Judy & Brian Tour Oz

Brunswick Heads NSW 15-20 September 2019 Back for our third stay at the North Coast Holiday Park at Brunswick Heads we found ourselves in a nice spot backing onto the river, but with a big old fig spreading out behind us over the water. This year we had a few water monitors come in to visit, but still no sign of the mythical python that's supposed to lurk around here. Water monitor coming to visit us in the van park. Brunswick Heads NSW The little town has started to change, picking the overflow from Byron Bay and of course the Gold Coast. A lot more cafes and a few more shops seem to be open. According to the Real Estate windows, housing prices are going a bit mental as well. We were disappointed to find that the Brunswick Hotel no longer sees the need to entertain its guests with trivia nights or musical bingo and the like, relying entirely on selling the well-heeled patrons overpriced food and beverages in their newly renovated and extended bar area. I went to the be...

Biggara Waters Qld 11-14 September 2019 We came here to do two things: visit my mate Reg and to do Main Beach Parkrun. Biggara Waters, or Arundel, or Labrador (it all seems to be the one place) is about 7km north of Southport, up along the Broadwater. We stayed in the Treasure Island caravan park again, but thought we'd be clever and booked ahead to get an ensuite site. There are about 8 of them, all on the back row away from the busy Brisbane Road and the childrens' playgrounds and water park. Seemed like a good idea at the time. However, when we turned into the lane behind the last row of cabins we were confronted with a sea of tents, and 4x4s and kids and bikes and helmets and stuff everywhere. We had no trouble backing in to our spot, but the noise! From 6 in the morning to 9 at night. First the kiddies crying and screaming and running mad from first light. And again after 4pm when they all come home tired and cranky from one of the big theme parkes, and later as dad ente...

Woodgate Bech Qld 4/5 September 2019 For several reasons, one of which is because we hadn't been there before but mostly to see if this was a viable alternative to Agnes Water, in case we lost 'our' spot there, we decided to come here for a look-see. It's about 70km south of Bundaberg on a reasonable but definitely 'back' road. The journey from Agnes Water is in total about 200km but seemed to take all day, topped of by endless road works once you take the turn to Woodgate. It all started to get some sort of familiar feel to it, but as soon as we hit the town proper we both said at the same time, 'Oi, we've been here before!' And so we had as it transpires, several years ago on an earlier reconnaissance tour. The park itself is one of the newly branded NRMA ones and while they have done a heap work to it, if we hadn't lucked into possibly the best spot, we wouldn't have rated it very highly. Apart from the van park, there is a long flat s...

Noosa Qld 4-11 September 2019 We're not really camped in Noosa, we are really in Tewantin about 10km up along the river, but as everyone does here, I'll call it Noosa because it's 'cooler'. For example, Noosa Marina isn't in Noosa, its right here in Tewantin, and a fine place it is too. We discovered that the Harbour Wine Bar situated right on the deck of the marina, has happy hour from 4:30 to 5:30 and they serve glasses of chilled Prosecco for $5 a pop. Add a cheese and antipasto plate, sit back and watch the ferry come and go. Nice. Another example is the Noosa Show. Now, this is actually at Pomona and has been since 1908. Pomona is a tiny village 30 km to the west of Noosa, up in the hills. And a nice place it is too. We wandered up to have a look around and spend a pleasant hour watching the show jumping and eating snag sandwiches. Mind you the 'Classic Car Show' was about half a dozen tired old Holdens, and the current model Mustang of the fe...

Agnes Water / Town of 1770 28 August to 2 September 2019 In some respects, Agnes Water is the main attraction for us in Queensland. And with a spot in the van park on the beach with this view and access, who can blame us? Judy relaxing into the 'vibe' that is Agnes Water The shortest of walks down the grassy path brings you to this: Agnes Water Beach, looking north from our van park as the moonlight plays upon the gentle ripples... Or you can take a 3km stroll up the beach before breakfast, take a snap and stroll back. Breakfast can wait, may as well have a swim in the crystal clear waters as well... My favourite beach is Chinamans, just down the road, just a quick drive and park right at the beach. Provided the tide is not too high, it's a delightful walk, and before 730 in the morning, deserted.  One set of feet out, and the same ones back. Chinamans Beach, Agnes Water Or if you are early and can take the time to sit and play with your...