Fri, 6th Feb, 2026 Roald & Joan’s place, Cooroibah to Wallum Reserve Rest Area, near Bundaberg, Qld

19.4 degree min, a bit cloud and windy. Lots of birds singing their morning chorus. The kookaburras started at 4.30am!

Went up to the house to say good morning. Ella wanted to check out the camper and then we dropped the roof and locked up. Said our goodbyes and headed off.

We turned off to have a cuppa at Boreen Point as we haven’t been there before. The map from yesterday shows where we are and on Wikicamps it shows the ‘Noosa River’ coming through the Lake Cootharaba.

Found a nice spot for a cuppa with a nice view. Quite windy so we were lucky to have such a perfect day yesterday.

Back out to the main road then we rolled through the hills and farms to Traveston then onto the Bruce Highway heading northward.

We took the new bypass around Gympie - much better than the narrow road with so many street lights through the town. Locals must love not having to deal with all the trucks etc. Tourists will still call in a there is a lot to see in Gympie. 

Continued on to Childers and took the Childers Road to Bundaberg for a change. We also wanted to check out a rest area as Amanda and some lady friends are using the house over the weekend so we don’t want to cramp their style. Only a couple of ‘tents’ and a couple of vans here so plenty of room for us to park up tonight.

Into Terry’s place where we collected the actuators off the front porch. Terry will be home on Sunday afternoon so we had arranged to visit him on Tuesday but we will come in again on Sunday to help him when he gets home with his camper.

Back out to the rest area and parked up in the shade of the bush as it is another hot day. There was a plaque about the rest area in the middle picnic area.

Steve started on swapping the actuators over while I baked - we were out of morning tea snacks.

I chatted with another couple near us. They are from Woodford and were over for a golf tournament.

Bit of road noise but that settled down as night fell. A couple of other travellers pulled in.

 

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.