Leaving the crazy roundabout was almost as hard as finding and entering it. We found ourselves almost on the road to Gympie before we had to do some gymnastic manouvers to get back to the road to the Sunshine Coast. Caloundra was our first stop - a large shopping strip one block back from the beach, so no view at all. We made our way to the beach, but it was so cold and windy we were soon beaten back into submission, back to the shops.

We followed the coast up and came to Maloolaba which had a nice esplanade on the water. Here was the beginning of the typical setup all along the coast - large multi-story apartment buildings looking over the water, cafes and restaurants at their feet, and a nice walking path along the beach. Of course for anyone behind, there is no view at all.

At Maroochydore we turned off the main drag and found some nice paths along the river where traffic was calmer and parking more available for a big rig.

We spent the night in Bli Bli, which is Aboriginal for many Bli-s (whatever a Bli is). It is a tiny town half way up the Sunshine Coast on the Maroochy River. We chose it because of its location, and for the fact that the caravan park was $35 a night, whereas every other caravan park on the Sunshine Coast was between $60 and $80. And at Bli Bli we got the second last site, and unpowered. But it was a nice little park right on the river, and just around the corner from the Sunshine Castle - the biggest full scale castle in Australia, looking like something out of medieval times but apparently only built in the 1980s.

Today we moved on to the northern part of the Sunshine Coast - Marcoola Beach, Coolum Beach, and on towards Noosa. We had thought driving up the beach road would be nice and flat and open. Nothing could be further from the truth - the road was windy, up and down, often surrounded by thick bush. Occasionally you got glimpses of the sea, ususally from a height like looking over a cliff. Occasionally there were turn-offs leading to gated communities, where the beach could be enjoyed by the residents alone. Every now and then the road flattened, the trees stopped, and another beach town emerged - with the tall apartment buildings as before.

Noosa Heads was so over devloped. The main drag was crowded with shops and people, and was miles away from any views or the water. It was the 'party' capital with bars and fast food joints.

We then moved on to Noosaville, along the Noosa River. This was much more sophisticated, with apartment buildings only three or four stories high, and chic and elegant restaurants. The river was full of watercraft and lined with manicured gardens.

Moved on again to Tewantin, and this was more like an old fashioned family holiday destination, much more down to earth. Found the first Op Shop I had seen for a while.

All in all, the Sunshine Coast is way too overdeveloped for me. Happy to get back onto the motorway and head towards Gympie. Free rest area off the highway tonight.

Georgy's bit

Exhausted, driving QLD style is no fun. Roundabouts, speed humps, confusing highway interchanges and the ever confused QLD drivers. Found a parallel parking, got hit by a tree branch that almost tore the awning off. Noosaville almost eluded us and we doubled back to get there. Not just cars are angle parked, houses are angle oriented to the road, I wondered and still do. Gympie rest area was home for self contained caravans, motorhomes and the not so contained people movers, cars, tents. It had clean facilities though. Wild life as bush turkeys and echidnas provided entertainment beside pet dogs a plenty. Simple things in life are often the best.