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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [152KB JPEG] Day 1 - Nambucca HeadsMy sister, Naomi, lives in Nambucca Heads so we decided to visit on the way. After driving for just over five hours from Sydney we arrived at Nambucca Heads. We stayed at a very good Bed & Breakfast called Beilby's Beach House. The hosts are extremely inviting and the rooms spotlessly clean and comfortable. The garden is well maintained with a pool and BBQ facilities. Breakfast is a choice of cereals, fresh fruits and toasts with a selection of jams. At $50 to $60 a night for a couple including breakfast this place is an absolute bargain. We've stayed at a number of different places in Nambucca over the years (some at twice the price and half as nice) and this would have to be the best value for money so far. Oh and they have Internet access too so you tech heads out there can surf the web or read your email if you feel the need. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [88KB JPEG] Day 2 - BrisbaneAfter taking about five and a half hours to drive from Nambucca Heads to Brisbane we stayed with a friend in Brisbane. Thanks to Susan and her housemate for having us for the evening. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [61KB JPEG] Day 3We spent the day driving north from Brisbane to the southern Sunshine Coast region and then through a number of the small villages near where we were to spend the next few nights. We visited Maleny, Kenilworth and Yandina, amongst others. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [50KB JPEG] The Glasshouse mountains as seen from the Mary Cairncross Park lookout near Maleny. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [90KB JPEG] We took the Kenilworth Tourist Drive (to the west of the Blackall range) and this is the main street of the town of Kenilworth. Just down the road the Kenillworth Cheese factory has tastings and a cheese shop - their Vintage is pretty tasty. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [168KB JPEG] If you ever come this way you will find a great little restaurant just off the main street of Kenilworth called L'Escapade. This place is a real find out in the culinary wilderness. Now this is a restaurant so don't expect fast food - you will have to wait for your food to be prepared from scratch but the menu includes all sorts of excellent dishes and the price is incredibly low. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [82KB JPEG] The Buderim Ginger Factory (which is actually in Yandina now and not Buderim - go figure) is a major supplier of processed ginger to the world. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [77KB JPEG] Day 3 - YandinaFor the next three days we stayed at an extremely luxurious Bed an Breakfast called Ninderry Manor. This place was absolutely fabulous with immaculately presented rooms and two course cooked breakfasts (different each day), Kerry our ever helpful host catered to our every need. On the day we arrived we didn't feel like going out to dinner (and most of the local restaurants aren't open on Mondays and Tuesdays) so Kerry made us dinner, which was great. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [112KB JPEG] Ninderry Manor is located on the ridge atop mount Ninderry with expansive views over the Blackall Ranges from nearly every room. If you are ever up in this region I can't recommend too highly that you stay here. You won't regret the decision. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [74KB JPEG] Our room in the manor. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [77KB JPEG] The view out our window. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [120KB JPEG] A great view of the Manor itself with the ranges in the distance. My wife, Louise and I had an absolutely fabulous time here - thanks Kerry. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [91KB JPEG] Day 4We spent the day travelling around a number of the small picturesque villages in the mountains. Here we are at Mapleton Falls which you can probably skip as you can't see the falls themselves (???) and the tracks were very muddy at the time we were there. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [78KB JPEG] The view to the ocean from Flaxton. We bought some wine here at the cellars on this ridge just behind us. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [168KB JPEG] Montville; this was probably the most interesting of these small mountain towns. There was an abundance of art galleries, craft, shops and eating places in this small village to fill your day. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [136KB JPEG] A place to have lunch but it takes a verry long time to get your food :-(. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [65KB JPEG] Well - it had to happen, after seeing numerous "Big" things on the way we had to stop at at least one of them and have a look. The Big Pineapple... |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [192KB JPEG] A load of pineapple plants at the Big Pineapple. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [58KB JPEG] Mooloolabar, a coastal town just south of Maroochydore. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [65KB JPEG] The swamp weed (err.. sugar cane) fields at Yandina with the local cane railway tracks - it was just on sunset. The field on the left is sugar cane in flower (almost ready to harvest) while the field on the right was planted later and hasn't flowered yet. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [160KB JPEG] Day 5Eumundi Wednesday Markets; not anywhere near as huge as the famous Saturday markets (so they tell us) but still interesting none the less. We also drove over to nearby Noosa Heads to take a quick look and to have lunch. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [80KB JPEG] The sugar cane fields at Yandina with the local cane railway tracks. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [51KB JPEG] The first sugar cane burning of the season as seen from Ninderry Manor. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [56KB JPEG] The Spirit House Thai Restaurant at Yandina. This place has the most remarkable pavilions and buildings set in three acres of tropical gardens. You really must try and have a meal at this place - maybe lunch so that you can better appreciate the extensive grounds around the restaurant and cooking school. This place boasts impresssive cuisine and a very popular cooking school for those eager to learn the culinary arts of Thai cooking. This place is just five minutes drive from where we are staying and you have to book if you want to ensure a table. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [85KB JPEG] Day 6A two hour and fifteen minute drive from Yandina brings us to Hervey Bay where we board the Kingfisher II catamaran for our forty minute trip to the Kingfisher Bay Resort at Fraser Island. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [85KB JPEG] Day 6 - Fraser IslandKingfisher Bay Resort at Fraser Island was where we were to spend the next three days. You can see the Jetty ahead and the resort is hidden in the trees on the right. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [128KB JPEG] The walkway from the Central Resort Complex to our Hotel room. Fraser Island is the worlds' largest sand island and is classified a World Heritage Area. Over the years the island has been used for sand mining and timber logging. Over one hundred of the purest remaining dingos live on the island and we saw a number of them wandering about the resort. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [128KB JPEG] The Centre Complex is fairly impressive and the Island looks spectacular, it is just a shame that the hotel room was so disappointing. After the luxurious accomodation we had for our last three days - the dark, damp, mouldy and smelly room we have now was a real letdown. Housekeeping's helpful (not!) solution was to saturate the room with surface disinfectant and room deodoriser (they left us the can :-() which made the room wetter and smellier! |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [70KB JPEG] The Jetty and Beach just before sunset (4:30PM). |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [86KB JPEG] We decided to take the champagne and sunset cruise (Blue Dolphin Sailing Tours) which was a great way to spend the early evening. We cruised around the waters of the great sandy straits in a 10.5 metre catamaran with drinks, cheese and fruit platter 'til after sunset. We saw a few dolphins at play and watched the sun go down - very nice... |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [70KB JPEG] Day 7Hooray - they've moved us. The reception manager was extremely helpful, informing us that some of the lower rooms down at the dark end were a bit musty after heavy rains and that they would be moving us to one of the Villas - MUCH nicer. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [56KB JPEG] Anyway the 2 bedroom (four person) villa (in the Cooloola Villas section) is fabulous - spacious, clean, sunny, dry and no smell - excellent. They also have villas for six and eight people at the resort. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [160KB JPEG] The view from the balcony through the forest - believe it or not the resort central complex is just through those trees. If you ever come to Fraser Island I can recommend one of these villas; if you do plan on staying in one of the hotel rooms get one on the second floor (not on the first which is at ground level) or at least ask to avoid any of the lower level rooms which face south east (which seem to never get any sun and may become waterlogged in heavy rain). |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [136KB JPEG] We took an afternoon half day Kingfisher Bay Range Guided 4WD Tour to a couple of places on the island. Here we see some of the local wildlife. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [144KB JPEG] Some of the huge pine trees at Central Station. Formerly a forestry station, the area was cleared and replanted - it lives in the heart of a sub tropical rainforest region on the island. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [120KB JPEG] Just a short (five minute) walk down a trail from Central Station is Wanggoolba Creek in the heart of a lush rainforest wilderness. You can see the giant fronds of the prehistoric Angiopteris ferns in the creek below. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [62KB JPEG] Seeping up from the dunes, the fast running water in the creek is crystal clear - amazing stuff. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [95KB JPEG] Pile Valley hosts some giant forest trees. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [81KB JPEG] Giant satinay trees abound in the forest. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [136KB JPEG] Lake McKenzie. This is one of 82 perched lakes in the world (45 of them are on Fraser Island). The lake is 130 hectares in area and is 80 metres above sea level - a blue lake surrounded by pure white sand. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [69KB JPEG] The 4WD tour was great, although I should warn you that the ride is a little bumpy so be prepared. Our Ranger guide was a fount of interesting facts and we saw some fabulous scenery. It was a very well spent half day. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [144KB JPEG] Day 8Well, the weather up until now had been absolutely perfect - not a cloud in the sky. Last night it began to rain... We spent a relaxing morning resting indoors. These are some of the villas near ours. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [46KB JPEG] The rain held off in the afternoon and we took a lovely walk along the beach. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [79KB JPEG] This really is a magnificent place and the local wildlife was everywhere as we ambled up the beach. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [120KB JPEG] Well in the end we had a very pleasant stay - this is a pretty marvelous island. Michelle at reception was great at smoothing over things when they went awry - Thanks. Oh and the cost - about $650 for two for three nights which included the catamaran transfers to and from Hervey Bay, full buffet breakfasts each day and two half day ranger guided tours. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [93KB JPEG] Our villa is just on the left in the trees. Louise is about to walk down the steps (just where the garden light is in front of her) to the front door. We ate at the resort's premiere restaurant that evening (Seabelles) and although the menu looked pretty interesting with some great looking produce the meals weren't that spectacular. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [66KB JPEG] Day 9Well our last morning here and the rain is still with us. A view over the heated pool. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [87KB JPEG] And the non heated pool with one of the "window lakes" just behind. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [81KB JPEG] Noosa HeadsJust over two hours drive from Hervey Bay and we are back in Noosa Heads. We were a little apprehensive that the accommodation we had booked in Noosa was going to be disappointing (because we had some difficulty getting anything at a few other places we tried - booked out?). Anyway we needn't have feared as the two bedroom apartment we got was fabulous. Here are some pictures of the living area with kitchen/dining and the main bedroom. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [75KB JPEG] The place is called Bella Casa apartments and it is a very comfortable place right on Hastings Street (the main strip in Noosa Heads). This is where many of the good resorts and apartments are and many fine shops, cafes and restaurants. If you are going to stay in Noosa I'd highly recommend staying at one of these types of places on this street. This place is $525 for a two bedroom apartment (sleeps up to 4) for three nights. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [70KB JPEG] By now we've seen just about enough so called "Big" things - what with the "Big Banana", "Big Pineapple" (two of them in different places), "Big Avocado", "Big Prawn", "Big Mower" (??? - no really!!!), "Big Macadamia", "Big Shell", "Big Bottle", "Big Ned Kelly", "Big Pelican", "Big Whale" (although I suspect the real thing would be bigger than the display). If we don't see another "Big" thing it will be too soon. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [136KB JPEG] We ate at a local restaurant called Sierra Cafe for lunch which was cheap and good (which made up for a previous bad eating experience here in Noosa a few days ago). The cafe also had live jazz. That evening we were at a well awarded restaurant called SaltWater (NaClH2O) - the meal and service was good but I'm not sure I would have raved about it. The next day was spent checking out all the shops in the area mainly (as it was still raining). We had dinner at an Italian restaurant called Lindoni's (also in Hastings street) and the food, service and atmosphere were great. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [120KB JPEG] Day 11Our last full day in Noosa Heads (we will be making our way back towards Sydney tomorrow) and the sun decided to show. I can't say I was very impresssed with the beach - not much beach really - more like "rocks"... |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [65KB JPEG] The view from the breakwater back towards where all the resorts and apartments are near Hastings Street. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [144KB JPEG] This was Louise's favourite shop on Hastings street - it had some pretty unusual stuff in it. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [92KB JPEG] The view down to Noosa Heads from the lookout. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [112KB JPEG] That's Noosaville and Tewantin over there. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [62KB JPEG] You can see the Sheraton resort down below (the large pinkish building) which is just down the road on Hastings street from where we are staying. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [62KB JPEG] Noosa River. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [128KB JPEG] We took a stroll around the headland at Noosa Heads in the afternoon. The place is a National Park and there were a huge number of surfers out catching the afternoon swell after the rains. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [65KB JPEG] A nice rainbow to end the day. We had dinner at a very nice Thai style restaurant called "Chilli Jam". The place is out of the way, not on Hastings street, but I'd really recommend that you make your way over there as the food is really very good. All in all Noosa was pretty good - even with the rain. If I had any complaints it would be that there were a number of construction sites about (on Hastings street) so the building noise early in the morning and through the day was a bit annoying. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [96KB JPEG] Day 13We decided to once again visit my sister in Nambucca Heads on the way past. We stayed for the night and Louise's mother also joined us (driving across to Nambucca Heads from their home at Yarrowitch (near Armidale)). It was good to see them all again. |
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Click the image to the left to see a larger version [152KB JPEG] The view from our room at Nambucca. We'll be driving back to Sydney today. If you are interested in more information about Noosa and the surrounding region then I'd suggest visiting the excellent web site Noosa Australia the Guide. Extensive information on the Sunshine Coast region can also be found at SunZine's Sunshine Coast web site. SunZine also have information on Noosa and the Fraser coast. |
Rodney Campbell
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