Sunshine Coast

We spent 10 days in the Sunshine Coast – based out of Maroocydore. Our caravan park was excellent. Across the street from the Maroochy River was made for a beautiful morning walk.

The other lovely thing about our caravan park was that every evening at 4:30 (when it wasn’t pouring rain) they lit a communal fire and roasted perfect marshmallows for everyone. We brought our own drink and sat around the fire for a few hours each evening meeting the other people in the park and learning about their travels. The managers also made pancakes on Wednesday mornings and had a band on Friday and a kids movie night on Saturday. It was great and we were sad to leave!

Maroochydore Beach

On the first weekend, we went out and explored the beach at Maroochydore. There was a national rowing event happening and a really beautiful day. The water temperature is really fantastic – around 24 C. (same as the outside temp).

Noosa

We also spent a couple of days in both Noosa Heads and Noosaville on the river. Our friends from Brisbane came up to Noosa and we spent a day with them on the beach and then another day we visited some other friends that live there. This was my fifth visit to Noosa and it never disappoints – such a beautiful spot of the world.

Buderim Ginger Factory

Unfortunately, on our last weekend it was pouring rain the entire weekend and we couldn’t make it to the beach. So instead, we went to the Buderim Ginger Factory and I’m so glad we did! We went on a silly kids boat ride, and then took a tour of the ginger factory and had a ginger tasting.

Apparently, the Buderim Ginger Factory supplies 75% of Australia’s ginger and exports to several countries including the UK and the US. Their specialty is confectionery ginger as the climate in this area makes the ginger have a softer and sweeter flavour.

It was really interesting to see how they soak the ginger in big vats and to taste the different recipes made out of their ginger. It was a holiday on the day we visited (Labour Day) so there were no people working in the factory which was a shame.

Next stop – up the coast to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island!