OH GOD, I AM SO NOT CLASSY!!!

OK this IS me!!!

Noosa was next on the map, and driving through its hinterland, on the way there revealed a lush, green, tropical landscape full of beauty. The rolling hills and dales can give some spectacular views, a little away from the main road and even a Botanical Garden. However, today’s mission was… Noosa. I had never been there before but heard only good things. Some things I liked, some things I wasn’t too sure if I’d like. Noosa was a playground for the wealthy was one of these. Errrrr, not really me.

Yet the first town I came to was Tewantin, and I did like this very much. Still a coastal town with a harbor, it hadn’t yet turned into a true Noosa. It was a gentler area, still having a country feel but with plenty to do and very picturesque. I liked it, so I spent my money at the big Woolworths there. And then onto Noosa Village. Another surprise. I liked Noosa Village! The harbor area was a parkland for walks and picnics with soothing water views. Plenty of parking along   this esplanade, but be warned of the many speed bumps along it. You WILL go 20km! Which I thought, essentially, set the pace of this side of Noosa. More retirement than holiday homes, more stable than showy. A lovely place to wander around with plenty of shops and cafes. Still a little more affluent, but not stonking rich. Refined rather than ostentatious. But as I watched the well groomed residents walk by I observed their t shirts and jumpers were more likely to have a designer brand than not and their canvas sneakers definitely didn’t come from Target! But it was still a nice place.

Noosa Heads Main Beach

And then there was Noosa Heads. What a different a few kms make. Suddenly there are huge, blindingly white, expensive houses crammed along the architecturally designed streets. The largest ones arching, exclusively, along the banks of the river, their shiny new boats moored at the waters’ edge.  The Chihuahua and I kept going until we found the Main Beach and Noosa National Park. Now, to give it its’ due, The Main beach had a small free 3hr parking carpark there, and a parking spot which was waiting for me. So I got out and looked at the pristine, manicured beach there with the high, white (everything in Noosa was WHITE) hotels overlooking it. A tent had been erected by the Surf Club and was dispensing champagne and nibbles to its discerning guests. I was not a guest. And so I went and walked down the beautiful boulevard of shops just behind the beach. It did, slowly, occur to me that maybe I should have made more of an effort with my presentation that day. But what the hell. Too late now. So I went in and bought the only thing I actually wanted in Noosa, just some postcards for my family and friends. The woman didn’t smile and looked fairly cheesed off. Maybe she thought I should have made more of an effort too. Ah well. I had come to the conclusion that as stunning as Noosa Heads most definitely was… it wasn’t for me.

As I really hadn’t stayed that long at Noosa I decided to have a look at a couple of free camps (er- none in Noosa lol) I had spied on Wikicamps and then choose a place to stay. So off we tootled to the other side of the Bruce Highway again. The drive in the countryside there was great, with forests and panoramic views to refresh  my senses. Yet although Carters Ridge Rest area was truly serene and picturesque, there were only a couple of houses across the road and no one else there. I drove on to Kadanga. Now this really is an RV friendly town! The facilities are great and everyone is so welcoming. And it was chockfull! Kadanga will have made some money that week! Yes-everyone knows of this awesome place. I moved on. Arrawatta Lookout was nearby, and after 10km of hills that would rival the Big Dipper in any amusement park, I found it. And the one car there. … right in the middle. Yes I could have fitted in. Just. But I’d got time enough to go a little further.

So glad I did. This was one happy camper! Whoo Hooo.  I found Matilda!!! The most awesome Servo stop EVER. Yes, yes I know what you’re thinking. I’d choose a Servo stop right on the Bruce Highway over a free camp in magnificent countryside? Well… yes I would. In fact, if all servos were like this one, I would probably just travel from one to the other….. with maybe a few  days at parks and rear hotels or beaches thrown in. I know. I’ve let you down. But let me explain. Matilda has EVERYTHING .A 24hr food court (OMG- no more cooking!). And there’s a launderette, newsagency, beautiful picnic area at the back to park in surrounded by a flowing waterway with LOADS of birds to watch, ducks, geese, waterfowl,  herons, tiny birds I’d never seen before. A walkway over to the shops and   cheap cafes, tourist info,

toilets and showers plus a big, good priced, petrol station. AND… MATILDA. Matilda is a Giant statue of a Kangaroo that sits on the back patio of the food court, surrounded by tables and chairs and water fountains. Now come on. You have to admit. She’s pretty tremendous! Who wouldn’t want to sit and look at her all day? I was one chuffed chick, let me tell you. No one was moving me on.

 

Happiness is simple- just be true to who you really are.
The Grey Chihuahua