The Sunshine Coast

Wednesday 25 September
It was clear that this trip was going to bring back happy memories - Mum had many lovely summer holidays with her parents, staying in a cottage next to her Auntie Ella's house on Buderim. They would leave home in Toowoomba early in the morning and drive the same route as we had done yesterday; since then many of the roads had been improved! Having Ros offer to take us to the Sunshine Coast was a dream come true. We had been expecting to stay in something like a granny flat, not the spacious accommodation with wonderful facilities that we so enjoyed. There was even a small but lovely park right next door.

We liked Ros' idea of going early to the markets at Eumundi, however by the time we arrived it was clear that we would struggle to find anywhere to park so we continued along more steep and windy view-filled roads, we saw some of Mum's favourite places such as Montville and Maleny. At Mapleton Falls we listened to an assortment of bird calls on our rainforest walk while Ros pointed out features of sclerophyll forests. Colin and Lorraine were not at home (Dulong), but we met their daughter Kylie.

Kylie, whose home overlooks that of Colin and Lorraine

Walking with Ros near Mapleton Falls

A view near Mapleton

Ros dropped us in the busy carpark at the National Park in Noosa. It was a hot day and I went for a refreshing swim at Tea Tree Bay. Being an excellent tour guide I showed Mum round to Hell's Gates although I was disappointed by the lack of wind this visit. We met Ros as arranged, and she watched with amusement as I persuaded Mum to swim at Main Beach, rather unusual in that it faces north. Now 5pm, the lifesavers who are on duty here every day of the year had packed up and left, but there were still quite a few people enjoying this popular surfing beach.

Tea Tree Bay

Hell's Gates

Sunset near the mouth of the Noosa River

Ros prepared another wonderful meal as we finalised the plans for the following day. There were quite a few people we were hoping to see...