New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Boat Race

The World Championship boat race was held on the Yarrawonga - Mulwala Lake. Grand Pix Hydroplanes are the world's fastest automotive circuit race boats in the world. The boat race included people from USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It was exciting to see how fast some of these boats could go. Near the end of the race, the weather decided not to cooperate and so there was a delay until it was safe to continue. Well, after an hour, the kids decided that they didn't want to wait anymore...so off to McDonald's for some ice cream cones. We drove all the way across town (it only takes a min.) and when we got there, we could hear that the boat race had started again. We missed the fasted boat, the one we were waiting to see. Oh well, maybe we will see it next year.

When the boys saw these toy boats, they decided that if they put their money together they could probably get one. They were disappointed to find out that they only need $950 more.

More Pict. from the Great Ocean Road

12 Apostles

Loch Ard Gorge

London Bridge (Well it use to be a bridge until last year it collapsed and stranded some folks on the other side. A helicopter had to come and rescue them.)

Schanck Lighthouse

The Arch

Great Ocean Road Day 4

Day four was our drive home, we stopped at several more places since the weather was so nice. This was Loch Ard Gorge, A ship called the Lock Ard wrecked on the rocks not far from here, two survivors (a man and a woman) made it to this gorge and survived for another few days until the man climbed out and found help.

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Looking back into Loch Ard Gorge.

The stairs down into the gorge.

The kids had lots of fun climbing on the rocks and playing in the sand.

This was thunder cave, you could hear the waves crashing up inside and echoing loudly, it was impressive.

Spencer, Melanie and Liam checking out Thunder Cave.

Taking a break.

The kids spotted an echidna digging in the ground just off the path. It's the little rock like brown spot just in front of Liam's hand in the photo. What a weird little animal.

Maeby Hitching a ride on her Daddy.

Since the weather was so nice, we decided to stop at the 12 Apostles again, this time we took a helicopter ride of the whole monument. It was AWESOME! Willy took Mel and Liam and I took Spencer and Maeby.

There goes Willy and the big kids.

Maeby gearing up for the flight.

Just as Will was landing, we were taking off.

Once Co-pilot Spencer figured out that he could talk into the microphone and we all heard him, he was chatting it up with the pilot the whole time, it was so cute.

Totally worth it! Amazing coastline.

We stopped in Apollo Bay to play on the beach. The day was perfect, but the water was COLD. Didn't bother the kids any, they hopped right in.

Just as we were getting ready to pack up and go, Liam decides to roll in the warm sand...uuuuuugh. Back into the drink with him.

Did I mention that the water was COLD?

Spencer sneaking up on the waves.

Everybody loves Mum.

Spencer made himself a comfy little wading pool to relax in.

That didnt last long, a few reaching waves and it was all gone.

He's trying to watch for the next wave...

He looks a bit surprised by this one.

Ahhh, that wasn't so bad.

Time for the little piggies to have a nice roll in the sand and git it in every crack with a 6 hour drive left ahead of us.

But it was worth every bit of it.