Today marks our three-year anniversary in Australia. I can’t believe it has ONLY been three years – it feels like we’ve been here much longer. Maybe it’s because we’ve crammed so much into our time here.

I just wanted to share a little post to highlight some of the things we’ve got it up since we moved Down Under on 24th September 2014.

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Reflections on three years in Australia

A Pinterest image of family who moved to Australia This post contains compensated links

We’ve hand-fed wild dolphins. Twice! Once on Moreton Island and once at Tin Can Bay.

We bought a house with swimming pool and more space than we could ever need.

I went wild swimming for the first time and swam under a waterfall near Byron Bay.

All three kids learnt to swim and got over their fear of the water. Our youngest was swimming unaided by the time she turned three and she is a total fish.

My hubby Matt got a permanent job! Finding permanent work here isn’t easy as so many jobs are on contracts. He spent over two years as a contractor before being taken on in a permanent position.

We’ve watched movies in the open air under the night sky sitting on a blanket with a picnic.

We’ve made some amazing new friends.

We’ve visited some fun attractions like Australia Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and the Ginger Factory.

I’ve been on some incredible beach horse rides at Byron Bay and Rainbow Beach.

Our boys have learnt to speak Chinese! They are into their third year of learning it at school.

I’ve been on an off-road tour of Rainbow Beach, seen the most amazing coloured sands and watched whales in the ocean below from the top of the cliff at the lighthouse.

We’ve walked through ancient rainforests.

We’ve been on guided night wildlife walks where we’ve seen sugar gliders, rays and eels.

We’ve had quite a few visits from family.

I’ve been whale watching. Twice. Once from Moreton Island and once from Fraser Island. Both were utterly amazing experiences – I can’t put into words how it feels to see so many whales so close to the boat. This should be on everyone’s bucket list.

We’ve been inside glow-worm caves.

I’ve flown over Fraser Island in a seaplane that took off from the beach (another item to add to your bucket list!)

We’ve cruised down the Brisbane River.

We’ve hand-fed 50-year-old sea turtles at Hervey Bay.

I’ve eaten, and enjoyed, avocado on toast!

We’ve snorkelled a shipwreck.

We’ve seen Les Mis at the theatre, and watched Ash, the Levellers and Walk the Moon live in concert (we never expected bands we like would play Brisbane but they do!)

We’ve eaten ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.

 

The liquid nitrogen ice cream got a big thumbs up! #Noosa #familytime #timeout #familytravel #kids #icecream

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We’ve seen wild koalas in the trees lots of time (we have an area of trees at the kids’ school where we regularly get to see them).

We’ve fed kangaroos.

We’ve drunk iced coffee and milkshakes from a big London red bus at Old Petrie Town.

We’ve done fundraising for the local surf club.

We’ve run down gigantic sand dunes at full speed.

I’ve stayed at one of the most incredible hotels I’ve ever been to – The Byron and Byron which is in Byron Bay (see the picture at the top of the post – that’s me in pure heaven!) While I was there I did outdoor yoga, had a spectacular spa experience and ate the best steak I think I’ve ever eaten in my life. I can’t wait to go back!

We’ve been fossicking for thundereggs. (The kids still think this is one of the best things we’ve ever done!)

I’ve attended four ProBlogger events – my favourite blogging conference!

 

Love this ♥ What’s on your to do list?! #gettoit #pbevent #problogger #darrenrowse #takeaction

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I’ve published my first book (a parenting book called Don’t Panic! A Practical Guide to Twins, Triplets and More).

We’ve cooked barbecues almost every week since we got here!

My kids have learnt to bodyboard.

We’ve sat outside singing Christmas carols in shorts and t-shirts while eating popcorn.

We’ve been for night swims under the stars.

I started this website!


We’ve had the time of our lives.

What could you do over the next three years if you followed your dreams?

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