I awoke several times in the night to hear rain beating on the roof of the van and wind howling through the trees but shortly after we decided it was time to stir, the sun was beginning to peak through the grey clouds and eventually sparkled on Lake Cootharaba, on whose shores the campsite was located. Apparently, this is the largest lake on the Noosa River, but was barely visible through the rain that was falling as we arrived last night.
We breakfasted heartily, used the campsites facilities, readied the van to leave, filled with fresh water and then hunted for the map and guide book which I had forgotten I had placed in the overhead can shelf before going to bed last night. Twenty minutes later we were on our way towards the Fraser Coast.
We travelled through afforested lands, past tall mountains, small villages and homesteads and took a refreshment break at Tin Can Bay. We managed to park the van in shade, it now being about 27C, with a view across the wide bay. On went the kettle, out came the table and chairs and a couple of Gennelle's Lamingtons and we sat with a wonderful view and just enjoyed the break.
We set off again with Lesley in the driving seat through more forested areas, fields full of sugar cane and came across Maryborough. We decided to stop and locate a tourist information office because we wanted to find out about the possibility of visiting the turtle rookery near Bundaberg.
The person who dealt with us was very helpful, gave us lots of information and on the basis of one of the leaflets she handed to us, we spent a pleasant hour or so exploring the historic roots of the town. It was the second port in Australia to receive immigrants from the UK and Europe, had an impressive number of Empire style buildings and was also the birthplace of the author of Mary Poppins!
We rang the turtle rookery and booked tickets for tomorrow evening then made our way towards Burrum Heads where we planned to spend the night. We booked into Hillcrest Holiday Park and were allocated a pitch with a bit of a view and some shade and proceeded immediately to set up the onboard bbq.
The lamb chops with cous cous, griddled red pepper and sauté mushrooms was delicious and we opened the special bottle of single vineyard Shiraz we had purchased in North Tamborine, it was scrumptious! Throughout the cooking and eating of our meal we were accompanied by a gang of brightly coloured lorikeets, several crested doves and some Indian mynah birds.
After dinner we were invited to spend some time with a couple from Tasmania who were travelling around Australia in a caravan. As we have found several times before, even though Lesley and I have only been here for a few weeks, we have actually been to several places many Australians have not yet visited!
After clearing everything away we enjoyed hot showers, edited photos and read before retiring to bed in an almost silent campsite with no rain hammering on the roof. But, although we know that 42 is the answer (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams), today we did not find the question nor did we see any white mice nor encounter any Vogons, only Australians, some of whom were Tasmanians!
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