After a short stay in Brisbane we drove north to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast for our final 4 nights in Australia.  It’s only spring but the heat differential between New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland was significant.  The air was dry and temps were in the high 30s C (95-97 degrees Fahrenheit).

Despite the heat, there was no way we could miss the Australia Zoo, formerly the wildlife animal hospital made famous by Steve “Crikey!” Irwin.  It’s located in Beerwah which is not a huge distance, “kilometers wise”,  but required some navigation through many unmapped construction detours and upwards of 158 roundabouts.  It seemed like we were driving in circles but eventually we got there.  Yeah!  Des has self proclaimed master of the roundabout status (he can have it).  The Zoo was  was dearly missing Steve but his spirit was definitely felt.  The zoo is going strong.  We were all fans of the Crocodile Hunter and it was bewildering how a stingray took down this bigger than life person.  I read that Steve is buried on the property somewhere, so that’s pretty cool.

The crocodile museum was packed full of bones and stories of adventures and mishaps from Irwin.  Kai says crocodiles are basically dinosaurs because they’ve been around so long.  He also noted that you don’t have to have a big brain to survive millions of years!   The Irwinesque trainers gave us good advice on how to not get eaten by a crocodile:  stay 5 meters from the waters edge and don’t hang over bodies of water unless you’re 5 meters above.  The big crocodile demonstrated his reach at the show!  It concluded with a greatest moments tribute to Steve Irwin complete with a very mod rap song about his exploits.

Wallabies and grey kangaroos wandered around about an acre of protected habitat.   Here Kai gets up close and personal. They have mad hops and game respects game…

The Koalas were the cutest.  Eucalyptus leaves are the only food on their menu so they sleep a lot.  These moms and their joeys were pretty active though.  Unfortunately their numbers are dwindling now, mostly due to urbanisation and loss of habitat.  And, sadly,  dogs attacks are common.

We found the Australian water dragons!  They were on the loose at the park, quite curious critters, and like to pose for photos.

This sumatran tiger cub greeted us just inside the park.

Noosa Heads and the National Park was amazing.  Lots of eucalyptus trees and pristine beaches.  Noosa proper was “Old Del Mar on steroids”!  Our lodging at the fancy pants French hotel was on the main drag, Hastings Street. Below is Little Cove and Main beach in the background.   A nice boardwalk winds all the way from Hastings street to the headlands.

Jen didn’t have to go far to have her first true wildlife encounter.  At the start of the Tanglewood trail head she met this guy…

It’s a laced monitor lizard or a type of goanna.   Their bite is probably venomous due to an oral toxin and the claws can definitely leave a mark.  There have been koalas in the park but no one mentioned these big lizards.  This one smelled the BBQ!  Something just didn’t feel right being close to one of these beasts. I have nightmares about tangling with one…

 

 

 

Jen was jolted out of some peaceful shade when a green tree snake jumped out of this pandanus palm and landed right next to her!  Long, skinny, and green but not poisonous. It had a mouthful of something, maybe a spider nest, and had lunch on the rocks.

 

Another surf club!  The young ones were training this night.

The waves were quite small during our stay, perfect for swimming and stand up paddling.  Noosa hosts a major surfing festival every February.  The longboarder competition draws big numbers. Hmm…maybe next time, Des.

 

Another rare bird sighting… Des claiming his retail therapy sesh!

 

A random Noosa local making a visit to our balcony.

 

Laguna lookout sunset gathering above the village. As always, the pic doesn’t quite seem to capture the scene. Take our word, colorful as. This and more has me grasping the attraction of Australia. It’s big too. Des plans a 12 month roadie around it in 2022. Book your seat now…

See ya next time!