Day 12 - 8 Sept - Noosa
Day 12 - 8th Sept
Noosa
After testing the waters with the shortest Noosa Heads national park walk, it was time to do part of a larger one. All abilities and energy levels considered, the track leading to Tea Tree bay was chosen.
The path was a low impact monument to the protection of the whole headland. Originally the idea was to subdivide the various land parcels - former farms, and build a road, cutting off any remaining forest from the sea (a key feature of the ecosystem), but even early European inhabitants recognised the environmental value of the area, when they set aside the heads for a future nature reserve in 1879.
60 years later the reserve became a national park, and multiple efforts to water down the rules, only led to firmer resolve to protect this lovely place.
This may seem small, but a string of protections there, to Hervey Bay and beyond, form a shield around K’gari (AKA - Fraser Island). The fresh water coming off this enormous sand island (Eli Creek,which we paddled in a few years ago) is thought to produce the exact conditions needed for Australia’s natural wonder - the Great Barrier Reef.
Our walk took us through several distinct ecosystems - rocky cabbage palm stands, tea tree forest, the low bushed heights, the dense viney rainforest near the start, and thin stunted dune scape near Teatree bay.
From the high view spots, we could see groups of surfers, some bobbing for hours and catching the occasional wave playfully, others with ‘sensible’ hair cuts popped in for a long lunch break, leather backs on bicycles or BMWs, school kids and company execs, craving the challenge of a great equaliser - and where better than the sea.
We found some shade for Babulya, Dedulya, Mama and Nastya while papa and Sasha busied themselves with a sandcastle. Mama joined in to demonstrate the art of wet sand trickle castles, and within a few minutes the young man was oscillating through all jobs of the construction.
The day ended up being just a bit hotter than expected, so after some dipping, (while an over curious bushturkey had a stand off with dedulya) we started our journey back.
The beach was dotted with little groups of laid back beach goers. we discovered Papa and Sasha had left the junior’s backpack on the path, but it was exactly where it was left… lovely people, and confirmed non stealers of kids backpacks.
Preparations for our departure began. The week had flown by like all good holidays should.
A plan for the evening was loosely hatched, but fish and chips on the beach with the family was harder than expected, so we took everything back to the apartment and nommed there.
Nosh Express -
The Gruffalo’s child was enjoyed on the IPad (because why would there be an easy way to play it on the big screen? IDK)
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