Archives for March 2013

I swear there are photos. Keep scrolling.

I didn’t take too many photos heading back down the coast. I’m just not as motivated to take photos of places I’ve already been. Unfortunately, my lack of motivation means there is nothing to document our stay at the creepiest campground ever!!

After our brief stay in Agnes Water, we headed down to the much adored Noosa.

Oh Noosa. The hostels were booked so we turned to camping (which I prefer anyway). We decided to head out to the cheaper option which required crossing on a ferry (which negated the savings) to a more remote area. At reception when we asked about a site the man said something like, “Yeah, I think we’ve got a few open spots for you.” Implying… there are other people camping here too… right?

The camping area was fairly far from the office, back behind an archery field and other cabin-like buildings. Rolling up it was pretty clear… we were the only ones here. It looked like everything had been closed down for the season. We picked a spot, got set up, and started cooking dinner… until we got attacked by birds!! Flapping their wings in our faces…

Birds of every kind were all over us… turkeys, magpies, parrots, ibis, the works! Mike finished cooking while I tried to keep the birds away. We ate in the car. There were several expletives and jumping into either the car or tent during this visit. I was even swooped by a magpie when I thought its nest was a koala… (that sounds so stupid).

On top of the attacking birds, the games room at the park was on and abandoned. The flickering lights of arcade games in a nearly deserted area is really unsettling late at night. Especially when you have a long walk to the bathroom. I never felt at ease in this place. We both still shudder when one of us brings it up. Ugh.

After Noosa we spent a much needed night at a hostel in Brisbane. Sometimes it’s nice to live the city life and catch a movie (Perks of Being a Wallflower). Then we spent a night camping in Coolangatta, stayed for a bit in Lennox Head, a stop in Coffs Harbour, and finally reached Port Macquarie. That’s where I started taking photos again…despite having been there before. (1, 2)

At this point we were playing the waiting game. We had some house sitting lined up but still had five nights to kill. We found a campsite for a good price and didn’t want to risk the high holiday prices by going anywhere else ($50+ for a non-powered piece of earth?!).

We spent our time playing at the beach, browsing at the library, and taking nature walks. This time I saw three koalas! (No big deal).

At the end of this camping trip, we were ready to house sit. Proper bed and fully equipped kitchen, here I come!

xo, jill

I swear there are photos. Keep scrolling.

I didn’t take too many photos heading back down the coast. I’m just not as motivated to take photos of places I’ve already been. Unfortunately, my lack of motivation means there is nothing to document our stay at the creepiest campground ever!!

After our brief stay in Agnes Water, we headed down to the much adored Noosa.

Oh Noosa. The hostels were booked so we turned to camping (which I prefer anyway). We decided to head out to the cheaper option which required crossing on a ferry (which negated the savings) to a more remote area. At reception when we asked about a site the man said something like, “Yeah, I think we’ve got a few open spots for you.” Implying… there are other people camping here too… right?

The camping area was fairly far from the office, back behind an archery field and other cabin-like buildings. Rolling up it was pretty clear… we were the only ones here. It looked like everything had been closed down for the season. We picked a spot, got set up, and started cooking dinner… until we got attacked by birds!! Flapping their wings in our faces…

Birds of every kind were all over us… turkeys, magpies, parrots, ibis, the works! Mike finished cooking while I tried to keep the birds away. We ate in the car. There were several expletives and jumping into either the car or tent during this visit. I was even swooped by a magpie when I thought its nest was a koala… (that sounds so stupid).

On top of the attacking birds, the games room at the park was on and abandoned. The flickering lights of arcade games in a nearly deserted area is really unsettling late at night. Especially when you have a long walk to the bathroom. I never felt at ease in this place. We both still shudder when one of us brings it up. Ugh.

After Noosa we spent a much needed night at a hostel in Brisbane. Sometimes it’s nice to live the city life and catch a movie (Perks of Being a Wallflower). Then we spent a night camping in Coolangatta, stayed for a bit in Lennox Head, a stop in Coffs Harbour, and finally reached Port Macquarie. That’s where I started taking photos again…despite having been there before. (1, 2)

At this point we were playing the waiting game. We had some house sitting lined up but still had five nights to kill. We found a campsite for a good price and didn’t want to risk the high holiday prices by going anywhere else ($50+ for a non-powered piece of earth?!).

We spent out time playing at the beach, browsing at the library, and taking nature walks. This time I saw three koalas! (No big deal).

At the end of this camping trip, we were ready to house sit. Proper bed and fully equipped kitchen, here I come!

xo, jill

Let’s-not-do-that-again!

After our sailing trip to the Whitsundays, we stayed in Airlie Beach one more night before heading back south to Eungella National Park. We camped at Platypus Bushcamp with high hopes of spotting the elusive creature. Despite spending a few hours beside the “crystal clear platypus viewing pool,” we were out of luck. The upside was that we did meet this fellow.

The next morning we continued on our way to tiny Agnes Water and teeny 1770. We approached our final destination (a campsite in a National Park) just outside town, right as the sun was setting. Perfect timing.

You see, driving after dark outside of major cities is not something you want to do in Australia. I mean, unless you enjoy smacking kangaroos up with your car. Or smacking your car up with kangaroos. There is roadkill everywhere and it’s not pretty.

Unfortunately, as we started down the gravel road to the campsite we noticed a sign that informed us we’d need a 4×4 to get there. Uh oh. With the light fading fast we hurried toward Agnes Water to check out the hostel situation. Fully booked. All of them.

At this point we resorted to driving around in the pitch black darkness (ever heard of street lamps Australia?) searching for caravan parks and hoping to avoid any wayward roos. It was not looking good. I was ready to “camp” in a secluded parking lot. In the end we found a caravan park that was closed for the evening. Mike was able to track down the manager and we were saved! No more driving in the dark! No more fear of kangaroos!

(This is also the night that someone in the park was snoring so loud that I could hear him through earplugs and my pillow. I ended up trying to sleep in the car for the added sound barrier. My tolerance for snoring is basically non-existent. I wish I could ignore it like most people but it just makes my skin crawl… Sorry snorers!)

In the morning we headed to the beach but didn’t stay long. The previous night’s events made us eager to get to our next destination long before nightfall.

And we did.

xo, jill