Election Day 21st August 2010

We had an unexpected hinderance when voting today. When we turned up at the nearest polling place to vote absentee, we were informed interstate visitors could only vote at an electoral office, the nearest one being in Southport. After an unplanned trip down the mountain we returned to our camp for a late lunch.

It was then too late to start out on a bushwalk so we opted to wander along Gallery Walk with its abundance of local arts and craft shops, antiques shops, galleries and cafes. We each bought a local award winning ice-cream "LICK" the best creamiest icecream we've ever experienced. The white chocolate and pistachio was scrumptious. We also indulged in a tasting of the famous Mt Tamborine Fudge and bought a small quantity of our favourites Creamed Macadamia and Coffee & Walnut to savour in future.

Today's sunset from Beacon Lookout, Mt. Tamborine.

MT TAMBORINE & GOLD COAST

There was a change of weather overnight and when we awoke it was very cold and raining persistently. When we ventured outside we found the clouds had descended on us and visibility was limited as shown in the photo. Conditions being unsuitable for bushwalking and sightseeing we decided to spend the day looking around Surfers Paradise.

We found this great playground along the Gold Coast beachfront. Faye couldn't resist a ride on the pedal train.
Lizard climbing mound and slide
Electronic wheelchair swing sponsored by the children's charity "Variety". Carers apply to council for access to this enclosed area and it is electronically operated.

Children's obstacle course for bike riders.

There is a bicycle track that meanders along the Gold Coast beach front stretching from Coolongatta to Southport and beyond; an easy relaxing ride with numerous interesting sights along the way.

We had fun dining at a "Sushi Train" restaurant in Surfers where you sit at a bar and choose plates of food as they pass by on a conveyor belt running around the inside edge of the bar. The cost is determined by the colour of the plate on which the food is served.

We spent the evening with Faye's nephew Geoff and his wife Lisa and met their three children (Tara, and twins Chelsea and Matthew). We had such a good time there we forgot to take a photo of the family.

Botanical Gardens, Mt Tamborine

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Cedar Creek Waterfall and Rock Pools, Mt Tamborine

Growth on tree trunk, at first glance I thought it was a giant beetle.

Sandy Creek Circuit, Mt Tamborine

A few photos of this mornings walk around the Sandy Creek circuit at the Knoll section of Mt Tamberine National Park. After reaching the top of the falls via a concrete bridge the path continued to the Cameron Falls lookout for a view of the falls.

Click on any image to increase the size for a better view.
Cameron Falls from the lookout.
It was real Tarzan territory with huge vines draped around the canopy. We came across this monster suspended across the path.
The roots of this tree spread for approx 75 metres around boulders making an exotic path edging.
A marvellous examples of a buttress root tree.
Strangler Fig wrapped around the trunk of a huge tree. Part of the trunk can be seen in the centre of the vine.
Faye standing beside the hollow trunk of an enormous Flooded Gum to give a concept of the size. The trunk was dark brown at the base and turned silver white from the line seen in the picture to the tree top.

MT TAMBORINE

Mount Tamborine is a National Park in the hinterlands behind the Gold Coast. It is a beautiful spot similar to the Dandenongs with many bushwalks. waterfalls and villages. Gallery Way, has a lot of quaint buildings painted in amazing colours selling wares.







Sculpture at entrance to Gallery Way premises







We stopped at a Brewery/Cheese Factory for tastings and bought their delicious locally produced Tamembert and some Goats Cheese. We also purchased a mixed selection of boutique beers from the Brewery to try them out.


A couple of interesting tin sculptures at the entrance to the cheese factory.







Sunset from Beacon Lookout, Mt Tamborine.

SURFERS PARADISE

We stopped at Coolongatta for lunch and noticed it had a lovely wide bike path that followed the shore. We think it may run all the way to surfers paradise and beyond, following the coast.

As soon as we set up camp in Southport we jumped on our bikes and rode until almost dark. After dinner we drove to Jupiters Casino, Surfers Paradise to watch people lose their money (we kept ours in our pockets). Its a very impressive building and it was interesting walking around looking at the gambling tables. We had a ride on the monorail connecting the Casino to Sofotel Hotel on the other side of the river, giving us a good view of Surfers by night.

We had planned to ride to Coolongatta and back the following day but someone was booked to come on our site so we had to move on.

BYRON BAY

We really enjoyed Byron Bay although it was an expensive place to stay. The council run caravan park, right on the beach was $50 per night for a powered site, $15 above what we were paying at 4 star commercial parks. We were able to secure an unpowered site for $35 per night and really enjoyed our stay there. They had a well equipped camp kitchen overlooking the beach so we prepared our meals there and enjoyed interesting company and a great view.

There was a wedding on the beach the day we arrived which added to the scene. We had a late afternoon walk to the lookout where we watched kite surfers having fun jumping waves powered by the wind.

We cycled along the shared pathway beside the beach before riding through the township. There is an easy going friendly atmosphere here and some interesting bike conversions for carrying surfboards on the side.

NAMBUCCA HEADS

We stopped at Nambucca Heads at the Lions lookout to view this most beautiful and interesting coastline. We continued on to Captain Cook Lookout and decided it was a good picnic spot for lunch.





Driving through the town we spotted this artwork which stretched for approx, 200 metres at a multiple bus stop. It was designed for use as seats for waiting passengers. Interesting!

COFFS HARBOUR

Heron on Mutton Bird Island






David at Lookout Mutton Bird Island, Coffs Harbour












Flora on Mutton Bird Island











This Blue Tongue Lizard stopped on the Coffs Harbour bicycle path as David rode past