Hervey Bay Circus Visit sadly they still use animals
Stardust Circus (established in the early 1990s) is Australia’s largest animal circus. Our animals have been trained with the reward method, and are treated as part of this large family.
Oh what a family it is! Stardust circus is operated by Janice and Lindsay Lennon, along with five brothers and sisters from the West Circus family. Along with their partners and children, these people are the circus’ core. The family have been in the circus industry all their lives & are proudly bringing up the next generation of performers amongst this supportive family structure.The circus has performing animals including African lions, mischievous monkeys, six magnificent Liberty Horses as well as miniature trick ponies.You will also witness a large flying Trapeze Troupe, a spectacular 10 person Hungarian trained Teeter Board (springboard) act, dynamic aerialists high above your head, acrobatic comedy and of course crazy clowns. From Colombia, South America, we have a sensational flying trapeze artist who has just joined the circus, and presents unbelievable tricks high in the air.The circus travels on 22 motor vehicles including semi trailers, 14 trucks and many 4WDs – all towing caravans and equipment trailers. Stardust Circus travels to outback towns and communities as well as showing in all major cities in Australia.
Kids have no issues with captured animals and are more than likely to enjoy the circus acts,a lot of debate regarding the animals tho
Cane Toads and the Rain
The heavy rains we are experiencing is bringing Cane Toads out into the open,fortunately they are not so prominent as in other parts of Queensland,however,we did have a visitor last night and Ann quickly gave it a dose of Dettol which provides almost instant death and these creatures are a danger to animals in particular dogs.Humans can also be infected by them.Strangely they are not to be found anywhere when the weather is hot and it is difficult to understand how they appear so quickly with rain !! When on our travels in Kuramba on the Gulf of Carpenteria Frog skins were made into handbags,purses etc and I have NO idea who would buy them
The cane toad (Rhinella marina) formerly Bufo marinus is an invasive species in Australia. The cane toad is the largest species in the family Bufonidae. Adult cane toads are usually heavy-built and weigh an average of up to 1.8 kg. (4 lbs.). Their size may vary from 15–23 cm.(4-9 in.) and their skin is warty. The coloration on their back and sides may vary from olive-brown or reddish-brown, gray, and yellow while their bellies are semi-yellow or semi-white with darker mottling. Their body is round and flat, has prominent corneal crests, and light middorsal stripes. Their front feet are unwebbed, but their back feet have tough, leathery webbing. Cane toads have short legs and a ridged bony head that extends forward from their eyes to their nose. Behind their ears lie the parotid glands, which usually causes their head to appear swollen. These glands are used for defense against predators. The parotid gland produces milky toxic secretion or poison that is dangerous to many species.This venom primarily affects the functioning of the heart. Envenomation is painful, but is usually not fatal for humans. However, it does have some effects, such as burning of the eyes and hands, and skin irritation
Currently, most attempts to curtail the invasion of cane toads have been unsuccessful. Many of these strategies involve the physical trapping of toads, but these methods also capture unintended native species.Since the largest selective pressure on cane toads currently is intraspecies competition, these physical removals often only improve the conditions for untrapped toads. Also, since migration is high, any area purged of toads would most likely be reinvaded quickly.Many new ideas have been proposed to control the cane toad population. Some have suggested introducing a native viral or bacterial pest of the toads, but this has potential to once again invade native species. Two similar strategies have been proposed, both of which focus on fecundity. One involves the release of sterile males into the population. These males would compete for resources with other males, while themselves not being able to reproduce. A second strategy would be to insert a gene in female toads which would allow them to only create male offspring. In theory, this would limit the reproductive rates and control the population. It is difficult to determine the efficacy and dangers of these approaches, as these methods have never been attempted, especially on a large scale.On 13 June 2012 news reports cited a new research breakthrough regarding cane toad control. Research has confirmed that cane toad tadpoles are attracted to the toxin produced by adults and spawn. Tadpoles are believed to cannibalize toad spawn as a food source. Researchers used cane toad toxin to successfully lure cane toad tadpoles, implying that in controlled areas tadpoles could be captured and eradicated.The RSPCA has guidelinesfor the humane culling of cane toads. Inhumane ways include spraying with Dettol, Phenyl and using golf clubs, but these are illegal in most states and territories .[citation needed] Due to concerns over potential harm to other Australian wildlife species, the use of Dettol as pest control was banned in Western Australia by the Department of Environment and Conservation in 2011.
Hervey Bay our Home Town
Hervey Bay is one of Queensland’s best natural holiday destinations offering the world’s closest whale watching encounters with humpback whales as well as easy access to World Heritage Listed Fraser Island; the world’s largest sand island and Lady Elliot Island; the first coral cay on World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Its safe sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a vibrant marina.In perfect, stinger-free water enjoy kayaking, yachting, diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. Boating and fishing enthusiasts enjoy estuary, beach, jetty, reef and game fishing. Join a tour or charter your own vessel, yacht or houseboat.Enjoy a bicycle ride along the picturesque foreshore, visit places such as the Orchid House within the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Marina area or one of the many restaurants and cafes situated along the Esplanade.Visitors to Hervey Bay can choose from a range of accommodation styles, catering for all tastes and budgets. Several of the accommodation houses, attractions and general facilities are also accessible for people with disabilities.
The Bay also boasts lots of class pubs and a few clubs the biggest being the RSL and the Boat Club of which we are members of both..They also provide free transport to and from the clubs.The beaches are pristine and there is a fabulous FREE water park for kids (and we big kids!!) Seniors are catered for in ahuge with lots of activities to keep them busy I am currently doing a bit for St Vinnies and a position I am enjoying thoroughly my training as a radio disc jockey…..Should have moved here years ago !!
Samford Queensland & The Suncoasters
We have traveled 300+KMs from home to join up with the Suncoasters monthly meet up and have settled in a lovely Scout camp area.The grounds are specifically for young people to learn camping skills that have been handed down since Baden Powell started the movement. Motor home travelers such as our group also have access to this lovely well kept area.Our first Happy Hour began around 4pm and with a food break went on for a few hours!! Next day was spent chatting with various members and a visit to the Scout Movement Museum (even had an original footprint set in concrete left by non other than Baden Powell himself on a visit here in 1935 !! The Scout Association of Queensland operates Baden Powell Park. An easy walk from the Village, Baden Powell Park consists of 56 hectares of natural bush land bordering the Brisbane Forest Park. Within the grounds are modern, fully equipped conference facilities for up to 150 people, a commercial kitchen, accommodation blocks, camping ground, swimming pool, dam, abseiling tower as well as walking trails of various grades. Baden Powell Park is the venue for a number of activities open to the public such as laser skirmish and abseiling.The Baden-Powell Heritage Centre & Museum is also open to scouting groups and to the general public on weekends. Samford was occupied by the indigenous people who named it Kupidabin, an Aboriginal word from the Waka language, meaning ‘place of possums’. Samford was an important location for “kippa-ring” or initiation ceremony. Tribes from Ipswich, Cressbrook, Mount Brisbane and Brisbane would travel here to have their “kippas” (young men) initiated. Annie ventured into the Village and took some pics.At one of the Happy Hour sessions we met a couple of young girls who are “testing” the Motor home scene afore they go off and do the full around Oz thing
Back to reality
After a brilliant few days around Brisbane & Surfers Paradise we are settling into a new phase having done my first nerve racking stint on radio (Fraser Coast FM 107.50) and enjoyed banter with my co learner Paul under the watchful eye of the talented Patrick. Although nervous on my first attempt I am excited at the prospect of having my own show in the future
After my last learning session we ambled along to our local RSL and entered a quiz with just me and Annie plus an intellectually disabled lad forming a team (other teams had 6 members) Coming LAST we won the $20 booby prize added to the $30 I previously won on the pokies ! (one armed bandits) On this particular day it was Annies birthday and we have had the best day (with lots of beer for me as Annie can,t drink much in the way of alcohol !!)
The weekend ahead sees us on the road again heading for Samford in Queensland with around 30 other RVs) I am having a great time.Around July we are hoping to set off on our adventures and heading towards Perth and visiting old friends.
We are continuing our volunteer work with St Vinnies and life is good .
Annie has let me buy a bit of steel and I am having great fun making wrought iron articles ( I was trained in the art of Blacksmithing,not horses,when I left school)
LIFE IS FOR LIVING ,WE ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME ENJOYING IT
SeaWorld …No 4 and the last Theme Park of this short holiday !
We set off for a 10 am entry to the SeaWorld Theme Park and took a ride in the Cable Car around the area to get a feel for it then onto the magical Dolphin Show and I’ve been around this ole world a bit and without exception this is THE best show I have had the pleasure to witness !! Next was a spin on the overhead monorail train .Jayne and Paul opted to go on the STORM ride whilst we child minded.Next was our turn to do the Log Flume in a Viking Boat and I still enjoy these rides !Through out the park various sea creature shows were held and lots of Pool touch areas for kids
From Wikipedia
Park history
Sea World is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and theme park located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It includes rides, animal exhibits and other attractions, and promotes conservation through education and through the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.Sea World was founded by Keith Williams in 1958. It was originally known as the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens, which presented “water ski shows that combined comedy, aqua ballet and action”. In 1971, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens moved to land on the Spit. Major dredging works were required to build the new ski lake. A year later, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens became known as Sea World with the introduction of dolphins, marine displays, a replica of the Endeavour, a swimming pool, licensed restaurant and gift shop. Extra additions over the next decade included the purchasing of competitor marine park, Marineland, and the transfer of animals and exhibits to Sea World as well as the addition of more shops and food outlets.
Wet n Wild Theme Park 3
Still surving the round of parks and this particular one is probably more suited to teenagers and young people,whilst I have no problem using water slides I do have aproblem going up all the steps.For kids there are a couple of well used features around to keep them happy.My daughter and her husband made full use of Grandparent skills as they opted to ride the more scary water tubes and slides !!Fod (as in all Surfers Paradise Parks is on the dear side BUT never the less we still indulged.We have ONE more park to sample tomorrow and that is IT !! Grankids Will and Charlie had a great time getting soaked !!
From Wikipedia
Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast opened on 30 September 1984 as Cade’s County Waterpark. The Herringe group of companies developed the park at a cost of A$18 million. The name was later changed to Cade’s County Wet’n’Wild, then simply Wet’n’Wild in 1987 after a licensing agreement was reached with chain of Wet ‘n Wild water parks overseas.Under ownership of Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the park changed its name to Wet’n’Wild Water World to match the related Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World theme parks. In 2013, to distinguish the park from Wet’n’Wild Sydney, the park’s name was changed to Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast.
Movieworld Theme Park No 2
2 Theme Parks down 2 to go !! Today we visited the Movieworld Park approx 16 kms out of our hotel area in Surfers Paradise ! We managed to get lost in our hotel car park before heading off !The Park is themed around Warner Bros characters including Super heroes and Villains.Kids rides were very good for the young uns BUT the adult rides were so scary !! We tried a few and it will be the last time ever I personally do these rides !! Full on is the only way to describe the day as we never stopped walking.Shows included a great motorbike/car stunt event,4D theatre was around Lost Island with the effects and 3D glasses making the film more believable
From Wikipedia
Warner Bros. Movie World can be divided into four broad sections: Main Street, Kids’ WB Fun Zone, a wild west area and a DC Comics superhero hub.Main Street serves as the main entrance path for the park.It features many attractions that are based around movies and filmmaking including the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster and Hollywood Stunt Driver.The area is also home to a vast array of shows including the All Star Parade, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – The 4D Experience, Marilyn tribute, Scooby-Doo Disco Discovery and Batman – Shadows of Gotham.Kids’ WB Fun Zone is the park’s children’s area themed after the Looney Tunes cartoons featured on Kids’ WB Australia.[44] It is located in the northern portion of the park and can be accessed via Main Street.Kids’ WB Fun Zone features a number of rides specifically designed for children including the Looney Tunes Carousel, Speedy Gonzales Tijuana Taxis and Yosemite Sam’s Railroad. The area is also home to a Vekoma Junior Coaster named the Road Runner Rollercoaster.A wild west themed area is located in the southern portion of the park.Its main attraction is the Hopkins Rides water ride named Wild West Falls Adventure Ride.A large show stage houses the Looney Tunes – What’s Up Rock? show while the Western Town Show Down show is performed outside.A DC Comics superhero hub is the final section of the park and is located towards the front of the park off Main Street. The area is home to three roller coasters (Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy,Green Lantern Coaster and Superman Escape)
A Day in Surfers Paradise Queensland
Kids and grankids have gone off for the day SO me n Annie went for a stroll onto the Surfers Esplanade and we were treated to a sand sculpture exhibition and competition.Some of the exhibits were magnificent with sand builders coming from around the World.The fun doesn’t stop there, everyone is welcome to get in on the action with heaps of activities for families and children. Free daily sand sculpting workshops will run from 10am to 5pm every hour, as well as sand art and sand bottle making activities for a small fee.Plus, don’t miss the main attraction; a massive collaborative work that pits Australia against The World, as two teams battle it out over 4 days to sculpt the most popular piece in their interpretation of the main theme.Scantily clad meter maids were out in force and were lovely to see,the beach was in full swing with family’s having great fun all under the watchful eye of the famous Australian lifeguards that protect beaches all around this great country of ours .Surfers is situated around 350 kms from our home in Hervey Bay Some of the novelty shops are great to wander around,Annie was mesmerized by a CONDOM shop most shops are open on this Sunday and their are lots of eateries and pubs and I enjoyed looking at places including Draculas Den and Ripleys Believe it or Not ( bringing back memories of when I was a welder in Blackpool my home town when I was commissioned to construct and erect a Churchyard railing to go around some “strange” Tombstones !! Happy Days)
Annie is getting very competent at photography and those below are a tribute to her
Surfers Paradise Queensland & Theme Park No 1
We have travelled the 70 km South to Surfers and after getting lost (which is normal for me !) we are in our 18th floor hotel room Rest of the family is 9 floors below us and I have to say Hotel organization is terrible !! We booked 5 months ago and yet they put us floors away from each other ! Annie is currently discussing with management all things wrong in our rooms !! Never the less the views are spectacular and overlook the Ocean.Prior to this we spent the day at our first of FOUR Theme Parks DREAMWORLD.The day was full on and went all too quickly,granson Will was adventurous and took his ole grandad on a few ridesThe Log Flumewas great but a soaking came with it !! Food is of the fast variety and there is lots to do with all kinds of scary and not so scary rides !! I Loved the circular trai simply because I could sit and relax !! Roaming around the park was a variety of birds and giant lizards…
From Wikepedia
Dreamworld is a large theme park situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is currently. Australia’s largest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions including five roller coasters.The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, DreamWorks Experience, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger Island and the Dreamworld Corroboree. These lands have a collection of rides, animal exhibits, shows, food outlets and merchandise shops.Dreamworld is well known as the location of the Australian Big Brother House since the program began in Australia in 2001. In December 2006, Dreamworld expanded its offerings by openingWhiteWater World next door.On several occasions during the year, Dreamworld remains open after dark. This event, known as Screamworld, includes all of the thrill rides and a selection of children’s rides.
Before we left Brisbane we caught up with Nephew Jamie and his lovely wife Sheila
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 