This Adventurous Age

Adventures travelling and working around Australia.

Author Archives: wendyviney


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1998 Travels May 4

MONDAY 4 MAY     TORQUAY

My son turns 24 today. I still find it hard to regard the baby of the family as an adult!

I cycled to a shop for milk and a paper – did 2.1kms. This has become a morning routine. It is good to start the day with this exercise.

We went back to the beach at Craignish and gathered “yabbies” with the bait pump, from the sand. Actually succeeded in getting a respectable quantity – our first success with the bait pump! Dodged the little soldier crabs that are everywhere here.

We each broke a thong in the soft, sucky mud of the tidal flats. I have a spare pair in the van, but we will need to buy more for John.

On the way back to van, called into a bargain shop, but they did not have thongs.

After lunch at the van, John spent some time organizing his fishing gear.

We went fishing, about 4pm, from the beach just beyond the Urangan Marina. Had many nibbles and rapid loss of bait. I caught a small whiting – one unlucky fish, that one! We stopped fishing when it began to get dark.

Tea was dart with rosemary and lemon, with salads.

Phoned K to have a birthday talk with him.


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1998 Travels May 3

SUNDAY 3 MAY     TORQUAY

Some blue sky today, but with cloud and some showers of rain.

In the morning, John made bread. Apart from the usual loaf, he made some rolls that he filled with a tomato and onion mix, a bit like a pizza in a roll. He is becoming quite adventurous with this bread thing. The rolls were lovely for lunch.

After that, we went driving, to explore some of the area. A “my” day!

Firstly, went to Craignish Beach, to the west of Point Vernon. We walked along the beach for a way. It was similar to the Hervey Bay beaches. The tide was well out and there were wide sand flats exposed. There were large mobs of soldier crabs moving about on the flats – thousands of them. It looked like the whole beach was moving! These crabs are tiny – about one inch. They seem to be a pale blue colour on top. As they move along the beach, they leave little balls of sand behind. I presume they are called soldier crabs because they move around in “armies”.

04-30-1998 03 Craignish Beach & soldier crabs.jpg

Low tide at Craignish Beach – and thousands of soldier crabs on the sand flats

We talked to a local who was walking back along the beach, from fishing. He told John how to find “yabbies” in the sand, for bait. He said that the trawlers we could see in the distance, fishing off Point Vernon, were destroying the whiting fishing for people like us. This guy had a cute little poodle with him that insisted on sitting on John’s foot all the time we were standing talking. It was just hanging out to be patted by John – what is it with dogs and him?

Continued on to Toogoom, next along to the west. This was a small village, spread out along the beach and beside a mangrove lined creek that had a good population of sandflies! The real estate, from what we saw in agent’s window, was cheap. I could not see too many reasons why anyone would want to live there.

Further on, through rain by now, was Burrum Heads. This was much nicer, with a wider river that looked like it might have good fishing. It might be worth bringing the van here for a stay, sometime.

The country around these parts is fairly flat, with areas of swamps. There are lots of paperbarks growing – big ones. Toogoom and Burrum Heads have none of the green, distant hills that made the Noosa area so visually attractive. It is a little bit more hilly, closer to Hervey Bay, around the Craignish Hills, and so a little less tedious.

It was dark by the time we got back to the van.

Tea was bread with salads, and hard boiled eggs.


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1998 Travels May 2

 SATURDAY 2 MAY     TORQUAY

The day was finer than forecasts had led us to believe it would be.

In the morning, I rode to the shops for the papers. I spent the rest of the morning reading these.

John went off to bowls in the afternoon. He enjoyed that.

I cycled all along the Esplanade, out to Point Vernon, then back past here as far as Urangan Marina. This was a great ride, mostly on bike paths, and much of it beside the sea. There was interesting scenery, and the sound of waves as I rode. Today, I totalled 34kms on the bike.

Tea was pork steaks with left over stir fried vegies.

John used the radphone service on the HF radio to see if it was possible to call a mobile number on it – he phoned V. It worked. She seemed thrilled to hear from us. They are about to move on to Shepparton. Their round-Australia travels are getting off to an even slower start than ours did!

05-04-1998 fungi Hervey Bay.jpg

A beautifully formed fungus I saw at our caravan park


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1998 Travels May 1

FRIDAY 1 MAY     TORQUAY

And the months roll by! I do love this travelling, making it up as we go, lifestyle.There is such a feeling of liberation to wake in the morning knowing that there are no deadlines.

Rain set in during the night and it poured all day. The forecast for what is the Labor Day weekend here is not good – more rain and south easterly winds.

We spent most of the day in the van, doing things on computers, catching up on letters. Fed the ducks that roam the caravan park all our stale bread.

Our lunch included leftover cold patties from last night – they were good cold, too.

In the later afternoon, went to Hervey Bay PO to post letters. John collected a big envelope of material about “his” school, sent by the new Principal. I mailed a huge printout of our doings to K, and kept a second copy for my records. We bought a packet of copy paper for the computer printer – seem to be getting through it quite quickly!

Fish and chip day. John had some very nice, small whiting in his order. I had calamari – far too greasy.

04-30-1998 02 Urangan dusk.jpg

Another interesting play of light from the Urangan Jetty


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1998 Travels April 30

THURSDAY 30 APRIL     TORQUAY

Today was pleasantly warm, but there was some cloud about.

In the morning, rode the bikes to the nearest supermarket shopping complex, where we bought a few groceries and a paper. That was a 5.5km ride.

After lunch, drove along the Esplanade that parallels the seafront right around the bay. It extends for 17kms. The inland side of it is lined with houses and shops, of course, but for much of its length the seaward side is parks and gardens.

John spied a fishing shop to investigate. He bought sinkers (more!) and hooks.

We found a disposals store and bought a waterproof bag for the carpet rolls John likes to carry to put inside the tent when we use that. The bag will stop nasties getting in when he stores them outside Truck – and also keep them dry. I hope to persuade John, sometime soon, to put the roll up on the roof rack, permanently. There is too much stuff inside Truck! I also bought a lidded bucket – for John’s use at night; much more discreet to take to the toilet in the morning – since it is mostly me who seems to get that job!

From a farmer parked in the Esplanade, with produce on a truck, bought pineapples (3 for $2), tomatoes, cucumber, bananas, potatoes – a lot of vegetable matter for only $7.50.

We walked out on the long Urangan Jetty. The last third of it is being renovated, and so is closed. It goes out over what is sand flats at low tide – these are very extensive. We could see across to Fraser Island in the distance. Saw a kid catch a very big flathead in the low tide channel. There was much evidence that this jetty is greatly used for fishing.

It is already evident that there are a lot of ferals around this area! Guess it is a pleasant climate and surrounds in which to live on the dole. Saw one such family on the jetty: the man was fishing, there were four very grubby and snotty kids aged under about five, mum was pregnant again.

At dusk, there was great light for photos off the jetty, across the sand flats.

04-30-1998 01 from urangan jetty.jpg

Dusk light from Urangan Jetty

Tea was rice and burghul patties – surprisingly good, with stir fried vegies.

John stayed up till about 2am, playing on the computer. I do manage to sleep, despite the background noise from his games.


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1998 Travels April 29

WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL   TEWANTIN TO TORQUAY   191kms

On the move again today. We were up at 7.15 and away at 9.30, which we were pleased with, since it was a full pack up.

John was able to find a place to park the rig in Cooroy, not too far from the chemist’s shop. The man is a naturopathic chemist, specializing in nutritional issues. He sold John glucosamine tablets, derived from shark cartilage, which, he believes, will help ease the hip and maybe delay the need for a replacement. We can but hope! Arranged for him to send us more to Airlie Beach, when he has more in. He also sold John a special coated aspirin, designed for long term users, that is better for the stomach. We may have been very fortunate to come across this chemist. But we spent $127 there!

Drove via Gympie and Maryborough, then on to Hervey Bay. The countryside was mostly green hills and farm country, quite lush in appearance. Saw sugar cane and pineapples growing, as well as cattle. We are starting to see some of the humpy backed Brahmin type cattle now – don’t get them down south.

Beyond Maryborough, the country became flatter and less interesting. Even though we only passed through the fringe of Maryborough, we saw some superb old Queenslander style houses. Since Maryborough as a port city dates from the 1840’s, that is not surprising.

Hervey Bay is really a cluster of “suburbs” strung mostly along the shoreline, and merging together. We found the caravan park I’d selected – Happy Wanderer at Torquay – easily. It looks great. The staff are friendly. The man insisted that HE direct John’s backing onto our site – a great idea as far as I was concerned! It went well, too. He suggested that we use a piece of his wood to raise one side of the van, too. We are on a pleasant site with some shade trees. Again, the grass is thick and lush. It is a Top Tourist Park and with discount is $15 a night, and as we booked in for a week, we get the seventh night free. Still under budget.

We set up, had lunch, during which we were joined by some wild ducks, hoping for a handout. They are nice to have around – although I am not impressed with duck poo on our cement slab! There are also ibis strutting around, mynahs, and lots of noisy rainbow lorikeets. They are so colourful and gorgeous that one can forgive the noise they make.

Drove to the main Hervey Bay PO, which helped get us oriented to the place. Collected our mail. I had a quick look through the contents of the bag and was disappointed that there were no personal letters, just bills and the like.

Went for a walk on the nearest beach, until dusk. The beach here stretches a long way, but is not as nice as the Noosa area ones. The sand is coarse and yellow – more like builders’ sand. There are lots of piles of black rocks at the back of the beach sand, to prevent erosion, so there are sets of steps down at regular intervals.

Tea was sausages and salads.

04-29-1998 Tewantin to Torquay.JPG

From Tewantin to Torquay


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1998 Travels April 28

TUESDAY 28 APRIL     TEWANTIN

It was a pleasant, warm day.

John bowled at the Noosa club. He really enjoyed his game there.

After an early lunch, I went for a cycle. Rode to Tewantin, where I went to the bank and also bought some fruit. Then rode on to Noosaville to collect my photos. Bought some sausages. The chores completed, I rode around some of the luxury canal-front areas, just exploring and looking. The blocks seemed very small and very filled with new, upmarket houses – some luxurious looking, others just pretentious.

Had a look at the Munna Point Caravan Park that E and A had recommended, but feel that where we are is nicer.

Coming back on the bike path there was the usual noisy chattering from the many rainbow and scaly lorikeets, feeding and squabbling in the flowering trees. The smell in a couple of spots was a give-away to where there were mobs of fruit bats hanging up in those same trees.

It was an enjoyable and varied 20km ride. I felt good.

Tea was chicken breast cooked in a foil parcel, with honey and orange. It was a little bitter – think I grated the white pith in too.

We were both weary after tea, so did no preliminary packing up. Had an early night instead.

04-28-1998 AROUND NOOSA.JPG

Our explorations whilst at Tewantin


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1998 Travels April 27

MONDAY 27 APRIL     TEWANTIN

Today was a beautiful sunny day and not too humid.

I took advantage of the weather to do washing, including the doona cover and underlay. Two loads.

John made bread, which turned out well – a loaf and six rolls. We had some of the rolls for lunch.

After the bread was made, he drove to the bowls shop. Our name badges were not in, but they promised them for this afternoon. He went to the Noosa Bowls Club and booked himself in for a game tomorrow. Refuelled Truck – still 64cpl.

I embroidered for a while, and John did the ironing. There is never much of this – teatowels, hankies, pillow cases. We have mostly stopped ironing things like polo shirts.

Later in the day, drove back to the bowls shop and collected our name badges. I went to the book exchange. He only gave me $8.50 credit for the five books I took in, which I thought was very mean, so I only bought two replacements, with the credits.

John went to a chemist to talk arthritis remedies. The chemist has a shop in Cooroy too and John has to go there tomorrow and collect a substance that promotes cartilage growth, and which may be a substitute for the Surgam, that is easier on the gut. John finds the latter does give him bad heartburn.

I put film in for processing and bought some groceries at Tewantin.

We drove through Noosa central to the parking area for the Noosa National Park. Walked the Coast Track, which was very picturesque, with views through the trees, scrub and pandanus to the blue sea. The coast that it followed was mostly rocky, though there were a couple of little coves with small sandy beaches.

04-27-1998-02-noosa-np-view-from-walk-track

The walking track in Noosa National Park followed the coastline

In some parts there were views back to Noosa and across to Teewah Beach. We saw two dolphins swimming – aptly enough, off Dolphin Point. We walked as far as Hells Gates, which is the easternmost headland. There were many birds to stop and watch.

04-27-1998 01 Noosa Beach from Noosa NP track.jpg

Looking back towards Noosa Heads from the National Park

The sun was setting as we did the last part of the return walk. That was superb – orange and pink clouds, some blue sky still, purple water, and in some parts pandanus silhouettes being all dramatic against that backdrop.

04-27-1998 04 sunset over bay noosa np.jpg

We walked about 5.4kms.

Tea was bread and tzatsiki, and salads.


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1998 Travels April 26

SUNDAY 26 APRIL     TEWANTIN

It was my turn for a touristy day! We set off for a drive and explore.

Took the road to Mt Tinbeerwah Lookout. This had wonderful views virtually all round. The road ended about 500m from the top, and we then had to walk the rest. It showed all the lush, green farm land around Pomona and Kin Kin, to the northwest, and the areas of bushland interspersed between the fertile valleys, and where the National Parks are. There were the big hills of Mt Mothar and Mt Cooroy. We could see Noosa itself, the various lakes, the Tewantin area – all very interesting. Stayed up there, looking, for the best part of an hour.

04-26-1998 01 view NW over Lake McDonald from Mt Tinbeerwah.jpg

From Mt Tinbeerwah looking to NW – Lake McDonald at right

04-26-1998 02 Noosa from Mt Tinbeerwah.jpg

From Mt Tinbeerwah looking across to Noosa; Lake Weyba to right

Drove down and around to Lake McDonald, closer to Cooroy, seen from the lookout. Had our picnic lunch at a park there. It is part of Noosa’s water supply, but people can sail, paddle and swim there, which seems rather unhygienic to me.

Took back roads and tracks through the Ringtail State Forest, and some farming areas. Ringtail Creek Road was one of these we travelled. It is interesting to see what types of houses people tuck away into the forest. We saw quite a few of what appeared to be alternative lifestyle establishments.

There do appear to be a number of hamlets in the Noosa hinterland where real estate is still reasonably priced, even though it is very expensive around Noosa itself.

Tea was guacamole and corn chips and assorted salads.


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1998 Travels April 25

SATURDAY 25 APRIL     TEWANTIN

It is Anzac Day. There was a big morning parade in Tewantin. All the shops were closed all day, but not the roadhouse at the park entrance, where I buy my papers.

John bowled in the afternoon.

I read the papers, tidied up the van. After lunch I went for a walk, as far as the Tewantin School – about 5kms there and back.

The caravan park was quite full for the weekend, with a big group of about ten vans in for the weekend. There was much jollity.

John returned happy with the game he had played, but with no “loot”.

Tea was steak and mushrooms and salad.

The weather has really improved now. It is slightly cooler, not humid, the sky is blue, there are great sunsets and starry skies at night. When the weather is like this, I understand the lure of Noosa for retirees!