Exploring The Southern Great Barrier Reef

Sponsored by Tourism and Events Queensland

A good thing resulting from our many and continued house moves is the opportunity to see more of this beautiful country we live in.  In the early years of marriage, Matt and I lived in Newcastle, New South Wales. We lived in a small old cottage.  There was no hot water in the kitchen, most of the sash windows didn’t work and it was oh-so-cold inside during Winter, but we loved it there because the big block and had views of the ocean.   The house was tired and old but it had character and felt like home.

Cottage

Months before we moved from Newcastle there to Queensland, we spent weekends exploring the surrounds with our two small children.  I remember driving up to the blue mountains with two small children in tow, and it snowed on the day we were there!  It was exciting!  As I look back, there was a defining moment for me on that particular drive and I’ll tell you why.  I realised how important it was for our family to experience adventure together as we value this country we live in.  It’s  vast, varied and beautiful here in Australia.

2005 (pregnant with child no.3)

We are in a making memories stage of parenting and so as a family, we are constantly looking for ways to marry our love of adventure, the treasure that is our country Australia and family memories. It’s a thing we do: at every place we move, we explore.   We are currently in Brisbane, Queensland, and on one of our day-trip adventures was to the Queen Mary Falls near Killarney.  On our last visit, there was no one was there but us. Best.  And then when we have the opportunity, we explore further afield on camping getaways and road trips.  One of our favourite holidays so far was a driving holiday back in 2011 and you can see where we went here: 2011 Road Trip.  

Queen Mary Falls

Exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef

I will continue to showcase more of this beautiful country through the blog in the upcoming years because it’s something I’m passionate about.  This coming long weekend, I’m working with Tourism and Events Queensland to showcase a gem that is the Southern Great Barrier Reef starting from Bundaberg — including Lady Elliot, Lady Musgrove, Herron, Wilson and Great Keppel islands — through Gladstone and up to the Capricorn Coast.  The region boasts of coral reefs, stunning beaches, bountiful wildlife, shopping, agriculture, gem fossicking and more. We’ve haven’t explored the area before and the kids are beside themselves with excitement.  For this Hidden Treasure Challenge, we have a map clues to follow so we don’t even know exactly what we are doing yet (we will wait to open the clues).  It will be exciting all round and you can follow along over this coming June long weekend.

Our Southern Great Barrier Reef Hidden Treasure Challenge Pack

Follow Along – Southern Great Barrier Reef Hidden Treasure Challenge

Follow along this long weekend as we explore by following:

The blog: I’ll do a quick update each day we are away, so look out for posts on Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night (8,9,10 June).

Instagram: I’m @beafunmum on instragram and I will update regularly using these hashtags #BAFM_Travel #SouthernGreatBarrierReef #ThisIsQueensland

Facebook page:  There will be snippets on the Be A Fun Mum Facebook Page too

Here’s to adventure! Here’s to memory making. Bring it on.

More Travel Posts

Entertaining Kids When Travelling Long Distances

Games & Activities You Can Play on the Go

Camping: What Gear You Need

Camping: Organising and Packing Food

Africa Safari

Disclosure

This is a S1 post. You can read my disclosure policy here.