Travelling Australia's East Coast - Queensland (I) (MLoT Part 6)

My Love of  Travelling Part 6  - Queensland Part 1

Southport/Surfers Paradise 

Byron Bay had been an amazing place and our next destination was another great opportunity to sample the delights of a proper home as we had arranged to stay in Southport, a stone's throw away from Surfers Paradise with Vicky, a friend of Richard's. 

Vicky and her flat mate were doctors and had a fantastic apartment right on the sea front looking straight out at the ocean (right). In addition they had a swimming pool, hot tub and a tennis court. We used all three.We were well looked after by the girls and even had a couple of days out with their friends. We visited South Stradbroke Island and Binna Burra in Lamington National Park (below). Surfers Paradise was a mile walk along the beach so we spent a day or so investigating it. With a misspent youth watching 'Neighbours' and 'Home & Away' I was quite excited about visiting this 'mythical' town. The reality was sadly not quite as exciting. I found Surfers Paradise to be little more than a concrete paradise.

On the way to Lamington National Park.

Brisbane

Our next stop up the coast was Brisbane where we had arranged to meet up again up with Georgina, Helen and Nathan. We were a little unfortunate with the weather for the next week or so and Brisbane was a bit of a wash out. We did have one particularly funny day in rainy Brisbane provided by the herbal cookies we bought from Nimbin a week earlier. 


Unbeknownst to us the cookies had special powers which turned us into giggling morons (more than usual) for the day. Richard for example decided to ride a lion statue (left).

I on the other hand was invited to sing the fourth harmony part with some buskers in the city centre. This is what happened. Nathan needed some new trousers because his were too long in the leg. We identified a shop and outside was an excellent group busking. They were singing 'I Feel Fine' by The Beatles and as we walked past I realised they were missing the fourth harmony part. I brazenly sung it as we walked past. The lead singer seemed a little agitated at first but I think he then realised what I'd done. 

We entered the shop and giggled a lot particularly at our hilarious joke where we asked the shop assistant that if they didn't have shorter legged trousers then maybe they could sell Nathan some longer legs. I know, but remember, we were more moronic than normal and I was with a guy that had just ridden a lion statue. I wandered out to the door and whilst standing there sung the harmony line again at which point they signalled for me to join them and we entertained the large crowd that had assembled. We got a massive cheer before I wandered off with the others, giggling. 

Our next stop was Noosa but again  the weather was very poor and this coupled with poor accommodation made the whole experience totally forgettable. I do not have one photo of our stay in Noosa.

Hervey Bay for FRASER ISLAND  

Visiting Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world is one of the top 'must do' activities on Australia's east coast. We had bought the 4x4 camping package back in Byron Bay with Georgina and Helen and the deal was that you would have 11 people in one 4x4 Land Rover which would be self driven and you would be provided with maps and camping equipment. The night before we left we met the rest of our group which included Giles, Henry and Bea, who had just left Harrow public school and Abi whose dad Fred Housego was the black cabbie who famously won Mastermind in 1980. 

Campsite Night 1 

Soon after meeting we needed to pool money and buy supplies at the local supermarket in Hervey Bay and we were ready to set off the next morning.      

Once on the island one of the first stops was Lake McKenzie 

Most of the time on day two was spent driving up 75 mile beach to Indian Head which meant we passed the Maheno shipwreck, many dingos and enjoyed the warm waters of Eli Creek. As the pictures show, the clouds were starting to move in. 

   

As we reached Indian Head the weather worsened and a big storm started. Although we attempted to put tents up, the weather meant it was impossible and the only safe and dry place was the Land Rover. So 10 of us spent the night in the vehicle. It wasn't particularly pleasant but we got through it and actually felt a sense of achievement the next day that we had got through it. The picture below shows the Land River driving through a lake that wasn't there the day before. When we got back to Hervey Bay we discovered we had been hit by the worst storm in seven years.

On our last day we visited Lake Wabby (below) and had a great time running down the sand dune into the fresh water. It was a little weird that the fish came and nibbled you if you stayed still and floated! 

Back at Hervey Bay, it was time to catch up on some sleep and do some washing. It was also sadly time to say goodbye to Georgina and Helen as they were heading off to Bundaberg while Richard and I were off to Airlie Beach for our next awesome backpacker experience, the Whitsunday Island Cruise.   

Final Picture, Richard, Georgina, me, Nathan and Helen.