Bindi and her two friends and co-performers, Tess and Ella, burst through the hotel doors to find that the foyer had been transformed into a sea of swooning teenage girls.
Ella blushed and turned to the others. âI didnât realise we were sopopular.â Ella was thirteen and had shoulder-length brown hair and huge brown eyes. Tess was a mass of blonde curls and at twelve she was already really tall! They were both super-talented singers and dancers and were part of Bindiâs Jungle Girls group.
Bindi nodded earnestly. âItâs certainly great to see so many young people who are as passionate about helping the Tasmanian devil as we are!â
âAh, girls â¦â Robert grinned cheekily as he joined them. âI hate to break it to you but this crowd isnât here to see you.â He pointed to a good-looking, uber-cool teenin designer clothing and wearing a diamond earring, who was signing autographs in the far corner of the foyer. Bindi recognised his distinctive brushed-forward hairstyle at once.
âIsnât that Adam Starr, the actor?â He was touring all around Australia promoting his latest film, Vacation Camp Musical , but Bindi hadnât realised he would be a part of the fundraising concert. Suddenly a loud and high-pitched shriek pierced her left eardrum.
âAhh!â Bindi held her hand over her ear. She turned to see a young girl in a frenzied state of excitement, screaming uncontrollably at the sight of Adam.
âGreat,â Bindi muttered. âNow Iâm tone deaf.â
Robert gave the girls a wave. âIâll see you later.â
âHang on!â called Bindi, following him. âWhere are you going? We need to find our room and start rehearsing.â
Robert shook his head. âNo, you do! I want to see what all the fuss is about with this Adam guy. See ya later, alligator!â
With that he disappeared into the mass of squealing girls. Bindi turned to her friends, who were looking admiringly at Adam.
âOh, come on!â Bindi rolled her eyes. âHeâs just an actor.â
âWell,â shrugged Tess, âhe is a super-cute, super-talented one!â And with that, Tess and Ella took off in a bid to get closer to the star.
Bindi went back outside to help her mum, Terri, with the luggage. She found Terri admiring the gorgeous view of Tasmaniaâs Cradle Mountainâ Lake St Clair National Park.
âThis is one of my favourite places in the world!â exclaimed Terri as her daughter joined her. The surrounding bush of the national park and ancient rainforest was somehow made more beautiful by the icy clear waters of Dove Lake.
âWell, itâs a lot more tranquil here than inside the hotel!â said Bindi asshe breathed in the fresh mountain air. It was spring but there was a noticeable chill in the air. It was much cooler here than in Queensland at this time of year.
The national park had been heritage listed since 1982 and the craggy peaks of Cradle Mountain in the distance were one of Tasmaniaâs most recognisable landmarks. This area drew in thousands of tourists and keen hikers who came to take on the 65-kilometre Overland Track each year.
But the Irwins hadnât travelled here to go hiking. They were staying for the weekend to take part in a charity concert to help raise moneyfor research into Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). It was a type of cancer that was deadly to the Tasmanian devil and, as yet, no cure had been found. The concert was being held to help fund research and raise awareness of the devilsâ plight.
Bindi was excited about having a weekend away at such a cool place with both her family and good friends. To top it all off she got to perform for a worthy cause! Bindi grabbed a suitcase. âYou better prepare yourself, Mum. Itâs madness in there!â
Terri smiled and picked up the remaining luggage. âMadness for a good cause, Bindi. Remember
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