Up early with the birds to a very wet tent and camp due to it raining most of the night but we managed to dry the tent before heading off. We drove down the coast stopping at a few of the beaches but none as nice as Noosa and the rain didn't help much. We found Mt Coolum after going around in circles for awhile and it was still raining but we decided that we still wanted to climb it. Mt. Coolum is 208m up a track mainly of steps and then at the top it became rocky. Once at the top we could hardly see due to the low cloud and drizzle, so coming back down was a bit tricky.
Although these sorts of climbs kill my knees on the decent I am still keeping my watch happy and completing my daily challenges it sets me.
So moving further down the south coast we thought maybe it would get cheaper but no, so we headed inland a found a great camp site in Landsborough for $30 which is what we normally would pay.
What we didn't realize was that the Australian Zoo was just down the road from the camp site so come rain or shine we were going there the next day. I don't normally like zoos but I must admit that Steve Irwin and his family have done a great job with this place. The animal enclosures are large and open and there is a lot of interaction with the animals. Staff walk around with all sorts of animals and you can hold, pat or stroke them and they all seem very knowledgable about the animals in their care. Staying another night in the same site as we want to go inland to what they call the Hinterland and there is a loop road that stops at all the places of interest and the funny little towns.
The first town we hit is Maleny which is just one street and every other shop is a cafe and everyone of them was full. The shops were like tourist gift shops, we had a quick walk around then headed on our way. We stopped at the cheese factory for some free samples at Kenilworth and brought a small piece of cheese and a ice lolly. Carrying on round the loop we did the fig tree walk which had some huge interesting trees but lots of warnings about the leaves and not to touch them. Due to the state not having their annual rain fall most of the waterfalls in the area are dry but we still went to Mapleton and did the walk around the forest. The lookout there was also closed due to a recent land slide. The town of Flaxton still had water in Kondalilla falls and people were swimming in the rock pool but the walk to get there was enough for me but we did cool our feet off in the rock pool.
On the back part of the loop we came to the town of Montville with its English, Irish and German influence, again just one street with lots of coffee and gift shops. Had to have a coffee and a cake to finish a nice day off. On the way back to the camp we made a quick stop at Gardeners Falls to see if it had any water in it and yes lots, so that was nice to see.
So after 3 days in the Hinterland region we moved on to Caloundra, this is the last area of the Sunshine Coast. It had your basic town with all the big shops and then some little independent shops. The beaches were lovely and sandy with a salt water pool at Kings Beach. We thought we would have a swim in the pool then go play in the waves after, the waves were big and rolling but a lot of people were in the water. The flags were out and we know to swim between them which we did but the currant was very strong and we became separated. As I drifted and as much as I tried I just couldn't get back to the beach so I signaled for help. Sally was already back on the beach and also signaled the lifeguards that I was in trouble. Before I knew it a lifeguard was by my side on his board which I grabbed hold off and we were soon back on the beach. I was exhausted and a bit shocked that a play in the waves changed so quickly into a nightmare, after this that part of the beach was closed due to the rip that was there. Still a bit shaken by this we had a shower and headed into town for some food and a drink and decided just to find a camp site and relax.
We ended up at a farm which was very nice but the lack of facilities ruined it, no water, shower, or kitchen and only a bush toilet.
The glass house mountains are a range of mountains, 16 in total of various height and shape. Only 3 of them can be climbed, so we first went to the look out where you can see them all in their glory.
Mt. Ngungun is 253m and 2.5km to walk so we opted for this one and it was a very nice climb to the summit. After that climb we did the Mt. Tibrogargan circuit walk which was 3km. It was raining on and off all day but that just made it humid and steamy. Really nice area but it's a shame you can't climb more of the mountains, bloody health and safety.
Now in a really nice and quite area called Beachmere where we are staying for 2 nights just to relax really after a couple of hectic days. The camp site is owned by the RSL club which is next door so that night we went and had a beer which was a nice change. Rained again in the night but lovely sunshine by the morning, had a lazy start to the day as no real plans. Decided to drive to the nearby island of Bribie which is the only Aussie island that has a bridge over to it, it also has a aqua center and we both wanted a swim. Bribie is a small island with most of it a national park and only has 4x4 access. So we walked around the town and beaches and then went for our swim in another great Aussie pool, after our swim we had a picnic on the beach, nice way to end the day with. Another night of rain.......
Moving on and a week to kill until our house sit we headed to Samford where we stayed two nights in the show ground, this is a massive place where local events are held. We were heading into Brisbane city center the next day for our Story bridge climb but we wanted to sort out our train Go Cards and find the station. Go Cards sorted so we head into the little town and did a few walks around some parks. We also found at Yugar a disused railway tunnel that the bats now use, we started to enter the tunnel but torch wasn't strong enough and it was scary in there. So the day of the bridge climb and it was hammering down, the train took 30 minutes into central then we took the bus over the bridge to the start. By now the rain had stopped and it was just a light drizzle. There was 10 people on the climb but half way up one guy couldn't go no further so we all had to return so he could be met by another member of staff to take him back. Due to the drizzle the views were not that good, the climb lasted about an hour and was quite tiring due to the steepness.
The Story Bridge done which means we have now climbed the only 3 bridges in the world that can be legally climbed. Story Bridge, Sydney Harbor and the Auckland Bridge.
Brisbane has a free bus route in the center and a free ferry that goes up and down the Brisbane river. We jumped on the ferry to get to the South Bank where there is a beach pool, entertainment center, museums and the library which we needed. Once done in the library we walked over the Victoria Bridge where we found a food market where food from all around the world is sold.
The old city hall has a museum and a clock tower which you can take a free guided tour off, amazing old tower which still has the old working clock faces. So back on the train for another night at the show ground and an evening in the rain with the crane toads.
We also stayed a night at the local scout camp which is a huge place but really neglected with awful amenities for campers to use. No caretaker was there either so we set up camp and would pay him in the morning but after a shower and some breakfast he still didn't show so we left without paying. We were now heading into a place called Ipswich which is another suburb of Brisbane and guess what another cheap show ground to camp in. These show grounds only have toilets and showers so all cooking is done from the back of the van and we had to find a launderette as we had run out of clothes. We also found a nice pool in town so that evening we had a nice swim under the stars. At a lost of what to do for the weekend I suggested that we head back to Bribie Island and spend the weekend at the beach.
We stayed in the camp site on the surf side of the island as the reviews we better and as there is only two camp sites not much competition really. The camp was nice as it had a tv room to sit in the evenings while it rained again and again. The mornings were really hot and we went into the sea but come lunch time it poured down again. Saturday night we decided to try the Surf Club for dinner and a drink and it was really nice food and drinks were not too expensive either.
So Sunday has arrived and we are heading to Burpengary for our two week house sit, we have a 3 month old springer puppy and a cross springer with something. Minnie is a black and white cutie and I love her already, Ralphy is a rescue dog so Mark and Sharon are not sure of his background, age or even breed but his a lovable old dog that just sleeps and wants cuddles. Their home is on 3/4 of an acre of land with 5 bedrooms and a pool, they are both professional career people with no children.
Our 2 week stay was all about relaxing, doing some admin and most importantly getting to know Ralphy and Minnie. Mark had a day off so that afternoon we went to the cinema to watch Zootopia a new Disney film, was a funny film but felt a bit out of place with all the kids watching it. To keep myself busy I trimmed a couple of the hedges for Mark and he showed me how to use his sit on lawn mower so I could cut the massive lawn for them. There was a huge town pool which we went too a couple of times but with there being a pool in the garden I used that for my exercise. While in the pool Minnie kept jumping in and out onto the first step which was getting her use to the water as before she wouldn't go near the water. There is a huge shopping center where we did shopping and also got a cheap hair cut. On another day Mark took us to some new show houses as we were curious what new Aussie homes were like and of course the price. Well impressed with both the houses and prices. Our only other chore was to get the car serviced and hopefully this would be the last one. Was very sad to leave the dogs and all the home comforts that Mark and Sharon offered us in exchange for caring for their dogs but our time was up and we had to leave. On a sad note Ralphy hurt his paw on our last day but Mark has since assured us that it improved throughout the day. I feel we will stay in touch with them as we all got on really well and hopefully we will all meet up again.
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