NOOSA, Saturday, 1st June, 2019

Had a really nice day today after a very cold one yesterday. It clouded over when we arrived here in Noosa yesterday and without the warmth of the sun we were frozen all night. The locals told us it's not usually this cold and one told us that it doesn't get colder than this in the middle of winter. They are calling it 'The Big Chill' that is going across Oz. Weather was predicted to be overcast and rain today but far from it, we had a cracker of a day clear blue skies with a little cloud coming in the middle of the afternoon but then cleared again. Much warmer tonight. But a little cool outside. We walked into Noosa from camp which was only 2ks and spent the morning walking around the beach area and out on a short walk to the first point. Back into Hastings Street which is the main shopping area. After about three hours caught the bus back to camp in time for lunch. After lunch sat down on the river bank and watch the world pass by. It's amazing how the scenery changes once you reach Noosa after coming down from the North. For example coming through Maryborough yesterday through all those beautiful heritage old homes and old town but now we have arrived in Noosa it's all modern with beautiful gardens and very upmarket. This is what we expect South from here until we leave Brisbane next Sunday.

On our walk into town this morning we crossed over a bridge over one of the waterways. There are waterways all round this area. Standing on the river looking down one of the waterways where people have their own jetties and their boats moored off their front lawns.

Across the other side more lovely homes.

A little further on another small inlet branches off from the main waterway.

Now arrived to the famous Noosa Beach lovely area with the boardwalk running along the main beach.

 Walked out to the first point looking back at the main beach.

Now standing at the southern end of the beach.

This is Hastings Street the shopping centre.

Where the boardwalk finishes the beach continues on. Looking north.

Looking back south end.

Some very nice apartments on the foreshore.

Now back at our camp site  Noosa River Holiday Park. A superb park right on the river bank. One of the best we have been to if not the best. Got my chair and went down to the river beach to watch all the going ons. Sitting in front of me is a lady having a go to catch a fish but she had no luck.

I am still sitting there but took this to show the boats going up and down the river. All sorts, the Noosa ferry into town, private boat hiring, jet skies and several private boats going out. After all it is Saturday so that brings the locals out especially on such a beautiful day. They now say rain coming in tomorrow and maybe Monday but we will see....... Incidentally the bird in the picture (standing a little along from the fishing lady) was into her bait every time she stood up to cast her fishing line. Was funny to watch.

We enjoyed coming back to Noosa after so many years when we brought the kids up here about 1986 but it all just looked the same. And Dave the Marina you were asking us about is not far from where we are so we will have a look on the way out tomorrow and take a photo for you. Heading down to Maroochydore tomorrow for four nights. We are having dinner with Anne and Graham tomorrow night which we are looking forward to.

HERVEY BAY TO NOOSA. Friday, 31st May,2019.

Left Hervey Bay early for a slow trip to Noosa stopping at a few different places on the way. It has turned colder and today didn't have the warmth of the sun, as it was partly cloudy all day. Really gloomy this afternoon and wintery looking. Looks like the weather forecast isn't too good for our two days at Noosa.

Last night at Hervey Bay this massive caravan pulled in behind us. Had sliders both sides. 

Drove through Maryborough to see this heritage houses  real beauties.

Went down a side road to see the river and as we turned round notice these giants of palm trees standing very straight and high. Massive.

 We continued down the secondary road parallel to the coast, but inland a bit. In between the coast and the A1 highway. We decided to go out to Tin Can Bay before we got to Noosa, sitting on the point of a huge tidal inlet just up the coast from Rainbow beach. We decided not to go out to Rainbow due to the time factor. Driving down this road above was nice and quiet much nicer than driving on the A1 all the time. Most of the way was these pine forests going for miles.

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Out on the point of Tin Can Bay near the inlet, which is very tidal. Above and below.

As we were driving out there we could see how tidal it was.

Now arrived at Noosa River Holiday Park. Very busy for the weekend. Another nice park with great amenities. Most of them are really good these days just have to go by the write ups. We are right on the banks of the river so had a walk down to the water and saw these guys. Aren't they beautiful. They weren't scared of us, just stood there and eye balled us but very much on guard.

PT found someone to have a chat to, who goes out fishing on the river.

Looked out over the river tonight and saw this massive glow of orange. Beautiful sunset and I thought that meant sunset at night Sheppard's delight but the weather forecast for tomorrow is rain coming in. 😒

We will walk around Noosa tomorrow rain, hail or shine.........

HERVEY BAY. Thursday 30th May,2019.

Yesterday we had a quiet day which was really nice, we are going to slow down over our last several days. We just got the bus into the shops further along the beach through to the Scarness area and a little beyond. Although we do have some shops behind the camp for the basic things. Got back to base for lunch and just did nothing, just sitting in the sun overlooking the beach. Very restful.  Today we got the bus along to the other end of Hervey Bay to the boat harbour area.

On my way for a walk out to the wharf yesterday I took this of PT . Looks like he owns the joint...

Then walked out on the wharf  just beside our camp, to see how the fisherman were doing but not much luck.



Looking back along the beach at our camp site. We are the last camper on the right mainly behind the tree

Today we got the bus out to the Boat Harbout area to have a walk around.



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After walking around the boat harbour we walked around the waterfront to the area Urangan to see the magnificent pier. The Urangan Pier was opened to export sugar, coal, and timber from this wide bay. It is 1124 metres long. Two sheds were constructed on the head of the pier to hold up to 2,000 tonnes of cargo at any time. The bay is very tidal with lots of sand banks. You would have to know the area well if you had a boat as at high tide the banks would be just under water.

Looking down the pier. It's got a bit of a dog leg in it.

Walked on further into the town and looked back at the pier to see a different angle.



The township of Urangan. 

Hervey Bay is a very long bay and the beach varies along the coast. The bay is split up into different named areas the above, then Torquay where we stayed and what I saw our part of the beach seemed the nices part in this long bay. It wasn't tidal like the rest we saw. Further along from us was Scarness then Pialba the area we went to yesterday. All in all this is a nice area with lots of contrasts along this big bay.

We were waiting for our bus and looked up at these apartments and noticed the side of the swimming pool on the top story. Not sure if I would want to swim in that pool. That greeny colour is the water in the pool

After an enjoyable morning exploring the areas we got back to camp for lunch and relaxed the rest of the morning. This is where we sit to enjoy the sun. Just behind the van. Very pleasant spot and a beautiful swimming beach.

Looking through the camp from in front of our van.

Our position is good, as you can see lots of space between campers.

Tonight is our third night in Hervey Bay, only did one blog as we were here to relax more, so not a lot of action therefore not a lot to write about. Enjoyed the area and having this great beachfront spot made all the difference just sitting behind the van watching the world go by. In the morning we head down to Noosa for two nights. We have just heard on the news that this May has been the coldest in 51 years. Just our luck. Mornings cold with cool wind but the days turn out warm but not what I would say hot. You can be out in the sun all day but never burn. We are on count down now. Nine days to go.

MT. PERRY TO HERVEY BAY. Tuesday 28th May.2019.

Left Mt. Perry about 7.45 am, heading to Hervey Bay for three nights. Last night we had decided to go through Bundaberg as we had all day to do a few extras. After spending some time at the Ginger Beer factory 'The Barrel' we then drove down to Childers an old town with many historic buildings,  so more photo opportunities as I love the architecture of these old buildings, and yes A.T another pub. Arriving finally at Hervey Bay about 3.00pm.

We had a good drive down from the hills in still glorious fine weather which warmed up as the day went. Above we are crossing the Bundaberg Bridge heading south. We are now one and half hours from Hervey Bay.



On the other side of the bridge we stopped by this one of many small lakes in the area, and had a coffee. Very pleasant.

The birds were keeping an eye on us.

Then onto the Bundaberg Ginger Beer factory.

They have recently had major upgrades and is a really nice building , "The Barrel" as it is referred all decked out with their products. It is only 18 months old so Jane it wasn't erected when you were there.

Outside the front this imaginative garden. Plants creeping up this wire frame the shape of bottles. Clever..

These are the five steps from planting to picking. Quite interesting.

Before going through their demonstration factory we were told that we could choose six bottles each of their product to take away. We were given a taste of each flavour they produce at this tasting table with the lady explaining about all the different flavours. I had no idea that the Ginger Beer factory had so many different flavours. The all taste so good very natural flavours all produced with the nature produce such as mango,pineapple and coconut, passion fruit etc.

These are their full range of flavours really hard to choose which six to take.

PT standing by the fridge collection.

We were both given a carton like this to choose six flavours we would like. All good fun.



We have now arrived in a historic town Childers which I had read up about and thought that would be a nice place to stop as we were going through.

This is the old Palace Hotel which now has a Subway Takaways operating out of one of the shops on the road front.

Looking up the road with the Palace further up the road. Really a nice feel about this town beautifully set out. Parking in the centre of the road with single lanes going down each side.

Here we go Adam T. another beautiful old pub.

This is the post office so well preserved. With a cafe next door.

We have now arrived at Harvey Bay. Our motorhome is parked beachfront just behind the fence. We will spend three nights here.

Good spot beach front.

The sun is slowly getting lower, a couple on the beach enjoying the last glow.

Our sunset tonight taken from where we are parked.

We will start to explore the place tomorrow.