Sunshine Coast (and Bundaberg)
Trip Start
Aug 02, 2011
1
23
27
Trip End
Oct 27, 2011
Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Due to the fact we would not have a car whilst in Bundaberg, I booked us in to a caravan right in the heart of town, on the Burnett River. Fairly basic but at least we could walk everywhere. So what is there to do in Bundaberg (besides the rum distillery of course) we asked ourselves? Hmmm, a wander through town in the afternoon and quick look at the shops and we were still wondering. Given that the Bundy Rum distillery is not really kid friendly and I can't stand Bundy Rum, we decided it really wasn't worth the trip (on foot!). There was a hint of the car being ready by lunch time the next day so we hung our hopes on that and went out for a quick Italian dinner (which was very nice actually).
Important point to remember: when staying in the heart of town on the river, be sure to check where the major highway is going to be crossing that river. Ooops, another night on the equivelant of the Tullamarine Freeway (with road trains!) as the major bridge over the river seemed to sross just about over our heads.
The next morning we headed over to the tourist bureau to get some town info. We decided to do the 6km round trip to the Baldwin Swamp and back...yes, it is called the swamp. It's actually their environmental park with wetlands and quite scenic but really...the swamp? Calling it that doesn't encourage the tourist trade in droves I expect (we were the only ones there!). Also, when walking (and riding as the boys were) in spring time, remember it is nesting season for the bird life. We were all swooped upon at various stages, with Mitchell twice chased by a magpie on his bike and his supportive, concerned parents laughing uncontrollably safely some way back.
At lunchtime, we got the call, the car was ready and so were we. And off we went to the Sunshine Coast!
We arrived around 5.30pm in Maroochydore so no beach surf today but our caravan park was right on the beach so we knew there would be plenty of surfing.
I had sort of forgotten how early the sun comes up in southern Qld, especially as they don't have daylight saving. The boys were up at 6am and ready for a surf....what the???? I got down the beach for a run at around 6.30am and it was as busy as Bourke Street. And the around 9am the expected thunderstorm arrived. It literally poured rain for 2 hours with plenty of thunder and lightening to keep us entertained in our van. This was the first real rain we have had on this trip so were can't really complain. We dragged out the monopoly which, as usual, ended in arguments and tears (no, not from Andrew and I!!) and finally the rain stopped. I was very keen to visit Eumundi Markets as many people had recommended them. As we still had 1 1/2 hours before they were due to close up, we rushed up there, with a quick stop at the Yandina pub to see Black Caviar win her 14th straight race. The markets were fabulous and I could have spent longer there (Sue, I needed a playmate here, the boys were no fun). After Eumundi, we headed on to Noosa and then down the coast road, amazed at how much development there has been since we were last here (of course, that is over 20 years ago so what can you expect!!) Back at Maroochydore in the afternoon the surf had picked up, the wind had gone and the sun was out - it was perfect - so we were all back in the water again. What a gorgeous beach, absolutely beautiful is all I can say.
On Sunday it was a morning of surfing before the wind picked up before heading off to Australia Zoo after lunch. I must admit, I was a little reluctant to go as I expected it to be rather tacky and commercial. It is quite commercial of course, and there are many Irwin themed attractions but the many different animals are all in enclosures certainly much larger than the Melbourne Zoo (much more land of course) and there was a great deal to see. Sam loved the Croc show as expected and Mitch was pretty impressed with the fact you could sit and pat a kangaroo for as long as you liked. What Andrew and I thought would be a cringeworthy day actually turned out to be quite enjoyable nd we came away pretty impressed with what they've done. Dinner tonight was at Sizzler (yes, they live on in Qld), what can I say....they wore me down and I finally succumbed!
On Monday, guess what, we started the day with a swim and surf (by the way, I am on the boogy board when I say surf...it is only Andrew and the boys surfing, I might hire a G Board at Burleigh or Byron..but only when not too many people are looking!). This was a big 3 hour session and the boys were exhausted afterwards (and it was only 10.45am). We had a quick snack and then headed off to Mooloolaba ( or Moo-Loo-Laba as Mitchell pronounced it) to catch up with the Kellaways who had arrived the previous day. It was really great to see some familiar faces and the boys spent the time on the beach playing cricket and swimming. Sam was absolutely thrilled to see Campbell. We went back to their gorgeous apartment for lunch (thanks once again Robyn and Lochie) and then the kids all went for a swim in the resort pool. We had a gorgeous afternoon with them before heading off to pick up some fresh seafood from the Mooloolaba fish markets for a yummy seafood BBQ.
Our final morning, before heading down to the Gold Coast, was a surf and swim! It really is lovely here, beautiful clear water, decent surf and great coffee, what more can I say. It was hard to leave but the boys cannot wait to get to the theme parks so they were virtually in the car before we had finished packing.
Comments
Thanks for the great shot of the boys surfing at Agnes Water via mobile. We are all very jealous (still) that we cannot be hanging out with you on your travels - but are rapt that you enjoyed your time there as we did!!
Holiday's going by too fast isn't it?