Wednesday and Thursday

On Wednesday we visited the Hinterland region which is about 15km west of Maroochydore, and visited Lake Bason, lovely chintzy town called Montville, lots of quaint craft shops and themed cafes, bought our first souvenir - a cockrel wind chime
A short drive North and we came across Kandalilla Falls National Park, which was a not too strenu0uis walk through a rainforest area to quite spectsacular falls, they were more active as we'd experienced a sudden downpour on our walk through the tree canopy which shielded us from the worst of the rain!!

Today Thursday we drove up the coast north to Tewantin, then a short ferry crossing to the Noosa Everglades and Teewah coloured sands beach, which stretches for about 10 miles, and we were the onmly people on it!! seclusion can certainly be achieved here, nice not to hear loads of kids screaming, hot-rod cars revving and people chatting!!

The beach, dunes and everglades are all part of a protected area - the everglades host over 40,000 migrating birds every year and is apparently a sighte to behold.

Just west of Teewantin we ascended Mr Timbeerwah which gave us spectacluar views of the surrounding area - really showed us the enormity of the region and the country, and we've only experienced a fraction of it!!

A good one for Dave & Heather as we were walking up the mountain footpath, bearing in mind there was only one other car in the car park we walked past a guy who shouted back to his wife "howay man"!!! sounded just like Dave, and guess what he came from Alnwick originally now living in Oz!! what a small world it is!!

Sunshine Coast

Monday 28 January was a public holiday for Australia Day which was on Saturday - we went to Glass House Mountains which was near Beerwah absolutely amazing views -(how often do I use that word!!!) from the lookout - we then went to a picnic area at the foot of the largest mountain had lunch there, then did the cicuit walk round the foot of the mountain - it was very hot!! then we drove to the Mary Caircross Scenic Reserve in Maleny for more amazing views - loads of families having picnics and at the back was an entrance to a rainforest!! so we had a walk in there and saw a small kangaroo, and a huge lizard. Weather is glorious blue skys and about 29 degrees.

Tuesday 29th - Day trip to Noosa Heads which is about 20 miles up the coast from where we are staying beautiful coastline and coves, and a little rainforest in the Noosa Heads.

Lots of surfing beaches, however a 4km walk to the heads and the crowds thin out and you're definitely on the "unbeaten track", seems as though srfers are laid on their boards waiting for the eternal "big wave" - were going to have a go - maybe tomorrow. Still v hot, but just had a tropical rain fall - weather still good enough for bbq tonight.

Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

Brisbane was a lovely City, we only had a day exploring, but visited a few places and went the length of the river on a Sea Cat which was great loads to see, very small City compared to London & even Sydney but worth a visit. Our b&b was delightful, it was in an old Federal House with balcony all round, when we got back in the afternoon, we were invited by an elderly couple also staying there to join them and the owner Bonnita for cocktail hour, rather like aperitifs in France!! excellent Chardonnay and cheese & biscuits, after that we walked down the road for dinner, very relaxing.

Saturday we drove to Maroochydore which is on the Sunshine Coast to our accommodation for the next 2 weeks. Just off to the Visitor Centre to sort our agenda out - so watch this space!!!

Byron Bay

Thursday we travelled to Byron Bay on the coast rather by accident, as we intended to go elsewhere!! but ended up at Byron Bay, beautiful cove and beach, but very touristy, lots of aged hippies - we felt rather old as lots of v young people there, walking round barefooted - Jim S would be very comfortable there!!! Not!!!!!

Another day another State!!! we're now in Queensland in Bribane, arrived this morning our last step before 2 weeks on the sunshine Coast, we're looking forward to resting our laurels for a while - the time has changed as well, we've now moved on an hour - staying in another amazing place, old federal house on the outskirts of the City. Going to have an explore of Brisbane now which looks to be a beautiful city.

Thanks for all the emails we're glad you're reading our wafflings!!!

oh by the way its about 28degrees and sunny!!

Belligen & Dorrigo

Arrived in a very arty town called Belligen yesterday afternoon, visited the visitor centre and found a charming b&b www.rivendellguesthouse.com.au where we are staying for 2 days. This morning we visited the Rain Forest in Dorrigo absolutely amazing had a couple of hours walk through the Forest, it was beautiful, loads of birds and wonderful trees - have a look on www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au then find the link for Dorrigo - I would be here hours trying to tell you about it.

Off now for some more adventures - glad everyones enjoying our Blog, keep reading - I'm going to try and get some photos up here hopefully when we reach our house we're in for 2 weeks on the Sunshine Coast.

On The Road

After a gargantuous brakfast of sausages, mushrooms in pine nuts, salad and cherry toms and home-made fresh bread and preservers, cereals and coffee which set us up nicely for the day!! We had a quick trip down the coast to Crowdy bay Point, a tiny little village on a prominent headland with a small fishing harbour, and a long sweeping panoramic beach seamingly disappearing towards looming mountain area surrounded by rain forest. Very few people on the beach yet sufficiently big breakers for a few surfers to go and try and "catch the wave"

Unfortunately the weather turned quite suddenly and the gathering storm clouds we went back to Mescals our beautiful b&b about 3pm and had a lazy chilled out day dozing in the spacious living room was rounded off by a delicious dinner washed down with a glass or two of Chardonnay.

Anyway off on the road again today so watch for the next post - and yes we are driving Linda thought we would hitch but the bags were too heavy!!!!

paradise found?

yes ...i think we've found it!!! a lovely b and b near a town called Taree in the Manning valley area.......a beautiful privately owned place with mature gardens full of exotic fruits ......a small lake where we were feeding perch and turtles last night.......our very own private pool where we spent a lazy afternoon chilling out and sunbathing yesterday.......the garden resonates to the sound of insects and birds of paradise......noisy but entrancing!!!!today we are off to crowdy bay for a spot of beachcombing and sigtseeing.....the b and b is at www.mescals.com.au well worth a look.....addios amigos!!!!