Author: Leonie

Our final week in Coolum was flat out but not from all the sight seeing. There was a few little follow up issues with Goldilocks (12 volt system, fridge, fly screen replacement, hydronic jack replacement) and the car was now booked in for a bit of work and service.  However, frustratingly each time we fixed one issue, it has created another.

Eventually Zone RV got it together and have been great at getting stuff sorted for the van as have the folks we have dealt with for the car. Having these follow up issues sorted in a timely manner with no fuss has been fabulous, allowing us to get back on the road. Everyone seems so layer back and cruisey, haven’t met a bad or grumpy Queensland yet! Should note there are a lot of Kiwi’s here and we always love the Kiwi’s.

We got the van back late on the Friday and after getting it cleaned and re loaded we checked into the caravan park on the Saturday. We were all thrilled to get back in the van and with the caravan park being right on the beach what’s not to love.

During this week Ken was still heavily involved with his work so it was full on for everyone.

We did manage to have an afternoon in Noosa, hire a couple of boogie boards for the kids and do a cruise on the Maroochy River.

The boogie boards were a bit of fun. Initially we just walked down the beach from our camp and the girls got in the water there. The surf life saving club and flags were probably 750m up the beach and we were just being lazy. I stayed out of the water with Lulu but was becoming increasingly nervous. The surf was reasonably rough, the girls were out there on their own and with Lulu in arms I may not be able to make a quick intervention if they got into trouble.

It had just dawned on me how stupid this was. Why was I standing on the beach fretting when we should just be up the beach between the flags where i’d have help if needed! And then, like the voice of god, over a loud speaker all the way up the beach, we were told to get between the flags. As there were no other crazy people in the water that afternoon we made the walk of shame up the beach and Ken arrived not long after. It was only then I got in the water with the girl and felt how strong the current was. It was a great reminder to ALWAYS swim between the flags and gave us an opportunity to discuss tide, currents, rips, water safety.

All that aside we had some fun that afternoon and the conditions the next day were even better. If you ask me, it was a little too cold to swim but the girls just loved it and don’t feel the cold. The Sunshine Coast is the perfect place to swim with shark nets in place and the stingers (stinging jellyfish) don’t come down this far or the croc’s for that matter, but with each day sitting in the low to mid twenty’s it was a little cool for me.

A morning cruising up the Maroochy was very pleasant and a chance to learn a little more about the area. We had dropped the car off for some work and caught a taxi into Maroochydore for breakfast. The cruise then took us up the river with commentary about the ecosystem along the way. We stopped at the Maroochy Wetland Sanctuary and had the chance to have a walk, explore and observe the mangroves and spot some fiddler crabs. Tiny little things with one large orange claw.

Treated to a Devonshire tea and the Dreamtime story of how Mount Coolum and the Maroochy River was created was a delight. I just love the Dreamtime stories about how the land was formed and created. Upon hearing the Dreaming story its hard not to feel some connections to the land or scenery you are experience. Just another beautiful part of our first peoples culture.

And that’s a wrap for Coolum. After three weeks here we have decided to move a little south to be closer to Brisbane for one final bit of maintence. Hopefully this should be close enough for Ken to just pop down to Brisbane for the day but give us more of a chance to explore more of The Sunny Coast and The Hinterlands.

Having had two wonderful and full days on the Sunshine Coast today we were visiting the Eumundi Markets. We had heard they were probably the best in the area and we were not disappointed. Being a Saturday we had no schooling, so got an early start, which also meant a chilli start. Endless markets stalls of beautifully quality food, artistry and wares of all kinds. Something for everyone and busy but not over crowded with a really lovely feel.

The kids loved the markets, food, crafts, Bonsai Trees, face painting and meeting a beautiful rainbow macaw called Jasmine. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to come back.

After three busy days we opted for a few quieter ones around Coolum. Being a Sunday morning we enjoyed a slow start before heading out for brunch. We had been wanting to try a cafe called Raw Energy. Healthy, simple but delicious. Turns out they are a franchise and there is one in Fremantle. Bec and Bruce might be making a few extra trips to Freo this year.

Sunday afternoon we caught up with my cousins Bryn and Renee and their lovely little one Darcy. With our family spread all over the country and the world it is always lovely to catch up.

Monday we stayed local again, school, brunch, shopping, sorting and organizing before Mum and Dad head home the next day. We wrapped up our week together with a nice meal at home and a family talent show.

Lulu performed her sublime dance moves to her favorite tune, (still Gangnam Style), Dad gave us a couple of poem’s the last of which was more of a ditty that mentioned the word fart, the girls were a little surprised but amused. Mum and I did a rendition of My Favorite things with various props and actions to add a little flare, fun and chaos and the girls did a medley of tunes and dialogue from Aladdin. It was a memorable evening  but hopefully the footage will never see the day of light.

Before taking mum and dad to the airport they minded the kids for me while I was able to pick up a few outstanding items from office works, bunnings and Howard’s storage world. I was searching for the location of these stores here on the sunny coast and noticed they were all on the same street, my lucky day. What are the chances they might be in the same complex I wondered and I hit the jackpot! Small pleasures not wasting time finding my way all over Maroochydore.

We are so blessed and grateful to have such wonder loving family around us. It was magic to spend a week here with Mum and Dad and the granddaughters just loved it. Thank you and love you very much!!!!!! So glad the weather held out during your stay and hope you recover from the head cold and lack of sleep.

With Ken not arriving back in Coolum until the next night us girls have had the next day to ourselves and after a bit of schooling I wanted to visit the wee village of Monteville in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. In my mind I imagined a quaint little village and that is what we got. What I hadn’t imagined was how cool it was going to be. A cold front was coming in again and with the elevation into the hills it chilled right off.

The that didn’t stop us from having a delightful leisurely potter about the craft stores, galleries, fabulous toy shop and other lovely little boutique stores. It was a great choice beacause Ken would have not enjoyed this pottering and I would have felt pressured to not keep him waiting in the street too long. So a perfect few hours and lunch in Monteville and then on to Melany Botanical Gardens and Bird World.

Upon arriving here I was a little surprised at the cost and realised we could have spent at least half a day here not just the hour and a half we had left. With the last aviary tour just about to start we jump on that. With Lotte not being comfortable around birds after a spring magpie swooping encounter in Perth this was a face your fear experience for her and she embraced it. I was very proud of her and she did great.

Three large aviary housing birds of differing sizes they were mostly very friendly and definitely a little cheeky. Being totally unprepared we didn’t have the correct shoes. Both Georgia and I coped a lot of attention from the birds trying to eat our sandles and they did eventually break Georgia’s. They were also keen on Gigi’s glasses but we got of lightly compared to another lady who’s jacket with press studs and zip was totally ruined by the time she left.

The gardens were lovely and the views of the Glasshouse Mountains stunning. The girls were very disappointed to have to leave. There imaginations just came to life in these gardens. Hopefully we can return with Ken.

The drive home was going to take us past Maroochydore Airport and right on time to collect Ken. The rain set in just in time for Ken’s return. He left here in the rain, coped rotten weather in Perth, and the rain was back again for his arrival. Hopefully he will get so experience  some of the Sunny Coast as we have.

The blogging has kind of ground to a halt so I am playing catch up with this post on Byron Bay and our next one in Brisbane.

We finally made it to the east coast of Australia and got to dip our toes in the Pacific Ocean.

So thrilled to have arrived on the coast and we had a few extra days up our sleeves so we slowed down a little. Which is only fitting for Byron Bay. What a chilled out place, and it’s infectious. It’s easy to go with the flow and succumb the influences all around you. Peace signs, LOVE seats, fit and healthy fabulous hippies, mediating and doing yoga in their undies.

We were keen for a feed of fish and to explore Byron Bay so the day we arrived we got the bikes down and rode into town for dinner. Vibrant and bustling, shops and restraunts galour. Quiet a change from where we had been and we are all a little excited by our new surrounds.

The caravan park was sensational, and we jagged a great spot only meters from the beach, with views. After initially booking in for 3 nights we extended another 3. Being put for a few days we got to catch up on a bit of schooling, washing, cleaning and planning, but it didn’t interfere too much with our Bryon business. That is the business of beach walks, sand castles, snorkeling, paddle boarding, bike riding, shopping, eating out, sunset watching, and reaching the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.

We attempted to catch the sunrise at the light house one morning. While we didn’t quiet make it before the sun greeted the day, it was a great morning, delivering great views, wildlife encounters (whales and dolphins surfing the waves), fitness, a sense of the bays history, reaching that most easterly point and unfortunately a couple of badly grazed knees and torn up leggings for Georgia.

A lot was achieved, all before breakfast. I think Lotte will cover more about breakfast. Byron Bay was just what we were all in need of. A break from the pace and a wee reward for actually getting away on this trip. No doubt there was more to see and do but we were just content with hanging by the van, the beach and short bursts into town.

We had caught some unusually high and low tides during our stay which provided a endless change of scenery. Fortunately the high tide fell during the night so we were soothed to sleep by the sounds of the waves crashing very close and by the morning a low tide revealed clear, newly washed and smoothed sandy beach to walk along. If you were really early you might have found yourself alone, bar the ever constant surfers. But by 7am the bay was teaming with beach walkers, runners or the early morning swimming club who on mass would walk the length of the beach (approx 3km) to swim back to town.

Seeing these fast and significant tidal changes along with the rocky reef, it was easy to understand how no less than 16 vessels had run aground here before the construction of the light house. With the challenges of building roads through the Great Dividing Range Bryon was a significant port of the movement of provision and wood up and down the coast. While the lighthouse is no longer manned it is still fully functioning and its lamp easily visible and beautiful to observe up close during the day.

As will all things our time here came to an end. Feeling sufficiently chilled out, it was time to head to the big smoke and brighter lights of Brisbane.

Hi there, it’s Charlotte here but I like Lotte. I decided I wanted to get involved in this whole blogging thing. So I will share with you all my perspective and interest of our travels . If you now me you no I love food (well most food anyway). So also decided to share all the amazing food we find, make and eat on our trip around Australia.

We have been in Byron Bay for four days now and I 💗 it. There are so many great shops and things to see and do and the beach is amazing.

On the day we arrived I remember running down the beach screaming, “this is paradise”. It was so tropical you’d think you were in a movie, definitely worth coming back. Not just for the view believe it or not the food is better than the view.

On our first night we went out to dinner at Fish bites food was lovely so were the staff.  The next place was Il Buco, a pizza restaurant, it was Friday night, pizza night. So good, I couldn’t stop eating.

Also there’s the place we keep going for ice cream after dinner. Amazing, all the ice cream is home made, best ice cream i’ve ever had (except for hides salted caramel ice cream).

This morning we went out for breakfast after the long and difficult walk to the most eastenly point of Australia, ok it was only 300 melters. All of the cafes staff were friendly and the food was amazing. Here is the best part,  it’s only a 350 meter walk up the beach from our van.

Last night we went to a Mexican restaurant and they had kids cocktails, so cute, and tasty. It took us a few nights to realise you need to get there befor it opens, otherwise in 5 minuets it would be packed no exaggeration

Lotte out.🦄

Overnight we had decided to make our way to Byron Bay and visit the most easterly point of Australia. This meant we needed to head due east and even head down a bit back into NSW.

The terrain had been changing gradually but the next two days drives saw us come out of dry dusty Australia into gradually greener, mountainous and even lush country.

Goondiwindi was our lunch stop, another bakery and this time the Apple Charlotte stole the show. Where has that been all my life!!!! A big town, so we stocked up on food, fuel and Ken got a hair cut. Hair dressers love to talk and Ken is relishing a chat with anyone. He is always coming back with some tid bit of useful information every time we pull up.

From here to past through more pastoral land and stayed the night at a farm just east of Warrick called Warrego Farm Stay. Lindsay the farmer was super friendly and drove us through his paddocks to park us right next to the Condamine River. It was very peaceful, quiet and cold! We got settled in in and dinner on when Lindsay arrived with a dozen fresh eggs from his chooks. And arranged for us to come up to the farm in the morning for the girls to see the calves feed and visit with the cats.

Lulu loved seeing the animals. We have read about them in books but up close was fun. The farm hands were an older couple travelling. Picking up farm work for accomodation and a little pay, they were delightful and generous in spirit and time. After an hour or so we piled in the car to make our way across the Great Dividing Ranges.

The Great Dividing is the third longest land-based range in the world. Running 3500km, the entire length of the eastern coastline. It is not a single mountain range, rather made up or a complex of many mountian ranges, plateaus, up lands and escarpments.

It was a windy but beautiful drive. I am glad Ken was driving this leg, roads were narrow and traffic was pretty heavy. We passed through some cute little towns and the level of suffocation is increase by the sight of some gorgeous looking cafe’s and shops. We stop at Woodenbong, just over the Queensland boarder back into New South Wales. Refueled and had the most delicious egg and bacon on turkish bread ever!

Making good time we made it to Byron Bay by about 1.30pm and scored a fabulous site at the caravan park with ocean views. And wow!

Got myself a little muddled in the rush to get my last post published and I omitted the details of our days travel. And it was a slow day of travel but an interesting one so I wanted to still share it with you.

In the morning we crossed over the NSW / QLD boarder at Hebel. We needed to stop to sort out a glitch with the car and glad we did. This boarder town has a quintessential Queensland pub that has been taken to the next level of kitch by having the artist we had visited in Lightening Ridge (John Murray) kitch it up even more. It was nearly midday and never having had a XXXX gold (classic Queensland beer), it seemed like the perfect place.

Hebel is a tiny place that services the stations in the region with a community Hall, Pub of course, Bank (not anymore) school/library. Being on the boarder it was also the place where they counted the number of people and sheep that crossed in and out of Queensland and part of the telegraph line that run through outback oz. The town had a great history circle you could walk around. It was a suprising but very pleasant stop.

Next we stopped at Dirranbandi for a quick stop until we discovered the most amazing Russian bakery. We had lunch in the van but who could resist such unique delights in the middle of nowhere. The lady made these special spiced biscuits mouldings in many different wooden moulds. She said they keep for a very long time and traditionally were sent to war with a soldier.

Well nourished, unlike the Russian soldiers, we made for Thallon.

I met a new cat at Trilby station in NSW. It’s name was Bruce🐾 he was very friendly and let me pat him.

Then I also met four farm cats at Warrego Farm stay in Queensland. We stayed the night there and in the morning we got to see the calves, chooks and horses get feed. The cats lived in the barn. There were two kittens and two cats.

The cat that had dark strips loved me a lot, but did not like getting picked up. A ginger and white cat came straight over to me when we were in the yard with the calves. One of the kittens was multi coloured and the other kitten was black with stripes. Mum says this is called Tabby.🐈

cats of Australia,  out.

Intrigued to see more silo art we stayed overnight in Thallon. The free camp was at the show grounds and viewing point for the silo art. So we parked up with a prime view. A very small town with just a school and pub but seemed well cared for and the art was beautiful.

We had arrived an hour before sunset allowing the girls the chance for a play, setting up a bush camp for their toys. Lulu decided to have a very late sleep, Ken flew the drone and I sat and blogged with wine, a view and piece and quiet. A rare and cherished moment.

We didn’t bother unhitching the van to help with a quick get away in the morning, so rode the bikes to the pub for a meal. Friendly folks, but as we are discovering with these small, one man band pubs, the food takes a while to come.

After a freezing ride home we were tucked up snug in Goldilocks and sleep well as we have been most nights.