kids and Buzz got milkshakes. After that we headed to another sinkhole. This one is right in the middle of town. It is called Cave Gardens.
These pictures were taken with my iPhone.


It's really hard to see in pictures but that hole was really deep. You can't go right down to the bottom of this one. This platform is about halfway down.




Haylie found another picture spot and the other girls followed.




After the Cave Gardens we drove around a bit checking out some viewing spots.











After some dinner we went to see the sound a light show that they out on at the Cave Gardens every night but we were very disappointed in it.

That is the end of Day 2.