SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

After two days at the Matilda Servo, and finding that the button on my jeans would barely close up, I felt that maybe, reluctantly, I should make a move. I really didn’t want to leave Matilda and went, tearfully, up to tell her so. OK,... and to get my LAST big breakfast…. With a side order of trifle ….. and maybe a few sandwiches. What? What? I was taking the sandwiches and the trifle with me for later. Jeeeze.  I was also sad to say farewell to the many, wonderful birds I had watched for hours from the hidden depths of the Chihuahuas’ blacked out windows. A bit like my own private bird hide.

My next port of call was Tin Can Bay 65km away. It was a long but beautiful drive through surprisingly green and luxuriant vegetation, a large part of which were sky tall conifers carefully planted in  neat forestry rows.  They reminded me of the vast Radiata forestry plantations where I grew up in the South East of South Australia. I have always loved the smell of these forests ever since. But back to Tin Can Bay…  I had heard that there were good sightings of dolphins there and a local pod of them were fed every morning at Barnacles Dolphin Centre which offers its visitors a rare opportunity to interact with wild Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins. The Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin gets its name from the elongated dorsal fin and humped back appearance which arises from the accumulation of fatty tissue on their backs as they age. They also differ from other dolphin species in relation to their mounded forehead and long beaks. But alas… I was too late. It had been a long drive and they feed at around 7.30 to 8am. It was now 9am. Although the rest of Tin Can Bay was nice, with an well kept esplanade winding around the bay, it was very quiet and not a lot else to do. Unless you go fishing.

And so I continued on to Rainbow Beach. A surprising distance away, but, a great drive through the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park, where you can expect quite a ride with many Roller Coaster hills. The town's name derives from the rainbow-coloured sand dunes surrounding the settlement; according to the legends of the local indigenous Kabi people, the dunes were coloured when Yiningie, a spirit represented by a rainbow, plunged into the cliffs after doing battle with an evil tribesman. But today it is a small but very well planned tourist destination, which boasts itself as a gateway to Frazer Island. There is a good contingent of backpackers here with hostels and motels. But also the grey nomads are catered for too with a caravan park and hotels.  I loved the central little shopping strip there. Plenty of space to park and really great shops and cafes. (I splurged and bought myself a Billabong sweatie I couldn’t resist). Actually that is an awesome thing here. Plenty of parking everywhere.  I parked  on the parking island in  the middle of the shops, I parked at the end of the shops on Lawrie Hanson

park, overlooking the beach. I parked on Griffin Parade below the Park, filled a few bottles of water from the taps and walked onto the beach .

 In fact I could have gone to the end of Griffin Parade and DRIVEN on the beach along Rainbow Beach- Double Island Point Road, IF I had had a 4 wheel drive! Personally I think the Chihuahua could have handled it no worries, but apparently not allowed.  In fact you can park anywhere here. It is awesome! And besides this obvious mega attraction, there are long sandy beaches, bush walks, and loads of watersports. Plus…. There’s always Frazer Island! Ferries travel from Inskip point  regularly. And there are masses of tours going. Any wonder this is backpackers’ paradise? Well so long as they clean up and behave, it’s all good, and Rainbow Beach did look well cared for.

As per usual, though, there were no 24hr rest areas (and I can understand that, there were already plenty of backpackers in the hostel and motels) so I took myself off to the nearest RV friendly overnight stop. A mere 60km away. Here the Ross River Creek Store is run by an affable character, John, who has made a brilliant area for campers next to the store.The grassy area is mainly flat with trees, picnic area and even a camp fire to use. And the vast countryside around, with its mountains, rolling hills, cows and

kangaroos could keep you glued for hours. For me, being greeted by his free range chooks was the best! They are so friendly and very open to any food you might have with you. One even stood on my foot while I dished out my bread, to make sure she got some! And then there is the beautiful black cow and calf there munching on the grass in the next paddock (Careful though, this fence is electic) with their friend Ruby, the most gorgeous TINY, shaggy horse ever. John told me Ruby was actually a fully grown stock horse???? Hmmmm not sure on that one. Anyone know the size of stock horses? But they will come up and greet you too, especially when it comes to carrots being handed out. By the time I went to bed the site was full and the endless sky lit with stars. I hope other campers also went and got a coffee or a meal as a small 'thank you' for providing such a great place. But at least I did. Cheers John. Awesome place.

 To believe you are the only important being on this planet is stupidity
To believe you are the only sentient being is madness.
The Grey Chihuahua