After a three hour potter down the ever-continuing Bruce Highway (me reading Jemima 3 Mogs and 8 Paddingtons), plus a little cafe lunch stop, we had arrived in what is known to be a family beach resort on the wonderfully named Sunshine Coast. We are noticeably progressing south - the landscape has stayed fairly similar over the last few days: dryer, yellowy-brown earth, with lots of slender, elegant eucalyptus and not much grass anymore; but the climate has definitely changed: no longer humid at all, and noticeably less hot (high 20s rather than mid 30s). And in Mooloolaba, it was definitely, gloriously sunshine-y.
Kevin had chosen the campsite because of its location; and after we'd parked up, we tested it out: through the campsite gate, down the steps and... straight onto the beach. A huge beach, with enough other people to mean Jemima might find someone to play with, but still acres of space; and a lifeguard station with a supervised swimming area (no jellyfish!); plus a playground; and behind that, a brilliant Esplanade with lovely cafes and shops - a bit more chi chi than Hervey Bay, and just very, very appealing. This was exactly what we'd been looking for. We hurried back, suncreamed up, and hit the beach.
The sand was light yellow, fine, and squeaked when you walked on it; the water was warm with small waves (big enough to be exciting, but not threatening). Jemima and Kevin played her current favourite sand-drawing game while I lay on a towel finishing my book. Kevin even went in for a swim. Proper beach time. Then we went back to the motorhome, sandy but happy, to get ready to explore the town and find dinner.
Just along from the campsite, the Esplanade started. We wandered among the evening joggers past benches made of surfboards; beach showers shaped like ship funnels; busy public BBQ areas (people having parties with balloons and beer); and shaded gazebos looking out to sea - the public architecture was amazing, Australians do outdoor living so well. (And beach clothing - I'm finding it very difficult walking past all the lovely shops, but I have no room in my suitcase...)
At the end of the strip we found Spice Bar, a Japanese restaurant with good reviews, so wandered in. And it was great. Lovely service (from a Parisian! Jemima voluntarily practiced her few words of French); a good-looking room; and wonderful food: scallops then duck for Kevin, beef tataki then fish for me, rich, sweet, sticky and delicious; and Jemima was kept very busy and very quiet demolishing some fantastic chicken wings in panko breadcrumbs. Up there with our best meals so far. Then a stop for a gelato on the way home along the Esplanade. Well done Mooloolaba (and Kevin for finding it) - campsite, beach, Esplanade, restaurants, all great. We may stay a while.
Jemima with a drawing of herself:
Fun on the beach:
Evening views from the Esplanade:
A slightly blurry photo of Jemima tucking into her chicken wings:
Hervey Bay to Mooloolaba:
Ahhhh sounds like a great day! I loved the sunshine coast.. It wasn't as commercial as the gold coast but that was quite a few years ago now. Can't wait to see Jemima's swimming when you get back.. Sounds like she is having a lot of practice!!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly great here, we are reluctant to move on in case it isn't as good... I don't know if her skills have improved, but she's enthusiastic as ever - she tried body surfing the (fairly small) waves today 😀. We still talk about swimming classes, look forward to seeing you when we're back! Xx
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