13th March 2011 - Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW

Set off from Bundjalung camp at 8am for Port Macquarie further down the central coast, with a short stop at a market to get homemade jam & honey for Stu.  Lunch at Port Macquarie beach, then a long drive to our new destination (6 hours in all) via the coast road instead of the M1.  Some sections of road were really terrible, but most of the M1 is amazing, with some sections concrete.  Must cost a fortune.   Had another break at a cute little place called Lauriton - poked our noses into an op shop (still looking for bits & pieces for the van) & also an art gallery.  We try to keep the landcruiser topped up with fuel all the time & it is getting more expensive the further down we go.  There are two fuel tanks in it, so it will be good when we get into the outback, but it's a bit of a shock to fill it up.

Crowdy Bay, our home for tonight,  has good fishing, birdwatching & fascinating headland walks.  There are several camping areas but only this one suitable for caravans.  We were amazed when we arrived to see goannas & kangaroos all around the camp.  No-one took any notice of them except new arrivals like us, & the animals didn't take much notice of the humans either.  We were to discover next morning that they can be too friendly & when you wake up & open the caravan door for the first time, they are happily fossicking around in your awning. Have even been known to poke their heads in the door.   One family left their towels etc plus a packet of potato chips on the beach near a log, only to come back & find a large goanna had had a lovely feast of them!   Naturally I had the camera out immediately while Stu was backing the van into position - great help I am! It had obviously been really busy for the weekend, & there were people still packing up to leave on our arrival at about 3pm.  No power or water at this camp which didn't worry us as we had filled our tanks at the last camp & had an ample supply of gas.  Once organised we set off for a walk around the rocky headland of Diamond Head - wonderful rock formations & great large rock pools when the tide is in, unfortunately it was going out so we were a bit late to relax in the warmth of them.  Once again the camp was right on the beach, so took a swim in the surf instead as it was quite hot, then headed back  to the van for nibbles & a wine.  The temperature is more bearable down here now that we have left Queensland but still hot without the humidity.   Had quite a nice chat with an old couple next to us (probably about 80) with a very large motorhome, who were making the most of their later years.  Was really good to chat to someone as I am missing that a bit. Stu is not into approaching people, but I like to pass a remark or two when I pass & hope to get into some sort of conversation.  It hasn't done me a lot of good so far as most of the people in these camps have been aussies.  I think it might be easier if we meet more tourists like ourselves.  Still, it's early days yet.   We are sleeping like logs, most nights to the sound of waves. 

11/12 March 2011 - Bundjalung National Park, NSW

Tried to drive further down the coast from Burleigh Heads & managed to get as far as Tweed Heads, but there was major construction on the roads everywhere, so we opted to go back on the freeway..  They are spending millions on their roads  - must say some of them sure need it.  Turned off at Byron Bay which looked a nice place (apparently quite hippie).  Stopped off for lunch at a place called Lennox Head which is a hang-glider launching place.  There were two there & I waited patiently hoping to get a photo, but nothing doing.  We arrived at Bundjalung mid-afternoon,  & found a very busy camp as it was the weekend.  Lots of families,  in tents mostly, with all the fishing gear etc, but also caravans  & a few motorhomes.  We could choose our own site, & decided to keep away from the families as much as possible expecting that they may be a bit noisy at night etc.  However it was all very good really.  Because they are all up early, they crash at a reasonable time at night, & it get's dark about 7pm here.  (In QLD it was 6pm)  They are all into camping much more here than in NZ which is great to see.  Again young & old & they don't necessarily have loads of flash gear.  This camp supplied firewood & little woodburning BBQ's  at each site & most people used them.  There were also a few flash gas barbies.  When we first arrived we were pleased to see kangaroos in the camp, obviously acccustomed to all the comings & goings as long as you don't approach them too closely.  Managed to get a photo or two.  Next morning after breakfast we took a walk around the rocks to another little bay.  I wasn't too keen as at the beginning of the walk was a sign telling you of the dangers e.g. snakes!!!  Stu convinced me it would be OK, so I made him lead the way.  Naturally made sure we had good strong shoes on too.

10th March 2011 - Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland

Left the beautiful Lamington National Park area, driving through Nerang to the Gold Coast.   Had decided we didn't want the hype of the main tourist area, so headed for Burleigh Heads a little south.  Found a caravan park right over the road from the beach,  so had lunch & headed for the surf.  Lovely beach & even though it was a weekday, very busy.  The water was just the right temperature, nice surf for us seniors, lots of boardriders, some definitely our age.  Lots of gorgeous young ones too of course.  Good fun just people watching.  Stu thought it was still far too busy for us, but he survived.  We had to find a camping shop to buy a pole for the awning on the side of the landcruiser, which we successfully managed.  Went back to the camp for dinner, then Stu decided we would go for a drive to Surfers and see the nightlife.  Well, that was a bad idea.  Halfway there the heavens opened & we could hardly see the road, let alone the night life.  So we turned around & headed back.  Then Stu decided we had better fill up with diesel - Trevor had warned us that not all servo's had diesel, so when we found a servo, which happened to be rather difficult to get into, we couln't see a diesel pump.  Meantime we were blocking the passage of other cars & after much to'ing & fro'ing we spotted the diesel pump (not exactly obvious I might tell you).  By then of course Stu was getting very frustrated but at least we got what we came for.  Anyway, we had a reasonable sleep till about 6am when aussies seem to rise.  There were a lot of permanents in the camp who go off to work, so if they hadn't woken us, the trucks coming in to do some building work would have.   Good opportunity to get going early for a walk around the foreshore we decided.  Well!  There were crowds of people out there walking - these aussies are real fitness nuts I reckon.  No wonder they are so good at sports.   Old & young, they are all out there at the crack of dawn.  Dozens of board-riders carrying their boards around the headland, over rocks, to get to the good surf.  We  even saw a little guy of about 9, all on his own, heading out with the big boys to surf.  Anyway, it was a delightful walk to another bay & back again, so we started the morning right like the locals.  Left the camp around 9am to head for Bundjalung National Park.

09 March 2011 Canungra, Lamington National Park, Queensland

Well we are finally on the road & it feels so good!  Left Maleny yesterday morning heading through Brisbane towards the Gold Coast on the M1.  .  We were feeling  starved for some walking with nature, so decided to give the main part of the Gold Coast a miss & head inland & are very pleased we headed here. Canungra is a little village about the size of Waipu, very tidy & nice with lots of history about 90kms south of Brisbane, 35 kms west of Surfers' Paradise.  But is also at the foot of the Lamington National Park which was the attraction for us.  We are staying in the local showgrounds  for two nights which is very quiet with only about 4 vans here in a very big area.  We have had quite an eventful day, leaving at about 10am to head up the mountain, about 40 minutes of winding, narrow but sealed road.  At times it is only single lane with passing bays & lots of blind bends.  Wonderful views on the way up of huge valleys between the mountain ranges.  It is unusually green, not the typical brown we are used to seeing at this time of year.  Initially it is the typical eucalyptic forest, but higher up turns into rainforest. We headed for a place called O'Reilly's Plateau right on top of the mountain, where there is a rainforest retreat etc.  We had availed ourselves of a map of walks once there, & chose one which went to Moran's waterfall - note the Irish names - the area was originally settled by the Irish who logged the area.  I very bravely led the way telling myself that there would be no snakes as people are walking these tracks continually.  Lovely rainforest trees & vines & gorgeous big birdsnest ferns.  Didn't seem a lot of birds, but we gradually realised that the movement in the small trees were very small  ones who were quite camaflouged & VERY hard to photograph for that reason plus the fact that they never stayed still.  The falls were very nice & the views over the distant mountain range very misty shades of greys - Stu may paint them sometime.  After the walk we headed to the top where the retreat was situated & did a treetop walk in the canopy of the trees.  At one point there is a large tree which grows up beside the bridge, & there is a VERY strong ladder within a cage which can be climbed up into the canopy of the tree to a viewing platform.  As it was about 30ft up I suggested Stu take the camera up, but I suddenly decided to follow - what the heck, you can only die once. That from the girl who doesn't like heights.  I can tell you I didn't look up or down & a little family group waiting at the bottom told me how brave I was.  I thought so too.  Saw & heard a lot more birds up there & managed to get a few photos.  Had intended to do a second walk but time was running out, so headed back down the mountain.  Were lucky enough to see kangaroos beside the road & got a good shot of a young one just posing for us.  Then this evening on Stu's visit to the loo's, he saw a large green frog in there, so came scampering back for the camera.  A few nights ago he nearly stood on a cane toad, so we are being acclimatised quite quickly.  Have only had a sprinkling of rain today & good temperature for walking unlike the first few days in Maleny which nearly killed me.  By afternoon I just flaked.  This evening we are perusing the maps etc again, & searching for the next campground.  We will head for Burleigh Heads at the southern end of the Gold Coast tomorrow & stay for one night, then head down the coast road towards Sydney as Stu has not been that way before. 

Sunday 6th March 2011 - Landsborough Queensland

The last few days have been very hectic -  Collected the Toyota Landcruiser Thursday evening, & the new caravan Friday afternoon.  Wouldn't you know it, the rain was absolutely torrential.  So there we were with strange vehicle, strange caravan , peak hour traffic & torrential rain!  And guess what?  We made it all without mishap.  Stu says the van is great to tow, so that's a relief.  We had decided not to go back to Maleny with it as the ground is so sodden & it's not real flat, so booked into this caravan park at Landsborough which is mostly permanents.  All very tidy & nice, I think most of them are retired people trying to live a cheaper lifestyle on their pension.  We haven't had a conversation with anyone as yet as we are in & out so much still picking up bits  & pieces to fit out the van, plus food.  Had our first dinner in the van last night as we have been to local pub a couple of times & no wonder there are a lot of obese people around - the meals were huge.  Stu & I shared fish & chips & salad (3 big pieces of fish for one serving).  Made it cheap anyway.   Yesterday Trevor did a full service on the car which gives us peace of mind once we set off.   We will be here  tonight, but will park behind Trevor's workshop tomorrow night as he is going to do one last check on landcruiser for us.  Then we will set off at last,  probably aiming for south of Gold Coast on Tuesday.  Weather forecast is not very good, so we may grow fins .  One good thing about it, it's not so hot &  once the rain stops it seems to dry up quite quickly.  Daughter in law Cris & the three children are coming to view the van sometime today so hope it's not raining then, though we have a great roll out awning which keeps everything quite sheltered as it can be set low to protect the doorway , & also there is a concrete pad beside the van which is the norm here it seems.

Maleny Queensland - 26 February

Good flight, long queues at immigration etc & thought we would miss our shuttle bus to Maleny, but being cheeky these days, I asked to be pushed ahead & was.  No real sign of the floods on outskirts of Brisbane but much greener than I have ever seen it before at this time of year.  Straight into caravan hunting as soon as son Trevor collected us from bus.  Supposedly big clearance sales on, (new vans only) but everything more expensive than we had anticipated.  Miss our own NZ 'little playhouse' already.   Trevor had a possible vehicle lined up which we have decided to buy, a white Landcruiser in lovely condition.  Also a new caravan which Stu is keen on.  The nightmare now starts to register, insure etc.  The paperwork is incredible so Stu is not happy but we are very lucky to have Trevor to help us with everything, & also to have an address we can use here (his). 

After all the floods here the gardens are looking so tropical & luxurious -would love to be able to grow some of the plants they have here. 

Thursday 03 March 2011 - Maleny Queensland

Spent the last few days travelling back & forth between Maleny & various other places, looking at caravans, & deciding whether to buy the very nice Toyota Landcruiser son Trevor lined up for us.  Things are so different here as far as registration etc go, so Stu has taken out Queensland driver's license to make it easier ($30)  Decided last night to take the Landcruiser, and has also opted for a brand new caravan as anything we saw secondhand was either not what we wanted, or so little difference in price to the new.  It is a 21' Voyager Marlin, queen island bed, beautiful ensuite bathroom, club lounge/dinette & the usual kitchen things including microwave but no oven.  Good excuse not to bake.  One disadvantage is that we now have to start from scratch to fit it out, so lots of lists & visits to cheapie shops for crockery, cutlery, linen etc.  Now that we have our own vehicle that will be so much easier as we have had a little old one of Trevor's for a few days which naturally we were very grateful for. We pick up the caravan tomorrow, so Stu has spent most of the morning on the phone insuring everything.  We are so lucky to have Trevor to direct us in all these things & lucky to have an address in Queensland as it is all much harder without one.  It's been very hot & humid of course, one lot of heavy rain early one morning, but that's not unusual this summer & the ground is constantly wet.  We are woken early each morning by all those noisy Aussie birds, like kookaburras, whip birds, cockatoos, rosellas, & the noisiest of all, a wild guinea fowl.  In the evening, just as it begins to darken, we have 100's & 100's of bats fly over, heading for some poor person's fruit orchard to gorge themselves for the night.  Stu & I thought they were birds.  This morning I had the first experience of an aussie spider, a huntsman a little smaller than my fist which was in the house.  Little Tynan (4)  informed me I could touch it if I wanted - what!!!  I tried to take a photo but it was whipped away in a jar & deposited in the garden, in which I will now be more observant in case I tread on one.  Obviously they do not harm you???   We are collecting the van tomorrow, & will take it to a caravan park nearer the shopping areas so that we can get fitted out with all the essentials & get the feel of it, then hope to be on the road by Monday 7th.   Look out Austalia!.  Be glad when all the bureaucracy is completed - the theory that everything is much the same here as in NZ is a myth, especially as each state is different.  Oh well, we'll get used to it.