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| Rainforest Kids #1 |
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| Mount Beerwah |
We finally made it up to the Sunshine Coast, a 100 mile stretch of beautiful beaches running north of Brisbane. You first pass through the ancient, volcanic landscape of the Glasshouse Mnts., culminating at the high-end resort town of Noosa;
famous for it’s excellent surf breaks and beaches, stunning headland National Park and, in season, Australian glitterati set.
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| Glasshouse Mountain overlook |
Luckily we went off season and mid- week and stayed in a cabin. The place was dead, but more green, settled and treed than expected. The beaches and headland were as advertised, spectacular…
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| Nolan beach girls |
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| Luke’s Dream Condos.. |
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| Noosa River Lifesaver Station |
The weather was cool and clear, mid-70’s F days, and surprisingly chilly , high 40’s-low 50’s F at night.. Not too bad for winter though…
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| Main Beach Noosa |
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| Another night, another cabin…… |
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| Bunkhouse chaos…. |
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| Dr. and Mrs Bad Sunglasses…… |
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| Claire’s Dreamtime.. |
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| Noosa Headland NP |
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| Noosa headland |
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| Brush Turkey, but not a turkey at all |
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| Coral Sea scene with Pandamus Palm |
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| A bold, and hungry, Magpie |
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| The platinum sea…brilliant… |
The hike out around the headland was really exceptional, with sightings of sea turtles and dolphins off the tip at Hell’s Gate.
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| Hell’s Gate, 300-400 ft to the ocean below |
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| Cable ferry..no tidal drift |
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| Sisters at Equathon |
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| Main riding ring, Equathon |
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| Claire and Bree, student and mentor |
Up early the next morning. Claire had an appointment to ride a horse at Equathon across the river in North Noosa. She’s been waiting months for this opportunity, even packed her jodpurs all the way fron NY! We had to take a short cable ferry across, which was fun and interesting.
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| Claire on Jewel |
Because it was so quiet, she got the added bonus of a one on one ride with the instructor Bree, through the bush and out onto the undeveloped beach. Also, having had three years of riding experience, Claire got to canter through the surf on a full sized horse . Bree was very complimentary on Claire’s confidence, poise, and ability to control such a large animal. Needless to say, Claire was over the moon, and fulfilled one of her Aussie dream wishes.
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| On the beach…
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| And in the bush…… |
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| Mapleton Falls overlook |
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| Kondalilla Falls trail |
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| Rainforest kids #2 |
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| Piccabean Palm forest |
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| Natural gym |
Then it was time to leave Noosa and head into the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, an area of mountainous ridges, small country towns, and amazing waterfalls. We returned to Brisbane by the inland route and made a wonderful long weekend of it.
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| WW1 Memorial, a poignant reminder of the price of Empire. Seen in town squares throughout Australia…. |
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| The Obi Obi Valley
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| Maleny, QLD |
Thanks for sharing the adventure with us. Coming soon, more Emergency Medicine and fishing stuff, stay tuned. Best until then!…ddu
