It would seem I need to catch up a little. So two days, two hikes. First off was my trip to Alexandria Bay on the Sunshine coast. I tried to park at the National Park, but no luck there. Eventually I found a parking spot, the map showed trails to the bay from there, so off I went. It wasn't bad at first, but then became sand, sometimes deep sand. Not my favorite walking medium, going uphill and down. I did see my first Goanna, he was about 6 feet long, but didn't stay for his pic to be taken. It was not a really fun hike, and it was hot.
Made it to the beach, had a nice afternoon relaxing and reading. I decided that no way was I going to do that hike in the opposite direction, so I found a way to avoid it by walking a more scenic route, albeit even longer. Altogether 9 miles of steep hills...and valleys...and more steep hills...you get the idea!
Next hike, I went inland to see some sights near the town of Maleny. First was Gardner's falls, not much water but a pretty place. I saw a huge black snake though! Next I went to the Obi Obi creek to try to spot a platypus. They continue to be elusive. I did happen to stumble across a Veteran's day ceremony and stayed because it seemed disrespectful to just walk by. I was treated to bagpipes, a perpetual flame, and the Aussie national anthem. It was a good experience and certainly unexpected.
Next I went to the Mary Cairncross reserve which was pretty great. It's a rainforest and has some really nice walks. Two things to share...first was the "Giant Stinging Tree", seriously that's its
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| Alexandria Bay Hike |
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| Sand... |
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| Gardner's falls |
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| Aussie Veteran's day |
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| Obi Obi creek |
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| Giant Stinging Trees! |
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| Echidna!! |
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| Cheese! |
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| Ants? Termites? |
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| Lake for lunch |
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| My favorite Aussie tree |
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My pool buddy!
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name! After reading about it I'd reccomend staying far away. The description said that the little hairs on its leaves deliver a super toxin that causes extreme pain for "weeks, months and even years." Yeah, sign me up. They were all nicely signed as you walked the paths but later I saw a group of Japanese kids playing with leaves, that probably didn't end well. On a nicer note, and what made my whole day, I saw my first Echidna! And he wanted his picture taken!
After that I went to a cheese factory, had lunch at a lake with no other people (where is everyone?), and headed back to the pool to hang out with the lizards. Really, really big lizards.
