Noosa and The Sunshine Coast

So what do you do when you're in Noosa?  You sit on the beach, sit in the sun, golf, drink, then call it an early night!   Joel did plenty of golfing and we both did plenty of drinking!

I took a break from my usual wine as my body was low on Malibu rum (mmm).  I thought my box of goodness would contain a few bottles, but instead it had a bag!  There is a stop cock that you pour from.  I've heard of boxed wine, but boxed Malibu? What's wrong with these Aussies?

 

We are staying in Peregian Springs, which is a nice area but pretty far out from the main strips of Noosaville and Maroochy.  It's a newer development and while there are signs promising a great neighborhood in the future, for now it's just a little shopping complex, a school and new homes.  It's too far to walk anywhere (it takes ten-fifteen minutes to drive to the beach and bigger zones, and since Joel has the car all day I'm stuck here because that's a long walk.  Lucky there is the hammock!)  It is also inconvenient for late night Crunchie bar cravings, because the open late night place are too far away!  (This caused an angry girl last night!) It is a really nice house though and our host has thought of every possible thing we could need and has made us feel very comfortable.

Yesterday we drove up to Noosa Heads.  This is the expensive side of the Sunshine Coast. It reminds  me of Penticton because it's all about the tourists and the beach.  There are lots of retirees living here too, soaking up the sun and golf. Things are pricier here, there are chi-chi restaurants and fancier shops lining the strip.  The beach is nice, but looks pretty much the same as the Gold Coast.  Thankfully people recognize that the weather is warm here and dress appropriately- no parkas! 

After that we drove down to Coolum Beach, which is closer to where we're staying.  It was windy there and we didn't even feel like putting out toes in the water, so went home to wine.

As far as golf goes, Joel thinks it's pretty amazing.  He's golfed three times already, twice at Pelican Waters, once at the Palmer Coolum.  Palmer Coolum is linked to his home course on the GC (all owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer) which is an Australian PGA course.

After golf today, we took a drive south.  First stop was Nambour, to see the Giant Pineapple.  Have to say I was a little disappointed with it's appearance (as I am a connoisseur of large things ha!).  However you can climb to the top for a scenic view of the little pineapple plantation.  Joel and I amused ourselves by whistling at unsuspecting passersby below us.  There is a little train ride you can take through the plantation plus a petting zoo, but we really didn't feel like spending money for it.

Yes, I've been here over six months and I still have zero tan.  Does this really surprise anyone?

Geez hun, would it hurt to smile once in awhile for me???

 From there we drove to Mooloolaba.  For real, that's it's name.  And Aussie's think we're strange... It's the most southern suburb of the Sunshine Coast.  Again, nice beaches, but same as what we've been seeing the last six months.  We walked along the beach for a bit and did put in our toes, then had enough.  I didn't even take a picture because we already have a million that look just like it!  Drove through Alexandra Headlands (really just to honor Dewey).  We drove back playing my favorite roadtrip game- wave at passing strangers!  I have loved this since I was eleven and I still get a kick out of people waving back.  Today we added a new element as we were in a smaller town- yelling out "G'day Mate!" at people walking down the street.  Most of them are dumb enough to think we're someone they know and give a jolly wave or thumbs up back.  We were laughing so hard every time we got someone.

When we got home it was back to our booze and we ordered a pizza as we've run out of cooking supplies.  Lucky for us we can get cheap enough meals at Subway, McD's, Nando's or Red Roosters.

My overall thought on Noosa is it's a nice place, but if you've already seen a few Aussie beaches, it won't be that novel.  Unless you're planning a road trip up north along the coast or are in the Brisbane area, this is one place you could skip.  If you do come, pick something right on the beach otherwise you will be bored like me! 

Tomorrow afternoon (after Joel's second game of golf at the Palmer Coolum) we'll pack up the car and start the trip to Sydney.  It's twelve hours in total and we'll be stopping for two nights in Coff's Harbour, the halfway point.  Joel says if Brutis can make this trip towing Allistair he is a real hero!