Toowoomba – What to do

11/07/202011/07/2020

This good old fashion Australia regional town is a large enough to get lost but small enough to walk around.

Situated only 90 minutes from Brisbane it is the last of the larger towns going west and is renown for it’s pretty gardens and flowers.

I have been coming here for years and have always had a pleasant stay. The town folk are friendly and it is a much different vibe to the closest Aussie cities of Brisbane and Gold Coast.

I am usually here for a work engagement, children’s sporting event or visiting family.

This visit we decide to pop up for 2 nights as Covid restrictions means no international travel, so it’s time to revisit our famous Aussie towns.

We stay in a beautiful airbnb and do a lot but also nothing.

Toowoomba, being the city of gardens, does have many beautiful outdoor spaces. Gardens, flower shows, a Japanese garden and just walking through the beautiful wide streets will leave you inspired.

In September is the famous flower show but every time of year there are delightful gardens to have picnics in or wander through.

The other places of interest are Cobb & Co museum, the beautiful architecture of the CBD and Picnic Point.

The town is perched up quite high on what is called the scenic rim. There are many walks to do along the rim but this weekend we are blessed with rain so don’t venture too far from our airbnb and friends.

For a great coffee head to Nick’s place called Wendlands Fine Foods. Although there are many awesome coffee houses around town.

Preston Peak Wineries is a ten minute drive south of town but is closed for a private function on the day we go but has beautiful commanding views over the Lockyer Valley.

The main shopping precinct is called Grand Central and is like every other big shopping centre in the world but great if you do want to catch up on some shopping or having retail withdrawals.

All in all Toowoomba is a great rural country town and very different to the sea towns in Australia. You will need wheels to get around and if you are willing to explore can pick up some mustering, polo games, dirt bike events and more.

The Bangalow Food Festival

30/11/201730/11/2017

Bangalow is a funky town twenty minutes inland from Byron Bay. It’s also reasonably close to the Gold Coast and a day trip is easy.

Bangalow has a many festivals, markets and events and is worth visiting.

Last minute we decide to head to the Bangalow Food Festival. With no expectations of the festival, we were stoked to be heading Byron way.

The kids are a little older now and I am happy to give them a little bit of freedom and money to buy their own food.

My friend’s children are there aswell so they hang out together.,eating plates of dumplings, to pulled pork to home made ice cream.

There are a few scattered cooking segments, a chief cook-off and food tasting. But missed most of it.

It would have been good to have more entertainment, music or comedians… and the prices were quite expensive.

However the winter’s sun, the happy vibe, make for a good day out.

Binna Burra Gold Coast Hinterland

21/11/2017

There’s something very Ned Kelly about Binna Burra and the Gold Coast Hinterland.

I am always surprised more people don’t visit as it is so close to the coast and yet, offers a totally different perspective of Australiana. Green bush, misty fog, a cooler climate – it is actually like leaving Queensland for the day and entering into a southern alpine region and stepping back in time. Well so I play out in my mind.

Today I just wanted to escape the four walls of my office and clear my head around some work planning.

The drive up requires concentration as it does weave and swerve but once up the top of Beechmont Mountain Range the views are inspiring and the traffic light.

A few of the tracks are closed at the moment – still from the floods and land slides we had at the beginning of the year. You can check on what is open when you get up there or on the QLD National Parks website here.

I like the Cave walk but it is closed today – so I have to settle for the border walk and just turn around after I am satisfied my brain is clear!

Pademelons bounce around the bush, whip birds send their amazing “whip” sound into the air and trees with hundreds of years wisdom groan in unison. I really love the Aussie bush.

Today a koala perches in a tree – a friendly reminder that wild life still dominates the Australian Bush.

The Binna Burra Lodge is a beautiful place to relax. Upstairs is a loft – the library lounge, and I have done much work up there over the years.

The cafe is OK. Nothing special and most of the menu contains gluten which is a shame.

I have been going to Binna Burra for years and it used to thrive where as no days it is much quieter. The midweek crowd is the tourist bushwalker and the grey rinse brigade.

And me! I still love it and will continue to go.

When you go for a walk in the rain you have to check yourself for leeches and when it is dry ticks. And of course like any Aussie bush carry a stick in case of snakes… and don’t touch spiders and watch out for boobie traps! The last one was a joke.

Albert Creek Winery

09/08/201721/08/2017

Listening to the sound of the gurgling creek beside my table, gazing over the vineyard feeling that yummy mummy bliss.

This Saturday lunch, I have taken myself and the kids to Albert Creek Winery.

The kids have taken themselves off to explore and I am happily reading up about this lovely property.

The sparkling white is a delight!

Months ago I purchased one of those 50% off on-line deals for lunch here. The expiry date for the voucher long came and went but the winery still obliged and honoured the voucher. Feeling very grateful and happy today is lovely.

They normally have a lunch time special; 2 courses for $35 or 3 courses for $45. Accompanying the specials menu (yummy soup, pork belly, and calamari for entree today, Chicken rolled in proscioto/parmesan , barramundi or vegetarian rissotto) and delicious desserts.

Alpine Hiking Mt Rigi

10/05/201731/05/2017

Switzerland offers many walking adventures, many accessible from trains, furniculars, cables and car.

Today we set off for a short 3 hours walk along Mt Rigi.

There is a car park at the bottom and three options for getting to the start of many walks. You can walk the entire way but you would need a day. The first part is very step. We choose to take the furnicular which is around 30 Swiss Francs return.

At the top you can switch off your mind and just follow the track. This is the start to many tracks but the main one is easy to follow and will take you to the summit of Mt Rigi.

The Swiss Alps start declaring themselves early on and are nothing short of breath-taking. It is hard to get one’s mind around the fact that the ones in front are 2000+ metres and the ones in the back ground are 4000 + plus. You really feel on top of the world, mingling with the clouds and gods.

There are plenty of things to see and do along the way. Cafes serving hot tea, wine, food are littered along the walking track.

Cows are taken to the hills in the summer and we are there on the last day they will inhabit the slopes until next summer. We are fortunate to witness the rounding up of the cows, with their big ding-dong, jingle bells as they are mustered to lower pasteurlands.

I love seeing this side of the world… traditional farming techniques that have worked for years and honoured season after season. It works, so why change it? And as my friend says, happy cows = happy milk.

The last part of the walk to the summit is step but very manageable with chairs scattered along the path to the top.

You can catch a train if you wish – the old carriages – some built in 1880 are reliable and comfortable.

At the top there are two dining options – a self serve buffet, or a sit down a la carte restaurant. Depending on the clouds, you will either get the most amazing pan views of the alps and valleys, or fluffy white clouds.

We opted for the self serve buffet and wine, then the train back to the starting point.

The train ride down is excellent and there are many opportunities to take photos of the lush forest. Towards the end there is a lovely waterfall on the right hand side of the train. If you have longer, you can walk down instead of catching the train.

We met a lady on the train who had done 58 walks in 4 months, so there are not shortage of walks not scenery. Have some fun, take a warm jacket and good walking shoes (sneakers are fine) and enjoy the magnificent views from the top of the world.

Hollgrotten Caves

10/05/201710/05/2017

Not far from Zurich in Switzerland are some pretty caves. Very family friendly this easy day trip is worthy of a visit.

Hollgrotten Caves are worth the trip!

I am staying in Baar, which is 30 minutes by train from Zurich. My friend has leant me his bike so for me, this is the best way to get there. Other options are by car. Or to walk from Zug would be about 3km.

By bicycle, you can follow the river along the picturesque forest floor.

Greens, moss, trickling water make this surreal trip so magical.

I pause regularly to suck in the smells of the forest and hear the sounds. With so much deforestation ocurring and global warming heating the planet making many parts arid and desert like, it is comforting to know that well preserved in Switzerland as some lush forests.

Once you get to the car park of the grounds, there is a beautiful restaurant and bar. There are many places for children to explore and I find my little child bubbling with excitement.

A short walk from the restaurant and you will find the ticket box. The cost is 12 Euro and includes a self guided walk.

It is a short cave system but perfect for a family and for people who might be anxious about going into the Earth’s belly.

I am excited!

The caves are illuminated with different coloured lights and the piece de resistance is the middle cave which includes alight show and soft accompanying music.

It doesn’t take long to go through the caves but I relish the experience and take my time. Meditating while there as no one else came through while I was there. Truly a special moment.

The Snubtip Dolphin and Broome Whale Watching

06/12/201606/12/2016

I knew from the minute I made my booking that my experience with Broome Whale Watching was going to be a professional, relaxed trip.

Cameron, the captain and owner of the tour company, has taking guests in search of whales and sea life for years. He is a local, born and bred (just up the road, which is 300km away)!

With a massive depth of local knowledge and a genuine care for the wild life in this incredible bay, Cameron (and his staff) will take you on an experience that you won’t forget.

My experience went a little like this…

Pick up from my accommodation in a bus- air conditioned, spacious and clean… I decided at that point to leave all the worry, stress and anxieties to the never never and to trust that all would be ok. And it was!

The bus took us to the Jetty where we ventured to a nearby tender and were escorted to the catamaran.

Once on the catamaran we were made to feel like it was a second home. Take your shoes off, put them in the box and feel free to roam around the boat.

There were plenty of places to hang out, and chill.

There were two toilets on board, plenty of under shade areas and if you were melting you could go underneath to the air-con cabin.

The kids were really well catered for which is a bonus if you have to travel with them.

Ok to the BEST bits.

We headed out to the current in Roebuck Bay and followed the channel along the coast line looking for the incredible snub tip dolphin, or “snubbies” to locals.

Only recognised as a new species in 2005 (!) they have drawn attention for naturalists and sea lovers, including David Attenborough who visited only a short time ago.

They are beautiful little creatures and are only found in small numbers around the world, putting them on the endangered list. It is estimated there are 1000-3000 only globally.

With 170 of them playing and being delightful little critters in Roebuck Bay.

I loved the little details Cameron gave about the dolphins – they have a neck that extends so they can itch their tummies. They hang around in pods of 8-10.

He recognises many of the families from scars and markings on the dolphins.

You can see he is passionate about their conservation and wants to share them with the world.

After flirting with the darling dolphins for awhile, we head off in search of turtles and dugongs.

We learn all about the sea bed, the important role it plays with global warming.. how it traps carbon and dredging is leading to a rise in global carbon…

We spot a few turtles who break the water and dive quick as they are hunted by locals… turtles are still a favorite meal of the Australian indigenous population.

Apparently six of hte world’s seven turtles are found in this bay.

The bay also has the second highest tidal flow in the world.

After seeing a few turtles, and spot a dugong munching on the seabed we meander back to town.

Feeling pretty spoilt with teh wild life, and incredible water and sun, we are also treated to food. First up are cakes, then a quiche, then delicious fruit salad.

Finally when I thought the experience couldn’t get better, we are offered a cold face cloth! Superb.

I can highly recommend doing this activity and urge you to go iwth Cameron and his crew.

It is a very interesting day and the best way to learn about conservation and our remarkable planet.

The Best 24 hours visiting Fishhouse, Rainbow Bay & Kiva Spa

25/04/201625/04/2016

The last 24 hours have been superb. So relaxing, so decadent and wonderfully fun.

My friend came to stay with me last week and seeing as we have both been working a lot we decided to have a mini holiday.

We headed off for an amazing dinner at my GC fav: Fishhouse in Burleigh Heads. From the minute you enter the service and experience is everything you would hope for in a five star restaurant.

Bread made fresh, clean wines and an extensive list and the BEST seafood in town.

I settled on my favourite seafood, scallops, for entree and a fish I had never heard of for dinner. I will have to go back and write a full review as this doesn’t do it justice!

A lazy sleep in, then off to Rainbow Bay Surf Club for remarkable views and an excellent $10 lunch! I had sea trout, chips and salad and my friend has whiting, chips and salad. A great meal and worth it just for the views.

To finish off a magnificent short break, we head to the Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby.

Timid at first (neither of us had been there before) we pushed through our anxieties and were greeted by a romantic escape that felt like a week.

We both agreed our massages were the best – leaving us in a semi comatosed state, and then we drifted around the bath house, in and out of hot tubs, plunge pool, steam room and the magnificent fire sauna. I couldn’t take photos (cameras not allowed) but the memories you take from your trip are all that are needed.

We needed to “earth” ourselves before driving back to reality so headed to the Mullum pub. Or correctly the Middle Pub.

Middle Pub Mullum — Photos of early Mullumbimby

Established in 1904 the pub has a lot of character and interesting things to look at. Period photos of the last turn of the centre, beautiful stainless glass images and funky furniture. The wine went down even better.

Truly relaxing and a wonderful way to round of a min 24 hour holiday on the Gold Coast.

Pool side office Couran Cove

22/03/201622/03/2016

A favourite local escape is to Couran Cove on South Stradbroke Island off the Gold Coast.

Self contained apartments that are cool and offer all the necessaries (fridge, hot top, bath etc) with great views. Ramada Hotel Chain managed the property for awhile but I am not too sure who owns it now.

Sometimes I take the children, other times I go alone. Today was a short day trip.

A few hours on the island can feel like a substantial time. I catch the 930am ferry over and by 10.20am have set up pool side.

There are lots of things to do and the resort welcomes day trippers.

As a day tripper you can moor your boat at the marina and use the facilities.

There’s an easy walk (approx 45 minutes) to the other of the resort bringing you to the open sea.

The beach is beautiful and usually deserted.

If you bring children they can play in the adventure playground, ride bikes, run across the duck board walk, stand up paddle, kayak in the safe moat and play in the pool.

The pool in the middle of the resort is BIG. I love it for doing laps, for cooling off or playing with the kids. What I really like is the laid back Aussie atmosphere and chance to sip a cocktail pool side. It FEELs like holidays should feel.

Today I set up my temporary office and dive into some blogs and admin.

There is Australian wildlife every where. Milling around on the grass areas such as wallabies and kangaroos. Kookaburras, butcher birds and magpies. Very occasionally you will see a goanna runing across the sand.

It’s very cool, user friendly and relaxing.

Today I ate the Thai Beef Salad, which was really delicious and appropriately priced.