This Adventurous Age

Adventures travelling and working around Australia.

Author Archives: wendyviney


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1998 Travels April 14

TUESDAY 14 APRIL     TEWANTIN

It rained steadily for most of the day, but was still warm.

This dictated indoor pursuits, apart from a brief drive to the shops for supplies. Computer things, letter writing, diary update, filled the day.

Once I’d seen the first cane toad, I started to see them frequently – around the garden edges, especially in the lights at night. Also squashed on the roads in the park – lots of these – guess the rains have brought them out.

We are being visited by regularly calling butcher birds, who come and sit on our outside table and warble beautifully in the hope of being fed. I keep a collection of bits of meat offcuts and bacon rinds for this purpose.

Tea was steak and salad.


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1998 Travels April 13

MONDAY 13 APRIL     TEWANTIN

Easter Monday.

We played bowls at the Noosa/Tewantin Club, all day. It was the third day of their Easter Tournament – mixed fours. The team we were in, with another couple, won the first game by 2. But we lost the second by 15. It was an awful game. There was the usual bitchiness that I’ve found common amongst female bowlers when at their home clubs, however a few of them were very nice, so that was better than usual!

It was very humid in the morning. In the afternoon, there was a steady build up of dark thunder clouds, followed at dusk by a lot of thunder and lightning, but no rain.

When we got back from bowls could see that the numbers in the park have really thinned out – great!

For something different for tea, we had pita breads, heated up bread rolls, and three dips I made – avocado, tzatziki, and a cheddar and gherkin one. Also the left over salads from last night.

Had an early night. I was exhausted.


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1998 Travels April 12

SATURDAY 12 APRIL     TEWANTIN

It is hot, humid and steamy.

We had another quite leisurely day, to start. I washed our bowls clothes, by hand, rather than spend washing machine money, when all they needed really was a rinse out. John messed about with the HF radio. We read the Sunday paper and studied our maps.

About 3.30pm, we went driving, to find a beach to walk on. The stretch of coast south of Noosa seemed like it would be promising. We had to drive for a while around the streets of Sunrise Beach, looking for a place to park. Eventually stopped near the Sunrise Beach Caravan Park, which looked very crowded, with tiny sites – not all that pleasant. But it does have the beach right there.

We went for a long walk on the beach, until it was nearly dark. It is a beautiful, long, beach that stretches south from Sunshine, through Peregian and Coolum. There were a lot of other people on the beach, and two lifesaver patrolled areas. Some people were fishing and catching small fish. Judging from a seabird frenzy out over the water, there was a school of big fish out there. Maybe tailor, as John was told there are lots being caught in the area now. I don’t know anything about those.

Felt sandy and salty after the time on the beach, so showered when we got back to the van.

Tea was salads.

We are really under estimating how quickly the dark comes on in these parts, and how early.


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1998 Travels April 11

SATURDAY 11 APRIL     TEWANTIN

Last night’s rain dropped 2.5 inches of rain on this area. Wow! It stayed warm overnight and the morning was hot.

John had hopes of getting into a big, 2-day bowls tournament that he discovered was on at one of the clubs in the area. Entries had closed a while ago. He drove to the club to check, but did not get one of the late places. However, he came back with the news that we could play social bowls at the Noosa Club. That pleased him more than me!

He had refuelled at Noosa – 64 cpl.

I’d had plans for a leisurely day of reading, sewing and the like! Damn! Instead, I had to make – and eat – a hurried lunch.

It was hot dressing up in all the bowls white gear – including panty hose. I do hate the antiquated formality of the whole bowls scene for women.

We played 21 ends, and lost, but not by much. It was hot and tiring and my arm ached badly, for some reason. Just lack of practice I guess.

We found that many of the bowlers were originally from Melbourne, now living up here.

I made tea – stir fry tofu and vegies – straight after getting back from bowls, as it was quite late. Had my shower after that, rather than rush it before tea.

On the way to the amenities block, I saw my first ever cane toad, sitting on the path near some garden. It seemed a real novelty!

There was a full moon in a rather cloudy sky.


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1998 Travels April 10

FRIDAY 10 APRIL     TEWANTIN

Good Friday. It is hot and humid.

The caravan park seems just about full.

Rather a slow start to the day. John played his lemmings computer game. I washed his bloody shirt, and then rearranged my travel books and maps, putting the NSW and Vic ones away in the crate in the back of Truck, and putting the Qld ones in the accessible carton that sits behind my seat.

Went for a drive, to start to get a feel for the area. Drove to Boreen Point, and Elanda Point, both on Lake Cootharaba on the Noosa River. Both have camping areas, and we were partly looking to see if either of these might be a better place to move out to, after Easter. Boreen Point was really crowded. The private caravan park looked awful and seemed to contain mostly feral types. The council park was really crowded; there were no apparent marked sites, just all crammed in together.

The camp area at Elanda Point looked better, but we didn’t linger to look around, as there was a $4 day use fee, as it is inside the Great Sandy National Park. The views over the large Lake Cootharaba were very pleasant – sometimes I do wish we carried a canoe. However, there was a very intrusive presence of power boats, jet skis and water skiers, which spoiled any potential tranquillity. Perhaps Easter is not a good time to judge, though and it might be better when the crowds thin out.

04-10-1998 Lake Cootharaba from Boreen Point.jpg

Lake Cootharaba from Boreen Point

The “little drive” we set out to do turned out to be 66kms.

After lunch back at the van, went for a cycle into Noosaville and back, just because it is a pleasant ride along the bike path, though this, too, was a bit crowded today. We rode 15.5kms.

Late in the day, we heard on the radio that there was a big thunderstorm in the Ipswich area, where three people died from contact with fallen power lines. In the dusk, could see the darker fringe of it, and much lightning in the distance. As we were having tea, some big wind gusts hit, then we had really heavy rain for a couple of hours. It stayed warm, though.

Tea was prawns and salad. I am not sure they were nice enough to warrant last night’s peeling marathon, however.

This area smells great after rain.


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1998 Travels April 9

THURSDAY 9 APRIL     TEWANTIN

Another humid day.

I did a load of washing – $2.

We had a hair cutting session. I used the clippers on John’s hair, which I am used to cutting. As an economy measure, decided he could cut mine and we’d see what the result was like. The ultra short cut I had before we departed in January, is finally too shaggy to bear!  He used scissors and did a good job. I was quite pleased.

After lunch, we drove to the shops at Noosaville. I put film in for processing, then  stocked up with food for the next four days. It is Easter and I do not know yet what shop rules apply in these parts. John bought a box of beer. The place was frantically busy, so I guess that is a guide, if everyone is stocking up. I bought a kilo of prawns that were on special in Franklins.

After putting away the shopping, and getting in the washing, we rode the bikes back to Noosaville to pick up my photos. It was a pleasant ride, but we left it a little late – and it was dark by the time we got back. But there is a cycle path most of the way, so that was ok. Night seems to fall really quickly up here – there is not much dusk. Rode 14kms on the bikes.

I was pleased with the photos.

Tea was steak, mushrooms and salad.

John had a blood nose that lasted a while, possibly due to the heat.  Guess the aspirin thins his blood somewhat.

I have bought some Berocca to start taking, because I heard somewhere that Vitamin B deters biteys.

After tea, peeled the prawns. It took two hours! Fiddly little things. They were not such a great special, after all.


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1998 Travels April 8

WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL   TALLEBUDGERA TO TEWANTIN   245kms

Today was humid.

We left the park at 8.45. The packing and hitching up is becoming fairly routine – no longer get uptight about it.

Thought we might have missed the rush hour traffic, however, there was solid traffic all the way to well north of Brisbane itself. I had rather expected a bit of a rural run between the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s southern outskirts, but the urban sprawl is kind of all joined up. However, it was not really hard driving because it was on good, dual roads. The Gateway Motorway is great, skirting Brisbane, crossing the river east of the central city, then going to the northern outskirts  before turning back into “ordinary” road. The toll of $2 was worth it – totally. However, there was a moment of panic as we approached the toll booth, had to commit to a lane and I hunted for the money!

We pulled over into a parking area north of Nambour, for lunch. It was another place that required cool and careful planning to exit again. John was tense by now, because of all the trucks on the road, and got us a bit hemmed in, trying to go the way he was determined on. Then he lost patience and simply drove down a sort of embankment and through a rough garden area to the next level of road in the parking area! Well, I guess it is an offroad van……but suspected the cupboard contents would be rather jumbled up.

We reached Tewantin, via Cooroy, in the early afternoon. We were already booked into the Bougainvillea Top Tourist Caravan Park. This cost us $15.30 a night, after discount, with the seventh night free. But once we have accumulated $20 of discount, after twelve paid nights, the usual rate of $17 will cut in.

We had some difficulty backing the van onto our site, getting it the exact distance John wanted from the edge of the cement slab, and then getting the Truck and van unhitched, due to the site sloping down at its front. But we managed.

The park is away from the sea, but it is a very pleasant park – clean, modern, decent sized sites, concrete annexe pad. The surrounding grass is really thick and lush – not a variety I have seen down south.  Good looking pool and BBQ area. It is kind of behind a roadhouse, so there is a range of supplies available from that. There are no other shops nearby.

After doing set up for an extended stay, we drove on into Noosa, down the almost fabled Hastings Street, and onto the Spit, which is like a solid part bar at the mouth of the Noosa River. On its seaward side is the main Noosa beach, on its inland side is a marina of sorts. Walked on the beach, and along some of the Spit. It is all very attractive.

There were people fishing in the surf off the beach and in the river mouth. Could see 4WD vehicles on the sandy beach north of the river mouth, so there is obviously vehicle access to that side, somehow. Hmmmm……..

The Noosa area is not so easy to navigate around. Traffic is chaotic, despite the roundabouts every few metres!

Tea was mullet, fries and salad. There are nicer eating fish!

Phoned K and left message on machine, with our where abouts.

I am happy to be travelling totally new ground. John has never before been in Qld. I have visited Brisbane and the Gold Coast, on brief occasions, and once spent half an hour at Mt Isa airport. So the State is essentially a novelty.

The night was warm and humid enough for us only to need a sheet covering.

04-08-1998-gold-coast-to-noosa


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1998 Travels April 7

TUESDAY 7 APRIL     TALLEBUDGERA

Last night was a pleasant, balmy one for sleeping.

After breakfast, drove to some shops – in which part of the Gold Coast, I do not know. The place is a maze to me, even with a map.

John wanted to get the TV antenna booster tested. There was nothing found wrong with it though. The man in the electronics shop said that boosting a good picture can spoil it – maybe that is what is happening? Or maybe John just has to accept that he isn’t always going to get great TV whilst travelling?

We decided on a drive into the hinterland – not really interested in the urban sights!

We drove first to Mudgeeraba, to make it easier to find our way tonight. Then continued on up the Springbrook Road, took a linking road across to the Nerang Road, behind the Hinze Dam. The roads were winding and through forests – much cooler than down on the coast. The linking road had some really steep descents, with many warning signs. We did it the secure way – in 4WD. There was much good scenery, and some huge drops off the road side – mostly my side!

04-07-1998 01 rd near Hinze Dam.jpg

We have not encountered such warning signs before

Went south on the Nerang Road and found a place to eat our lunch rolls, at Bochow Park, by the Nerang River. This was very nice, with swimming holes in the river. There was even wood supplied at the BBQ area. John had a bit of a hunt in the wood heap and found a couple of fairly thick pieces that will be useful to put under the van wheels when it needs levelling on a site – something else we have only though of with experience.

Drove on to the Natural Bridge National Park. Walked the track to the Bridge, and really enjoyed the walk through the bush. We encountered a Brush Turkey on the track – have not seen one of those before. A strange looking bird – I couldn’t call it a pretty one, but it was bold and not at all frightened of us.

It was hard to take a decent photo of the Natural Bridge feature, where a waterfall comes down through the roof of a cave, of sorts. The light was difficult, and so was being very close to the feature.

04-07-1998-02-falls-natural-bridge-np

Natural Bridge waterfall

From there, continued driving along the Numinbah Valley – really quite beautiful. We’d earlier noticed a prison farm; guess it is a great setting. One hopes the surroundings have a positive effect on the inmates!

The road took us over the border again, into NSW. There was a manned quarantine checking station, in this really remote spot right on top of the ranges, with views to die for. We were not sure why this was there, as there was no border checkpoint on the main highway we travelled yesterday.

We continued on down into the Tweed Valley, coming onto the Pacific Highway near Murwillumbah. We had passed some really attractive valley settlements on this drive, complete with houses and farms.

Bought some fruit from a roadside stall. Did a quick trip into a supermarket, on the way back to the van, for bread for tomorrow’s lunch and some wine to take with us to L’s.

At the van, it was a quick change – the day drive had taken longer than planned. Then to L’s. They live in a superb area, with a great house.

It was a really pleasant evening, a delicious meal, and the first time I’d met L’s new husband. There was some reminiscing about our work days at the same school, before L moved north. We used to go camping, with our offspring, in the summer holidays, to places like Croajingalong National Park, some 15 years ago, when L’s first husband was still alive. It was great to see her looking so happy again. Her elder daughter, who was a classmate of son K’s, drove 1100kms today, arriving at 6.30pm, to see me again! I felt so appreciated. We did not stay too late, knowing that L still had a heap of end-of-term reports to write. I do not miss that!

Altogether today, we drove 190kms, most of it on our day drive.

Here on the Gold Coast, roundabouts are everywhere – even on exit ramps from freeways!

04-06-1998 day trip.JPG

Our rather ambitious day trip in Gold Coast hinterland


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1998 Travels April 6

MONDAY 6 APRIL     ILUKA TO TALLEBUDGERA    216kms

I got up at 6.30, John slept on until 8. I went for an early morning walk around the caravan park, then sat for a while watching the birds. We were away at 9.30am, without any dramas.

Although there was some great scenery, today’s was not an enjoyable drive. There were too many hills and bends, requiring constant concentration. I am still very tense about the whole towing thing, so cannot really relax and enjoy.

After about Bangalow, we were on totally new ground for us. A few years ago, when staying near Coffs, in school holidays, on C’s recommendation, we had driven up to Rosebank, near Bangalow, to look at some woodworking timber. But that was only a quick day drive and I can’t say we have ever really explored much north of Coffs, at all well. Not going to right now, either!

In a section south of Ballina, where the highway runs beside the Richmond River, we were passed by two oncoming vehicles with Oversize Vehicle Following signs, and flashing lights. The road was narrow, the bends were right angles, the river levee bank was on one side. We were just asking ourselves why there were two warning vehicles, one behind the other, as we approached another right angled bend – and met a huge truck coming our way. The trailer had what we think was some kind of barge on it. He took up the entire road width, and he’d swung out even wider to take the bend. Fortunately, John was going slowly for the bend, so he was able to come to a sudden stop, as far left as we could get, which wasn’t far! The truck missed the van, but John said it was very close, from what he could see in the rear vision mirror. The driver kind of jack  knifed his load, having to pull back across at the corner. It gave us a huge fright – seemed to happen so quickly. We decided that the advance warning should have been much clearer – making traffic pull over and stop completely. Well, that was another towing experience, and something else to watch out for – Oversize Vehicles that may be extremely oversized! We had never before seen anything that big travelling roads like this before.

The road got very hilly north of Brunswick Heads. We stopped in that town to eat our pre-packed lunch, as we saw a place to park while negotiating our way through. We were able to walk to the fish co-op, where I bought some mullet and prawns.

There were several ocean-going yachts tied up in the river boat harbour there, with people living on them – practical boats, rather than up-market ones.

Between Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah there were great views to the west and north-west, to the mountains – the Borders Ranges. Definitely country to explore one day, but from the look of it, without the van on the back!

It was flatter and easier after Murwillumbah.

At times, after the episode with the barge, I could smell something strong – almost acrid. I wondered if it was the brakes getting too hot, because we were using them quite a bit. Months later, having met the same smell in lots of other places, and sometimes when walking, I was to realize that it was some type of wild grass, but it had me anxious at the time. As the passenger, I have little to do except worry! It was just that sort of day.

We were low on fuel by the time we crossed the border into Qld, as John had wanted to wait to refuel, as he thought it was cheaper in that state, due to a government subsidy. And it is – by 9-13 cents a litre. That will make travel more economic. Filled up at Tugun – 64cpl.

Went to the Tallebudgera Caravan Park – a Family Parks one, on the southern part of the Gold Coast. Cost $15.75 a night. The park is really large. It adjoins the Tallebudgera Creek, just a little upstream from the sea. Can’t hear the sea though, due to some buildings between the coast and here. The receptionist told us there were no sandflies – good! It is booked out for Easter, and wouldn’t be so nice then anyway – too crowded. But I guess where we are going will be the same.

04-06-1998-ilika-to-gold-coast

We set up for a short stay. John messed about with the TV aerial and the radiophone for a while.

We then walked along the creek to the beach, which was a pleasant looking one. There were some people fishing off a breakwall at the creek mouth. The waves were huge!

It was dusk when we walked back to the van. I phoned friend L. We will go there for tea tomorrow.

Tea was prawns and salad.

We were both quite tired, so it was an early night.

We are in Queensland at last! After 13 weeks on the road………


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1998 Travels April 5

SUNDAY 5 APRIL   SOUTH WEST ROCKS TO ILUKA   262kms

We got up about 7.30am and were away at 9.35, after a smooth and calm pack up. It was a warm day, nearly 30 and somewhat humid.

The drive north on the Pacific Highway seemed uneventful and easier. We had one stop, north of Coffs Harbour, at Halfway Creek. It seemed strange to be going through the Coffs area and not staying – we have spent so many school holidays camping at various places around there.

Passed through or by many places that I would have loved to spend some time at – but they have to be put on the “later” list, given our main goal for this winter.

Went to Iluka. I thought it would be smaller and quieter than Yamba. They are twin settlements, each side of the mouth of the big Clarence River. We have noticed, as we move further north, the rivers are getting bigger. We detoured some 20kms from the highway, to get to Iluka.

At the Anchorage Top Tourist Park we were able to leave the van hitched up for the night. Cost $13.50. They told us they were not yet booked out for the Xmas period. Hmmmm…..but don’t want to commit this far ahead.

04-05-1998 SW Rocks to Iluka.JPG

After minimal set up, we were hot and sweaty, so had a beer each.

Got the bikes off and set out for a ride. Explored some of Iluka’s streets, looked across the very wide river mouth to Yamba in the distance, then rode the Heritage Rainforest Walk track. This was great – like riding through a green cave, with lots of tree roots to dodge in the late afternoon dimness. We reached Iluka Bluff and looked out over spectacular rock shelves and pools, where the waves were crashing in. Great!

04-05-1998 Bandjalung NP.jpg

John cycling the Rainforest Walk track in the Bunjalung National Park

Saw much bird life as we rode and identified three new birds. There are lots of lorikeets and mynahs in the park, too, so constant bird noise there.

We were a bit late riding back through the rainforest and it was very dim indeed. Rode straight to the fish co-op we’d found earlier, for fish and chips. Then it was a fast trip back to the van, with the dinner in my backpack, and in the dark. Fortunately there were few cars around. Maybe I should get lights for the bike?

All up, we cycled 14 kms and thoroughly enjoyed it. Must return to this place and explore the Bunjalung National Park thoroughly.

The seafood dinner was very nice, too.

After tea, John tried to use the direct dial facility on the Radphone – no luck.

There are plenty of mozzies around. Sandflies too.