Mooloolaba

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Leaving Rainbow beach we backtrack to the Bruce Highway and head south,our journey is interrupted by several major roadworks, good to see they are at last trying to fix some of the problems associated with this road.We have traveled this route many times and do not feel the need to pause and visit any of the seaside hamlets and towns on our way.We are heading for Mooloolaba a town we have visited many times and is one of our favourite places on the Sunshine coast.

First charted in 1861 by lieutenant Heath RN the area was soon noted to be a great source of timber and by 1864 a timber trade was established sending timber to sawmills in Brisbane.Other ventures soon followed and fruit and other produce began to be shipped to Brisbane.The area flourished and several townships emerged along the coast and rivers Mooloolah heads was the name given to the main township which had grown since the opening of the North coast railway.A coastal community had grown by the 1920,s and the township was named Mooloolaba to distinguish from it's neighbour on the railway.The new town grew rapidly and soon became a favourite with holiday makers and as a premiere residential location.the surrounding area continued to expand it's agricultural and fruit growing industries and fishing also became a major industry.

Today those industries continue to support the local economy but by far the greatest input is from the tourist industry. Mooloolaba and the surrounding towns of Alexander Headlands,Maroochydore,Coolum and several others have grown into a mecca for tourists.Offering every type and style of accommodation together with all manner of activities and attractions but by far the biggest attractions are the beaches, miles of them offering safe patrolled swimming areas as well as rolling surf for the more ambitious . Unlike the Gold coast the Sunshine coast has retained a sense of relaxation and lacks the hustle and bustle of the Gold coast resorts.Every type of water sports are catered for here and tuition together with hire of the gear is readily available.A major attraction in Mooloolaba is Underwater world a huge aquarium giving a glimpse of what lies under the water,a swim with the sharks can also be arranged.Only short distances from the town are some world renown tourist attractions like Australia Zoo,The Ginger Factory and Eumundi market to name a few. Just 2 miles off shore is the last resting place for HMAS Brisbane a guided missile destroyer of the Australian navy sunk to provide an artificial reef and which has become a world class diving destination, a plaque and part of the mast are positioned on a headland on the edge of town facing her last resting place.

Soaking up the ambiance,relaxing on the beach,body boarding in the surf,walking the beach boardwalk and the beach itself are some of the pastimes we are here to enjoy together with sampling the very fresh local seafood .Our camp site is situated next to the beach with only a gated fence and a boardwalk to negotiate to gain access to miles of beautiful beach and rolling surf.Is it any wonder we like this place so much?School holidays are fast approaching and the town is filling up, our camp has no vacancies from the day we are due to be booked out.We have been here in peak periods and although busy we have never felt rushed and there is always room in the water and on the beach.Our time here has come to an end for the time being I am sure we will be back.We will now make our way to Victoria Point our Australian home town and will spend Christmas with friends we have not seen in over a year,happy days.

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Photos

Mooloolaba
preparing for the days sport

A good beach for board surfing

Mooloolaba
Part of the mast from HMAS Brisbane pointing out to where she was sank to provide a dive site

The memorial

Plaque telling the story

A good day for sailing

mooloolaba
Safe patroled beach

mooloolaba
nestled in the sand dunes