Blog 8 - 10th to 19th May 2013

Friday 10th May - after breakfast, decided to head into town and do our laundry for the week, before heading out to the Maleny Botanical Gardens.

 

 

What an awesome place!!!!! This South African guy has bought a big block of land, and his passion is gardens, so he decided to build one for his own satisfaction, but the locals convinced him to open it up to the public, so he spent some more money to make it even better - what a superb job he has done, and he has plans for lots more before he is finished. A lovely guy - we got to talk to him for a while after we had walked through - and his thoughts were that he couldn't keep it all to himself, he had to share it with others - well worth coming to the Sunshine Coast just to visit this. From here headed to Montville, a lovely little village in the mountains. Had a look around and some lunch. After driving down to Palmwoods, got a call from Travelander saying our trailer had been repaired, so we could pick it up. A quick trip to Maroochydore, and we had our home back again - was starting to lose the appeal of a tent after 8 nights and some rain. Camped back at Maleny showgrounds that night.

Saturday - we had plans to meet Amy and James back out at Booloumba Creek camping area, so packed everything (after re-packing things back into the right spots in the trailer and Triton), and headed for Kenilworth for some final supplies and top up with water. Were lucky to find a spot at Booloumba No 4 and saved a spot for the Martin's and MacRae's. Rained in the afternoon, but stopped for the fire that night, which we all sat around until it was late.

Sunday - we awoke to an overcast day, and while the Martins did family stuff, we decided to drive to Booloumba Falls and walk back to get some photos (someone forgot the memory card last time).

 

While it continued to rain, I could not miss a swim, so dived in, but it was nearly Bendethra temp, so didn't stay in long. Would be a lovely spot on a hot day. Went back to camp and had lunch, and then met up with the MacRae's for a family get-together. Most people at the campsite left to get back to work, so we had a nice quiet night and had a roast dinner cooked on the fire.

Monday - went for a swim in the creek before leaving Booloumba

and drove back via Maleny to Kondalilla Falls, and did the walk for about 3.5km's.

 

Well worth the effort, but all uphill on the way back. Very muggy and humid, so very wet shirts. From here went via Bli Bli with lunch by the water, before booking into Noosa River caravan park.

Drove back to Peregian Beach to Amy's parents for dinner - a lovely night.

Tuesday - washing in the morning, and then some exploring of Noosa. Drove along Gympie Terrace, and then Hastings St, and thru to the Spit, back along the beach.

Then to the headland NP, where we did a walk.

 

 

Also did the Noosa lookout over the town. After dinner, went for another walk, and had dessert and coffee overlooking the water.

Wednesday - left Noosa, heading north. Stopped at Boreen Point for a look, and then drove to Wolvi, where the lookout was spectacular after a steep drive up the mountain.

Then to Gympie, with lunch just north. Continued to Childers, and stopped just north at Apple Tree Creek rest area beside the rodeo arena.

Thursday - lots of rain overnight, and continued into the morning. Plan was to visit the bird sanctuary across the road, and then the reptile park, before looking around town, before coming back to the rest area for the night. The bird sanctuary was fantastic, with lots of birds siting on our arms and shoulders, with a green parrot determined to adopt me for good.

 

 

The little yellow birds, whilst very cute, had a sharp bite and drew blood.

 

A great place to visit. From here, went back to the reptile park, where we were the only visitors for the day, so got a private show due to the horrible weather. The snake show,

then a private tour of the lizards and turtles,

 

then a poisonous snake show with the owner, then thru the snake house, and finally a croc feeding show

- these people are crazy!!!! Back into Childers, visiting the art gallery and the memorial for the backpackers fire. The weather was awful, so we decided to book a room at the Grand Hotel for the night - first time in 8 weeks not sleeping under our tent.

Friday - left early and had breakfast back at Apple Tree Creek rest area, before heading for Bundaberg. Booked in for the distillery tour to see how rum is made

 

- didn't make it taste any better - vile stuff. From here we headed west towards Eidsvold, stopping at Gin Gin for a refuel, and then detouring via the Boolboonda tunnel where the old railway used to go.

From here we went through Mount Perry before camping at Ceratodus rest area beside the Burnett River. The flood had gone through recently, and there was debris about 20 feet up in the trees, and the river was about 30 feet below us - must have been a massive amount of water. Sat around the fire late into the night chatting to some oldies.

Saturday - headed for Monto for some food supplies and a coffee. Drove out to Cania Gorge NP, and did a 3.5km walk to Bloodwood Cave, Cania Groge lookout, and Dragon's Cave (can you spot the dragon below???).

Lunch by the river, before driving further to Cania Dam.

Backtracked to the main road, and continued to Coominglah Range rest area up in the mountains, 22km's north of Monto. Being at about 600 metres, it was a cold night, so the campfire was great - we chatted to some more oldies into the night.

Sunday - left camp late, and drove to Bileola. Did a bit of shopping, and then onto Callide lookout for a view over the coal mine and power stations. Stopped at Calliope for lunch, and continued to Gladstone, and then Boyne Island and finally Tannum Sands beach caravan park for the night. Had a walk along the foreshore, and I went for a swim then back to camp for the night.

Nowhere near as cold tonight as what last night was, so making the most of it typing up the blog.

More to come soon

Di and Hammo