5 Questions for the Outdoor Family – Miranda Starr

Mar 8

This outdoorsy mum is someone I stumbled across on Facebook thanks to our shared enthusiasm for adventures around Far North Queensland, and I'm planning on sharing some of her family adventures on the Adventure Mumma website.

So, it’s time to meet Miranda Starr and her outdoor family.

Here's a quick bio of how Miranda made it to Cairns:

"I was born in Griffith and bought up with 5 sisters and in that area there wasn't always a lot to do except for make our own adventures. So because of that we were always Outdoor kids fishing, building huts, riding our bikes or swimming in the river.I moved up to Cairns to see family which was meant to only be for a year. I fell in love with the place and the amount of outdoor activities Far North Queensland had to offer. I realised it was the perfect place for me. After finding my dream job on the Great Barrier Reef as a deckhand I definitely wasn't going to leave. This is where I found my partner in crime and to my delight he was just as adventurous as me so two became 5. Now we have more miniature versions of us to enjoy the Outdoors with us and show them everything we have learnt along the way. I wouldn't change a single thing."

1. What have been some of your ‘Coolest’ Adventures (Before Kids).

"I've had too many adventures before the kids to name them all but still to this day my all time favourite is swimming and diving with the minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef. It is the only place in the world you can do this and no matter how many times I do it I'm still in aww when I see them.

**Snorkelling with minkes was a highlight before kids**

I do miss however our epic fishing adventures to places like Lakefield and Cape Flattery, they were some good times."

2. What have been some of your standout ‘Special’ Moments you’ve shared with your children.

There isn't one particular stand out special moment with my kids. Every day is different and special in its own right. We have created so many memories together and enjoy each other's company every day.

**Camping with the kids is a highlight**

But I enjoy camping with our kids the most and whenever we are camping we have some fantastic times as a family.

3. What TIPS can you offer to families who want to do MORE with their children.

I think parenting can be difficult but I actually thing being outdoors more helps the stresses of parenthood.

So my tip to every parent is to get out more!

Go to the park, the creek. It doesn't have to cost lots of money and all of the most memorable times with kids are the free ones. As parents we can try to overdo it and buy them lots of things to be happy. But kids don't remember what you have bought them they remember the time you have spent with them.

**Simple things like hiking can help create lots of memories**

Memories are made outdoors. Going camping or just a day out to the creek can be tiring for some but I like to do lots of pre-planning to make sure a day goes smooth and contains mostly fun and no stress. Always have food and spare clothes!

4. What things do would you still LIKE to experience with your children (a bucket list)?

We have lots on our bucket list but our next big adventure will be taking the family to the Kimberleys, exploring the top end and experiencing some real outback.

**Just camping locally is a lot of fun**

Overseas doesn't really phase us too much because we have so much we want to do right here."

5. Where can we find you?

You can find us by a creek, fishing in the ocean or camping somewhere. But the easiest place is on facebook at FNQ adventures and instagram (@fnq_family_outdoor_adventures) and soon we will have a website up with all our latest adventures.