A Group Tour

I gave in. 

I booked myself a spot on a guided group tour. 

 Lamington National Park, O'Reillys, and Tamborine Mountain. 

During this day trip...

I came across an American in Australia for the first time ~ I was nominated the official headcounter of the group (there were 23 of us) ~ I climbed above the tree tops in a rainforest ~ I caught a glimpse of a freshwater eel ~

and...

  
I set eyes on a wild wallaby. Finally! 
She belongs to the "Pretty Face" wallaby family. Note the pretty stripes on her face. 

I took in the sites and smells of an Alpaca farm. 
    
What are alpacas used for you ask? If you guessed "fleece" then you are right on the money. I was able to pet Roy the Alpaca and he had a plush thick coat on him- perfect for a nice warm sweater. 
   
Interesting fact: Breeders determine their alpacas are pregnant by walking a male alpaca past the females. 
The ones that spit at him are the ones that are knocked up. Smart women!  
   

I met JOHN, my Hinterland tour guide. 

A kind old man with a dorky sense of humor, a bit of road rage and a lot of

 knowledge about the sites and sounds of the Aussie Mountains. He was great! 

   

I saw the ocean from the top of a mountain. (A bit hard to see in this picture. Just trust me)

If only Colorado offered this same luxury. 

I was enthralled by the assortment of colossal trees. I wish I could share the vastness of them with you- I couldn't fit a whole tree in one picture no matter how hard I tried!

 I hand fed a wild Crimson Rosella. 

How many people do you know can say they have done that?!

   

I appreciated another "absolutely stunning" view.

Tour guide John referred to everything as "absolutely stunning" all day long. You know its good if after 100s of trips up the mountain the tour guide is still fascinated by the views. 

I gave up wine tasting and shopping in exchange for a hike through the rainforest. 
Halfway through the day we were given the option to stay in town to shop and tour the wineries or head to the rainforest for a hike (aka 5 minute walk) to Curtis Falls. With the realization that it's not everyday I can walk through a rainforest, the decision to give up wine and shopping wasn't difficult. 
    
And with a destination like this:

I am confident I made the right call. 

  
Despite my reluctancy to admit I am a tourist and book a guided group tour-- I had a great day with some interesting people and heaps of fantastic sites :-) 
  
A group-tour-snob no more!