Mt. Tamborine/Kingscliff

Kingscliff is just before the Queensland border. What used to be a sleepy little village is now a growth centre full of resorts and new subdivisions. Thankfully, they have kept the high rise out, so it looks good. The village along the beach is now a vibrant shopping and cafe scene, and we immediately like it. It feels good.

Tweed Heads Snapper Rocks

We had tried to get into the Caravan Park, along the beach, right in town, but it was full for big vans like ours, something we are finding now, and means we may have to book ahead more than we would like to. The caravan park had also suffered badly from the beach erosion that had taken place a few weeks earlier, with all the huge seas that have been pounding the east coast, and had lost some roads and sites. We found our spot, at Nth Kingscliff Caravan Park, only 2 km north, again right on the beach. It was good for us, as it made us walk to town and back, either along the walking path, or along the beach. We usually alternated. The weather was pretty good, and it was nice to get the shorts and T-Shirts out, and paddle in the surf. Still too cold for us to swim!  We drove around the area, and marvelled at how much it has changed, and also took a drive up to the Gold Coast from Tweed Heads to Main Beach, where we reminisced on holidays past in this iconic Aussie tourist ground.

We had a really lazy few days, doing some washing and other household chores. Yes we do have housework! It takes 2 minutes to vacuum or wash the floor, dusting is at least 3 minutes, and making up the bed is another 1 and a half. If we throw in the washing up, it takes us a whole 10 minutes! Eat your hearts out girls! This time John even got the bikes down for a full maintenance check and clean up. They take a battering out in the elements all day/night, but having spoken to the right bike shops, we now have the right gear to keep them in pretty good condition. Whilst Cadel may laugh hysterically at our equipment, we are only doing The Path of Kingscliff, not The Tour de Anywhere!

We sussed out the best coffee, and on our last night, had a terrific Thai meal, cooked by an Aussie Chef! In fact, the only Asian in the restaurant was doing the dishes! Shows you how cooking has changed. We always remember our Italian meal in Leichhardt, at the Jolly Italian Restaurant. The name should have told us, but all the staff were Chinese!

Mt. Tamborine Caravan Park

On to Mt. Tamborine. We took directions from the caravan park manager, whose last job must have been working for Basil Fawlty. In fairness, we could have written down the wrong information, like everything he said! We turned up Cedar Creek Rd, and were immediately confronted by a sign saying No Through Road. Another car had followed us onto this road and was madly flashing his lights at us. He pulled along side, and asked if we were looking for the caravan park at Mt. Tambourine. He was obviously a highly perceptive local, who proceeded to tell us that this happens all the time, so that means the manager is consistent, and that we will need to turn around, and go back to the main road and find Cedar Creek Falls Road. We eventually found somewhere to turn around, and headed for the right address. Now obviously the local and the manager went to the same school, because the local neglected to tell us that as soon as we turned into Cedar Creek Falls Road, we had to immediately do almost a U turn down a track on our right. This track was beautifully sign posted if you were coming back up the hill, which we were to find out. So down the ever narrowing road we travelled, until we reached a dead end in the Cedar Falls National Park car park, that had a turning circle designed for cars without caravans. The bewildered looks on the hikers' faces said it all! John executed a perfect 14 point turn, and to a standing ovation, left the car park. This time we found the sign, and the caravan park, and we were soon parked in amongst the trees and other campers.

Fresh avocados 3 for a $1

Dress Shop sign we loved

Mt. Tamborine is lovely, full of guest houses and B&B's, gift shops, cafes and every other tourist trap imaginable. If you closed your eyes you could be in Leura (NSW) or Montville(QLD) or the Dandenongs(Vic). The formula for tourist traps in the mountains is always the same, however here, the views back over the coast to the east, and out across the plains to the west, are breathtaking. It is all rain forest, so is lush and tropical, and grows a fair amount of produce in rich red soil. It seems everyone has an Honesty Box stall at the front gate, and we stopped to check a few out. Terrific avocados, stewed fruit (we bought a big jar of stewed rhubarb), lemons and various vegetables.

Giant Trees and Orchids

The raised walkway among the treetops

The highlight for us though, was the Treetop Rainforest Walk. What a wonderful 2 hours we spent doing the 45 minute walk. You don't need to be a tree hugger to know what a privilege this is. The towering trees, the ferns, the orchids, the palms, the vines and the bird life, all made it such a treat. And the peace and quiet. We didn't want to leave. We would sit in a quiet spot and wait for all the birds to come to life and just look and listen to all the sights and sounds. By the time we were finished, we were ready for coffee, local rainforest blend of course, and be assured, there is no shortage of choices, all with their special kinds of goodies to temp you. We tease ourselves for a while, but soon succumb.

Now that's a campfire!

Back at the camp we treated ourselves again. This time, happy hour around our own little campfire. Our powered site came with its own campfire, so we bought a bag of firewood, and along with almost every other camper, got the fire going. It was beautiful evening, complete with one of Carol's fantastic baked dinners. The trees were full of lorikeets, and there were bush turkeys everywhere. As night fell and a million stars came out, who needs TV!

We enjoyed Mt. Tamborine a lot, and would welcome a few days back here at some future time, but only if the weather is good. On our last night, having enjoyed the campfire, we were woken in the early hours by a tremendous downpour, that lasted several hours. Morning dawned to a sea of water and mud, soaked campers and flooded camp sites. We weren't the only ones packing up and moving on.