Wednesday Walkies - Mapleton Falls

Mapleton Falls - Beauty in the Mountains

This walk is not too long or onerous and parking is still fairly civilised (can't vouch for school holidays, though). You do see a fair bit of wildlife which is great, but you have to be really looking out for in, or you won't even know it's there!

Image Courtesy Of Weekend Notes

Check out the official site for the Circuit!

Image Courtesy Of Trip Advisor

Foodie Friday - Juan Fifty

Mexican In Our Hood!

From the crew who brought us the Good Bar at Mooloolaba, we have a cool Mexican hangout at our fingertips!

Now this is no formal, stuffy restaurant where you sit around waiting to catch the waiters eye for a drink or to order, rather you can go up and order as you go.....this is a good idea for when you are not sure how full you will get (food or drinks ha), so you can sample, experiment etc. 

Image From Juan Fifty Facebook Page

The most wonderful part is that when you go up to order, rather than the face like a dropped pie (or punched pillow) that we see far too much of these days, it seems to be the order of the day to give the customer a big smile, and make whatever cocktail or drink they order to perfection! Who'd a thunk that service and smiles might make a comeback??? Wow!

Evidence of smiling team from their Facebook page :)

The food is closer to traditional Mexican and pretty healthy frankly (not drowned in cheese and sour cream), although they make a subtle appearance. The ingredients are all freshly chopped, and seem to suit all levels of endurance when it comes to chilli or hot food.

 

The reason for this is their secret weapon - the wall of sauces! Make sure when you order that you do a 180 and check it out on the case behind you......this is serious chilli/sauce heaven, so you can add your own (or not if you can't hack it).

Wall Of Sauces - Image from Juan Fifty Facebook Page

The beer drinkers will also be pleasantly surprised by the prices - similar to surf/bowls club prices, which include some basic Aussie and also some great craft beers - hard to find both in the same spot for some reason - this way EVERYONE can enjoy a cold beer at the same place!

Get behind this one crew, we don't want to lose them and have to listen to ourselves whining about "where did it go"! Bel x

Thirsty Thursdays - 313 Social Mooloolaba

One Of Mooloolaba's Best Kept Secrets

313 Social

In a special little lane far, far away, on the dark side of the moon.....lies a very cool little bar that only a few select locals know about....if you are reading this, that means you are probably a local, too!

Image From 313 Social  Facebook Page

If you like your atmosphere less sterile, more dog friendly, and with a hip combo of craft beer on tap, a "get it yourself" beer fridge (hope they still have that - so damned cool), a non-uptight pool table, lounges, cool vibes (I think they try to match the music to the audience on the day from the trips I've had there), so just chat to them - maybe we were just lucky!

Image From 313 Social Facebook Page

The team offer 5 star service but love a chat and a laugh - make sure you check out the warning sign beside the pool table - total giggle. Don't be put off by the hipster high-pony pics on the site, they make everyone feel welcome....even middle aged fools who forgot to grow up (AKA me)! Love your work guys - get behind it locals!

Monday Mystery - What Became Of The Dump???

The Local Dump - An Ancient Tradition Lost

Remember when you were a kid, and no weekend was complete without a trip to the dump - even the dog was invited....

Many a trip ended up ensuring that you had yet another tetanus booster shot after you ignored your parents and scampered barefoot straight onto a rusty nail or some piece of galvo...

Frankly I miss every stinky little bit of it, and the TREASURES! Oh, and it was FREE!!!!!

In today's world of control, greed and fake recycling, I thought it might be nice to provide the link below so that you don't get your hopes up next trip....they even have a carefully hand selected shop on the side so that we can go in and buy other people's rubbish (I will be checking this out regardless of my bitterness - always the hypocrite ha)!

God knows better that the council makes a buck selling it back than the little guy sells it on Gumtree and makes a profit towards his ever-swelling electricity bill!

Anyhow, at least the site below takes you through locations, rules, regulations, times, "markets", appropriate footwear (we fooled the gestapo a couple of weeks ago and daringly wore thongs to drop of something in the "cardboard" bin)....probably captured on camera with court-case pending.

Sunshine Coast Council Rubbish Tips - Living The Dream!

Gympie and District Rubbish Dumps (Thrill Hills)... 

Noosa - No Dump, but they have a Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre ( still love you guys even after the divorce) :)



Hope you enjoy the photo below - I would be taking that TV home for sure to convert into a fish tank if it wasn't going to end up selling for $1 mil at the local tip shop! Here's to having a giggle even if it's a load of rubbish!

Image courtesy of Video Blocks

Serenity Sundays - The Mary Valley Scenic Drive And The Seven Steps To Serenity

Sunday Drivers Rejoice!

The details are on the link attached to the photos, but this is the most wonderful way to feel alive and a great reminder of what we have at our fingertips!

Image Courtesy of the Australian (This would have been gone if the Traveston Dam had not been stopped)

My recipe for happiness on this adventure is:

1. Duck out and fill up the car using one of the petrol finder apps (otherwise there will be less serenity ha) - then "let it go"......

2. Pack up a picnic - folding chairs or a blanket are fine, but a marquis is handy depending on what you find. For the budget-minded make sure you pack a thermos or cold drinks, too. Towels and togs maybe? There are lots of creeks on this drive if you are fearless.

3. Put the starting point in your Bluetooth, or just wing it (more fun)

Image Courtesy Of Stayz

4. Pack puppy too, if you have one, along with the lead and a water bowl, and treats for being good.

5. Commence drive at the top point (or bottom point if coming from the North), and then work your way back to home, ensuring you stop at every gorgeous spot until one just sucks you in for your picnic.


6. Remember to check out the produce stands when you come across them. Often organic and usually inexpensive - you may even encounter one of the old "honesty" boxes....

7. Wind the windows down and inhale the bush smell!

Sleep like a baby tonight - why? Because these sort of activities always get you thinking about what matters in life and what changes you need to make to become much happier - take the time on this trip to either chat with your other half about what matters, or give yourself the time to really focus.

Foodie Fridays - Fish On Parkyn

Foodie Fridays - Fish On Parkyn

What sort of person would not mention a long-term stayer in then fly by night restaurant game? Why are they still here? Because they offer beautiful fresh 5 sSar seafood dishes (with a few others for those who can't/don't eat seafood), 5 Star friendly service, a lovely open industrial space and wonderful cocktails.

Image Courtesy Of Yelp

If that's not enough and you are moaning after lunch/dinner, you can stroll next door to the Yacht Club and relax....or just straight over the road to the beach/tables at Mooloolaba spit!

This place is a credit to the owner, and I think the secret must be consistency!

Image Courtesy Of Yelp

Thursday Thursday - Theebine Hotel

Theebine Hotel

Well, we used to call this hidden gem "Petticoat Junction", as it has a little rarely used (if ever) railway track at the front of it, and is just beautiful. Not sure if it's heritage listed, but I sure just discovered that it is for sale! Eeeek! Wish I had a lazy 1.25 mil laying around!

Image courtesy of the Theebine Hotel Facebook Page

Now this place ticks all the boxes - pub grub, regular entertainment, rustic accommodation and a dinky-di bar at the front....what you are NOT prepared for though, is the giant entertainment area out the back with pool tables and a juke box where you can load it up and waste more money than a pokie once you've had a couple of cold beers....there is so much to this place, so probably smartest to visit their facebook page for a full picture of it.

Image Courtesy Of The Theebine Hotel Facebbok Page

Bonus thrill - nearby is the Dickabram Bridge - a heritage listed bridge built in 1885 (?) I believe you can still drive over it, and some dear friends and I made sure we WALKED over it to give it the full respect it deserves.....stunning with a picnic table nearby, but I am going to tag some true locals to give full commentary on this particular blog - too much good stuff to miss details!

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Wednesday Walkies - Noosa National Park

Wednesday Walkies - Noosa National Park

It would be remiss of me to not include this famous walk featured on our beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Most of the locals are fully aware of it, but if we don't actually live at Noosa, we can forget it exists! Unless you surf of course ha!

I have attached a really good link (click on the picture).

Now as long as you don't mind seeing a few "nudie-rudies" on your way (along with a few sad little peeping toms), and as long as you don't mind seeing Koalas, Dolphins and bronzed gods on their boards, you can probably cope with this stunning walk!

Image Courtesy Of Sunshinecoast.com

Mystery Mondays - Majestic Theater Pomona

Mystery Mondays - Majestic Theater Pomona

Haunted or are its bones just still settling after 94 years.....you decide!

Article attached - click on image.

I remember a school excursion to this beautiful old lady to see a silent movie, and was in awe of the amazing atmosphere - highly recommend this as a day trip or you can stay overnight at the Pomona Pub if you are tough enough to "hack it" ha! I sure was a couple of years ago - love a country pub - the more basic the better - more adventurous!

Don't mind saying that real estate has gone crazy in some of these gorgeous sidings over the last few years either.

 

 

Serenity Sundays - Cooran Lookout

Cooran Lookout

This was always one of my favorite drives, and I always used to call it Cooran Mountain (possibly mistaken) but I know for sure it goes by James M McKane Memorial Lookout. 

If you are chasing serenity at the end of a gorgeous country drive (plus see a cute little township on your way), then check out the link above, which includes lots of juicy detail.

For god's sake don't forget to pack a picnic and take Rover - so much to see and sniff (for Rover not you)....there are picnic tables and loos if I remember - who knows, if you guys all leave now, you might run into each other - say hi from me!

Image Courtesy Cooran.com.au

Surfari Saturdays - Moffat Beach, Caloundra

Surfari Saturday - Moffat Beach

Interesting waves but check out this surf spot on Surfspot ha! Their site is a font of knowledge....  Heaps of cool little shops for the bored females, too (those not cutting fully sick out the back)!

Thirsty Thursday - Secret Watering Holes - Ricks Garage Palmwoods

Ricks Garage Palmwoods

It may be the worst kept secret on the coast by now, but the first time we went there it was literally a cute lil' diner with a shop on the side and a garage out the back, with 2 very friendly people running it. 

It's now an example of what a small business can look like with some determination and local support, along with some real initiative and a feel for what people want.

The coast has had a real deficit of "real pubs" caused by bad decisions and bad taste, but this toxicity has not reached Palmwoods yet thank God!

 

On any day you can enjoy scenes like the above, or classic cars, a classic bike rally, or just go upstairs to the "no kids zone" exclusive whiskey bar, where the service is A++++.



Having said that, if you have kids, they can run around on the grass downstairs screaming their little hearts out, so no discrimination here ha! There are far too many facets of this place to list here, so if you haven't been there, make it happen, and if you have, remember to go back - lots of times ha!

 

Mystery Mondays - The Buderim Beast

The Buderim Beast

This is a great mystery that comes up from time to time....well documented sightings in various yards and even the local Buderim Falls. There is a lot of speculation about the Buderim Beast, and if you google it, you will see that when the Sunshine Coast Daily featured it, 36% of voters believe it to be a Thylacine (Tasmanian Devil - now extinct). 

Image by Sue Smith via the Sunshine Coast Daily

Naturally this gets people pretty excited (most of us just WANT to believe it of course - still getting over Santa not being real, sob), but the fun part is not just the online research, but looking for it every time you step out in the bush around Buderim! Hikers beware........

Serenity Sundays - Mothar Mountain Rockpools

Mother Mountain Rockpools

If you love the sounds of the bush and running waterfalls, this is a great place to find serenity.....I remember taking my Kelpie here for his weekly swim and a good game of fetch! I love the unknown tracks in our region....we just have to dig a little! Image below courtesy of Queensland.com. Map Included!

Surfari Saturdays! Double Island Point

Surf Spot Double Island Point

This one is off the beaten track (about 2 hours at the top of our region), but if you like 4WD day trips, camping, fishing or surfing, this spot is for you! Probably not for the faint-hearted as it's pretty wild and secluded, but for those who know what they are doing, great spot!

There is a surf school for learners too.

Image Courtesy of Darren Tierney Galllery where you can purchase online!

Foodie Fridays - Embassy XO Sunshine Beach

 Embassy XO Sunshine Beach

This sneaky little gem has been around for a while now....some friends took us there for a treat one Saturday night a couple of years ago, and I first fell in love with the actual little cocktail bar at the front (funny that)! It is really sort of retro funky, and you can't see from the image I obtained from the website (hope they don't mind the free advertising), but you can see the ocean...absolutely beautiful.

The menu and interior are a bit different day and night - but both have an Asian Fusion feel. I personally favor the evening food, but I think these guys possibly may have been the the first to do this theme on the coast back in the day....(Belinda is latin for "often wrong" though ha)!

When we were in the USA, I asked my husband if he could think of anywhere in Australia that offered the sort of service that we were receiving over there, and this was one of 2 that came to mind. 

Image of the interior below - wonderful at night!

Thirsty Thursday - Secret Watering Holes - Kin Kin Hotel

Kin Kin Hotel

Around half an hour North of Noosa, this little gem is a local best kept secret! It has it all from amazing old fashioned pub food to pool tables, darts and giant outdoor areas. It also boasts a number of traditional pub accommodation rooms for sleep overs and you can even camp in the adjacent oval for large groups.

The publican has no objection if once shut you take a couple of eskies onto the verandah either....just be a bit respectful.



This is cool for a weekend away with friends, and has a legendary brekkie spot just over the road.

Pete is the well-ensconced publican and has a lovely nature.

Wednesday Walkies! Point Cartwright Lighthouse

For those who love exploring the region on foot, this is a lovely walk to the lighthouse at Point Cartwright...

Park at La Balsa park (maybe an esky for a picnic upon your return would be a treat), and walk through the park to the road that takes you along the rock wall.

Toward the end of the rock wall you can go up the grassy knoll (I know, stop it!) or take the end path to the secret beach and explore the rock pools....

For the more adventurous, you can pick your way around the foot of the cliff, hit the main Cartwright Beach, and then just take the steps back up that lead you adjacent to where you parked in the first place.

I believe the beach is dog-friendly, but the signs will tell you to leash, or not to leash. 

And of course, the anglers will have a rod handy for the rock wall!

Sometimes we forget what we have at our fingertips!

Image courtesy of Sunshine Coast Daily

Gympie's Glowing Tombstone

Well, if you are new to the region, this is an article from the Gympie times a few years ago regarding one of our favorite childhood experiences....

"EVEN if you're new about town, chances are you've heard about the eerie glowing tombstone standing high on the rolling hills of the Corella Rd cemetery.
For what seems like decades, locals have debated the source of the creepy light shining off George Argo's granite obelisk, be it a simple reflection of passing headlights and adjacent fixtures or evidence of something stranger at play.
Questions continue to cloud the circumstances of Mr Argo's 'accidental' early morning death in February 1895 - did he really fall down a mine shaft he knew 'like the back of his hand', or does a sinister truth remain hiding in the shadow of doubt?
Cemetery workers claim Mr Argo's tombstone no longer glows, but remain open-minded about just what that light could have been".

Image Craig Warhurst

So this is how it works.....you head back into town from the Forestry department late at night, and as you get to the entry gates on the left, slow right down....over in the middle of the cemetery, ahead on the left, the tombstone will suddenly light up! It is like a "glow in the dark". Contrary to what the cemetery workers say, it is still going strong as I have personally checked it our recently.

There was a rumor around years ago that it was caused by the exact refraction of a street light on the angle with what it is actually made out of, but we all checked this out in a blackout when we were kids and it STILL GLOWS!

Even if you don't live in Gympie, maybe next trip to Rainbow at night, it's worth a side-trip :)