The Nomads at the Sunshine Coast

Hello to all, since we last blogged we decided to leave the Queensland coast and its sand flies and head inland. It was a great decision, we drove from Yeppon via Rockhampton to Biloela with the plan of heading south along the Burnett Hwy. Just stayed one night in the Biloela Caravan Park which was pretty ordinary, but the clear sky and sunset was beautiful.
Next day headed south through green fields of wheat which was nice to see. Stayed two nights a Cania Gorge in a beautiful park set in a valley between high rocky cliffs with tall gum trees, scenic bush walks, camp fires, lots of birds and grassy camp sites. The first night there was a bush poet reciting to an audience around the campfire. We went four wheel driving through some spectacular rugged countryside to the site of the now vanished, Mondal goldfields. We drove up high ridges with views towards the coast, over the valleys with lush farms. A really beautiful part of Queensland and not a sand fly in sight.
We then traveled on through the small country towns of Monto, Eidsvold, Mundubbra to stay a free night at Gayndah. These towns are clean, tidy and prosperous and you can see the locals take a real pride in them. Gayndah which has lots of citrus orchards had some beautiful “queenslander” homes for under $200K. It is listed as the oldest town in Queensland and is a place you could live. Also staying at the free camp was a couple who now live on the sunshine coast. The man used to work with Sue’s uncle Morrie Ryan at the Naval stores depot in Sydney and still keeps in contact with him, small world.
The next day we were not sure where we were going to end up but when we heard there was a rodeo on at Kinaroy we headed to the Yallaokool Tourist park on the Bjelke Petersen dam near Murgon. Another beautiful place and were pleased to book in for two nights as each caravan site had its own ensuite bathroom. The only downside of this park was that the magpies were nesting and swooping anyone who went for a walk without an umbrella or stick to wave over their head for protection. Before Sue realised the danger, she was hit by a magpie which drew blood. One got me the next day when I was not being vigilant, but it just wing hit me. Next day we drove to Kingaroy for the rodeo which was great, It was a small rodeo ground so you were closed to the action and just watching the locals enjoy themselves was great. I love watching the children with their hats, checked shirts and moleskins who are miniature versions of their parents. They stand on the rails of the cattle yards directing the cattle with their shouts and arm waving. It was a charity rodeo put on by the lions club and so was very casual and it was a great afternoon, with some beautiful horses and skillful riders.
From here we drove to Gympie, only an hour away and found a dog friendly park. Spent three days here waiting for mail but visited Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay and the beautiful Mary river Valley that Beattie wants to flood for Brisbane water supply, It will be a real loss if it goes ahead.
We are now spending a week on the Sunshine coast at Peregian Beach, which is very nice. Great to be at a beach with a surf and no sand flies. Yesterday we found a second tick on Olly and this one was the potentially fatal paralysis kind so we rushed him to the vet. He had been favoring his leg for a few days which caused us to check him over, but Luckily we got it off him before it had done much harm and as we put Frontline on him each month it helps to prevent the transmission of the poison to the blood. So he is OK now but we have given him a real short hair cut today to make it easier to check him each day. The vet said that the ticks are really bad at this time of year.
We took it easy today, went to the farmers market for fruit and veg watched a bit of “Bathurst and had a swim in the crystal clear pacific Ocean, life’s tough !!!! Not sure how long we will stay her but we might head down to the Gold Coast to see Christine (Sue’s sister) and Dennis and family and maybe have a look at Indy. Hope you like the pictures.
So that’s all until next time, love to all, Sue, Chris & Olly.