TCB/xmas

This year we are experiencing a few more Christmassy activities. Last year we decided to get off the road and hide away in the Mt Remarkables National park, but this year as we drive along the Queensland Coast we are made more aware of Christmas.

We enjoyed the Xmas Carols at Innes Park and were surprised by the turnout of people. Even the dogs joined in the fun. (PHOTOS)

Superman and Muz send Christmas greetings to everyone and hope you all have a safe Christmas.

Heading towards Tin Can Bay, we stopped at a free camp on the side of the road at Apple Tree Creek. This is an extremely noisy/busy spot-last week 3 people were killed here-we can see why, although it is 80kmph as you pass through Apple Tree Creek, very few trucks adhere to this. At night the speed noise is incredible as you listen to trucks roaring along the road. Apple Tree Creek has the most delicious pizza’s we have ever eaten, at the Sticky Beak Café and they also make a divine ginger beer/mango drink. The main reason we subjected ourselves to this noisy camp was – across the road is the Flying High Bird Park-claiming to be Australia’s largest aviary. It was, actually rather interesting and very clean, a bi run down, but even so we felt worth a stop. (PHOTOS)

Moving on the next day we headed to Tin Can Bay Tourist Park. We treated ourselves to a week here and the added convenience of an ensuite site. An ensuite site comprises of a shed/room next to your van that has a shower/toilet/hand basin and you don’t share with anyone. This ensuite was as big as a small garden shed, so we were able to put the WAECO in here and our dirty laundry, and the boys at night. These sites do cost more, usually up to $10 a night more, but being top tourist park members-with our discount we had a week here for $173.00. Alongside this we had access to a large concrete pool-the nicest and cleanest we have come across. One thing we do find in camping grounds is people keep to themselves-the friends we have made on our trip have come from ‘free/bush’ camping.

TCB is a lovely seaside, less commercial than Rainbow Beach. While we have been travelling, we have enjoyed the hospitality of various clubs as we join members for a spot of bingo. We have discovered that on the Queensland coast either morning or afternoon tea is provided, eg sammies and last week a Xmas afternoon tea at the Tin Can Bay Bowling Club-very yummy.

Fraser Island did not interest us, so we viewed from across the sand at Rainbow Beach. (PHOTOS)

A trip into Gympie was interesting-we had no idea this small town is on a hill and in the last floods the main street which is situated at the bottom, I guess in the valley floor, flooded. There is no reason to be fat in this town, up and down all day you would be walking, can’t imagine being able to ride a bike. Gympie has a lovely mosaic remembrance wall. The town must be suffering as it has numerous op shops, closed shops, and $2 shops. (PHOTOS)

On Thursday we are moving to Coolum Beach to spend Christmas with ex Kiwi/Perth friends.

Remember photos can be viewed on a seperate blogsite.