Visit to Mum McJ and then to Airley Beach



Looking across the sand flats - North QLD - Carmilla Beach



We continued heading north for a visit to Adam's mum stopping off on the way near the coast, big tides greeted us with huge long sand flats and no water at all and a creek which was not swimable. (see below)

 

You know your in North QLD when you see this at the beach

(Note the little love heart.. a Cos n Ads calling card..)

We visited with family in Bundaberg or Gin Gin to be exact, a nice stop over and good to see them having been in different states for a while. (Hi Mum!) Thanks Jess for giving up your bed for us too!!

We also got a chance to see the beach nearest to Bundy, B.E.A.Utiful!

The stop gave us a chance to give the Red Rocket some TLC... Note the wifebeater Ads is wearing! (Should probably explain that term for those who are more politically correct than me: a wifebeater is a blue bonds singlet. Predominantly worn by truckies... No offence to them...)

And I also got a new surfboard... Kinda... Few coats of paint and some masking tape.. Harvey looks like a million dollars! Even matches his fins!

The report showed some swell due on the coast, but we were too far north to be able to get any, as we still hadn't had any decent surf we decided we needed to drive down south, it was 3 hrs drive but turned out to be very worth it. We surfed at Coolum beach on swell in the range of 3-4ft, it was fantastic and easily worth the drive. Hope you guys in Newcastle took full advantage of the big swells.

After a few days we continued our trip north for a stop off at the Whitsunday's. We got notice that there was going to be some serious rain but pushed on. Arriving in Proserpine we encountered a traffic jam on the main Highway due to the road flooding overnight. Eventually we were able to get through, though the road was still underwater. 

Go the red rocket

There is actually a road under there

We have also added a small traveling companion for the van, Ralph.  (named by Corinne.)









Next stop: Whitsundays Getaway...

The Sunshine Coast

Maybe its because I was born here, maybe its because I visited here lots as a child, maybe its just because its a great part of the world but I have a soft spot for the sunshine coast.

My little princess

Lots of fantastic beaches, a really nice vibe, not too busy, the Queensland foliage at the beaches, warm weather and water and lots of sun.
Plenty to see and do in this area, shopping as much as you could want but not too busy. We even managed to pick up all our Winter clothing on special ready for skiing and Chicago winter.

(Adams new ski hat)

Visited family in the area which was nice to catch up with having been a few years, life is just nicely relaxed around here. Hello to all reading and thanks for the welcoming hospitality.

The surf was nothing special again, spring is here and the waves are all but gone, but its getting warmer which is a nice change, I am now just in boardies and a rashie and a tonne of sunscreen.

Noosa something..

We stopped by Noosa and stayed the night. Apart from the confusing nature of Noosa (Noosa heads, Noosaville, Noosatown, Noosapoint, Noosanoosa... Where are we again?) The town is fantastic, Beautiful beaches, streets and lovely houses on the water.. definatelly a place to consider moving too when we start being constructive members of society and stop sleeping in carparks.

Awh :)

We headed up to Hervey Bay with the hope of catching site of some whales, the boat trips pricing was more then we hoped and decided to see what we could see from land. We're currently borrowing wifi from Maccas.. (A concerning trend in our trip) to update the blog.

Next stop: Gin gin to see Mum McJ.

Surfers shines through with the Gold at the last minute

Well after several days of onshore winds and small swell, I was none too impressed with what I had seen at Surfers Paradise.

Having some faith in the forecast we hung around until it looked good for the conditions even though it would still be small.
So Monday morning we packed up the van (we had actually been staying at a caravan park) and headed to Snapper Rocks.
Calling past Burlie heads on the way it looked very promising.

We arrived at Snapper to what looked like a fair crowd for a weekday but some amazingly repeatable and long rides across the beach and also forming at other points. Even a small barrel in the middle of the beach (read squat down to get in it) was getting some use.

We found our own relatively crowd free section and hooked in, the sun was out, the water was warm (now surfing in a shortie) and crystal clear, the waves were as clean as you could ask for, and when the sets came the rides were amazingly long.
We were surfing off Rainbow bay on a wave going across Kirra Beach.
It was fantastic, for 2ft waves it was great fun, I don't know how long we surfed for but it had to be 4-5hrs until I was exhausted and the tide made the waves disappear.
The section we were on is part of the superbank, I can see how with a bit of size this would create one super wave. I will have to be back to see that.

This break has now gone to my number 1! I will definitely be back to sample some more, we are hoping to spend a week or so in the area on our way back south, walking in the Gold Coast hinterland when its no good and surfing when it is. (Mt Lamington? Sounds tasty..)

Next Stop - Sunshine coast visiting relatives.

The Goldie - Nothing Special

Having spent so much time in the northern rivers and then Byron Bay, the Gold Coast just isn't that good, maybe its just my hippie love for the northern rivers coming out but its dirty, crowded and the beaches are unimpressive.
A continuing lack of surf isn't helping my current feelings towards this part of QLD.

A recovery day we stayed at the Sheraton Mirage last night, NOTE at not in.
(Cos: and spent the day shopping at Pacific Fair :o) )
So with little else happening at present here are a few updates on our red rocket.
The van is going well and doing us proud, getting better then 10L/100kms its easy on the juice and comfortable for us and our 5 boards.
We have added some personal touches of late, and I don't think it was intentional but its getting a little more alternative then we first thought.

The greens sticker is a nice touch I think. (Thanks mum)

Next stop: Brisbane/Sunshine coast

Byron Bay

Well Byron dished up exactly what one would expect from Byron.

When the surf came up, the pass and some other beaches were fantastic, the pass at Byron can give an amazingly long ride if your Mal can make the slower sections. When the size was up a little it even gives a half decent ride on a short board.

Now the problem starts when the waves are on, dodging the 50 people that are on the break is an art. Some skilled weaving through the old guys, back packers and learners is required. Even more dangerous is when they are trying to weave in and out of you, best to stay clear.

Once it gets crowded it seems any wave etiquette is out the window, drop-ins are the rule and 4 people on one wave is not uncommon, but every one seems pretty cool about it and no one gets aggro. (except Corinne who didn’t like the party wave crowd and went to surf the shore dump)

The early mornings were best and the normal rules still applied, much better to get a long uninterrupted ride.

Then it was back into our slump of no swell and flat days again.
We parked at the beach one night and were rudely awoken at 6am by some one telling us we couldn’t camp here and could be fined, some artful explanation and we were left alone and off for an early surf.

It still feels a little wrong cooking dinner in public places or having clothes drying on park benches, but we are getting used to it. That’s the life of some one trying to skimp on every penny to lengthen the trip as much as possible.
On that note, Adam has had a recent epifany that he may never return to gainful employment again... Hmm, tempting.. The only issue is the how.

The other thing Byron gave , was Adams addiction to Byron Bay Cookie Company seconds, sold at a bake house outlet. I am sure far too much fat and sugar (55% bad ) has been consumed while eating bags of broken cookies, but damn they are good.



Mt Warning

With no waves we decided to head inland to climb Mt Warning, this is the first place in Australia to see winter sunrise.

It was an 8.8km trek to the summit with what was described as a “Verticle Rock Scramble” for the last section.

I would describe it as a mildly strenuous walk with an enjoyable challenge climb at the last to reach the final peak. I wouldn’t say the view was anything to write about but having completed the walk was reward in its self. Cos: I even managed to get bitten by a wild manic bush turkey at the summit.

The whole trek was 6hrs with a decent stop at the top, not sure how long the guy running up and down did it in, sick bastard.

Next stop: Surfers