Thurs, 5th Feb, 2026 Roald & Joan’s place, Cooroibah, Qld (exploring Noosa River)

Cool morning, 19 degree min but it warmed up quickly under a clear blue sky.

Went up to the house for a chat. Joan had a lunch date with a friend so Roald suggested we go on the Noosa River ferry and have lunch in Noosa. Sounds good.

We went with Roald in his faithful Landcruiser to Tewantin and parked at the wharf. Mr Lizard was guarding the step.

Got our tickets for the ferry. Good map on the fence.

Went for a wander. Some interesting boats moored here - a chopped paddlesteamer!

The boys are waiting patiently.

Our ferry arrived. Roald said he hoped we got Captain Brad who they had last trip as he was very informative and had said call him Mr Pitt, haha.

Very nice inside - like an old river boat. We had another captain but he was very informative too. He pointed out one of the sites along the river where they are growing oysters to help clean the water as it comes down the river before going out to sea. Of course the by-product of eating oysters is good too for the town. Lots of houseboats for hire - they even have a water slide. Some are ‘homes’ - probably cheaper mooring fees than paying house rent. Some are just permanent pontoon homes.

Looking back up the river.

Watched some people ride their fin boards - who needs a boat!

View out to the river mouth as we turn to head to Noosa. A few creek/canals coming off the river too.

Around to the last stop where we got off and wandered up the street then across to the beach. Pretty hot but lots of people down on the beach.

Zoomed back down towards the river mouth.

We went up into the Surf Lifesaving Club. Lots of old and new photos on the wall as we went up the steps.

Got a drink and a good seat to look out over the beach. Picture perfect day.

Ordered our lunch. Very nice burgers except they forgot to put the sweet chilli sauce on it!

Wandered back along the street and had a cuppa in a cafe and did some people watching till it was time to catch the ferry back to Tewantin. They have a gondola ride here - I will wait till I can go on the one in Venice. Did I say I am very excited now about going to the UK and Europe.

We have Captain Brad this time and he certainly has more commentary than the other chap. He explained how the river mouth was changed and then the few houses here were in threat of being washed away so they created a spit - now called Noosa Wood, the locals donated and planted trees on the reclaimed land. Cost a lot of money too. Now they had to put in the rock groins to stop the sand moving into the mouth and a sand dredge to then put the sand back on the beach near the heads.

I chatted with a couple from York and mentioned I was heading over. They suggested a few things which I jotted down.

Back to Tewantin and into the car then back along the road and down the street we walked to drive through Noosa Wood towards the mouth. A few people enjoying the water here.

Walked along watching the water zoom out the river mouth.

A bush chook has found something new to scratch about in.

Walked out along the edge of the river - a couple of chaps on jetskis heading out.

Continued onto the groin for a view back along the beach and back to Mt Cooroy.

Back to the car and through town to meet Joan at a vehicle ferry to cross the Noosa River further upstream. We can have a look at North Shore and Cooloola Beach - part of the Great Sandy Region. $16 each way for a vehicle. Looking upstream.

Drove through the homes of North Shore then stopped at the accommodation place/restaurant where I found some info boards.

Continued on to the beach where vehicles can drive down and head back towards the river mouth from here. Roald had map so we could see where we are in relation to the map as we walked down to the beach.

Walked down the track onto the beach. It has been a beautiful day for a beach visit. Zoomed in on Noosa.

Took a group photo - was a bit windy!

Back to the ferry and across then home for some drinks and more chatting. I got a text saying the actuators had been delivered to Terry’s place and he isn’t home so we decided to head there tomorrow in case they just left them on the front porch. 

Leanne rang - she was having trouble booking the Edinburgh Tattoo tickets online so we worked our way through it and booked our seats and paid. When we get to UK we then download an app to get the tickets.

A friend, Ella, arrived to stay the night so we caught up on her travels recently to Japan and chatted about the family tree. Wonderful night chatting.

 

Wed, 4th Feb, 2026 Ray & Carol’s place, Bribie Island to Roald & Joan’s place, Cooroibah, Qld (exploring Cooroy)

Packed up and say thanks and bye to Ray and Carol. Still overcast as we headed back over the Pumicestone Sound but not as windy. Looking back to Bribie and the sea this time.

Continued on to join the Bruce Highway and headed north to the Cooroy turnoff. Into Cooroy and around to the old timber mill site on west side of the railway line to have a wander and some lunch.

Checked out the Camphor Laurel timber sales spot, run by volunteers. Camphor Laurel is a pest but instead of just wasting the timber when it is cut down they are making fabulous pieces of furniture etc from the timber. Smells nice too. Some pictures showing the harvesting process.

If I had a house I may have considered buying this coffee table. The chap did a magnificent job carving the croc out of the timber.

We bought a house-warming gift for Kaylene and Rick.

Continued on past the old kilns where the timber was dried when the timber mill was operating here. Now used by the Woodworkers Club who also have the old mill buildings next door. They are renovating at the moment so didn’t have much on display.

There is a small display out the back. Sadly the history signs need replacing but I could read enough.

Across the creek to a fabulous waterplay and playground area.

There is a walk but we just wandered up and down the main street. As it was cool and feeling like rain we decided to have a hot pie for lunch.

The rain started just after we got back to the camper - good timing.

Continued on, across the rail line to the other side of Cooroy then on to Roald & Joan’s place. Plenty of room to park here on nice flat bitumen.

A few kangaroos about as they have reserve and creek beside there land. Lots of birds too.

Chatted the afternoon away then had a delicious dinner with them. Joan is a fabulous cook.