Springbrook National Park

Today we drove up into the hinterland, the beautiful forested range behind the Gold Coast.  The destination was to visit the Springbrook National Park, in particular, Natural Bridge.

The Gondwana rainforest is dense and cool.  It is also a remnant of prehistoric times, especially the antartic beech trees and the hoop pine, which also is one of the most primitive of the world's conifers.

Climbing strangler figs.

The tall straight trees towering high above us.

A vast number of ferns growing on the trunk of their host tree.

The bright blue berries, in the photograph below, were lying under the pine trees.  Hundreds of them.  We were not sure if they were edible, and lacked the confidence to find out.

We walked down into the ravine, in order to see the Natural Bridge.

Nick tasted the water in the stream.  Delicious and cool, was his answer.

Walter and Jackie took a moment to catch their breath.

The Natural Bridge.  Once the waterfall came over the front of the rock.  But over time the force of the water on the basalt cave roof, caused erosion, and eventually the water came through the centre of the cave.

People swimming in the water, which according to signs, was not permitted, due to the damage to the glowworms in the cave.

The sheet of water spilling through the roof of the cave.

Even more people ignoring the signs.  I must admit the water looked very tempting, although the idea of swimming with eels did not appeal to me.  Yes there were eels in the water here, having come from warm tropical waters, thousands of miles away.

It was very dark in the cave.  A great opportunity to use some of the settings on my camera.

We climbed up the track, high above the pool.

The photograph below shows the water falling down through the hole in the roof.

A very tempting pool of water, high above the waterfall.

The peaceful stream, leading to the waterfall.

After completing the 1 1/2 km walk, we returned to the car and headed off to a cafe, which had a lovely view over the valley.

And they served great coffee too.

Very pink flowers.

On the return journey we visited the huge Hinze Dam, which is where the Gold Coast draws its clear and almost pure water.

The sign stated that the dam was named in honour of the Hinze family, who farmed here.

However, one Hinze member, Russ Hinze, was a member of the Queensland Government, at the time the dam was being built.  Now Russ Hinze was an extremely overweight bombastic man, so it was no wonder the dam was called the Hinze Dam.  There must have been other farmers in the area, and the dam was not named after them.  Russ Hinze also walked on the edge of the law, and he conveniently died in the early 1990s, before a corruption charge could be laid against him.  Not a nice man.

The very steep overflow channels.

The rocks on the inside of the dam, all excavated from the surrounding cliffs.

A really lovely day out in the magnificant ranges behind the Gold Coast.

Out and about on the Gold Coast

A short drive on the Gold Coast, and some photographs from a moving car.

There are always tall buildings around somewhere.

The white sails of the Marina Mirage shopping centre in the background with yachts in front.  Very upmarket.  Great restaurants.   The Versace Hotel, with an indoor swimming pool surrounded by sand,  and used by the participants in 'Help, I am a celebratory. Get me out of here', is next to the marina.

The shorefront at Surfers Paradise, no longer a huge carpark, as in the 1960s.  We stopped at traffic lights, hence the photograph.

The fences and banners installed for Schoolies' Week, which starts this weekend.  An invasion of students who have finished school and who spend the week getting drunk and creating mayhem.  A huge force of police and voluntary organisations gather to try and alleviate some of the damage the students do, mostly to themselves.

The huge meat tray wins, porterhouse steaks and rump steaks, from the local tavern. The meat tray raffles, unique to Australia and New Zealand, I think, are an integral part of pubs and clubs. The amount of meat was impressive, especially to those of us who live in the UK. We ate the porterhouse steak last night and it was mouth wateringly delicious.

The local tavern, Merrimac Tavern, surrounded by large shady verandahs.

 I am not sure of the name of the tree in the photograph below, but the sun glinting on the many long seed pods hanging from the branches is very effective.  A sculptured tree.

The courtyard in the small Mudgeeraba shopping centre is full of small trees, covered in bromeliads and orchids.  We enjoy our coffee stop at the Mudgira Cafe, with excellent coffee and cakes, and great atmosphere in the centre courtyard.

 Another koala sculpture, at Mudgeeraba. I believe these koala structures are situated around the Gold Coast, all with different themes.  Mudgeeraba, still retains its old small settlement atmosphere.

Pizza time.  Nick made the most delicious thin based pizzas for dinner.

And finally, a photograph of my revamped hair.  I won't mention the cost, just mention foils to any hairdresser, and the dollar signs appear in the eyes.  But I am very happy with it, all the same.

Broadbeach, Gold Coast

A visit to Broadbeach, not far from Surfers Paradise, on a beautiful sunny morning.  Perfect weather and perfect location.

The land adjoining the beach has been landscaped, with a walking/cycling path running through the park.  Very relaxing.

Walter and I went for a walk along the shore, without worrying about getting the feet sandy.

A tantalising glimpse of the beach and sea through the trees.

Broadbeach, not very busy as it was midweek, and not school holidays. 

Walter standing beside one of the comic covered sculptures.  A happy looking koala.

An ibis, wandering over the road, looking for a rubbish bin.  A scavenger, in the urban environment, and a bit of a nuisance, but a native, all the same.

One of the many surf life saving posts, all numbered, 39 in all, placed at intervals along the 30km coast. The council pays some of the surf life savers.   The remainder do the job on a voluntary basis. They patrol the area between the flags, which is where people are meant to swim.  The seas can be very rough, with rips to carry the unwary out to sea.  Some of the best surfing beaches in Australia are on the Gold Coast.

Tall buildings everywhere.

Tall buildings line the shore, casting late afternoon shadows over the beach, which annoy the sun bathers.  The buildings look more Miami, then Cote d'Azur.

A lone swimmer.

Kilometres of soft white sand.

The lone swimmer ignored the 'Danger No Swimming' sign.  Very foolhardy.

We visited the Oasis Shopping Centre, very 1980s.

Shelves of sun creams.  So many brands.  But very important in this harsh climate. However how does one chose the best one.  We spent some time here, deliberating over contents and price.

We drank an excellent coffee, plus ate a slice of carrot cake, out on the terrace.  I love the outdoor life.

A holiday on the Gold Coast

We are staying with Jackie in her lovely house, in a very smart gated community, on the Gold Coast, Queensland.  

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There are landscaped common gardens, a tennis court and a swimming pool.   We feel as if we are staying in a resort.  And I guess we are really.  It is a stunning development.

The front garden of Jackie's house, with its tropical plants and trees providing shade and interest.

Jackie has an impressive number of bromeliads growing in her garden.  Such beautiful colours, patterns and shapes.  Bromeliads grow easily here, in the warm and humid climate.

Jackie's comfortable patio, with a bench to stretch out on, shady umbrella and bright flowers.

The garden of bromeliads and other tropical plants.

Jackie has a cat called Frankie.  A friendly cat with heaps of personality.

Frankie took quite a liking to my sunhat with the flowers embroidered, by Kylie, on it.

Frankie hiding in the shopping bag.

Frankie stretching out, a double jointed cat.

Frankie loves sleeping in drawers.

The sparkling Christmas lights glowing brightly at dusk.

It is great to be here, not only to relax in a resort like atmosphere, but also to catch up with Jackie.  Lots of talking of course, plus time for delicious coffee and cake, at the local cafes.