Our summer holidays begin with a bold ambition: road-tripping from Wollongong all the way to Townsville, towing our caravan on its first proper outing. The plan? Take our time, enjoy the journey, and soak in the highlights of coastal Queensland on the way to a big family reunion.
The first leg sees us travel north to the Gold Coast, where we set up camp at the always-popular NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort. This park is a haven for families, with multiple pools, waterslides, playgrounds, and excellent amenities. Within minutes of parking the van and unrolling the awning, the kids are already in the water. They barely leave for the next two days. Between swims, we find time to explore a charming Christmas market in Southport and reconnect with old friendsโone of those surprise catch-ups that reminds you how small the world really is.
Setting our sights on Coolum for the day, we detour for some high-energy aquatic fun at Aqua Park Coolumโa floating inflatable playground that quickly becomes one of the highlights of the trip. The kids (and adults) dive into slides, jumps, climbs, and splashes with full enthusiasm. It's chaos in the best way, with belly flops, face plants, and the kind of laughter that sticks with you. Massive wraps from the kids, who claim it's "about as good as Wet'n'Wild"โhigh praise indeed.
From there, we continue north through Queensland's heartland, spending the night in Rockhampton. The weather is as warm as the hospitality, and it provides the perfect break in our journey. Rockhampton sits on the Tropic of Capricorn and proudly calls itself the beef capital of Australia. Though our stop is brief, the kids enjoy cooling off while we adults focus on refuellingโfor both the car and ourselves.
Somewhere between Rockhampton and Townsville, we pull into the Flaggy Rock Cafe and Craft Shop for a surprisingly memorable lunch. Excellent pies, top-notch coffee, and genuinely lovely service make it one of those unexpected roadside gems that ends up being a highlight. If you're ever doing the Bruce Highway drive, it's worth the stop.
As we push further north, the scenery becomes greener, the air more humid, and the roads increasingly flanked by sugar cane and banana plantations. The sense of anticipation builds as we edge closer to Townsville, a city that holds deep family roots and memories. Pulling into town, there's a familiar tropical stillness in the air. We've made itโthe start of the main event begins.
