1) The journey with Emirates.. after a long period of uncertainty due to unfortunate world events, we were so unbelievably grateful to Emirates Airline for getting us there!  The journey to Aus is always a challenge (after all you are flying to the other side of the world.  It's 10,260 miles as the 'Crow' (haha) flies from Manchester!!).  However, an Emirates flight makes it a whole lot more entertaining and comfortable.  We flew economy and I have to say that on the 14 hr sections we really wished we had paid for premium seats, but that free'd up budget for better hotels on arrival.  Pros and cons.  Overall, the plane, schedule and staff could not be faulted.  The food was really decent and the entertainment system (ICE) was brilliant.  Multiple new and classic movies, TV shows and games....you will never be bored.  I do think they are the best for this journey.  

2) 3 nights at the Crystal Brook Vincent Hotel, Brisbane ...this is a very contemporary, waterfront hotel featuring works by the famous modern artist Vincent Fantauzzo.  It is situated directly below the Story Bridge and next to Howard Smith Wharves and its many alehouses and restaurants.  It also features a rooftop restaurant, bar and pool.  It is very welcoming and the views from our King River Room were simply incredible.  We absolutely loved it and with its moderate price point I highly recommend it for a 2-3 night stay in Brisbane.  Also, it is right next to a ferry terminal for easy transit anywhere in Brisbane.  My learning on this trip was that it takes a good 2-3 days to recover from the jet lag so I highly recommend staying at least 2 nights to catch your breath and continue travelling.  Be aware!  The beach at Southbank is closed from mid June for a few weeks which was a shame but the pool is still open.  An amazing little riverfront restaurant we came across was Mulga Bills - great spot for a lovely lunch watching boats go by....

3) 2 nights at the Glass House Mountains Ecolodge...in an attempt to control budget and enjoy an authentic and immersive experience, we opted to stay at the Glass House Mountains EcoLodge near Maleny in the Hinterland.  This is very close to the late Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo (a few kilometres).  Firstly, the accommodation itself is an experience.   The owner is a great chap and you can opt to stay in renovated Victorian train carriages or a converted church building.  The whole resort is packed full of recycled oddities (phone boxes and porcelain sinks to name a couple) but also full of the most beautiful fruit trees (56+) and a fairy woods.  They encourage you to wander and forage.  The first thing we heard on getting our of our hire car was the sound of the laughing kookaburra and the noisy rainbow lorikeets.  We also saw some Sulphur-crested cockatoos fly over - quite incredible with their yellow mohican hairstyles :-) .  As for fun, we enjoyed lunch in Maleny and a long walk along the Trail there. 

4) 4 nights at South Pacific Resort, Noosa... we chose Noosa to have a rest more than anything and to really enjoy the ocean.  After a challenging year we needed some relaxation.  Holly had just finished her A levels and I had been very busy booking holidays (of course!) for my clients.  I asked Australian specialist supplier ANZCRO to recommend a relaxed resort with good beaches and national park on its doorstep.   This was perfect.  The apartment at South Pacific Resort was very big, well designed and modern.  It ticked every box.  However, it was too far to walk to the centre so you have to either get a taxi or use the free hotel shuttle bus.    Whilst there we booked a cruise at sunset which was wonderful (even saw some wild Roo's!)  and did the Noosa National Park Walk which took about 2.5 hrs return and is so so beautiful you MUST do it.  Food is pretty pricey in Noosa but we ate out a couple of times and used the Aldi next to our hotel to eat in a couple of nights as a balance.  Perfect!  Noosa is also fabulous for shopping.  It is full of dress boutiques, gift shops, cool bars and eateries.  The teens will love it! Mine did anyway.

5) 4 nights at Ramada Hervey Bay (2) and  Kingfisher Resort Fraser Island (2)....Hervey Bay was a necessary stopover for us before and after Fraser Island to enable the ferry.  I wasn't sure about it.  However, we actually had a lot of fun.  We stayed at the Ramada near the Boat Club at the marina (a motel type of hotel with a pool and bar) and they advised us to eat at the Boat Club which actually also had a cinema surprisingly.  We thought this was odd but actually there was live music, great food and loads of lovely people who gave us their membership card to get discounts on drinks.  How great is that?  We had a ball!  In the summer you can also take great whale watching trips from this Marina but we just missed the arrival of the whales sadly.  As for Fraser Island...wow wow wow!  I don't want to give too much away because it may spoil all the surprises, but think rainforest growing from the sand itself, pure white silicone beaches, roaming dingoes and the most amazing rainforest and wildlife.  I will say no more. 

Call me for info on this as you really need to know how to do it and book it!  A 4x4 wheel drive is required on the island where there are no roads for one....

5) 3 nights at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park... last and anything but least, 3 nights at this wonderful place.  We definitely left the best till last.  The drive up is a challenge though with its  1 hr 10 mins of blind bends, 1 lane stretches and steep drops...it is not for the faint hearted!  However, on arrival the rewards are plenty.  You are greeted with a manager's welcome talk and glass of bubbly on the first day.  Tropical birds swoop into your bedroom to share your breakfast and the views are mind blowing, not to mention the multitude of rainforest walks and waterfalls to explore on your doorstep.  The resort has a kind of alpine feel to it with its dark wood, open fires and mountainous location.  Honestly - it is just wonderful.  I can tell you much more in person.