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Queensland Road Trip
  • We are Living the Dream
  • We are Living the Dream

Queensland Road Trip

Yeah, the borders are open so we are driving to Queensland.
The 1st week is relaxing atTangalooma 2nd week catch up with friends in Brisbane. Then off to Hope Island again to catch up with friends. 3rd week is Surfers also catching up with friends. Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 22, 2021
    We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    On the Road

    April 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Yeah, the borders are open so we are off to Queensland to stay at Tangalooma and to catch up with friends who live in Queensland.

    This trip was planned and booked to travel August 2020. Due to Covid 19 the borders closed and we could not travel.

    Finally allowed out of NSW so Queensland you get the pleasure of the Hopwood's.

    Our plan is resting 1st week on Moreton Island. 2nd week Brisbane catching up with Mark, Kevin, Jane and Beth.

    3rd week is Hope Island for a few days visiting Peter and Heather. Surfers is the next location for a few more days and catching up with David.

    John and I are really looking forward to seeing everyone.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler
    Ordering outside through the app as the wifi doesn't work inside.Another road trip, another Big Mac.

    Lunch

    April 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    My turn driving is finished for this section.

    Lunch time.

    This time McDonald's. Holidays are great for our junk food hit.

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler
    Apparently this half hour afternoon traffic is now the norm for Coffs.Yeah arrived just before they closed.Running through a tunnel in the banana so that we could get to the frozen banana shop quicklyFrozen banana is something to smile for

    Coffs Harbour

    April 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Quite a good drive to the outskirts of Coffs Harbour then we hit traffic. Bumper to bumper on Pacific's Highway so Google maps suggested the coast road it was a little better. We just made it to Big Banana before they closed.

    Now trying to find somewhere for the night. Who would have thought Coffs is a hard place to find a Hotel. All the Hotels in the city centre are booked. We eventually found one out of the town centre. I guess dinner tonight might be at the Hotel rather than a walk through town. Not to worry it is really only to sleep and we will be back on the road in the morning.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Opal Cove Resort

    April 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    All checked in at Opal Cove. Just as well it is really only over night.

    Once checked in we drove back into town centre for dinner at a local dumpling place.

    Now back watching a movie.

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler
    Entrance to Opal Cove Resort
    Road to Opal Cove ResortHere we go again.

    Brisbane next stop

    April 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Checked out and now for breakfast before hiting the road again. Opal Cove is very pretty and a great location a shame about the actual Hotel. Finally on our way. The ladies in the shopping centre love to chat and we are now about 40 min behind our schedule.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler
    Local area near our accommodation

    The Kingsford

    April 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    A very good drive, roads were great until we hit Queensland. The traffic on the Gold Coast freeway section was dreadful. Then smooth driving for a while then we hit the roadworks out of Brisbane.

    We are now in Hamilton at the Kingsford. It is a very basic hotel we have stayed here before but the location is great. Lots of cafes ,restaurants, Coles, Woolworths,IGA, and very close to Holt Street Wharf.

    How annoying just noticed I left a change of clothes at the Hotel in Coffs.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    The Verandah

    April 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Dinner tonight was yummo. Vietnamese Beef Betal Leaf ,Chicken Pho and Beef Pho.

    Back at Hotel relaxing a little too cold for a walk. Fingers crossed the weather is good for our week at Tangalooma.

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Leaving the Kingsford

    April 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    All checked out of The Kingsford and now having cake and coffee before going to Coles for some groceries to take to Tangalooma.

    It is a lovely day fingers crossed it stays that way for a week.

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Holt Street Wharf

    April 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    At the wharf waiting for the ferry.

    Let's go, Ferry full and no social distancing anywhere.

    The clouds are now starting to cover the blue sky. Just in time for relaxing inside with 4 walls rather than outside in the sun.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Tangalooma

    April 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Arrived at Tangalooma and our room is ready which is great. However, we have the same room as our last visit and we did not like it. All the rooms are the same it is more the location. No sun, no grass and right next to the footpath.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Sunset and Dolphins

    April 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Today was a lovely day sun shining and very relaxing.

    Sounds great doesn't it?

    Well, cannot sit anywhere near our room due to the neighbours from hell. They smoke heaps during the day and night and talk very loud. Even our music does not drown them out.

    I sat near the pool reading and John remained in our room waiting for maintenance for a number or hours.

     We needed maintenance due to the windows not closing properly, trying to keep the smoke out of our room.

    Maintenance finally turned up and spent ages trying to fix the windows, decided he would take the frame out and try and fix at the workshop but did not return for over an hour. Finally came back and still unable to fix so John said just board up the window at least it will keep out some of the smoke drift.

    Since we did not do much today we walked to the wharf to watch the dolphin feeding at Sunset. Yes, watch as it is very expensive to actually feed the dolphins and you only get 1 fish to feed, so in the water for a few minutes and then out. This activity used to be free when we first started coming here. It is still a nice thing to do as you can watch the feeding and still feel a part of the activity. Melissa, Tinkerbell is still coming in for her nightly feed and has had more babies.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Oh no!

    April 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today looks a little overcast and a walk along the beach to the south was on our agenda.

    Apartment locked up camera and water in hand and waiting poolside for John.

    Oops no walk now as it just started to rain.

    So let's have a coffee and freshly made cupcakes on our balcony, oh no, our neighbours are back and are now smoking. So coffee and cake inside.

    So looks like some computer work inside waiting for the sun the come out from those rain clouds so we can go for a walk.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Afternoon at Tangalooma

    April 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We eventually went for a walk to Tangalooma Point. It took about 1 hour.

    Now for afternoon tea and a rest.

    Tonight we will stay home we might venture out tomorrow night.

    Another relaxing day. Holidays doing nothing is wonderful for a change.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Morning Tea

    April 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Up late today so a late start.

    This morning the plumber came to fix up the water pressure in the kitchen sink. Just as we have 2 rooms so I could wash up in the other room.

    The rooms are a little run down but the grounds are still lovely.

    Morning tea in the Cafe today.

    It is a little windy and overcast today so we might stay around the resort today and do some reading.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Relaxation

    April 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Later in the morning the sun came out so we could relax poolside.

    I finished 1 book while John swam in the freezing pool.

    Back in the room started to read another book and John researching if we should sell Tangalooma. We do love it here but is the yearly maintenance fee worth it? That is the question. We do have it booked for September, so if we decide to keep maybe we could make it a family holiday.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    B & B Bar

    April 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    We thought we would come down to the Resort Centre for the night activities.

    Nothing on tonight so a Beer and a Expresso Martini at B & B Bar before heading back to our room to watch Netfix. Luckily it is a lovely night so a walk and a drink at the was rather nice.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Lazy Day

    April 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Certainly is relaxing at Tangalooma, we enjoy doing nothing. It has been a wet morning the sun is trying to come through the clouds.

    Not much on today because of the rain. If it clears and the sun decides to come out we plan walking to the wrecks. John will go for a swim and snorkel around the wrecks I will sit and read.

    Our neighbours from hell are up and as usual we can hear everything. The conversation goes a bit like this " we found the sand hills very tiring yesterday " Apparently a white bra is missing . Yeah, they leaving Friday originally they were leaving tomorrow but decided as it is raining they will stay an extra. Now they taking about clothes purchased at Kmart and Best and Less. Oh the joys.

    Oh well back to us ? for those who are interested we do love it here.

    The day did not improve so my computer work is upto date.

    Hope the sun is out tomorrow so we can go for a walk.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Walk and Snorkel at the wrecks

    April 29, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Early morning start today, well at least for us.

    After breakfast we walked to the wrecks John went snorkelling. It was not very clear but he did see a few fish including a wobbygong. I stayed on the beach and read trying to take in the small amount of rays.

    Now for morning tea and our noisy smoking neighbours.

    The afternoon is looking overcast so maybe no more reading poolside.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Afternoon Swim

    April 29, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    It ended up being a lovely day.

    A short walk to the beach to laze in the sun while John went for a swim.

    We stayed at the beach for ages as it was so nice being in a smoke and sound free zone.

    Back for late lunch before a walk to the shop for veggies for dinner and yummy icecream in a cone.

    Now for a rest and more reading.

    Nothing on tonight so I guess dinner in our room with a glass of wine watching Netfix.

    I wonder what tomorrow will bring.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Raining

    April 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    A very late start to the day as it is very wet.

    The day did not improve, it was wet on and off the whole day. This proved to be productive in a way and restful. I started this months book club book The Lost Apothecary and finished it all on the one day. It was a light read and quite interesting.

    In the afternoon the rain did stop long enough for John to go to the Cafe for cake to have with coffee in our room. I was emersed in my book so did not want to leave.

    Time for dinner and the rain had stopped so a short walk to the main building. Dinner was OK nothing special but filled our tummies. John had a beer and I had the happy hour cocktail which was very sweet. The best part was I did not have to cook.

    We even had some entertainment tonight again nothing great but better than sitting in our apartment.

    We are now back in our room and just about packed. Bags need to be collected by 8am and we leave on the Tangalooma Flyer at 10.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Leaving in the Rain

    May 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    It is pouring cats and dogs here at Tangalooma.

    We are both saturated. You would think after 30 years the owners of the Resort would have worked out a better solution.

    Bags left out in the rain awaiting collection for over 1 hour. At least checking out was easy. A quick coffee and cake before venturing out again in the rain for your Ferry ticket which you queue for standing in the rain. Then another wet walk to the Ferry.

    Now on the Ferry wet for the 1 hr 15 min ride back to the mainland. Where again no cover to collect your bag and walk to your car.

    Fingers crossed our Hotel room is ready so we can dry off and unpack.

    Even though some days were not pleasant and we had neighbours from hell we still enjoy coming here. It is not 5 star paradise but it does have the feel of 5 stars in relaxation.

    Goodbye Tangalooma until the next time we visit.

    That was the quickest collection of luggage ever.

    Now on the road to our Hotel.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Charlotte Towers

    May 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Took a little longer to get into Brisbane city lots of traffic and wrong turn somewhere.

    As expected our room was not ready so we went for a walk and lunch with some retail therapy.

    Now in our room it is quite nice with heaps of room and very close to a large shopping mall.

    1 load washing done, groceries purchased and packed away.

    Now relaxing waiting for Mark to arrive and take up to Mount Coot-tha and then dinner.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamQueensland Road TripTraveler

    Mount Coot-tha Reserve

    May 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    In the evening Mark came and picked us up from our Hotel and took us on a tourist drive to Mt Coot-tha Reserve (also known as Mt Coot-tha Forest) which is a 15-minute drive west of the Brisbane CBD. Mt Coot-tha is a Brisbane icon forming a backdrop for the city and is Brisbane City Council's largest natural area. It contains more than 1600 hectares of open eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies and creek lines. Mt Coot-tha Reserve adjoins the south-eastern section of D'Aguilar National Park. These two natural areas include up to 40,000 hectares of forest and feature spectacular views, seasonal creeks and waterfalls.

    The views of the city are spectacular. Whilst there we also had a lovely dinner at the cafe.

    Now for some History

    Before the establishment of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony at Brisbane Town in 1824, the Mt Coot-tha area was home to the Turrbal Aboriginal people.

    From the early days of the colony, residents travelled to Mt Coot-tha for the views. A lone, large eucalypt was left after clearing the top and the area named One Tree Hill. In 1873 the forests were declared a timber reserve to supply timber for railways.

    In 1880 a large part of the mountain became a reserve for a public park and named Mt Coot-tha, a derivation of the Aboriginal word 'kuta' meaning honey.
    In 1919 the lands transferred to Brisbane City Council. The park expanded in 1920 under Mayor William Jolly.

    Gold was prospected and mined at Mt Coot-tha intermittently from 1890-1950. The ore quality was very low and only small amounts of gold extracted.

    During the Second World War, the reserve became a military base and served as a mine storage and assembly depot.

    Thank you Mark for taking us on the tour it was lovely catching up.    Read more

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