Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads

Spent the morning in and out of the swimming pool again, being watched by a Kookaburra and an Eastern Rosella on the overhead wires.

Kookaburra. 

Eastern Rosella.

We have a short wander around the farm in the hope of finding an Echidna to photograph. We only encountered a Wallaby, which gave us a somewhat quizzical look, probably wondering what we were looking for but at least it waited for us to take its picture before hopping off into the bush.

Lunchtime saw us at Byron Bay, having a coffee and cake (no surprises there then!). A flourless chocolate cake and similarly flourless orange cake, both with ice cream. Very pleasant if a little on the stodgy side. The cake was needed purely to provide energy for a walk along the beach to the lookout point (that's our story and we're sticking to it).

The clouds hadn't quite cleared after yesterday's thunderstorms but, in Byron at least, it was very warm and dry.

The surf was pretty small, so much so that we were able to paddle in the shallows, but from the lookout on the little island in front of the headland, there were still more than 40 in the water.  Many appeared not to be sticking to the surfer's 'code of conduct' we saw yesterday.

But some were.

There are often dolphins that surf the waves into the beach along with the kayakers and surfers,  but we don't see any today.  Maybe they prefer it a bit bigger.  

There are some interesting rock formations, and some small round sand balls gathered around small holes in various places along the beach. We are reliably informed that these are made by crabs clearing out a burrow.

The rock formations.

The crab burrow. It's almost a work of art, as are the rock formations for that matter.

Having decided it's too busy to do any surfing (also because we didn't bring a surfboard) we take a walk into the town itself. Last time we were in Byron Bay they were selling UV safe sun hats so we wanted to see if they had a replacement. Two shops and $25 less in our wallet later we have another. Hopefully that's good for another 10 or so years. 

Walking back to the car, there are plenty of these birds...

Here they are called 'Masked Lapwing' rather than 'Spur-winged Plover' as in NZ. 

A little busy here for an evening meal so we divert to Brunswick Heads, a short drive north at the the mouth of the Brunswick river.   It was so hot that Eric spent most of the day sleeping out of the sun.

Eric makes a short foray out at Brunswick Heads, as the heat has started to subside a little but he is still 'wilting' poor lad.

The river mouth at Brunswick Heads.

To work up our appetites, another stroll on the beach...

...before retiring to the hotel for dinner on the patio.  They have a musician here tonight but they are not yet on stage.  

Close to our dinner venue there are a flock of Litlle Corella (we think) in the bushes.  Of course we have left the better camera in the car, so it's difficult to tell from these photos!

Salmon, chicken, pizza and a pumpkin salad later we return to the farmstead fully replete and quite tired. No card games tonight.  There were views of Rainbow Lorakeets just before we left Brunswick Heads but too dark for piccies.

Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay

Another very relaxing morning with breakfast by the pool. The weather is hot and sunny so several swims are necessary, sharing the water with this frog at one point. 

The pool is freshwater and so the frogs like it but have difficulty getting out. A rescue is effected using the usual method used by our friends - the pool cleaning net. 

A Skink comes to investigate, both at the side of the pool and on the breakfast table.

Our hosts take us to Snapper Rocks for lunch at the surf club. The venue is a two storey building on the headland between Rainbow Bay and Duranbah Bay, or D'Bah for short, to the south. The restaurant has a verandah all around the first floor so you can have lunch (Baramundi and fries today, for one of us anyway) watching the surf on Rainbow Beach and Snapper Rocks.  Today a strong northerly is affecting the surf so there is not a lot of surfing going on, but the views are rather good (a bit of an understatement).

The bay. 

The rocks. 

Across from Rainbow Bay is Surfers Paradise, but judging by the skyline I doubt that the prime activity is surfing, and it may not be everyone's idea of paradise. 

This headland is right on the border between NSW and Queensland. There is a large monument to James Cook and a brass strip in the pavement to mark the division between the states.

You can see the brass strip sticking out of Eric's head!

It is at the end of a street that runs right along the border, with the division between the two states marked by the centre white line. The south side of the street is in the city of Tweed Heads, New South Wales, and the north in the city of Gold Coast, Queensland.  The traffic regulations vary between states in OZ and here they change depending on the direction you drive down this street.

Where the border bends away from the street, at one point a Mexican restaurant has the kitchen in one state and the dining room in another. So the fact there is a time difference on either side of the border means your meal is actually ready to be served an hour before you've decide what you want!  As we walk around, our too clever by half smartphone keeps changing its mind as to what time it is. 

The headland is named Point Danger and has a plaque on the monument informing us that they have now discovered James Cook actually meant the name to be given to a point a few miles to the south. No one has the heart to change it now as they think it would be too confusing!

Looking south at D'Bah beach and the Tweed River mouth.

A visit to a local art gallery and, as no dogs are allowed inside, Eric finds an interesting spot to wait.  

From here we make a short hop to a shopping mall to pick up some groceries (friends) and more significantly for us, some coffee and rather yummy cakes. We eat them before we thought a picture would be a good idea. 

In the centre of the shops was a decorated Christmas tree, which really seems out of place in this weather. We don't yet feel that summer has ended.  Thinks...well I guess it is November.

Very pretty but where are the presents?

On the drive back to Doon Doon we see this rather oversized avocado. They are very big on this style of marketing both here and in NZ.  

Thunderstorms and heavy showers bring some welcome rain to our friends' farm. The mountains look rather good with mist and cloud shrouding them in parts.

Finished the evening being trounced playing Whist whilst enjoying a selection of delicious cheese, crackers, fresh fruit and salad. Mmmmmmm. 

Brisbane

The plan for today is a fairly early start to get to Brisbane around 10am.  We don't need to leave until 9 even though it's a 2h drive.  This is because of the time difference between Queensland and New South Wales, which is an hour apart at the moment.  Does mess with your head a bit though.

Breakfast was eaten overlooking the pool, with views of Wallabies (very cute), Magpie Lark, Friar bird,  a very pretty looking Brahmin cow and two unidentified birds (one being some kind of egret).

Magpie Lark

Friar Bird in silhouette only I'm afraid.

It seems a pity she doesn't have a name!

Egret - but what sort?

Unknown bird on a wire (a new Leonard Cohen song?)

We drive past the Gold Coast, which is now an almost continous built up area between the NSW border and Brisbane as lots of people want to live by the beach, and it's an easy commute for those who work in the city. 

After a coffee when we arrive we stroll along the river into the town. There are a variety of road and pedestrian bridges that cross the river at various intervals, with views across to the central business district (CBD).

The CBD from across the river.

This is one of the pedestrian/cyclist bridges.

The Jacaranda trees here are in full bloom and are a purple delight. 

They look far more stunning in real life than in the picture.

A delicious lunch sitting alongside the prom in front of the cultural centre, before further perambulations (there must be another word for walking that we haven't used yet!).

Here we see a Sacred Ibis in its natural environment (well for this part of the town anyway). 

Some sculptures along the riverside include an elephant standing on it's head.

I can do that.

There are also Water Dragons basking in the sunlight. Eric decides to join them.

Eric tries his hand at basking but he doesn't seem to be able to get his ears out at quite the same angle as the Water Dragon's frill.

At this point on the river not far past our lunch spot is the start of a winding 'Bougainvillea Walk' - this is approx half a mile of arbour where fancy metal arch shapes and wires support several rows of the flowers along the whole length of the structure. The result is a stunning walkway. 

The Bougainvillea Arbour walkway.

Eric smells the Bougainvillea (unfortunately it has no smell!).

The weather is very warm, so much so that you need to try to stay in the shade.  The South Bank promenade is a very pleasant walk and has a variety of water features, including a beach and two pools. With Brisbane being both a tourist resort and a University town we imagine this will be very busy at certain times of the year. 

Across a cycle and pedestrian bridge with the Maritime Museum underneath, we arrive at the Botanic Gardens, which are still alongside the river.  

Three butterflies are spotted but only one provides us with a photo opportunity.

It's body looks similar to the Monarch butterflies, with a spotty thorax, but with blue rather than orange in the wing patterns.

Pass through the town centre, where all the drain covers are sealed with bar-coded tape - the G20 Summit is being held here soon. In front of one of the older buildings on the way back to the river we see what at first appears to be the sight of some crotchet bombing event.  Turns out it is a children's art project. 

Queen Vic never looked so good.

There are ferries that ply their way back and fore across the river, one of them is even free within a certain zone, but we fail to work out the route or the timetable and decide to walk back across a bridge  

to the cultural centre.  

The ferry terminal, but no ferry - a very handy bridge though.

Looking at what might be on in the theatre we spy a familiar face on a poster.  

Someone we know might wish they were here!

It is now finishing work time and the paths are filled with cyclists dashing past, seemingly on their way home, joggers keeping fit and the bars filling up with people for social get togethers after a hard day in the office.

Walking back towards the venue for our evening meal (a Greek restaurant in the burbs) a Willy Wagtail and a bird that looks rather like a vulture or turkey with a tail flattened in the lateral position provide some visual entertainment.

Willy Wagtail.

The laterally flattened tail of what we are reliably informed by our friends is a Brush Turkey. Not a member of the turkey family at all really, but it does look a bit like one. 

Returning to Doon Doon we are taken past some more of the Brisbane sights and an ideal spot for a night time photo of the city.

After all this walking and good food we think we should sleep well tonight.

 

Birding by the pool - November 4th

Our first day at Doon Doon consists of a relaxed breakfast and various other food breaks interspersed with some swimming and Birdwatching in the wonderful surroundings. 

On a slight rise sandwiched between national parks on all four sides inside a huge shield volcano, whichever direction you choose to look has a great view. 

Mount Warning to the north west. 

Two volcanic plugs called doughboy and little doughboy to the south. 

After lunch, a dip or two in the pool for some.

Eric pondering whether he wants a dip or to continue his chat with a lady friend who must have just got out of the water and is drying her hair. 

On the Birdwatching front it is great just to be able to sit and drink tea whilst multiple new species fly past, of some we get good photos,others are a bit blurred but are included just to start the ID process.

 

Ibis - TBD

Butcher Bird

Wedge Tailed Eagle? 

TBD

Whistling Kite 

Crested Pigeon

TBD. A Scarlet Honeyeater. 

Common Mynah. 

An excellent meal,  a chat and so to bed after a very relaxing day.