We were meant to stay at the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village at Bonny Hills (which is 20km south of Port and about 10km north of Laurieton) for three nights, but after considering and then accepting a trade-in offer for a second-hand upgrade, we stayed five nights (it was nice to get offered what I paid for the van). We toured the region again (having been to this area a few times before) and had a great catch-up with Aunty Denise (she knows the best shops in the area!). On the last day at this stop we did a six-hour change-over of caravans, clearing out our Jayco Flamingo camper for a Jayco Expanda pop-top. Drove back inland through the mountains for our first night in the new van at Walcha. Bloody freezing, and most people wondered why we were going there. It was a matter of time and travel convenience because we wanted to do the whole New England. We really liked it at Walcha and watch the third (sad) Origin footy game at a great pub.
We continued up the New England Highway and stayed at Armidale, and then had a six-hour drive to Toowoombah, going through Tenterfield, Santhorpe and Warwick. Upon arrival, we clocked up 2,500km on the speedo, even though a straight drive to Toowoombah would be just 1,000km. From there it was to Golden Beach just south of Caloundra at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. The warmer, coastal locations are just swarming with grey nomads, and the caravan park was chock-full of them. Mind you, most have travelled extensively so they are great information repositories. Charlie had his 4th birthday here (there are some pics on our photo site; all of the photos are in chronological order and are in sync with this post). Visited Australia Zoo - saw crocs and a great show - and went to Glasshouse mountains where we went strawberry picking (eating more than we handed in to pay for!). We continued north to Rainbow Beach just north of the Sunshine Coast and a 10-minute barge ride from Frazer Island. There are huge pine forest plantations in this coastal region. We spent three nights at Rainbow, and Liz celebrated her birthday there (she loved her locally purchased pressies and had a great day on the beach).
We then left the car and van in a secure parking paddock and took a three day trip to Frazer, staying at Eurong. Amazing island, if somewhat desolate. We did 4WDing all over the island and saw some great formations, particularly the inland freshwater lakes and the coastal Champagne Rocks. Also saw some dingoes (see pics), did a scenic flight from the beach and a bit of fishing (without the fish). On the way back to the barge our 4WD bus nearly got stuck in the high tide at dusk which the driver pretended was all part of the tour. At the other side at Inskip Point a family of Indians managed, somehow, to get their 2WD sedan across a few hundred meters of soft sand almost to the barge for the crossing to Frazer. Lots of people were looking and laughing, wondering what they would do next. I think that car is still stuck there, nincompoops. We are now at Bargara Beach which is about 10kms east of Bundaberg. No surf here because Frazer acts as a huge breakwall for this part of the coast. Did I mention last time the kids are driving us nuts, well I’ve figured out how to imbibe wine intravenously. Stu
Message from Tabitha:
We went to Rainbow Beach and had a great time. After we got to a boat over to Frazer Island we had a huge history tour. We saw two dingoes. After the tour we checked in to the hotel. That will probably be our last time of luxury. When we arrived at Bargara we saw a wild possum right next to our van. We even patted it – wow. Missing everybody. Tabbi
All photos here.
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