Queensland Road Trip: Day 3

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The view from the Bargara Esplanade

The view from the Bargara Esplanade

After spending some time around the Sunshine Coast I realized I had to actually do some driving if I was going to make it up to Cairns in 6 days! On the third day of my trip I drove up to Bundaberg and Bargara. Despite getting a parking ticket, I had a nice day walking on the Bargara Esplanade and visiting the Bundaberg Barrel to learn how their famously delicious ginger beer is made. I also visited the Hummock Lookout, which is a little reserve on the top of a dormant volcano, and where you can get a view of the surrounding area.

I then hopped back into the car and drove up to Rockhampton. I was treated to yet another beautiful sunset!

Queensland Road Trip: Day 2

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Hanging out at Poona Lake at the Great Sandy National Park

Hanging out at Poona Lake at the Great Sandy National Park

From the Sunshine Coast I headed up to Great Sandy National Park to do some hiking. I intended to get to Fraser Island, but realized too late that I would need a 4WD and I didn’t want to pay such high ferry costs. I feel satisfied with Great Sandy though, as I believe the scenery was similar and it was less crowded and – best of all – free!

I did some hiking around the Bymien picnic area to Poona Lake, a freshwater perched lake that is stained a rusty red because of the nearby tea trees. As usual I took tons of photos of mushrooms, trees, and logs.

Then I headed further down the road to Rainbow Beach where there are lovely red cliffs called the Colored Sands.

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Queensland Road Trip: Day 1

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The start of sunset viewed from the coastal walking track of Noosa National Park

The start of sunset viewed from the coastal walking track of Noosa National Park

I disembarked from Brisbane after a weekend scuba diving adventure in a rented Kia Carnival minivan for a week-long road trip up to Cairns. My first stop was Noosa Heads, with a detour to the Mount Beerburrum viewpoint. It was nice to have complete freedom over where I wanted to go after relying on the limited public transport in Melbourne for so many weeks, and getting used to driving on the left for the first time was an interesting experience.

At Noosa Heads I visited the national park where I was treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life. The view was complete with surfers off the coast to make a stereotypically Australian image.

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Scuba Diving Tweed Heads and Shag Rock

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Up close and personal with a wobbegong carpet shark at Shag Rock, a dive site off North Stradbroke Island

Up close and personal with a wobbegong carpet shark at Shag Rock, a dive site off North Stradbroke Island

My first Australian diving experience was based out of Brisbane and North Stradbroke Island in Queensland. First I did a Nitrox course with Dive World at Tweed Heads. Although there isn’t a ton of amazing reef life, there were some impressive schools of fish and a cute Buddha statue to be seen. There were some heavy currents so it was hard to take pictures, but I did snap a few.

Then I ventured off to North Stradbroke Island to dive with Manta Lodge. I did two days of diving there, both at Shag Rock which is a site just off their beach. I saw a few rays there as well as wobbegong sharks and massive schools of butter bream. It was an awesome experience thanks to the great staff at the lodge and it got me all geared up for my Great Barrier Reef liveaboard next week!

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