Week Nineteen: The Gold Coast and Hinterland

The Gold Coast

Rain has really put a dampener on this week’s shenanigans as we have lost a couple of days of planned activities because of it. Never mind. We are happy for the farmers and hope they get follow up rain - after we have gone of course! Our much-anticipated stay on Bribie Island was disappointing as the constant drizzle kept us confined to the caravan. Bribie is the smallest of three islands sheltering the northern part of Moreton Bay and the places we did see reminded us of Mandurah with its Esplanade, beaches and canals. It is a very popular holiday destination as well. We would like to visit again when the weather is warmer and we can get out and explore what it has to offer. It proves that you can’t win them all and we have been extremely lucky so far. 

The bridge connecting Bribie Island to the mainland near Caloundra

We left Bribie and took our lives in our hands when we tackled the M1 on our way down to the Gold Coast in pouring rain. The traffic was horrendous and at times we were sandwiched between thundering road trains. The Gateway Motorway joins the Pacific and Bruce Highways and bypasses the Brisbane CBD, which is very convenient, but the very intimidating Gateway Bridge, which rises 64.5 metres above the river and is 1,627 metres long was hair raising especially with our windscreen wipers going flat out. It was a huge relief to pull into our caravan park at Tallebudgera, south of Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.

Sunnier times in Brisbane 2012

Our great mates, Ross and Sue Thomas, from our Frontline buying group were holidaying there in their caravan so it was a beaut chance to catch up. Ross and Graham were Directors on the Frontline board with Ross representing Queensland and GK representing WA. We catch up whenever we are in each other’s back yards and like all great friends, pick up where we left off. Sue and I hit it off right from the get go when we met years ago and love catching up with all the goss on family and friends. Their store in Pittsworth was very similar to ours in Moora and they too have sold and retired and hit the road whenever they can. We are already planning meeting up in Broome next year. Should be great fun.

Ross, Sue, CK and GK on top of Hinze Dam

During a very boozy night in the Thomas’ annexe where GK led Ross astray, emptying his red wine stash, we planned to drive up to Springbrook National Park and onto Hinze Dam where we would enjoy a long bush walk before returning to Tallebudgera to have a paddle in their motorised kayaks. Those plans went out the window, much to GK’s relief, as the day was overcast with threatening showers. We set off anyway with Sue and me ensconced in the back and GK and Ross driving and navigating respectively (with mixed results!) their way up the Great Dividing Range. Somehow we missed the turn off to Hinze Dam but found a café, which specialised in fudge making so warmed ourselves with a hot coffee and sampled some yummy fudge. The diet is back on the back burner. I will never fit into my size 12 ‘frock’ for the wedding as life keeps getting in the way. Willpower is required of which I have very little. 

Spectacular views from the cafe at Hinze Dam

We had a lovely lunch at the café at Hinze Dam (remember Russ Hinze, one of Joh Bjelke Peterson’s mates – say no more) before heading back down the Range to Burleigh Heads where we had a couple of quiet drinks at the North Burleigh Heads Surf Club. Again the subject of pokies reared its ugly head and we couldn’t have enjoyed the relaxing ambience and stunning views without their financial contribution. We explained to Ross and Sue that our surf clubs were run by volunteers and there was no way that they could provide cheap meals and drinks no matter how stunning their location was. The power of population is also a contributing factor as surf clubs are studded all the way along the coastline with locals and tourists being able to take advantage of all the amenities the surf clubs have to offer after hours. It makes a big difference. Food for thought.

Burleigh Heads before sunset

Burleigh Heads after sunset

It was fantastic to drive further up the coast to Burleigh Heads to watch the intrepid surfers tackle the waves. We sat only metres away on the grassy banks and found it hard to believe that you could sit so close to the ocean without getting wet! Despite the overcast weather there were lots of other tourists and locals enjoying the view and staying on to watch the twinkling lights come on after the sunset at Burleigh Heads. It topped off a great day. Thanks Ross and Sue. See you in Broome in 2019!

Ross, CK and Sue being blown away at Burleigh Heads

GK outside Tenterfield's famous saddlery

It continued to rain as we left the Gold Coast and climbed the Great Dividing Range once again. We stopped at Nimbin for a walk around and found it hasn’t changed a bit since we visited in 2010. It is famous for its hippies, hemp and high times and the usual dreadlocked suspects were still roaming the streets smoking dope and going about their business. The shops were full of pot smoking equipment, sarongs, cheap jewellery and tapestry handbags. We found it all a bit grubby and not very enticing so we left and drove on through the familiar towns of Lismore, Casino and Tenterfield where we stopped for the obligatory photo of Peter Allen’s grandfather’s famous saddlery. 

Golden Guitar in Tamworth

As we are on the homeward trail we have been racking up some kilometres so we can fit in all on our ‘must see’ list. We have been through Glen Innes, Armidale and Uralla before so pushed on through some amazing farming country and made our way down the New England Highway to Tamworth, Australia’s home of Country Music. We couldn’t pass through without another photo of the huge Golden Guitar before finding a free camp to stay the night.

We have made a rule that we will never stay off road unless there are other vans parked for the night. When we pulled into Woolridge Creek it was deserted and very isolated. We were turning around and making our way up the track when two other vans pulled in. They weren’t travelling together and it was a coincidence that they arrived at the same time. We got chatting and all agreed that there was safety in numbers so we all decided to stay the night. It turned out to be great fun and GK got to use the firewood we have been carrying since Gympie. We sat around a roaring campfire, swapping yarns and travel tales before the nip in the air drove us inside. Nights like that make life on the road so much fun as you never know who you will bump into and what the day will bring. 

Mums and bubbies alongside our free camp

We have heard so much about Mudgee and are very keen to spend some time there so we were really disappointed to find all the caravan parks in town are booked out for a huge golf tournament. We have managed to get in on a cancelation in the next few days so have changed plans and have come to Dubbo instead to fill in time. There is lots to do here as well so will fill in our days seeing all the sites and visiting the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The town is abuzz at the moment as it has been announced Prince Harry and Meaghan will visit before the Invictus Games in October. We will do a ‘reccie’ for them and give them all gen on what’s hot and what’s not. We will let you know all about it next week.

The sun has got its hat on once again and today is a glorious 29 degrees. Time to bring in all the delicious sun dried washing (I just love that smell!) fold it and put it away before setting off for a walk around town. I am ‘spelling’ my driver for a few days before the next big push down to Victoria. We don’t want any more incidents of vertigo when, heaven forbid, I will have to drive. Take care and love to all xxxx.