Entry 16 – Rainbow Beach opposite Fraser Island &
Sunshine Coast Hinterland. – 27/8/18 – 9/9/18
We arrived at Inskip Point campground at 11 am, the optimal
time for the days completed departure of outgoing campers and parked to the
side of the bitumen road just prior to the campground entrance, (didn’t want to
drive straight into entrance and risk getting bogged in soft sand with caravan
in tow.) We walked around the SS Dorrigo camp area, (in our opinion the least
crowded location) of 5 camp grounds at Inskip Point, assessing our site
options, (1st come basis.) Inskip Point is a stretch of sand with
open ocean on its eastern side and a sheltered bay on its western side. The
sand surface is predominately covered by bush with some open areas covered by
grass. Due to the constant movement of vehicles in the various camp locations
many areas of the sand surface were all gouged up creating difficult conditions
for a 4wd without a caravan in tow. We chose a location away from the main
gathering area, providing access with minimal obstacles.
It had been 5 years to the month since we first discovered
Inskip Point, back then staying nearly two weeks. It was wonderful to be back
in a great setting and we were content with our more private camp location away
from our last spot in the main camping area during our previous visit. We
didn’t miss the provided, “people,” entertainment on our previous visit,
watching many people drive into the camp ground hunting for the “prime,” camp
spot and promptly getting bogged in the soft sand, then seeking out help from
other campers to provide a rescue tow out. On our daily wonderings / walks we
still got to see people digging out around bogged vehicles.
During our time at Inskip Point, late afternoons we would walk
around the camp ground viewing the latest arrivals and their camp set ups. Many
caravans were located on soft chewed up sand which would have made for
difficult access and parking conditions. Some afternoons we would be back at
our camp within about 30 minutes, though mostly about 1 ½ hours later compliments
of “having a chat with other happy campers!”
It was enjoyable sitting outside early mornings at breakfast
time listening to the many different bird sounds around us watching birds flittering
about in the bush.
We spent our time walking along the beach, some days a
kilometre or two along wandering into some of the other camping areas for a
look. We found our calf muscles protesting when walking through soft sand around
these camp areas.
The ambient air temperature was cooler than our last visit
by around five degrees daily, which was consistent with regular comments, “It
would be better if it was a bit warmer,” from other travellers around
Queensland this year. The air temperature was still quite comfortable, just not
short sleeves day and night. We still managed sometime in the ocean vindicating
the carting of our boogie boards all over Australia for 2018!
Another one of those special moments whilst walking along
the beach a pelican flew in landing quite close to Steve and opened its mouth
signifying it wanted a feed. Not happy with our lack of response the pelican
tried to intimidate Steve, walking right up to him.
We “so,” enjoyed our week at Inskip Point, delighted with
our private feeling camp site, appreciating a bit of bush between our site and other
nearby sites. A couple of minutes walk to the beach and we didn’t feel the need
to utilise our vehicle to get about, appreciating the benefits of foot power to
get around with foot power providing effortless ease to view our surrounds and
many happy greetings with other occupants, human or bird. And naturally we
enjoyed many great meals.
It rained on our eighth night at Inskip Point and with a
weather forecast for more rain over the next few days it was time to explore
other locations. About 120 kilometres down the road we stayed a night at
Eumundi, up early in the morning to experience the Eumundi Markets. Our camp
was located in the markets carparking area and we woke to a wet muddy morning.
Eumundi Markets operates Wednesdays (our day) and Saturdays. It would be one of
the biggest if not the biggest market setup we had experienced with a large
volume of stalls located in a permanent lockup booths area. There were a few
different areas with most dominating in the light clothing and jewellery offerings
and another example of an area with stalls offering massage, palm reading and
other alternate health options. It was a morning of constant showers hindering that
slow browsing for the outside located stalls. We did manage to restock our
fridge and pantry but were disappointed with the light offerings of farmers
fresh produce. Due to the wet weather distraction we neglected to obtain a few
photographs show casing the market but thought it was worth viewing.
Next location on our wish list whilst in this area was the
small town of Kenilworth about 30 kilometres inland where we had spent nearly
two weeks in 2013 camped at the showgrounds. It was the same old showgrounds with
a surface covered by nice green grass. It had doubled in size where it was now
possibly capable of catering for a couple of hundred caravans though it still “lacked,”
with provided facilities, probably surviving due to many people preferring to
utilize their own personal modern caravan / motorhome amenities.
Our first √ provided by the presentation of the show
grounds making for a happy relaxed atmosphere. With another √ delivered by the atmosphere of offerings along the towns
short main street, followed by √
for the free tastings available at the dairy factory with ‘udderly delicious’
cheese, yoghurt, mousse and ice cream made on site which unfortunately if you
are dieting is located directly opposite the camp ground.
A leisurely stroll from the camp ground along the main
street with plenty on offer attracting your attention could keep you occupied
all day or for several days with a return stroll back to the camp ground all up
under a kilometre.
 |
| Camp ground to Mary's left with main street in background. Out of sight to Mary's right was Dairy Factory |
Kenilworth has a population of about 500 people whom portray
a strong sense of community spirit, many volunteering their time, involved with
ongoing yearly activities attracting a continuous flow of visitors, with some
examples of ongoing activities at the show grounds hall: balls, cheese and wine
festival, rodeos, craft and quilt shows, chook chase, art shows and more.
The picturesque setting and mood of Kenilworth provides a
tranquil atmosphere, shrouding over your body and soul. Each additional day spent
at Kenilworth increasing a self-sense of calmness. √ √ √. We
loved Kenilworth.
Kenilworth and Eumundi were located in Queensland’s Sunshine
Coast Hinterland, a location with potential of spending several months viewing
its offerings.
Unusual for us from our last 5 plus years of drifting along
and travel activities we are experiencing a change provided by a different
gravitation pull of itinerary caused by the arrival of our grandchildren. We
could have easily stayed longer at Kenilworth if it wasn’t for a planned time
to visit Canberra and one grandchild oh and our kids. A bonus for our Canberra
visit was Floriade (Tulip) Festival being in full swing at that time.
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