Mountains to beaches
One of my favourite things about living in this part of the world is spending my weekends wandering all the nearby mountains, national parks and Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Northern NSW beaches.
Last weekend I visited Mount Tamborine for the second time. This was a completely different experience to the first, not surprisingly as that was part of a wine tour. I met a work friend and we hiked through a few of the waterfall and rock pool tracks. The rainforest and creeks we walked through were so untouched and beautiful, even more so than the photos.
First up was Cameron Falls in Knoll National Park. The track was 2.6km return and took us past Sandy Creek to the Cameron Falls lookout. The falls can only be viewed in the distance so don’t expect to get up close.
The second track we did was to Curtis Falls which is the only waterfall in the mountain that you can view from the bottom of the falls. The walk to Curtis Falls viewing platform and Lower Cedar Creek was 2.4km return.
It was time for a well deserved lunch break in Tamborine town before we went for one more walk to the Cedar Creek Rock Pools. It’s a popular weekend hangout so parking can be busy but we managed to find a spot at the top of the street.
Once you get to the bottom of Cedar Creek Road to the car park, it’s only a short stroll down the mountain to the main rock pool hangout. There were people wandering over and around the other rock pools but we were quite content with the main area as you come off the path.
We sat and enjoyed the serenity, had a quick dip, watched the thrill seekers climb and jump off the rocks and let our legs rest for a good hour.
It was a really nice day in Mount Tamborine and so much more beautiful than I’d thought.
On Australia Day I went on a road trip my my work friends – I know it sounds like they are the only friends I have but lucky for me it’s so easy to make friends where I work. We journeyed down to Brunswick Heads in Northern NSW which is about a two hour drive from Brisbane depending on traffic.
We wandered the town, explored Torakina Beach and Brunswick Heads look-out, ate lunch at The Terrace Espresso Bar and spent the afternoon relaxing by the creek. It was a really nice town – not too big but with enough personality.
Around mid afternoon we drove up to Kingscliff Beach and spent a couple of hours laying and having a laugh… cartwheels and all… on the almost empty beach. It was so peaceful and great girl time.
The next day I went to the Sunshine Coast for the day with an out of work friend. We were headed for Mooloolaba Beach but it was tricky to get a park so we kept driving north and found a spot at the quieter Mudjimba Beach.
We set up our tent for the day, had a couple of drinks and listened to the Triple J Hottest 100. While the beach was nice and quiet, the waves were constantly annoying. You know when you just want to be able to relax in the ocean without worrying about when the next wave is going to dump you?! It was a bit like that!
We enjoyed the local fish and chip shop, MJ’s Fish & Chips on the Esplanade, for a late lunch before the journey back to Brisbane. The batter was definitely more schnitzel style!
It was a really nice Australia Day long weekend with my girlfriends – I’m very grateful to have them.
This year, I’m making a conscious effort to make the most of my time living in Brisbane by seeing as many of the nearby mountains, islands, beaches and national parks as possible.
I’m excited to visit Moreton Island next week with my cousin and Fraser Island and Noosa next month with my friend from Sydney.
Until next time…
LWL xxx