Sun, Sea, Sand and Surf (18th- 20th Jan)

......Sunsets, Sunburn and Smoothies.

Weekend at Rainbow Beach 

First off, 2 and a half days is nowhere near enough time at Rainbow Beach (spent 5hours Friday on a bus so it only counts as half a day). But it's designed for tourists. Beautiful and soooooooo much to do, if you have the money to spend.

The hostel here was great but for two things:- 

      + The appallingly bad water pressure in the showers

      + And the lack of air con.

Air con is a beautiful thing out here, having just missed one of the hottest weeks of the summer, it's still incredibly hot, even the bus had better air con than I've experienced at home. The water pressure generally wouldn't bother me at all but theres just so much sand and it's impossible to shift!

The hostel did however do nightly bush walks, which were free, consisting of an easy walk through the bush up onto the sand dunes above Rainbow Beach....

 Just acres and acres of sand and spectacular views....

  

And a beautiful sunset over the sand. Australian sunsets are so quick (just 4mins according to our guide) and generally quite spectacular...

Having said that, going on a 'sunset cruise' around Tin Can Bay on the second night was a bit disappointing. Much as I enjoyed just being out on the water, it really wasn't that much in the way of entertainment and the horizon had a layer of clouds so we didn't even get a good sunset.

First night (above) made up for it though as did the sand boarding; throwing yourself down a stupidly steep sand dune on a bodyboard.... incredibly fun and the start of a weekend covered in enough sand to fill a beach!

The beach itself was also incredible. Miles of sand, and the amount of 4x4s driving up and down the beach to, well get to the other end was riddiculous, there were even speed limits along the beach. It was so hot though! Putting sunscreen on first thing was a morning ritual, didn't work though! Having spent just one full day on the beach was already a beautiful pink.

(Please note the 'rainbow' coloured sand that gives the beach its name)

Anyhoo, slightly sun pinked wont stop me and Sunday was watersports! Namely kayaking and surfing!
Kayaking was brilliant! Dolphins, sea turtles, sting rays and lots and lots of birds! And a beautiful warm lagoon on the beach to swim in after. Then surfing in the afternoon, well attempted surfing. Not my best sport I must say, but still a lot of fun!

And I can't tell yous about Rainbow Beach without mentioning the Juice Bar. Soooo much yummy fruit juices and smoothies! May have developed a slight addiction, and practically lived on them over the weekend! What can be better than lying next to a bright blue pool, in a hammock in the sun with a good book and a smoothie? Even went back for one on Monday morning before catching the bus on to Goomeri!

Gotta say, Rainbow Beach was AMAZING even if it did all cost money and I was nearly wishing for rain. There was much more I wanted to do there. If I get a chance to go back I'll make sure I find time to go to Fraser Island which has a beautiful lake, and some of the purest dingos in Australia (aparently) but you really need two full days there so I didn't have enough time. There's also a point not far away where you can go scuba diving with nurse sharks and sky diving over the beach. Maybe I'll go back at some point.

Piccies from Brisbane (17th Jan)

So I finally have a bit of time to update.

Firstly a few pics from Brisbane =)

Got to admit I didn't see much of the city in daylight so you'll have to endure a couple of beautiful night-time panoramas. But firstly:

 I believe this one was taken from the middle of the footbridge over the river =)

 Panorama from the hostel roof, beside the pool before going off on my wanders.

And a b-e-a-u-tiful one taken from the South Bank, looking back at the city. I love this pic!!!