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Published: September 3rd 2009
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We made sure we were up early to catch the sunrise this morning. It was beautiful and we took many photos at each stage. The beach is so calm early in the morning, especially near high tide. The hire cars aren’t allowed on the beach 2hrs either side of high tide. This morning high tide was supposed to be 10.50am, obviously people weren’t up and about before 9am - except for a few fishermen to travel along the beach, so we had it mainly to ourselves. Alex asked for the shovel to dig and Rod ended up digging his own hole, then Alex watched whilst Rod buried his legs. They then progressed to the water line. I watched for traffic, and called out when there was a car. The soft sand was hard work as the hole kept filling itself in. Finally got Rod’s legs buried again, so smarty pants decided it was fun to lean backwards and use the suction of the wet sand to hold himself up. The kids thought that was a hoot. Flagged down a passing car and asked for our photo to be taken. Very hard to get a photo of the 4 of us together!
The wind came up so we decided to slowly pack up, as there were not many passing cars to watch or wave to. Lots of sand in the camper and car, got out what we could, the rest can wait until we get home. Drove into Eurong and had early lunch at the bakery and chatted to some rangers regarding the condition of the beach at the southern end. The cyclones they had in February have taken a lot of the sand away, that is why there are so many rocks showing on the beach and the beach is very flat. Anyway, we just drove slowly down to Hook Point to catch the barge across to Rainbow Beach. At least we got to drive on and drive off the barge here - probably because there is sand on both sides.
Lots of traffic coming off and a car wanting to go over to Fraser Island was bogged and being pulled out. Rod took the far track to avoid getting to close and bang, then we got bogged ourselves. Some nice people from Caboolture (whom we had seen on the island a few times) offered to pull us out.
Their friend jumped in front first to try and pull us out and got himself bogged!! The Landcruiser pulled his friend out, then he pulled us out. We followed them to the car wash in Rainbow Beach and chatted. Drove as far as Gympie Rest Area for the night. Lots of truck noise, but a free night!
Had a look around Gympie and drove south, called into the Buderim Ginger Factory, past the Big Pineapple to Australia Zoo. Arrived mid morning and ate a cheese and bacon roll to save having to buy lunch. The zoo is immaculately clean and the animal enclosures are very realistic to the animal’s normal living conditions. Crikey it was impressive, especially when we saw the Bearded Dragons running around the zoo. We went “Wow” and promptly took photos as close as we dared. Thought that the zoo lets them out to wander the paths. No, these are wild ones that come into the park in search of easy food. Still cute, but you tend to get over them after the 4th or 5th. Kate got her photo taken cuddling a koala, then with a Macaw and Black Cockatoo on her arms.
Drove
to Browns Creek Rest Area and set up for the night ready to go to Eumundi Market in the morning. Had a scare during the night when I visited the toilet and was surprised by a 2m python wrapped around the post next to the toilet. Raced back to camper and got Rod. He watched it while I went to the toilet and vice versa. The kids woke up to all the talking and we decided to go pack up have breakkie at McDonalds. The kids didn’t need a 2nd invitation, so we were packed up and gone by 5.20am! Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then drove to Eumundi Market for a look around. 3hours later and slighter poorer, but very satisfied we drove through Brisbane and found a caravan park at Helensvale, opposite Movieworld.
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