On the Road Again, Day 1

2300 ks to go to Maryborough. 8.15 was our start time. the van loaded to the gunwales. We had several stops along the way. Rod knows the area well and wants to show us the countryside and stops at appropriate view points. The land we saw today is ideal for farming, rain enough to keep it lush, rivers that seem to pop up every few miles, even though they may not go far inland.


The rolling hills could be the Fraser Valley with bumps, or parts of England. Even pineapple is a crop in the area. The terrain is a far cry from the arid north and centre.

Devonshire tea in a quaint town called Mountville where Rod and Lyn honeymooned in 1970.


No wonder the English and Australians always talk about 'morning tea', it was delicious, even photographable. Lunch was at Mackers, [McDonalds]], on the run in the car.

One interesting photo stop was a view of the Glass House Mountains from the land side. Apparently these strange rock forms were spotted by the crew on Captain Cooks voyage and so named because they saw them only through their 'glass telescope'.

A few more photo stops and we arrived in a town called Currumbin, where after a bit of back and forth our hosts zipped into the Corrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Rod had in mind all day to be there at 3.15 to see the Aboriginal Folkloric Show, but never told us. It was a great end to a long day of travelling. It was wonderful, especially the fact that we had not expected it. We strolled with the animals and birds and had a great time. Fellette and Lyn held their tin plates of nectar up for the colourful Lorikeets to alight on it and lap up the juice.



The girls were so patient they reminded me of school girls in some sort of penance or punishment with their plates aloft while the fickle birds decided whom to honour with a visit. Once one came aboard others soon joined them. It was special. The koalas and kangaroos were co-operative as well. I actually saw two koalas moving!!!! Up until now any koalas we have seen have been immobile lumps of fur glued to a branch. Apparently the gum leaves are hard to digest and they are lethargic as a result. By the way koalas are not bears, they are marsupials.





Around 6 we looked for a bed for the night, found it in Kingsbridge 150 yards from the ocean. Dinner was at a sports club 500 meters away where we had fish and chips ,or stew or sausages and potatoes, as a faded musician sang and played every instrument under the sun. About 200 locals and travellers were in the cavernous hall-like room. It was a bit strange for Fellette and I but apparently Sports Clubs are very common. Cheap meals being the main attraction I think, you can of course buy drinks and play the Poker Slots, where Rod says they make their money. It certainly was not The Bedford House but it sure tasted good!

The weather: Always good, a matter of how hot and is their any wind or cloud cover.

Factoid: Australia has done away with pennies in their currency. Goods are 'rounded' up or down automatically by the cash registers.