Broken Head National Reserve and CP

A nice place close to Byron Bay but far enough away to have a reasonable amount of P&Q. As Deb says 'P&Q or PoQ!'

Stayed a couple of midweek nights and went swimming and surfing. No shops just the CP complete with a little kiosk and a lovely beach and a nice walking track. Oh and a nude beach around the headland.

The park is smallish and set up mostly for camper trailers, backpackers, wizz-bangers and surfers with lots of small un-powered sites and just a few sites suitable for large caravans or motorhomes. Not a spot to be at during summer holidays that's assuming you could even get a booking. Not sure about weekends either but probably the same. I will be gone before then.

The walk, in the National Reserve, over the headland to Kings Beach viewing platform is short but picturesque being just 1.6km, if you return the same way. Or click this link for an alternative looping walk to Kings Beach.

click on a photo to enlarge

The beach and headland at Broken Head NR.

Pottsville - NSW Northern Rivers

Harrisville to Pottsville, on the coast south of Tweed Heads, entailed a mountainous trip via Beaudesert, Canungra and Nerang. Then Coolangatta and along the coast to Pottsville South CP. Arguably the better located of the two CPs, being on the river and near the mouth.

Did some paddle boarding but it was more a workout than anything else as the tide and wind were working together to retard any progress and when the wind did moderate the tide was out and there was very little water to paddle on.

Nice enough place with good shops, cafes and IGA but imagine it would be bedlam in the season.

The view of Pottsville from across the river.

Harrisville Royal Hotel

Pomona, Toogoolawah and Harrisville.

Rode into Pomona and about town before leaving. Just needed to see if my legs would still function after the mountain workout.

Pomona is set up for tourists. They named the streets after what's in the street, like: Church, School, Mountain, Station, Pavilion, Exhibition and even Ambulance Street. Not showing a lot of creativity I hear you say? But hey you know, in advance, what you are going to get.

Interestingly I still managed to get lost on what should of been just a 2km bike ride to the mountain the other day. And yes the mountain is in Mountain Street but I didn't realize I needed to go to Church first!

Doing a big westward loop to avoid Brisbane and decided on Toogoolawah show grounds to overnight. Toogoolawah has three pubs so there's more to it than the map indicates. A busy metropolis? No, I don't think so but interesting all the same. The rail trail to Brisbane goes through here. Only the section here to Esk is open to the public at the moment. I assume the section onto Moore, Linville and Blackbutt will be connected at some future time?

Harrisville Royal Hotel on Saturday night to watch the four nations rugby. This pub is always a good place to stop, friendly people, good food, cold beer and a backyard with a view. Heating up out here next week expecting ~40 Monday and Tuesday. Good time to be heading to the coast.

Day break in the back yard of the Royal Hotel.

Mt Cooroora at Ponona

Well yesterday Mt Tinbeerwah and the days climbing Mt Coolum over the last two weeks were never as difficult as this. Somewhere on the Internet, Mt Cooroora in the Tuchekoi National Park was described as nothing like Mt Coolum, and in my opinion as well. Its steep in places and a tough going grovel over rocks in others. And without the chain it would be difficult if not dangerous coming down.

But the view at the top and the feeling of achievement makes it worth the effort. Isn't it always worth the effort?  For a fuller description click the link walkrideoz.blogspot.com

Mt Cooroora.

The View.

Heading North to Tewantin and Pomona

Well I finally gave up on mail ordering on-line and cancelled my order. Two weeks waiting is BS.

Drove north from Maroochydore along the trendy beach road to Noosa. Passing through Marcoola, Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach, Marcus Beach, Castaway Beach, Sunrise and Sunshine Beaches and on to Noosa and Nossaville on the river where I had lunch.  Considered inflating the SUP for a paddle but didn't.

Instead after lunch and a short drive I visited Tewantin National Park and walked to the summit of Mt Tinbeerwah. An easy walk. Talked to some abseiling climbers and was directed to a hidden track around and below the climbing rock face. This track is pretty rough but interesting especially if there are climber on the rock face.

Then on to Pomona for a couple of nights in the show grounds. Pomona is a lovely little town and is good for bike riding and mountain climbing.

It's a map!

Noosa and Tewantin.