Tewantin, Queensland, Australia
Over the years I have never seemed to be able to sort out which is the 'Sunshine Coast' of Queensland and which is the 'Gold Coast'. Peter and I did have a quick visit to the 'Gold Coast' about 13 years ago, so I guess things have changed a lot on the other side of Brisbane since then! We are have just had four lovely days on the Sunshine Coast and it has been most enjoyable. I'm pretty sure I now have my head around where these 'Coasts' of Queensland are on the map of Australia!
Day 1.....We left Scarness at Harvey Bay around 9.30am and as we drove past 'Bean Beat' there was Yvonne and Ken having a coffee. Yvonne nearly out on the street to wave us goodbye. It was a lovely surprise to see them both there. Shame I didn't have the camera ready!
When we got to Maryborough the 'Queenslander' homes attracted my attention again. There is so many of them and some look really lovely, whilst others definitely need attention. To own a 'Queenslander' must be very high maintenance.
The alternative route via Tin Can Bay jumped out at us, so we did as Ken had suggested and went that way. It was a lovely drive and so much better than going straight down the Bruce Highway. We called into Poona, a small town about 5 kms off the Tin Can Bay road. It is said that one word describes Poona and that is 'Peaceful'. It certainly looked that. It is still largely untouched, because of its relatively secluded setting. It is only 7kms across to Fraser Island from Poona via the Great Sandy Strait and it is a popular fishing town. A couple from Quairading actually came in behind us with their van. You don't seem to come across too many West Aussies over here, so they were keen for a chat. The woman has a daughter in Geraldton and they both knew what the CV number plate stood for. He was a retired farmer with a son on the farm and the season is looking very good at Quairading as well. They were on their way to Tin Can Bay.
We studied the map for a bit and decided we would go the 35kms extra to go out to Rainbow Beach. Fair chance we won't ever get back here! The surf starts at Rainbow Beach, but before taking a look at the surf beach, we drove out to 'Inskip Point'. It was actually further than we realised, but a trip to 'Inskip Point' did help us get Fraser Island into perspective. From 'Inskip Point' you are looking at the bottom of Fraser Island. Fraser Island is approximately 24 kilometres wide and 120 kilometres long. You need a permit to go over the the Island and there is a barge that goes back and forth all day from 'Inskip Point' and the crossing takes about 10 minutes. We watched on the beach as the barge came back with a reasonable sized bus on board.
Can't say that we would bother going back to Rainbow Beach although there are lots of spots to camp on the way out to 'Inskip Point', but camping is only with a permit as this is the Great Sandy National Park. On our way from Poona to Rainbow Beach we came across a boat that had burnt. It was still on the side of the road and two vehicles were parked nearby. It was our belief that it had happened not that long before and we were sure glad we didn't come along when it was burning! Imagine looking in the rear vision mirror to see your boat on fire!
By the time we went through Gympie it was school time, so we kept travelling to Noosa. No stopping at Gympie this trip. Not that much to see, but on the right day of the week you can ride the "Mary Valley Rattler' steam train through the Mary Valley.
Our stay in Noosa has been at the Discovery Tewantin Caravan Park, so we were actually near the ferry barge that travels back and forth across the Noosa River, ferrying customers to the north bank. From there, 4WD vehicles can travel the beach to Inskip Point and Fraser Island. But before finishing 'Day 1' I need to mention just how tight it was for Pete to get the caravan into our site at this park. I was very happy to turn my phone off and let the guy direct Peter in. We ended up with two caravan wheels on the concrete slab, but that was the way it had to be! There was sure a lot of...... left hand down, now a bit to the right, back a little.....and so it went on. Well done farmer Pete!
Day 2.....I finished cooking with the Thermie in the morning. When I decide to have a cook-up, I do go overboard! But we now have some nice savoury muffins in the freezer and a zucchini slice. Pete is happy!
In the afternoon we went for a drive to check out Noosa. It certainly is a very busy place and there were lots and lots of people everywhere and there didn't seem to be anything like enough parking! But we did manage to find a park on the river front for a little walk and a photo of the 'Big Pelican'. And then we managed another park up on the headland for a look there. There is a number of walking trails on the headland and some very nice homes. We travelled out on the Sunshine Motorway for a bit and found the surf beach that stretches all the way down to Caloundra. On the way home we found a seafood shop, so it was a purchase of prawns for nibbles and fish for dinner. We enjoyed the prawns and a drink together, but it was far too cold to eat out for dinner.
Day 3.....Ken Smith had given us some business cards of their favourite cafe/restaurants in the hinterland around Noosa and Maroochydore. We decided Saturday was the day to go for a drive, leaving at 9.00am. Our first stop was Eumundi for coffee. We did not realise Saturday was 'Market Day' in Eumundi, so really pleased to have jagged the day! There were people and cars everywhere! We paid $6.00 to park in the community parking area, which had a boom gate and all. All funds raised from the parking is used for community projects.
The markets were amazing. So many stalls and the majority were selling good quality stuff! And there was lots of stuff! It would be a fantastic place to come to for your Christmas shopping. We headed to the main street to find Ken's coffee recommendation. Pete was sure he found it for us, but when we got back to the car, we had actually been to another. It was near the hotel, but I think we were on the wrong side of the street. Never mind the coffee was still very good and they had lots of local produce. After our coffee we wandered the markets for an hour or so and made a purchase or two!
Then it was onto the Bruce Highway, travelling south to exit at the Nambour Connection Road. This took us up to Flaxton and Montville. The restaurant Ken had recommended actually wasn't open. I think the sign said 'Sorry about the inconvenience', but the building did look fantastic. We found the 'Flaxton Barn' down the road a bit and we had a nice lunch there. Hopefully the 'Barn' is going to continue to operate, but they had all the stock in the shop marked down to half price. Dorothy and I came out with a 'Bargain Bag', that we intend to donate the contents to the CVHS Museum.
From Montville we went down the mountain via Razorback Road. It was very scenic, but the road was very narrow road and there was a couple of switchbacks. Well done Pete. Razorback Road brought us down to Woombye so we could find the 'Big Pineapple' and the 'Big Macadamia Nut'. I did get photos but........I hope the 'Big Aussie Icon' book is no longer in print! The Big Pineapple was worth the snap. It has actually been recognised by the National Trust of Queensland as a national icon in recognition of its significant role in the tourism industry and in 2017 it had a face-lift. The 'Big Pineapple' scores 10/10 on the 'Iconmetre'. Maybe it was because the National Trust had already declared it a national icon when the book was published!
I have decided I need to do research on these 'Big Icons' because some have been lost to redevelopment and the 'Big Stubbie' in Tewantin is one of them. The 'Big Stubbie' was Queensland's first big thing and it was built by George Clifford out of 17,000 empty stubby bottles. There was a Museum of Bottles alongside and I did find a number on the web for this Museum. It sounded like it could be interesting and I felt pretty certain before I made the phone call that the 'Big Stubbie' had gone, but the Museum should still be there. I had to leave a message and the gentleman did get back to me. He said "That the Museum of Bottles closed long ago and he has inherited the phone number for it". He told me he gets over 300 phone calls a week! I just can't get my head around the fact that he says he can't do anything about getting the number taken from the website I found. All too much for me!
This is what is still on the web about the Big Macadamia Nut. The Big Macadamia can be found on the Sunshine Plantation, a tourist theme park. It is located just off the Bruce Highway, along Nambour Connection Road at Woombye. Here you can eat nuts, ride the Macadamia Nutmobile and is right next to the Big Pineapple. What a disappointment that this information is still on the web and the icon is no longer an icon! It looks like it has been purchased and it is going to become someone's home! But the whole area is such an eyesore!
With two 'Big Icons' ticked off the list, it was time to journey on to Maroochydore. We really liked Maroochydore. No where near as busy as Noosa and we thought it was probably a 'Sunshine Coast' town just a little more lay back for our age group. The story of three children losing their lives on the Maroochydore Beach on the 30th December 1950 was a sad story to read. A plane came down on the beach killing a boy and girl aged six and an eleven year old boy. There is a memorial near the beach, recognising the victims and the heroes of the crash. Very little information about the crash was ever made public and it was almost 60 years before the Maroochy Air Crash Memorial was conceived by relatives of those killed. A commemoration service was conducted on the beach site on 30th December 2010. It was such a lovely afternoon we got the sand between our toes for a bit, before we journeyed on down to Mooloolaba.
Mooloolaba has obviously always been a big fishing town and near the beach there is a memorial to the fishermen who have lost their lives in the industry. Nearby there is a huge seafood store. We enjoyed an ice-cream before checking out the seafood outlet. People were queued to purchase their fish and Pete decided he would purchase some Tasmanian Salmon and cook it for the four of us for dinner.
The evening was so much nicer than the night before and we sat outside and chatted until after nine. And......Dorothy and I drank a bottle of white wine. There was no blogging from me on Saturday evening. It was the end to a very enjoyable day.
Day 4.....Fathers Day. We or rather I decided we couldn't leave Noosa without a walk along Hastings Street. And Dorothy was really keen as well! Well everyone who comes to Noosa wants to go to Hastings Street and by the amount of people walking and trying to find a park, most do go! Eventually we found a park up in the National Parkland at the end of 'Claude Batten Drive'. After walking back down Hastings Street and taking a photo of Peter's favourite 'Roundabout' (he has been around it that many times trying to find a park), we spotted a lunch special of crumbed Barramundi. So we took the fellas out to lunch for Fathers Day.
Then we walked to the 'Spit', had an ice-cream and soaked up the sunshine. It was such a lovely day and there were people everywhere basking in the sun or enjoying water sports. The following information is from the sign on Claude Batten Drive; Claude Batten was involved in the early struggles to preserve his beloved Noosa. His practical approach to environmental conservation encouraged many others and with the help of a few friends, Claude's vision for "The Spit' is now there for all to enjoy.
Once back at the van I have to confess I did have a little nap before getting the washing in and catching up on those Hervey Bay blogs. Another lovely four days beside the ocean. We are off inland again tomorrow, where we know it will be cold. But we do need to start to head south towards Canberra.
Jenny
2018-09-04
You zipped past my ancestors hometown at Gympie. A few Lymburners including my great grandparents are in the cemetery there. I need to go back...one day! Yep, I was like you, Gold Coast/ Sunshine Coast. Got it now, Gold Coast is the concrete jungle. Oh no! Don't say the house of bottles has gone!! I visited there in 1973 on a QLD holiday just prior to Bob and I getting hitched. We took the kids on a macadamia train trip around the macadamia plantation back in 1995. Looks like that icon has seen better days. Had a great opening day at bowls today, but didn't play so well with hip giving me jip after dry needling yesterday. Onward and upward Now!
pamandpete
2018-09-06
I guess we have to accept that not everything goes on forever, but is is disappointing to see it in such a sad state. Did you see the 'Big Stubbie? It should have been there. It was created in 1966. Sorry about Gympie. We spent too long at Rainbow Beach and we probably would have just done another Museum!! We need a break from Museum's for a bit.
Jenny
2018-09-06
Yes, the Big Stubbie was there. From memory you could go up inside it. I have photos somewhere of it. History now. Ask you say, nothing goes on forever and things change. Thank goodness for photos and memories.