Easy Easter

Have you ever noticed that it always rains over Easter, no matter when it falls? It is almost that over 2,000 years later, Christ is still shedding tears as he is nailed to the cross. Lucky the Easter bunny appears with a basketful of chocolate to chase thoughts of a damp holiday away......

Fortunately too for us, as the rain fell over Noosa, we were in a house. Robyn and David proved to be exceptional hosts and our Easter was relaxing.......... and full of chocolate. Between showers we even managed to scour the sights of the region not yet visited.

David, Robyn and Dave, down by the Noosa River









Dave and 'Paige' in Robyn and David's backyard

Timbeerwah Lookout rising high above sea level, gives a 360 degree view of ancient volcano plugs, rising from the lush green space below. Where once lava flowed is now a rich, fertile land that reaches towards the shores of the Sunshine Coast.

Timbeerwah Lookout, ancient volcano plug in background

Noosa River can be seen snaking its way through the environs, explaining why Noosa has so many roundabouts, as the communities mould themselves around the waters path.
Just north of Noosa, the Botanical Gardens of Cooroy showed us what plants thrive in this tropical environment. I even managed to find an Easter egg left over from the hunt, alas the ants had found it before me....... The Gardens may also have swayed me to begin a liking for the Bush Turkey. As we meandered through the grounds, so too did many young chicks. A miniature version of Mum and Dad, they didn’t look nearly as intimidating.

Heading inland ‘up the mountain’ once again to say goodbye to Dave’s cousin and family, we got our last taste of the scenic Sunshine Coast views. The Blackall Range, creating this hinterland region between the beach and the vast emptiness of Queensland’s interior, has some great waterfalls. We enjoyed the Mapleton Falls, which plunge in a sheer drop to a lost world of palms below.

Mapleton Falls, a sheer drop below




This rainforest oasis was a stark contrast to the neighbouring town of Montville, where we spent the remainder of the morning exploring the many village shops.

Having stayed for over two weeks, we made our farewells to Noosa and friends and landed in Gympie. Gympie was the ‘town that saved Queensland’, thanks to its once rich gold deposits. However, the mining stopped in the 1920’s and the town is no longer an important part of Queensland’s growth. A once prestigious main street is now full of discount stores and barbers. Even the air is filled with a foul smell, rather like burnt molasses (there is a food factory nearby). Yet, camped on the edge of the showground, with its green paddocks and stables ringed by pine trees, it was a pretty enough place.

A visit to Queensland is not complete without seeing Flo and Joh’s home town of Kingaroy. The Peanut and Baked Bean capital of Australia, Kingaroy is not just famous for the Bjelke-Petersen’s! Perhaps it is coincidence that the long-time Premier of Queensland came from this ‘South Burnett’ region, but all the towns here are ‘neat as a button’ interspersed between thriving farmlands.

Nearby Nanango was hosting its annual show, and we can say Nanango does put on ‘a good show’. About an eighth the size of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, it still provided us with a day’s entertainment. Wood chopping has always been a favourite of mine, and I must admit to watching the burly men sheer through the tough wood for over an hour. The show was full of country type characters, including the old timer with his trained dog and flock of ducks, whom raced around a makeshift track.

Racing ducks... red won

But the highlight would have to be the dancing Bobcats. Having lined up for a challenge, two of the Bobcats then proceeded to give us a warm up ‘dance’ on two wheels, twisting and turning their machines to music, before getting back in line.

Dancing Bobcat video (20 sec)

Lucky they were wearing safety shoes for the demo........ thongs.

However, our biggest giggle of the day came from the food displays. Who would have thought a packet cake could be entered in the show, displayed in full glory?

Packet cakes on display, Nanango Show


The South Burnett region has much to offer, with the Bunya Mountains another short drive from Kingaroy. Queensland’s second oldest National Park, the Bunya Mountains contain the world’s largest stand of Bunya Pine trees.

Underneath a giant Bunya Pine

Rising rigid from a bed of Bracken and Maiden Hair Ferns, the Hoop and Bunya Pines are unlike any Australian forest we have seen. The setting would not be out of place in the Canadian Rockies, although the wildlife here thankfully does not include Grizzly Bears!





Bunya Mountains, not like the Aussie bush!















Moving on to the North Burnett region, we made a pit stop in Gayndah, Queensland’s oldest country town.

The Big Orange!

Having taken photos at the Big Orange, we then learnt the reason for those ‘Gaypak’ stickers often found on mandarins- they are packed in Gayndah! Not to be outdone the next town, Mundubbera comes complete with the Big Mandarin, we really are in citrus country.






The Big Mandarin!

It was a good a day to be on the road, with the air con on. The outside temp, whilst only in the high 20’s, was exacerbated by the 300% humidity (OK, maybe I exaggerate a little). The clouds danced above us, teasing us that it was going to rain and offering cooling relief.

With the afternoon ticking by, we set up camp in Cania Gorge National Park, with its sandstone cliffs, caves and sheltered gorges. The heavens still had not opened up, but the birdlife certainly rained down on us. Within minutes of preparing a snack Dave had both King Parrots and Lorikeets landing on his head and shoulders. I was too quick to laugh though, as they soon landed on me too.

As the sun prepared to descend the rain finally came- lashings of it. We were soon ‘swimming’ around our camp, but the temperature was sheer bliss.

The Overhang, Cania Gorge

Fortunately the rain finally ceased, but the air remained cool enough to enjoy a few walks in the park. We were not that impressed with the sights on offer, but the wildlife in this park is sure worth it.

Bettong (Rat Kangaroo)

The birds, Bettongs (rat kangaroos), possums and even snakes were out in force for our visit.

Friendly locals, Cania Gorge

Towards the sun

What is it about Sydney that makes many people want to escape? The east coast of Australia is dotted with friends and family who have made the pilgrimage, and so we found ourselves in esteemed company and travelling about 30 kilometres north a day.

Although Queensland really can be ‘beautiful one day and perfect the next’, as with any major city centre, those that relocate to seek their fortune, or escape a past pain do not always succeed. Caravan Parks in such areas, lack that certain holiday feel with many permanent residents. Everyone seems wary of each other, double checking locks and securing sites.... I don’t recommend staying in a Caravan Park on the Gold Coast, but I do recommend lunch at Nobby’s Beach Surf Club!

It was there that we met with ex Sydney friends Bern and Gary, for a lazy lunch overlooking the beach. The Surf Clubs ‘up here’ are quite flash, serving alcohol and restaurant quality fare.

Old friends, Blake, Sharee, Bob, Me and Pat

Another thirty kilometres up the road we found some more old friends, Bob and Pat and their daughter Sharee, whom I had grown up with. Away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, they sure have found paradise in a Bali inspired house, on the sloping bank of the river. Greeting the new day with breakfast in the ‘hut’ beside the pool, accompanied by a swim...... yes please.

Known for its beaches, the Queensland Coast caters to us sun lovers. With the recent huge swells having subsided, Coolum Beach was a great interlude before reaching Noosa and more friends. I like Coolum. It is an easy place. Beach on one side and strip of shops and cafe’s on the other. However, our memory Coolum will always be Mr Frog. Having bought a lettuce from a roadside stall a week prior, we were using the last of the leaves, when he was discovered in the bag. The cold of the fridge had sent him into hibernation, but as the air warmed his body, he began to blink his eyes. He had travelled with us from the hinterland region, and we were not sure if he would survive in his new beachside address.

Mr Frog, lived in our fridge for a week

Goodbye Froggy, hello Tewantin (Noosa). Our friend Amanda was joining us for a week, so we all set up home in number 21- a Cabin in the Caravan Park. Having flown business class, and looking rather too posh for our set up (hee hee), we soon settled her in with some cask wine and Jatz crackers.

Amanda and I outside 'No 21'

Being back in Noosa was a bittersweet feeling. We were last here at the beginning of our adventure, our senses soaking up the beauty, our mind buzzing with the anticipation of the journey ahead. We are now on the last leg of our journey, a lifetime of memories behind us and a little desensitised to the beauty of ‘another’ beach.

However, with the water temp spot on and the Pandanus Palms gently swaying in the breeze, a swim at Noosa Beach eases away the worries. There are many apartment buildings lining the shore, but with a height of only 3 storeys, and large areas locked away as National Park, there is still a natural beauty to behold. Sometimes though, nature can get a little too friendly. I didn’t really like the ‘huge’ fish in the ocean brushing past, the bush turkeys wanting to inspect my towel or the cream coloured little crabs that thought my armpit was a good spot to dig a burrow.

Sunset on Noosa River, great BBQ spot

However, we all liked the lanky old Koala spotted during our headland walk. Stoned on a diet of eucalyptus leaves he made a vague effort to focus on us as his limbs stretched out, securing a more comfy position in the bow of a tree.

Koala spotted on headland walk, Noosa

The bird life is quite prolific around Noosa too. As flocks of Corella’s and Lorikeets flew in to perch in the ‘riverside tree hotel’ for the night, we were grateful they obeyed quiet time rules. The screeching and squawking finally gave way as coupled up, they nestled in for the night.

'Big' Pelican, Noosa River

The hinterland region surrounding Noosa was lush and green after many weeks of rain. The journey to Eumundi providing some of the best scenery on offer, was superseded by thoughts of what bargains were awaiting. Eumundi Markets really are the best in Australia and never disappoint.

Montville, high up in the hinterland is a quaint little town, but is big on views and gourmet delights. Dave’s cousin and family, more ex Sydney-ites, have set up home here. Nestled in a valley, green after endless rain, the view from the house is one you never tire of. Bubbling creek, rolling hills and a smattering of cows thrown in to complete the picture.

Casper, Olly, Buster the dog and I at their home, Montville

After a week of sun and giggles with Amanda, we bade her farewell. Having had her fill of beach, it was back to Melbourne. We all got to relive a beach memory from childhood- being dumped. The waves were big at Sunshine Beach, around the headland from Noosa, but we were swimming between the flags. How vivid that memory of terror as the waves pummelled, tossing us about with reckless abandon, depositing us on shore shaken, sandy and out of breath.

With the Easter Bunny soon to arrive, along with hordes of tourists, we have settled into Robyn and David’s house. Friends of Dave’s from Sydney, we had caught up with them on our previous visit. Their friendliness and hospitality made it a must to stop by again and the comfy bed may be one we never want to leave....... Noosa sure sucks you into her vortex........

Sun Worshippers

Bearded Dragon

Was it the ancient Mayans that worshipped the sun? Living a ‘primitive’ life I can understand why some primitive cultures worshipped and made a deity of such. I must not complain that the Sunshine Coast has been far from such though. We have had two glorious days, where we set up on Noosa Beach at 9am and left late in the afternoon. The exhaustive days filled with reading a juicy novel, swimming in the aqua jewelled ocean and dining on fresh tropical fruits.
However, the remainder of our week here in Noosa has been overcast or raining, and by rain I mean flooding rains. Our camper has water views- well we are surrounded by a lake, it is just not meant to be there.

Flooded campsite, Noosa

Yesterday not being

‘beach weather’, we set off for a walk in the National Park. We have heard that damp weather makes the wildlife frisky, and we were not disappointed. Along our coastal walk, while we feasted on the magnificent views, we were joined by many bush turkeys, goannas, lace monitors, bearded dragons and a carpet python. The walk twisted and turned away from the coast and we were soon in a rainforest, one eye kept out for koalas, the other on the ever present goannas (I have never seen so many on one walk!). Alas no koalas, but as the thunder started to roar we were being watched by a possum. I’m not sure why he ventured so close to us, perhaps he was unwell, or perhaps he was a little scared of the noise the from the gods above.
After the very enjoyable 7km walk, we stopped off for a coffee and tapas on our way back to camp. Along the way we both commented on how much it must have rained- given the flooding on the roadside. We had been cocooned in the rainforest during the storm and it only managed a few raindrops upon our heads. Back at camp, we saw the destruction this storm had caused- our new lake and neighbours mopping up. We are now confident our camper can withstand a cyclone, however our side awning had filled up with water and was a little bent out of shape. Nothing major though. The storm headed south and in her rage delayed the some ‘soccer game’ in Brisbane.
This morning we awoke to... you guessed it..... RAIN! I must say though it is not dampening our spirits, infact this is the stuff dreams are made of- knowing everyone back in Sydney is battling the rat race while I sip my cup of tea in bed, enjoying my book and looking out the sunroof window to watch the rain fall from above. But, what do you do on a rainy day (besides stay in bed)- go on a 4WD of course! After checking out Boreen Point (really good looking pub here), Pomona (bought Dave a pair of shorts for $3.50 in the Lifeline store), Kin Kin (blink and you will miss it), we checked out Tin Can Bay (great spot for keen fishermen and dolphin lovers- you can hand feed wild dolphins for free) and ended at Rainbow Beach- gateway to Fraser Island. It was time to go off road.
4WD engaged we took off down the ‘beaten track’. I got into the rhythm, bouncing about the cabin, before the road seemed to smooth out and the forest became dense. Emerging from a bend we discovered ourselves in one of nature’s gifts- a tropical rainforest. The further we drove on the more entranced we became, dwarfed by towering trees, consumed with ferns and lush green vines. The vegetation then began to thin and we soon landed on the beach. A first for both Dave and I, the feeling of driving along golden sand

Rainbow Beach

with the ocean mere centimetres away was truly invigorating. The grey skies and turbulent waves crashing beside us only heightened the experience, as we drove on Teewah Beach passing the coloured sands and many keen beach campers. I took over control of our vehicle and revelled in the freedom, just Dave, me and a vast ocean. Perhaps it was not the best time for my second ‘go’ of driving- the weather closed in and the beach gave way to rivulets and soft sand. All under control, but I was glad to hand the reins back............
Tomorrow we head further up the coast and hope sun awaits us!