Chapter 11 - Gold Coast & Wedding

Day 76 – Monday 19 August – Coochin Creek 

I woke in time for one more sunrise photo on the Sunshine Coast. My phone said 11 degrees. I was on the beach at 6:05 am. The air was crisp and clear and the water was flat. There were no surfers, just a couple of paddle boarders and a couple paddling in the shallows.

Sunrise at Maroochydore

As the sun started to rise, so did the swell. Word must have quickly got out as a number of guys with boards headed to the beach as I headed back to camp.

Today we were heading south towards the Gold Coast. However we had booked two nights at a place called Coochin Creek, which is in the Beerburrum State Forest, and adjacent to Bribie Island. Hopefully dinner tonight will be cooked in a camp fire.

We had four hours to travel forty km so we sort of meandered. We visited Caboolture which was further south than our intended destination, but that was Ok. We took photos of the water tower mural and ‘Dusty the Dog’ – a tribute to Slim Dusty. The lady at the information centre told us where to get a good coffee, so we did.

Dusty the Dog with Guitar

Water tower mural

We then backtracked north via Beerburrum and Beerwah, the latter being an impressive small town. Our camp site was in a superb bush setting beside the Coochin Creek. Surprise, surprise.

Coochin Creek Camp Site with Fireplace

Within one hour of our arrival we counted five different bird species, one being a Kookaburra.

My Favourite

We established camp and went for a walk, rather short really as there was nowhere much to walk. The views were impressive.

Reflections in Coochin Creek

I lit the campfire and started dinner around 3:45 pm – stewed lamb chops and a zillion veggies. We chatted to our neighbours from Point Lonsdale. They ended up cooking their spuds in our fire. Around sunset I wandered down to the creek looking for a sunset photo. That was not to happen but I did see some fish jumping out of the water. No photo. While I was away Shirley had to contend with the local birds seeking access to the Kelly dinner – particularly the bowl that I used for herbs and spices for our lamb chops.

I spoke to the young couple from the Netherlands. Nice people.

David & Jan joined us around the fire for drinks and chats. Similar people to us.

Campfire dinner around the campfire was pretty good. I was still wearing shorts.

Camp oven lamb stew

Day 77 – Tuesday 20 August 2024 – Coochin Creek

The rain started around midnight and was a light drizzle when I went for a 6:30 am walk. The solar panel was struggling for energy. One fish jumped out of the water and that was it. Back to camp.

It was a slow start. Around 9:30 we went for a drive, exploring. We found the town of Coochin Creek – it is more of a location really – just a couple of houses. There were plenty of ‘turf’ and strawberry farms. At the end of the road was a boat ramp and a great opportunity for a pelican photo – about 15 pelicans actually.

Coochin Creek Residents

We turned around and headed to Beerwah – with rain constantly coming and going. We walked around the shopping centre and bought two bread rolls.

The camera got a workout with the local art and history. 

Polished & Carved Local Rock

According to the story the period 1931 to 1957 was a time of tremendous pineapple production. The best quality and first to market was the aim of all growers. ‘Speedy’ Joseph King seems to be the dominating grower. After he disappeared in 1957 Joe’s secret was revealed. He was some sort of ‘creative (or mad)’ inventor and he had allegedly made a machine that could detect and pick ripe pineapples in the dark – without his competitors knowing. The machines were powered by some form of byproduct of farm waste. The ‘alien-like’ machines are displayed in a Beerwah street.

Pineapple Evaluation & Picking Contraptions

Click here for more information on Joseph King.

After lunch the caravan fridge was turned off and cleaned in readiness for caravan storage tomorrow. About this time the sun was trying to come out. It was time for another short walk.

More Reflections in Coochin Creek

We lit the fire and sat and chatted to David & Jan. We then reheated our left-over camp oven stew and ate inside as the heavy dew started to descend.

Day 78 – Wednesday 21 August 2024 – Coochin Creek to The Gold Coast - 180 km

It was an early start and a lengthy process to get on the road. We started by eating the fridge down. Shirley had bacon & egg and I had leftover camp-oven stew on toast. The fridge was off and clean and the cold stuff was in the Engel fridge.

Car stuff was loaded into the caravan and clothes and wedding stuff were loaded into the car. The awning was rolled up after being cleaned of local leaves. The caravan was checked and rechecked, but I still left my reading book behind.

It was a bright and sunny day as we departed around 8:30 am. We detoured to Scarborough to check out their caravan park. It did not make the grade. We followed the coast road around to Scarborough Beach and found the “Bee Gees Walk” – a memento to the famous group. They first lived in the area when they migrated from England.

Above & Below - Bee Gees Walk

We stopped for a coffee and had a superb danish.

Morning Tea

South bound we headed and duly arrived at Ashmore Caravan Storage. The caravan was now in storage for five nights. A short time later we headed a few km north to my sister’s home - the northern end of the Gold Coast. We were greeted by my sister Lynn, two of her daughters, their partners, and two grandchildren.

Lots of conversation happened - some at the same time - then magnificent corned beef for dinner accompanied by copious quantities of excellent red wine. Bed by 9:30 for everyone.

Day 79 – Thursday 22 August 2024 – Gold Coast

I emerged just after 7 am. Lynn was up. The grandkids were watching TV in bed. I cooked myself some breakfast. The kids were dressed and the four of us went for a walk to the shops - 2 km return. There are three sets of play equipment in that walk, and the view was pretty impressive.

Above - View from Lynn's balcony

Below - View along our walk

By the time we returned - around 9:30 - everyone was up.

I played chauffeur for the bride's sister and mother as further wedding preparation activities happened. 

Late in the afternoon we drove the same two wedding participants to their pre-wedding accommodation, where they caught up with the bride. We drove through the lovely small town of Canungra. We had time to check out the wedding and reception venue and it looked great.

Above - Pre-wedding accommodation in a lovely setting
Below - View from the AirBnB

Shirley and I returned to base and joined the others in an excellent lasagna dinner. It was not a late night.

Day 80 – Friday 23 August 2024 – "The Wedding"

Our day was rudely started as 5-year old Zoe and 3-year old Liam flung open our bedroom door, with a loud bang, about 6:30 am. Luckily they responded to my 'please go away' gestures. [No photos necessary]

As they were the only residents awake their noise levels were not monitored, so I gave in around 7:15 and joined them. Shirley gave in at 8 am.

It was a slow morning, with a walk in there somewhere.

Around 12:30 everyone was either resting (before the storm) or starting to get ready. At 1:35 pm the Maxi-Taxi arrived and two children's car seats were installed. Nine of us then headed 48 km into the Gold Coast hinterland to O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.

O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards

We were early and had time to have a pre-dinner drink and chat to the Alpacas. The wedding was on the grass beside the creek with the temperature around 23 degrees. 

Wedding seating in background

In due course the groom and best man arrived with stubbies of beer for all beer drinkers. The stubbies were strapped to their torsos. The bride arrived, 'fashionably late' and was escorted by her mother.

The wind tried to take the veil in the wrong directions, but all went well.

It was then time for post-wedding drinks while lots of photos were taken.

Above - Wine Cellar & Reception Area

Below - Bridal Table & Backdrop

Around 6 pm we headed into the dining area for the main reception. The food was superb, the wine was excellent, and the mood suitable for a wedding in a winery.

Our Maxi-Taxi  did not impress anyone by being over an hour late. We arrived home around midnight.

Day 81 – Saturday 24 August 2024 – "The Recovery"

It was a pretty slow start to the day, with everyone rising later than normal.

After breakfast I cleaned the Weber in preparation for a post-wedding BBQ lunch, with the bride and groom the celebrity guests.

The wedding party with a number of mates arrived around 1 pm to celebrate yesterday's fun wedding. The BBQ was lit, food was added, chicken was cooked in the oven, and salads hit the table. Lots of wedding discussion ensued.

At 4:30 Shirley and I took the two youngsters to the beach to look for shells. Our main job was to stop the kids from getting too wet and carry the shells. That was successfully achieved. 

Our view as we collected shells

The above 'party' broke up around 5:30 pm. Pizzas were ordered in for dinner.

With NT residents in the home, much interest was on the NT election.

Day 82 – Sunday 25 August 2024 – "Gold Coast Windup"

Lynn and I had already headed off to Bunnings and RTM (Road Tech Marine) before everyone was out of bed. We both had had time for a casual shower and breakfast, but still people slept on. Both (noisy) grand-kids were up and one parent was around to manage them.

We first stopped at Bunnings and bought a hedge trimmer for Lynn's hedge. I procured three 99-cent buckets for the caravan. It was too early for the sausage sizzle. RTM provided Lynn with a trickle battery charger, and toilet chemicals for the caravan (cheapest that I have seen this trip).

Shirley and I then headed to Harbour City DFO for some retail therapy. I bought a pair of shoes at a special price. Shortly after our return Lynn headed off to Brisbane airport on trip number one - with the Adelaide folk.

More rest and recreation, apart from taking the kids to the play equipment along the foreshore.

Around 6:15 pm I headed off to Brisbane airport on trip number two - with the Darwin folk. Lynn's place was now much quieter - just Shirley and Lynn until I returned.

Two km into the trip Kate got an SMS to say that their flight was cancelled, so back to Lynn's place. Unpack car. Remake beds. Unhappy people.

This chapter is now complete (apart from a couple of minor edits).
We depart the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Last updated at 6:50 pm Sunday 25 August 2024

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