Tewantin Qld August 20th 2023

 Tewantin Qld August 20th 2023

Sunset over the Noosa River. Noosaville Qld

Another totally exhausting day crashing our way down the Bruce.

And, just when you thought it was tolerably bad and not far to go, it all turns to the “real mccoy”as my father was wont to say in polite company. You can almost see the end in sight, just 20km into Gympie, a quick sandwich by the park and ponds, then onto the Bruce Proper and sail down to the Noosa turnoff.

But no, this last twenty kilometres were the worst we have seen this trip. The road is atrocious, that’s the best I can say. It looks like bits and pieces have been patched up, there are one or two signs that big things may have been planned but have now been forgot. Its just awful.

Perhaps there is light at the end of that tunnel. Down near Gympie itself, off to the east you can see a massive bridge / overpass and road works. Then the penny drops: they are building the Gympie bypass and the rest of the roads are a minimal maintenance regime. Think: Pacific Highway for the last 20 years. Its going to be fantastic - one day.

Gympie itself was hosting a market and traffic jam. We were lucky to get out alive. An alternative to the park is Golden Arches, but they just aren’t accessible Gympie. We did see one sigh on our way in suggesting there was another MCDonalds at a place called Traveston some 25 odd kilometres past Gympie. Neither of us had ever heard of it. There being no alternative for lunch in Gympie we pressed on and finally reached the Bruce Proper and the travel smoothed out and we started to relax. Two big lanes, divided road.  Everyone is happy. Hammer time. 

But what’s this? A new exit - and it goes to a place called Traveston and promises to have a big roadhouse complete with a McDonalds. Of course we just had to take it and see for ourselves. Turns out its a brand-new huge service centre with plenty of RV parking (when you find it) and with a what has become the norm for thees places: an attached superseded pig-pen.

We bought Maccas coffee and a sticky bun from Dingos Bakery or somewhere, sat out in the sunshine and pontificated on the ills of the world.

Traveston Qld Service Centre. Image: borrowed from 'net

Finally strolled into our normal van park and lucked into what we think is the best site in the place. The pool is heated to 30°C, there are no yobbos with fire-pits and all is right with the world.

Took our usual stroll down Gympie Terrace (in Noosaville - not Gympie!) along the river, went into Noosa proper for a look-see and an ice cream, and finished the day with dinner at he Royal Mail Hotel in Tewantin, one of the nicest places to eat in the area I reckon.

Sunset over the Noosa River. Noosaville Qld