Day Trip To Caloundra, Sunshine Coast. Queensland Australia

Sure COVID19 has seen better days. But things are starting to move again. And if you need a reminder of how special we have it, take a stroll along Mooloolaba Beach on a beautiful spring morning; climb Mt Coolum; check out the quaint shops in Montville; or explore the spectacular paths along Noosa National Park and the Caloundra headland. This week, after a draining week at the office, we escaped early and took our furry friend (Shari) out for a treat to one of the best dog beaches on the Sunshine Coast, Moffat Beach. 

Moffat Beach lies between Moffat Head and Tooway Lake. Moffat Beach is connected to Shelly Beach by a coastal pathway over the headland. Dogs are permitted off leash on the beach, as indicated on the provided signs from 4pm to 8am

The beaches are ace, the people are the most bonza you'll ever meet and the lifestyle is the sort that turns Sydney and Melbourne corporate types green with envy.

Normally we would head up to The Pocket Espresso Bar, which is a unique little piece of paradise where you can escape, rejuvenate & fix almost everything and the Wicked Guru Coffee, is awesome. But this time we headed just a sticks throw from Moffat Beach to the newly opened Molly and Co, which is a great addition to the local cafe scene. Set well back from the pavement, it features pretty decor and comfortable table seating both under cover and outside, plus there is even a cute enclosed doggie play area which Shari had to check out.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday morning breakfasts of bacon, egg, cheese on Turkish bread, plus waffles with bacon. Meantime, our fur baby lapped up her puppy cino, declaring it pooch perfect.

Molly and Co is run by very friendly and accommodating staff and features a very reasonably priced menu. We now have a great café to stop in when we are up the coast again and will sure be a winner with both the local dog-owning fraternity and visiting holidaymakers alike.

Breakfast finished we did a quick stop at Kawana Waters Artisans & Farmers Market, which are on every Saturday morning at the Kawana State Primary School showcasing Sunshine Coasts producers and artisans. Kim had a quick look, grabbing some fresh fruit.

Kim then checked out a couple of shops before we took a dip at the east facing calm waters of  Golden Beach on Pumicestone Passage, which is ideal for safe swimming, windsurfing, boating, canoeing and fishing.

With the sunny weather the Sunshine Coast is a continuous invitation to adventure outside with your four-legged friend. Many dog lovers have made this part of South East Queensland their home, and the area has responded with plenty of dog friendly cafes, bars, hikes, and beaches you can visit with your pup.

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Day Trip To Laidley, Queensland. Australia

Long Weekend in Bundaberg, Queensland. Australia.

Many Queenslanders, like us, love a good road trip. Whether it’s heading to the beach for a long weekend, booking a resort holiday for a family getaway or exploring somewhere off the beaten track in a 4WD, Queensland families are drawn to the outdoors. With Queensland being the second largest state in Australia, and road-tripping being so popular, we took the opportunity to hit the highway to Bundaberg for the long weekend. Bundaberg is located on the Burnett River 14 metres above sea-level, 20 km from the coast and 371 km north of Brisbane. It is impossible not to be impressed by Queensland's great and gracious coastal cities that have charming late-nineteenth century elegance about them. Tropical parks and gardens, lazy green-brown tropical rivers, handsome Classical Revival buildings with solid Doric and Corinthian columns, wide streets, the sight of palm and fig trees, the heady scent of bougainvillea and jasmine,  these are the memories which filter to the surface when one looks back. Of course each city has its own idiosyncracies. In the case of Bundaberg, images of the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery, the incongruity of Bert Hinkler's stucco-and-brick English home in the middle of luxuriant sub-tropical botanical gardens, and the Lutheran Church with its huge Biblical text facade - all of these linger long after memories of the old Commercial Bank and the post office buildings have faded from memory.

Just before we hit Bundaberg we took a leisurely drive to the seaside town of Elliot Heads. You can take in nearly every picturesque vista imaginable on your journey to Elliott Heads - small crops, sugarcane, rural settings with cows and paper-bark trees all feature along the road to the beachside destination. Located at the mouth of the Elliott River, Elliott Heads offers both surf and beach swimming and the calmer waters of the river mouth. A popular destination for locals this picturesque beach offers sweeping white sand, effervescent blue waters and is a haven for kite surfers and jet skiers.

The town is also home to a shady, landscaped caravan park adjacent to the patrolled beach, a cafe and several picnic spots with BBQ and toilet facilities. You can easily spend a day, week or month at Elliott Heads. We took a walk down to the river mouth with Shari (pup) to stretch our legs and get a little wet. Dogs are allowed only on a lead.

From Elliott Heads we headed 10 minutes north to Bargara. When in Bundaberg, Bargara is one of our first stops with scenic waterfront walks, farm fresh produce, temperate beaches, bars, cafés and a selection of surf and souvenir shops to ponder. You can even swim and snorkel the entire length of Kelly’s Beach, from the tidal lagoon at the southern end to the northern basin sheltered by a manmade rock wall. From Bargara we headed to our accommodation at the Coral Villa Motel. 

We picked this Pet Friendly Motel due to the location and a courtyard surrounded by beautiful gardens which was perfect for relaxing. The Coral Villa Motel is operated by the Rout family who love Bundaberg and Australia who work hard, have attention to detail, ensuring your stay is relaxed, comfortable. The Motel is close to everything you need, want and like. The first thing you see arriving is the bright red Telephone Booth, one of only 450 in the world, the booth was found in a terrible condition, repaired and restored to its former glory and Roxy the Dinosaur, which came from the Blue Mountains. Later in the day we headed to the undercover BBQ area which a few coldies, and a swim. 

Shari (pup) was given permission to have a swim in the pool, so she took full advantage and lapped up her first time swimming in a pool. 

The BBQ area is stocked with all the utensils you will need to cook and free for guests to use and the hosts clean up when you’re finished. 

The next morning we headed early for breakfast at Oodies Café. A retro double garage on the edge of Bundaberg's city centre, which is the unlikely venue for Bundaberg's most cosmopolitan, cozy atmosphere, great vibes, and great food café. The Café has art-spangled walls, bric-a-brac, to check out while you’re expertly made coffee and breakfast is delivered. The stream of takeaway is constant, as is the relaxed buzz inside. 

Oodies Café is Pet Friendly and we both enjoyed the big breakfast, which was delicious and generous in size. 

From the café we headed to Alexandra Park, which offers a playground for all ages under the shade of large trees. Nestled on the banks of the Burnett River on Quay Street, Alexandra Park is also home to Bundaberg’s council operated zoo. The zoo was established in 1911 and is one of Queensland’s oldest continuously running zoological facilities. Today, the zoo is home to a compact menagerie featuring exhibits with pint-size monkeys, dingos, lizards, birds and more. While you are there, keep an eye out as the wildlife keeper may just bring the dingoes out for their daily stroll through the park. Kim went in to check out the little critters while I took Shari (pup) down the Riverside Walk. 

After the Zoo we walked the CBD checking out the shops. Kim took a beeline to Cha Cha Chocolate, which specialises in Handmade Fudges, local Bundaberg Products, European Chocolates, Gourmet Gift Hampers, Specialty Chocolates and Vegan & Dairy Free Products.  From the CBD it was a short walk for lunch at River Cruz Café.  

River Cruz Cafe has homely well priced filling foods in one of the best locations in Bundaberg sitting under the large trees with a cool breeze from the river. 

Tummy’s full we headed to Bundaberg’s biggest claim to fame, the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery. The Visitor Experience offers three tours; the Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience, the Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience and a Blend Your Own Rum Experience. There is also a Retail Store, where visitors can purchase exclusive and limited edition products, and the Bear Garden Cafe & Bar area.

The Museum Experience is a self-guided tour, where guests walk through six 75,000 litre oak vats in a unique sensory experience that showcases the proud and rich history behind the iconic Australian rum. As part of the Distillery Experience, guests join one of the expert guides on a journey deep into the heart of the fully operational distillery. For those that want to try their hand at becoming a Master Blender, the premium Blend Your Own Rum Experience allows guests to learn the art of blending their very own rum straight from the barrel.

 In light of the current situation, the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience was closed until further notice. The Distillery Store remains open observing all recommended social distancing protocols and additional cleaning and hygiene practices are in place. 

It was getting late so we headed back for some afternoon drinks and swim in the pool.

 

 

Bundaberg is a decent place to live, but is lacking that something to make it a thriving tourist destination you talk about long after you visit. There’s no shortage of things to do in Queensland, let alone Australia, but the Bundaberg Council only promotes Bundaberg as the Southern Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with day trips to Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//-24.88039,152.3280294/@-24.88039,152.328029,15z?hl=en-AU

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