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