YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, MY ONLY SUNSHINE

I have to admit I am NOT a fan of the Gold Coast. Not just because it doesn’t favor low cost camping sites, offering only expensive hotels and caravan parks instead, as this is more or less the same on the Sunshine Coast, but because it is SO built up! The roads there are so busy and there are so many high rise buildings, you barely get to see the beautiful coastline. But I had heard that the Sunshine Coast was not like this. Well I have to say it is definitely BETTER! Yes it is getting more like the Gold Coast with its high rises and encroaching suburbia, but the roads and streets seem wider, more relaxed, the beaches more accessible, less crowded, and the people more accepting.

Caloundra Town Esplanade

As I started my journey in Caloundra I was blown away by the waterfront there. Not only is there room to park, parking spaces are all the way up the esplanade. Which isn’t to say that it is one huge parking lot … far from it. Beautiful boardwalks take you from Golden Beach to the town area of Bullock Beach, to gorgeous Kings Beach (family friendly with kids play area, toilets showers, café and BBQ parks) and onto laid back Shelly Beach and Moffat Beach. This walk way is stunning, running along the back of  wide sands which are awesome for swimming in, harboring trees and seating, and views to die for. And there’s the Town of course, with its multitude of enticing shops and cafes. Caloundra was the best start I could have wished for. If I had to pick a favorite area here, I would be sorely pressed! Bullock Beach was so convenient and had wonderful seating along the boardwalk. I took a shower in the HUGE shower room at Kings Beach (also facilities for disabled toilet and baby changing  in the room)in refreshing cold water, then went for a relaxing walk to Shelly beach on the boardwalk there. But for peace and quiet, Lovely Moffat Beach was so tranquil I even caught  people painting there. And I will go one step further. This one, for me is a BIG step. If I had to use a caravan park, I really liked the one at Dicky Beach! Nice beach bush walk behind, lovely grassed picnic area, nice wide beach and friendly shops across the road.

Moffat Beach

Currimundi was next. This place stole my heart. An incredibly small beach front consisting of two cafes/shops and lovely, peaceful, seating under the trees across the road. Just such a great feel to this place. A place to chill, to relax, to meet a good friend and have a coffee and actually be able to talk and hear each other without either shouting or having to lean forward. I spent an hour there before realizing I needed to move. There are no cheap overnighters on the Coast so I was aiming to get up to Noosa then turn inland, today. It’s such a shame that this is what you have to do if you don’t want to pay the ridiculous prices of caravan parks. But I always say, I will spend where I stay. So really, wherever is good enough to offer cheaper parks, will get my money- in cafes, petrol stations, whatever.

Alice in Wonderland

The trip up the Coast then turned into lots of big houses blocking the sea view. Though they do have many, little green parklands, dotted  quite regularly in between, with magical snickets leading to the beach. I felt almost like Alice in Wonderland in them, as the foliage arched over my head, sending me to secret sites. The next place that took my fancy was Buddina. Huge parking area there  with several steps leading down to the wide golden beach. This place is

great- but NO CAMPING. Residents and police are strong on this. And after the Jowarra stop I totally get why. If you don’t respect the land and the people around then …. So be it. I do think anyone who abuses their environment should be fined. I hope the two campervans I saw parked up there taking advantage of the sun and the free toilets also appreciated this.

I will be honest.  After a lightening trip through Maroochydore, I will not be going back. Gold Coast City. Great if you like that sort of thing. But not for me. The beaches up to Coolum were lovely though and led to the amazing Point Arkwright lookout. LOVED this. Guess what it had? Yep. Lighthouse. And the views to go with it, stretching all the way along the coast from Maloolaba to Noosa. Wow. It also showed the fabulous parklands which rolled down to Coolum Beach and the gorgeous bay. Aaaah. What an end to a day. Because now came the hike over to Cooroy and the RV rest site I had seen there. The drive was almost an hour away.

And the luck of the day still held! Cooroy’s No Worries RV Stop turned out not to be in Cooroy town but a budding Garden Centre come RV stop, just over the Bruce highway, not 10minutes away. Despite the road works going on, near there ( I think the WHOLE of Queensland’s roads are being resurfaced or remade at this time because I haven’t been down a road yet that HASN’T had road works!) it was peaceful, easy to get to and had huge parking areas, powered or unpowered. The owner, John, was easy going too and I loved it so much I stayed two nights… and caught up with my blogging, lol! I also met a really nice chap Adam and his beautiful old staffie Millie. Knowing that someone loves their dog and looks after it somehow makes my day. Don’t ask me why. But I have a funny feeling Millie was the reason I wanted to stay. She was very free with the kisses and didn’t mind me scratching her tummy AT ALL. God I love the way a dog wags it’s tail. Yes.. I am hopeless with animals. And I miss Millies kisses.

BTW. The title is an OLD song. An old, old song. Shamefully… I remember it!

The love a dog can give is the purest form of love... it is unconditional.
The Grey Chihuahua

BALANCE RESTORED AT HEIFER CREEK

When I left Gordon at Warwick, I was uncertain as to what to do next. It was as if, since entering Queensland, I had been on a roller coaster. And now, that roller coaster was not slowing down… it was grinding to a halt! I knew I needed somewhere to write up my blog, rest my aching body and just regain my balance. It was going to be a rest stop at Allora, but like so many, that was only a 24 hour one. I needed longer. My next little dot on the map was Theiss Memorial at Heifer Creek. Free camp, toilets, picnic area, no phone/ wifi signal, just peace and quiet. Well it was worth a try. The drive was a soothing one. No longer on a major road, this one wound through lush forest and over hills. I saw a creek running alongside at some stage, burbling its way over rock and crevice, and then blocks of striated rockface begun to surge out of the earth next to me and tower into the sky. And suddenly .... there it was to the right of me.

To say I was pleasantly surprised was a massive understatement. It was a big, grassy area interspersed with wide branching trees whose delicate frond like leaves were so plentiful they gracefully offered shade to any RV that needed it. As I drove in I saw that the campgrounds sat in a horseshoe of steep cliff walls, clothed in tall trees and other foliage. Huge rocks jutted out here and there as Nature showed her true artistry. It was a small piece of true Natural Beauty. I found myself wishing I could paint, knew my limitations all too well on that score. I stayed there two days with many other caravans and campers, but still the tranquility remained and my balance with the World was gradually restored.

Diploma of Master Dumpster

From there, my original proposed route, was going to take me around Brisbane. But at Heifer Creek I thought better of it. Long, busy roads, no rest stops, no cheaper areas to stay, no thank you.  The City could keep its’ glamorous and expensive sights and attractions for now. Instead I travelled up to Gatton. This is a great place with a town Centre that’s easy to get around, boasting plenty of shops, a really wonderful park with drinking water and Information Centre at the west end of town, and best of all a dump point! Believe me… it was time! The dump point did take some

finding however, possibly due to my own, by now, disoriented sense of direction, AND lack of signage on the main road. But I refused to give up… I really needed that dump point. Once found, it was all sorted in 5minutes, as I am now a qualified Master Dumpster. Except for one thing. No water hose. Now I have been meaning to sort out my own portable hose for a while, as the fittings don’t seem to match all taps. This was one of those taps. Here’s the thing though, the more you travel the more adaptable you become, the more you find ways around things. Especially when travelling on your own. No hose? No worries. I had a bucket! Took a little longer but all good in the end. Maybe this now qualifies me as Expert Master Dumpster?

ooooooops!

After that came the long haul. No matter which route I took I was looking at 200kms. So I thought it best to stick to major highways and go to Ipswitch then take the M5 up to the M1 as I wanted to start the Sunshine Coast at Caloundra. Bad idea. Anyone else doing this, take my advice, stay on the inland highways. Go up to Mt Glorious or even as Far as Kilroy and then turn back towards the coast. MUCH better scenery, MUCH better, less congested roads, MANY more RV stops.  And, if you are like me… it’s so much easier not to get lost or go on the wrong road! Let’s just say I had a few ‘glitches’ along the way and leave it at that.

By the time I got to the turn off for Glass House Mountains and the Australia Zoo, I was past it. These wonderful places would have to wait for another day. Instead I headed for the nearest Free RV stop I could find on Wikicamps near Caloundra. A place on the Steve Irwin Way, just off the Motorway at Glenview (on Wikicamps it Came up as Jowarra Park Area).  All I can say is the number of weary travelers and RVs I found here says a lot for the lack of 24hr rest stops on main highways in Queensland. The place was packed! Cars, motorhomes, Caravans, campervans…. Everything. And on BOTH sides

of the road. Come on Queensland Highways, do something to help us poor travelers and make the roads safer! Give us more Rest Stops. But, as one these beleaguered travelers, I muscled my way through to the back of the area (thanking God for the small size of the Grey Chihuahua) and parked her up for the night. I was actually worried I had pushed my poor Chihuahua too far and too hard on this leg, as not only had I had to maintain high speeds on the highway but also there were some very steep and winding hills around Brisbane she’d had to maneuver.  Oh and the few times I’d maybe got us lost.

Bit close Mate!

At any rate both she and I were glad just to settle for the night. It had been a 265km journey. And I would like to say we got a wonderful rest, but I can’t. We got hemmed in by some really awful backpackers. I make the distinction here that these were AWFUL ones because I have found some wonderful ones in the past who I’ve not only been happy to spend my time with, but made some good friends too. But then they respected the land and the people around them. These stayed up till midnight banging doors, chattering loudly, and dumping their rubbish outside their cars/ vans. OK the wild turkeys appreciated the next morning as they rummaged through the leftovers. I did not. And BTW at least two of these boguns were Aussies! I left for Caloundra, and the start of my Sunshine Coast trip, early.

Failure is not the worst that can happen. Not trying is

The Grey Chihuahua

A SAD FAREWELL TO A KINDRED SPIRIT

TRAVELING REVEALS SOME AMAZING PLACES.... AND SOME AWESOME PEOPLE.

After several hours perusing Wikicamps the previous night I had to admit the Information Centre was right. There are no free campsites or 24hr stopovers anywhere near the southern coast of Queensland.  But once you head a little inland they begin to appear. On roadsides, in little towns, on the outskirts of larger ones or even truck stops, service stations and even hotels! I had found several from Beaudesert to Toowoomba. Beaudesert turned out to be a great town with all the amenities you could need, but I had set my sights on Boonah and a 3pm to 8am stop I had seen there in a beautiful  park next to another Information Centre (they are everywhere in   Queensland!). The good thing here was not only the most amazingly clean toilets ever, but it had great reception for phones and wifi. Because of the vast distances in Queensland, once you start traveling away from the coast, this is not always the case!

 So I caught up on some work and some emails I needed to send. One was to a gang of girls I had chatted to on the Grey Nomads site and promised to let them know where I was traveling.As my blogs can get a bit behind, I let them know I was actually at Boonah. To my amazement I got an email straight back, from Sherria. She lived at Boonah! Within minutes she was knocking at my door with a wonderful open armed welcome and home made fudge! See what I mean about Queenslanders? They are the warmest and friendliest of people. Sherria was just lovely. Bubbly, full of energy and ideas. Another strange co-incidence here was on the way up I contacted a Donkey Farm Sancturary, called destiny Boonah

Eco Cottages to see if they needed free help. Heike, The owner was gorgeous but didn’t need anyone right now, though she asked to keep my number. It turned out Sherria was helping out there! Talk about birds of a feather. Sherria, an ex nurse, was also about to travel, but southwards to Western Australia. However, before doing so, she had begun getting sponsers for a cause she was deeply committed to, Lyme Disease, to display ads on her van- . Wonderful, Amazing Woman!

It had been wonderful to meet Sherria and be invited to park at her place, (Queensland generosity) but I had also heard from another good friend, earlier in the day that I had actually met and spent some time with on my travels so far. Remember Gordon, Scottish, ex Navy at Brou Lake? Well I’d kept up with his great postings on Facebook and I really wanted to hear all about his fabulous travels. Gordon is an awesome traveling companion!  Easy going, cheerful, always a story or some much needed advice or help. And,exceptionally compassionate and understanding of others. My Fibro does not always let me do what I would like to. Sometimes I need to lie down rather than walk, sometimes it’s the other way. Gordon never pushed it. PLUS he was an animal lover!!!  I couldn’t wait to meet up again. 

We agreed that we would meet up at the Royal Hotel, Harrisville, just up from Boonah. A pretty little  place, full of history, which allows you to park at the lawned back area, near the creek. We spent a lovely night over a few lagers and some chips, trying to catch up as much as we could. But so much had happened, we needed a bit longer. So we agreed to travel together for another couple of days. Have to say, although it is nice to travel on your own as it allows you the freedom to do what you want when you want, having a traveling companion like Gordon definitely takes some beating.

The next day, we had chosen to go to a place called Manna Gum Reserve, up in Main Ridge National Park for the night. Gordon loves the Gorges and the wilder areas and so do I. But as it was a relatively short drive, on the way we decided to have a look at Lake Moogerah. So glad we did! This place is stunning! A man made lake rather than a natural lake, it has wide grassed areas and landscaped gardens so beautiful I imagine this must be a popular venue

for wedding photos. But there’s a lovely walk over the Dam for visitors which is nice, and panoramic views of the forests and mountains surrounding the lake. Plus some awesome little covered picnic tables! We decided to have our lunch at one of them, overlooking the deep blue waters where the odd speed boat skimmed swiftly by, towing a raft of giggling children in its wake. It didn’t bother the kookaburras there though. They were too intent on our meal.

It was such a shame to leave Moogarah, but we did. And so onto  Manna Gum. The drive there was so diverse. First we climbed the Mountains on the Cunningham Highway. Little Stu (Gordon’s mature but plucky campervan) was having a bit of trouble in the old accelerator department. Which meant considerable slowing  of speed going up the hills, followed by a huge burst of energy going down. But Gordon and Little Stu had become used to each other, and Gordon knew well, how to get the best out of him. The next stage saw us traveling through flat countryside

towards Warwick, turning off to Allora, then doubling back onto a narrow road which developed into a rough but accessible, dirt road. The farmlands around here were handsome. So many horses and fat, calm cattle grazing slowly in the wide paddocks, with an increasing backdrop of densely wooded mountains. They barely lifted their heads as we passed, totally safe in this peaceful world. Then, once on the dirt track, the fences stopped. The horses had disappeared, but not the cattle, who continued to mooch about, snuffling the undergrowth for the

tastiest morsel, even if it meant standing on the edge of the road or meandering over to the other side. The look they gave us said it all. This is OUR territory. You play by our rules. We were going so slow anyway to avoid all the potholes and streams rushing over the flood paths, there was no way we would have hit anything, whether it moved or not.

When we finally did arrive it was late afternoon and the tall trees hummed with birds as shadows started to deepen.  There were several tents and caravans there already, but plenty of space for the Grey Chihuahua and Little Stu to huddle together. Gordon went for a walk on the paths there, but I, alas, needed to rest a little. I felt for Gordon – he deserved a better  companion. However, as always, Gordon was easy and just went off on his own to explore. By the time he came back I was much better, but the glade was now deeper in shade and getting quite cold! As a matter of fact, it had been really cold for the last three nights, so, as we cooked tea, Gordon said he would go and get some firewood for the firegate behind us. These firegates were dotted all over the campgrounds for every camper.  Unfortunately neither of us had axes to chop our own woods (yep- we are GREAT campers) but Gordon said he  had noticed a sign for firewood at a café he'd seen , on the road as we entered. Alas, things NEVER go to plan.  Glitch one...Gordon had quite a journey that night, as the first café was closed ...and the one after that ....and the one after that! But, never daunted, this staunch Scot, made

a second journey later still. And this time…success! One was open and it had Firewood. Glitch two...A slight drawback was that there were no slim pieces of wood, as we had expected, to start a fire with.  Instead we had one tree trunk cut into several one foot logs! Not good. Nevertheless, Gordon did marvels with the huge pieces of wood that came out of the bag. The fire was roaring, the night sky lit with sprays of stars and I had great company and so much to talk about. What more could anyone want?

The next day we had to say goodbye in Warwick as Gordon made his way south, for the next  six weeks, and I made my way to my next housesit, up north, in three weeks. I was never any good at goodbyes I’m afraid. Especially as I could have done with another few days of his company. I felt choked as I gave him a quick hug and wished him well, then jumped into the Chihuahua and sped away. Two things I do hope happens. One, that I don’t lose contact with such a great friend and, Two, that Gordon WRITES HIS OWN BLOG. Honestly this man can describe things so well, he makes you want to be there. I really want to read the rest of his adventures.

Friends are the Family you choose.
The Grey Chihuahua

HALLELUYAH, SHAKE THAT TAMBORINE

After such a bad start to my Queensland travels all I wanted to do was find a place to hole up and lick my wounds. And if I couldn’t find a free place, then I needed to find a cheap one. Just for this first night, until I could get my bearings again. I had automatically headed, on leaving Robina, for a place I had previously visited and fallen in love with. The stunning Tamborine Mountains. But I knew this was tourist territory and, as such, here in Queensland, would command premium prices for accommodation. I wasn’t about to visit any Information Centre, ever again, so, instead, I pulled over at a lovely scenic view of the valley and reverted to my trusty Wikicamps. And it came up trumps once more! I found a little camping ground that only charged $10 per night for an unpowered site. Here in the Tamborine Mountains! I couldn’t believe my luck. My foot hit the accelerator as if I was entering Le Mans.

As I wound around the twists and turns of the verdant mountainside, I was once again struck by the tranquility and abundant life of the rainforest. The campgrounds were actually tucked away at the side of Thunderbird Park, in a truly beautiful spot with a stream running through over large smooth boulders, surrounded by tall, lush woodland.  In fact there were two parts of the camp with two separate owners. I wanted the part that had sites for $10. The girl at the café at Thunderbird Park restored my faith in friendly Queenslanders and cheerfully pointed me, to the right side. Even the owner turned out to be lovely and helpful, showing me where everything was on a map- the toilets and showers, the walks and places to visit, and making sure my site was level as motorhomes were not like caravans, that could be leveled. It had been such an emotional day I felt a little choked. And very much in need of that hot shower!

I didn’t get to do much that night as it was already turning to evening by the time I had showered. But I got to sit and watch the bush turkeys scrounging the grounds for food, bobbing swiftly here and there as tidbits came available. However, disgusted at my lack of provisions for them, they stayed near better benefactors. So instead, I sipped on my mug of sweet, hot chocolate and turned my gaze upwards to watch the sky turn from soft pink to dark blue as a myriad of stars began to stud the sky. The next morning, after making the most of the showers while I could, I decided to take a little walk along the paths the owner had pointed out to me. The one to the old disused mine was first. Interesting enough, going over the bridge across

the stream and along a short wooded path. But the mine was sealed off and dangerous and the area had flooded recently making the path muddy and strewn with forest debris. So I returned, passing the hanging rope walkways high in the trees of the ‘Tree Top Challenge’- the next door tourist venue. A type of ‘commando’, ‘team bonding’ place to test your trust and your skills. I have neither. Honestly, expecting me to run along a rope path, or swing off a tree, to prove I’m a good mate ……. Ain’t gonna happen.

The next walk was to the Ponds area, which was really beautiful. Here, a wide stream of cold, mountain water meanders over smooth rocks and boulders. So clear and pure is the water, you can see every pebble beneath, every little stick that is swept on the fast flowing tide. In places the stream becomes a white torrent as it is falls down a level, then clears again rushing on a straighter path. And all around towering trees with slim white bark stretch to the sky,  Ferns splaying out between them and over rocks, lime green, catching the sun.  This is my heaven. But, conscious that I need to travel to my next destination which I had planned the night before, I reluctantly started to go back to my Chihuahua. On my way, however, I met another couple  Anyway I could always come back and stay another time.

of fellow campers who were feeding the birds. Shaz and Gaz. I love the way Aussies shorten their names, don’t you? It’s never Sharon or Diane or Betty. It’s Shaz and Di and Bett. So much simpler. Friendlier. Anyway the birds. There were wood pidgeons, exquisitely colored corollas and small little black and white ones. As friendly as anything, all pecking away together at the breadcrumbs thrown about. I was in two minds whether to stay another night. But Shaz had already asked to and the owner said it would be really busy at the weekend, and fully booked, though if they moved to a more remote site she would let them.

There was just one last place to visit. But I needed the Chihuahua for this. Cedar Falls was, literally, just down a short road at the entrance of the Park.  It’s a great place to visit with picnic and BBQ areas on wide grass verges. There’s plenty of Parking and clean toilets too. It’s also an easy walking path to the first section of the falls which can even be managed by wheelchair users, where the views of the falls are stunning. I didn’t go any further that day, though there are much longer paths ahead. It was almost like sensory overload! There’s only so much beauty you can take. It was time to move on.

 No beauty transcends that of Nature.... all else is mimickry.

The  Grey Chihuahua