A Tale of Two Hikes (or Bushwalks)

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

Alexandria Bay Hike

Sand...

Gardner's falls

Aussie Veteran's day

Obi Obi creek

Giant Stinging Trees!

Echidna!!

Cheese!

Ants? Termites?

Lake for lunch

My favorite Aussie tree

My pool buddy!

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.