Monthly Archives: August 2018

Swimmer’s Haven – Park Beach, Coffs Harbour

28 Tuesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Park beach, Coffs Harbour

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Park Beach is one of the many stunning beaches that you will pass as you walk the coastal walk on the Coffs Coast of NSW. The coastal walk is a 60km stretch between Sawtell in the south to Red Rock in the northern beaches, linking a string of long golden beaches, rocky headlands and lush rainforest along the Coffs Coast. It is certainly one of the most beautiful walks on the east coast of Australia.

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Park Beach is actually a suburb of Coffs Harbour, located in the north eastern part of the town. This calm and relaxed, water wonderland accommodates all comers. It is a great family beach close to town and amenities. A really lovely clean and tidy beach for both walking along and swimming. The beach is relatively well protected and suits family swimming. It is dog friendly and very popular. We always see many dogs there including my Buddy.

 

This ideal location is perfect for pool swimmers to get accustomed to open water swimming. If in doubt, ask a local for advice on swimming conditions (for that day). The large sandy beach awaits families wanting to build sand castles and play in the sand.
A renovated parkland is beachside and is an ideal place for picnics and family gatherings. There is enough grass space for ball games. New bench seats allow places to relax and watch the yachts out to sea, people running with their dogs or just take in the lovely views.
There are beachside showers on the boardwalk which allows folks to rinse off sand and salt before heading to the park or the many nearby eateries / cafes.

 

Adjacent to the beach park is the Coffs Harbour surf life saving club which is a community organisation run by volunteers protecting members of the public who surf and swim at the beach. Surf club patrols are conducted on weekends and public holidays during the surfing season from September to April each year.

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On the 2nd floor of this surf club is the restaurant and bar which is open for breakfast and lunch, and offers amazing views of the ocean and beach looking towards the north and down to the south. It also offers pretty fantastic food. I know I have eaten there many times.

 

There is a very popular Holiday park directly across the street which means visitors staying there can just easily walk across the road to the park and beach.

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As are all the beaches in Coffs Harbour, Park Beach is stunning. There is plenty of easy parking close to the beach with many amenities close by, including showers, toilets, picnic tables and benches and free bbqs and also cafes nearby.

Fantastic for Nature Lovers – Karawatha Forest.

19 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by in Karawatha Forest, Brisbane

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This place is truly at my back yard. Karawatha forest was here a long time before I arrived but it is only in recent months that I have started exploring and enjoying this wonderful bushland. Initially it was a great area to walk my dog Buddy and for us to enjoy the natural area while both of us enjoying fresh air and great exercise.

Recently, while my friends were visiting, we went to the forest a couple of times to explore plus we joined a 2 hour guided walk through the bush one Sunday morning. These guided walks are conducted regularly. You can find the information on the website. When I was growing up on the northern beaches of Sydney this type of area was “my back yard” and although I had spent many hours there I realised there was just so much more that I learned on this guided walk. Karawatha Forest contains mainly open eucalypt forest with areas of heath, wetland and woodlands.

There are plenty of bushwalking paths which are well-signed making it very easy to explore and design your own walks.

Karawatha Forest Park is about 18 kilometres south of Brisbane’s CBD, is approximately 900 hectares in size and is one of the largest areas of remnant bushland within the city. Karawatha Forest Park has a range of walking tracks and trails and you can download maps from the site of the Karawatha Protection Society to see the wetlands, track locations, grading and length of the tracks.

We were delighted when we arrived at the area known as Poet’s Rock with its sandstone ridges and scenic outlook over the forest and in the distance we could see Brisbane city.

Due to the large size of Karawatha Forest Park, and the variety of habitats it contains,this forest is a very important refuge for over 200 species of wildlife, including a number of threatened or endangered species such as the greater glider, squirrel glider and rare frogs. The forest also supports rednecked wallabies, swamp wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos, possums, bats, parrots and owls. The birdlife is the most visible in the forest – over 100 bird species have been found.

Inside the Karawatha Forest, just off the Acacia Street entrance there is ample parking, which is a few meters from the Discovery Centre which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am – 4pm. The Forest Discovery Centre is so well thought-out. Interactive exhibits teach you about the local wildlife – from frog calls, to invasive weeds and a bird’s eye view of the forest. There are books and craft activities for children to engage with, plenty of buttons to press and lots for the older visitor too. They have packed a lot of information into a small space and delivered it in a fantastically accessible way.

Adjacent to the discovery centre there are large picnic areas with free bbq’s, picnic tables and benches, lots of grassy places to relax or play. There are plenty of public toilets and there is an amazing nature play area for the kids.

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Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre has been really well planned and there’s something there for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds so whether you’re a young family, backpacker or seasoned bushwalker there’s plenty to enjoy. You could easily bring a picnic and spend all day or just pop in for a quick walk.

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An Oasis in a Busy City – Roma Street Parklands

08 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Australia, Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

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In Brisbane we are blessed with so many beautiful gardens and Roma Street Parklands is no exception.

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This oasis in the heart of Brisbane with spectacular subtropical plant displays, sweeping vistas and unique artwork, Roma Street Parkland is the perfect place to go exploring – and it is only a short walk from Brisbane’s CBD.

The Parklands which is set on old Queensland railway land has been carefully developed into a very attractive and well manicured parkland that would scarcely betray its former use.

The Parkland is extensive with lovely gardens, a lake and a rainforest area. There are also excellent children’s play areas.

Join one of the leisurely and informative guided walks leaving from The Hub twice daily to experience these beautifully designed and meticulously kept grounds. There are many different sections and themes, fantastic waterways and features, flowers, native and imported, rainforest, water dragons in abundance. The walks are undulating so be prepared for short uphill sections. I could roam and enjoy this parkland for hours, And… It is free!

Or maybe for a Gold coin donation, hop onto the Parkland Explorer, the trackless train for an exciting journey through the parkland’s misty fern groves, past rocky peninsulas and the Lakeside Meadow. This little train operates between 10 and 12.30 each day with its drivers and conductors who are regular volunteers of the Parklands.

The parkland provides well-maintained picnic spots and free electric barbecues so you can prepare your own food. There is also a casual restaurant which you will find between the parking area and park.

There are two playgrounds designed for children of all ages, one at the Children’s Garden and the other along Weeping Fig Avenue.

We drove in to the Parklands as there is plenty of on street pay parking however it is easy enough to walk from the city or the Roma Street train station.

The ground staff and volunteers at Roma Street Parklands are to be congratulated for putting such a wonderful space together. It brings happiness and joy to all who visit. Well Done. Roma Street Parkland is open seven days a week.

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