Aussie Gems of the Hibiscus Coast

Jacky of Brandy Bottle Park

Traveling north along the Hibiscus Coast, we've entered Crocodile territory, so no random ocean swimming for us from now on! After a few hours of driving on the Bruce Highway my nerves were shot from the humongous road trains coming the other way, so I consulted the bible (aka Wikicamps) and we pulled into a little privately owned caravan site called Brandy Bottle at Clairview.  Here, we were warmly welcomed by Jacky, a vibrant septuagenarian with red and blue hair (was supposed to be temporary for Australia Day, but she had a bit of a mishap). She and her late husband, Leigh, poured their hearts into this beautiful park, even adding a 9-hole golf course. Now, Jacky single-handedly keeps the park pristine, mowing the lawns daily. Reluctantly, Jacky has put the place on the market.  Just one offer received so far- a meagre $500k for her piece of paradise.  You'd struggle to buy a dilapidated studio for that on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Steve was impressed with the grounds declaring “it's proper English grass, innit?"

A Sweet Stay

After indulging in some retail therapy in Mackay, we made our way to our inaugural farm stay called "Oh Deare", a Sugar Cane Farm in Calen. Right from the start, Karinda and Dale welcomed us as if we were family. Each evening, they would kindle a fire and gather everyone on the patio to either watch the sunset (or the lightning crack) over cane fields. And naturally, the tune that became our anthem during the stay was "Sounds of Then" by Gangajang.

Our fellow camping buddies toasting marshmallows on the patio

Sunset supper by the Sugar Canes

Chasing Waterfalls in the Eungella National Park

On Karinda’s recommendation we spent a day ambling through ancient rainforests in the Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park in awe of the scenery at every turn. 

Looking out across Pioneer Valley

The Wheel of Fires Track

The trees and the plants that grow on them

Critter of the Week – Duckbill Platypus

Second to the elusive cassowary, it’s been a wildlife dream of mine to spot the notoriously shy Duckbill Platypus in its natural habitat.  I hope the video plays well in this blog, because it’s really worth a beak, I mean peak.

Cape Hillsborough

As the sun rises kangaroos graze, and the males often box each other, right on the beach at Cape Hillsborough.  Alas, the allure of Karinda’s Sunday pancake feast trumped the early marsupial mob’s shenanigans.  Keen to burn off all those delicious calories though, we drove over a bit later and hiked to Andrew’s Point with spectacular views of the southern Whitsunday Islands.

Oh Deere! - The Love Shack                                                                                

Karinda's life revolves around two passions, and the foremost is sugarcane farming. Initially skeptical about the appeal of a "4-hour" sugarcane field tour, I was thoroughly educated and captivated. Karinda's tour, which included learning about the origins of our food, crushing cane, and tasting the fresh juice, was engaging from start to finish. Her knowledge of sugarcane farming is extensive; if she doesn't know it, it's probably not important. Having survived a near death incident at 29, Karinda cherishes each day as a precious gift and considers it her duty to share her farming wisdom for the betterment of future generations.

Juicing Sugar Cane

Karinda's second love, the Love Shack, initially had me worried, considering that Dale's risqué humour at camp soirees would make a soldier blush. I wondered what kind of artefacts we would find in Karinda’s “special museum”.

I was relieved to find that the Love Shack is an innocent treasure trove of Karinda's John Deere memorabilia, amassed over 30 years. 

One of 4 rooms in the Love Shack

The latest, and most unique exhibit was presented to Karinda last Christmas, when her 4 children clubbed together and gave her a custom John Deere coffin for when she transitions to the great sugar cane field in the sky.  (Can you think of a more thoughtful and practical gift to give your mother!).  

Although she offered, we passed on the chance to snap a picture in Karinda's casket, but Karinda enthusiastically stepped up to the plate.  It was a bit of a weird and confronting image, so I will refrain from adding it here!

Queens of Queensland

Yes, Jacky and Karinda are a little rough around the edges, anti-woke/un-PC, F-bomb dropping, no-frills true-blue Aussies.  They are also two of the most inspirational, determined and high-achieving women I've ever met, and so deserving of the tourism awards they are quietly clocking up.  We are so grateful to have stumbled across the Brandy Bottle and Oh Deere properties on the Hibiscus Coast.

Big Things – Big Thongs

Australia is renowned for its love of "big things," and I'm on a mission to capture them all. Here's the first on my list – the Big Thongs of Calen.

Wishing everyone a great Anzac Day on Thursday.  Lest we Forget.

Cane Toads and Capricornia

Discovering the Discovery Coast

Ever since we moved to Australia 18 years ago, we have been intrigued about a town up north called Seventeen Seventy.  It's named after Captain Cook's second landing in the year 1770 (funnily enough), and it's recognized as Queensland's birthplace. It is stunning!

Camping by a swamp on an eco-tourism site on the edge of town seemed like a great plan – until we experienced the mozzies who wore size 12 boots!  Needless to say, we had some early nights come dusk.  As we were nestled between 2 national parks - Deepwater and Eurimbula, we thought it was time to see what the Defender was made of.  Steve is obviously missing his sailing because he has clearly mistaken his car for a boat.

Cane Toads Have Feelings Too

Warning – gruesome image alert… 

While we were on our 4WD adventure, we encountered a gut churning sight: a camping sign adorned with dead cane toads, some impaled on sticks, slaughtered by some low-life's.  This horrific discovery prompted a search on the ethics of killing cane toads, notorious pests. It turns out that while it's legal to kill them, a hefty fine of $266,900 looms if done inhumanely. The RSPCA QLD suggests a less brutal method: first, a 12-hour chill in the fridge to anesthetize them, followed by a 24-hour freeze to ensure a painless end. Surely there is a middle ground option between stabbing them with skewer and storing them with your Mc”Cain” chips?

Critter of the Week - Echidna

On the stunning hike around the 1770 headland, we saw dolphins, turtles and an adorable echidna that even posed for my video.  I was almost tempted to remove his ticks for him – almost!

We were so charmed by 1770 that we extended our stay, indulging in a relaxing “hammock” by the shore, capped off with a sundowner watching the sunset.

Calliope’s Historical Village

I love the way Australia has great names for its coastal regions.  After departing the Discovery Coast, we set our sights on the Capricorn Coast.  Realizing the need to up the ante on the mozzie defense (my Aldi special was not so special after all), we stopped by Gladstone and invested in a Thermacell.  Despite its hefty price tag, this little gadget is an absolute game-changer!  Now, mosquitoes don't dare come within a five-meter radius of us – result! 

We broke our journey to Capricornia with a sneaky free camp in Calliope.   Just a short walk from the free camp was a historical village, a treasure trove of buildings and artifacts from days long past, all donated by the community.  Well worth a visit.

If you look carefully, you'll see our welcome party on the sign

Where’s Yeppoon?

Next to ya knife and ya fork, of course!

Yeppoon is a charming seaside town, and it's wonderful to have it all to ourselves now that the QLD school holidays have ended. The town boasts some impressive street art, with my favourite being the creative loos at the Surf Club. It's an idea worth considering for our own surf club in Narrabeen.

GREAT Keppel Island

Today, 16 April, was a GREAT day.  We hopped on a ferry to the most magical place on our journey so far -  Great Keppel Island.  After a 3-hour hike taking in the stunning scenery, we snorkeled for a bit, had a yummy lunch, took a snooze on beach and snuck in a Pina Colada before catching the last ferry back.  

Today also marks our 1-month milestone as (not so grey) nomads.  We have racked up some kms, but as you can see, we have a long way to go, and many more memories to make.

Noosa to Bundaberg (via Sydney!)

Noosa – Byron Bay for Grown Ups

Chic boutiques set against a breathtaking beach backdrop, Noosa has the chilled vibes of Byron, but with more elegant, less hippy, overtones. 

Having (stupidly) arrived in the middle of the school holidays, Noosa was heaving, so we got up at sparrow's fart to beat the crowds and hoofed it around the Noosa Headland on a power hike to Hells Gate.  From the cliff top we spotted turtles frolicking in the waves, and as the day warmed, we took their lead and went for a glorious dip.  The water temperature was just divine.

Coastal walk to Hells Gate

Beautiful Moreton Fig Trees all around Noosa

A Dash Back Home in the Mother of All Storms

Being the devoted fan that I am, I left Steve in Poshville for a whirlwind trip home to catch my favourite Ska band, Monkey Spanner, and of course hang out with my best girls.   Unfortunately, I chose the worst possible day to fly out of Sydney, as the city was hit by near-hurricane conditions.  Midway through the flight, we were rerouted to Brisbane, and come midnight, the ground crew announced they simply didn’t have the resources to find accommodation due to the sheer volume of people affected.  They left us with two options:  kip on the floor in the airport; or find your own hotel.  My only thought was how I would have the energy to stomp the night away the next day without some shut eye, so I sprinted (exaggeration) to the taxi rank like my life depended on it and managed to get myself a room in a very expensive hotel – praying that Jetstar would reimburse me (which they did).

Spending the weekend with the girls was fantastic.  We squeezed in walks and talks and a lovely dinner.  Monkey Spanner was as epic as ever, and it was brilliant to see so many mates turn up (especially as I suspect some of them aren't really into Ska music).  Big thanks to Charlotte, Jayden, Kim, Corinne, Chris, Ali, Dave, Dita, Jon, Matt and Jacqui xxx

Video credit to Corinne (I was right at the front)

Meanwhile, back at base, Steve, of course, made friends with the everyone in the caravan park, and entertained himself with a self-directed walking tour of the breweries and pubs in Noosa.  He also ventured into the Hinterland and discovered a quaint little town called Montville, and its famous cuckoo clock shop.

The Cuckoo Clock Shop

Holy S*** - Maryborough’s Cistern Chapel

En route to our next destination we swung by the historic city of Maryborough for some supplies.  Wishing to spend a penny, we were truly "blessed" to stumble across the city's divine dunnies!  This community certainly demonstrated their generosity and humour by funding these public conveniences, which boasted a golden throne in the ladies, celestial murals at the urinals and chamber music throughout.

Selfie before sitting on the throne

A loo with a view!

Mystery Craters

Cruising through the sugar cane fields of Bundaberg, renowned for its rum, we sang our lungs out to The Nips are Getting Bigger, by one of my favourite Ozzie bands, Mental as Anything.  We resisted the temptation to stop for a tasting experience.  Instead, we called into an intriguing site where, back in 1971 (what a great year that was!) a farmer stumbled across some bizarre rock formations on his property.  These 35, non-volcanic craters, believed to be over 25 million years old, continue to baffle geologists from all over the world.  There's a plethora of bizarre scientific and spiritual hypotheses about their origins—dinosaur footprints, an Aboriginal Dreamtime serpent, a meteorite impact...…)  I guess, they can be whatever you want then to be.

Van Life: Creature Comforts

Deciding to leave Heidi the Hound at home was a tough call, however, the flip side was that it freed up precious real estate on the back seat for our Thermomix and Air fryer.  It turned out to be a wise move, we have eaten like (healthy) kings and queens (just the one pie indulgence so far).  Also, another gadget Godsend has been the Aldi middle aisle mozzie zapper find.  Totally worth every cent of its $12! 

Queensland Here We Come

Spooked at Bengalla

I'm not sure why, but I got the heebie-jeebies at this free camp called Bengalla Reserve, just outside Goondiwindi. Maybe it was because its name sounded similar to Belanglo, the state forest where the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat murdered seven backpackers in the '90s, but it just felt really earie. We decided not to unhitch the camper in case we needed to make a sharp exit. Another weird thing about the place was that, by fluke, we seemed to have set up the camper straddling the border between New South Wales and Queensland. We have identical phones and watches, yet Steve's were on NSW time, and mine showed QLD time. We woke up pretty early, so we opted for Steve's time zone and skedaddled very quickly.

The Scenic Route to the Scenic Rim

On the advice of the good folk at Warwick's tourist info centre, we ventured to our next destination via the subtropical rainforests and the breathtaking mountains along the Settlers Route. It took us a while because it appeared that there was a waterfall around every corner.

Queen Mary Falls

Goanna Be a Fun-gi Day

On Easter Sunday, my birthday wish was to swim in a waterfall and encounter some wild creatures, so we set off on a hike through the rainforest to Cronan's Creek at Mount Barney.  Wary of what might be lurking beneath, I jumped in fully clothed, hiking boots and at.  It was refreshingly delicious after a long trek. 

Along the path, we spotted various mushrooms and pondered if they were the same kind Erin Patterson uses in her Beef Wellington.  I considered collecting some, in case living on the road with Steve ever takes its toll, but then I remembered I don't know how to reverse the camper.

We also saw heaps of goannas and a magnificent python basking on the trail. By 2 pm, our appetites were huge, and we settled down in a hidden nook for a picnic. 

A Goanna Day is a Good Day

Snake sunbaking

Being the classy chick that I am, I sipped Verve from a plastic tumbler. It was a truly memorable birthday.

Oliver, Master of Olive View Estate

During our visit to the Scenic Rim area, we’ve been staying in the paddock of an olive farm just outside of Boonah.  It’s a Hipcamp spot, kind of like Airbnb for camping, where landowners host campers for a fee.  Here, we befriended Ollie, the most photogenic goat you could imagine.   

At this camp we woke up to kangaroos bounding everywhere, and we spent the evening setting the world straight around the fire pit.

Home of Australia’s Best Pies – allegedly

It appears that every small town boasts about having the best pies, and Ferndale was no exception. They had a rather distinctive pie selection. For a fleeting moment, we toyed with the idea of Emu, Kangaroo, Crocodile, or Camel, but "Chickened" out and went for good old Steak n Kidney. It was scrumptious. And of course, Steve managed to sniff out a local brewery as well.