Tewantin Qld August 18 2015

Tewantin Qld August 18 2015

One trick I have learnt when travelling, is to go to the i-place and get a birdwatching guide. Not that I want to track down birds particularly, but the guides that they supply usually have tracks and trails that lead you all over the countryside, to places to which you wouldn't normally go.

And so it was that we found ourselves at a place out the back of Tewantin called Lake McDonald, starting with the ubiquitous bird hide, so named because the moment you step into them, the birds go and hide.

Just hold the camera still taking snaps until a bird flies past. Lake McDonald. Tewantin Qld

Judy harassing dragon flies. Lake McDonald. Tewantin Qld

They are kinda cute though.  Lake McDonald. Tewantin Qld

Brian being snap-happy. Lake McDonald. Tewantin Qld

From here we were led up to the top of the volcanic plug called Mt Tinbeewah. well not quite top the top, there was still a 250m walk / climb to the actual top. We were passed by some bright young things carry ropes and metal bits and they took the direct route rather than the old farts paved path with hand rails. When we got near the top we came across a group of school kids being given lessons in abseiling, starting with the '24 metre', before moving up to the 'Monster 100'. Good on them. The adults running this told us that it's the last day in a 3 day program where they all go and live in the bush and do all kinds of character building things, ending with jumping off a cliff. They then have a slap-up bush tucker meal and get certificates and things. What a great idea.

Anyhow, we made it to the top and took some snaps before descending back to the carpark.

Judy striding out for the summit. Mt Tinbeewah Qld

Noosa and surround. Mt Tinbeewah Qld

From Mt Tinbeewah we drove around to Cooroy and had a wander around the town before settling on a cafe for lunch. Judy had a bacon-and-egg breakfast and I the leek and bacon soup.

Back on the trail, we were surprised to find that it took us straight past the Noosa Botanical Gardens. (It's like that here, everything is called Noosa this or Noosa that, even though it's miles from Noosa itself. You saw the pictures from Mt Tinbeewah, and we're further west again than that!) The gardens are not mentioned on any of the tourist brochures or by the i-people, but they should be. Situated on the high side of Lake McDonald (did they mention the lake? No, it doesn't exist either) and is a little gem. We had a lovely time wandering about looking at all the palms and ferns and tropical plants we just can't grow at home. They even have a Roman Amphitheatre, interesting, but a bit of an oddity.

Friends, Noosarians and Tourists, lend my your ears! Noosa Botanical Gardens. Lake McDonald Qld

 Noosa Botanical Gardens. Lake McDonald Qld

A fabulous unfurling fern frond.  Noosa Botanical Gardens. Lake McDonald Qld

We followed the trail right around the back of Tewantin in a big circle and ended up back at the van in time for our afternoon swim in the pool.

One of the best value-for-money activities here is the sunset cruise on the Noosa Queen. For $10 you get a boat ride up the river to the edge of Lake Cooroibah, where we get to watch the sunset over the ranges before cruising back down to the Noosa Marina, at Tewantin, of course.

Sunset. Lake Cooroibah, Qld

Sunset after-glow. Lake Cooroibah, Qld

Ripples on the river. Noosa River. Tewantin Qld

And here's a bit of fun to finish. Everyone else and their dog were taking selfies on their telephones and pad things, so why shouldn't I get in on the act with the DSLR? Judy went all shy on me but a nice snap anyhow.

Us on the Noosa Queen. Lake Cooroibah Qld