The Wandering Tops

The Wandering Tops

28 March, 2020

Around SE Qld

After leaving Lennox Heads we went to the Gold Coast hinterland and parked the caravan in Wayne and Susan's back yard. Sue at Nashua had asked us to return for a few days and look after Jess and Henry while she flew to Adelaide for the Womadelaide festival.

This house sit was for 5 days and gave us the opportunity to visit a couple of places we hadn't previously. We went for a drive to Newrybar a small village which is very trendy and some of the prices for items in the homewares store, I thought, were over the top. Had a look at the bakery where they make their own sourdough bread in a wood oven. I bought a sausage roll, was quite nice but at $8 .... I treasured every bite.

Harvest Bakery, Newrybar, NSW
Not long after our return a neighbour came to the door very agitated about a stolen washing machine. Someone had come to his home while he was out and taken the washing machine.  His elderly father-in-law was home and tried to tell this person that he couldn't take it however he was spoken to tersely which upset him.  I had to do a bit of detective work to find out what was going on!  Long story short the tenant at Sue's property was moving out and a friend was suppose to come and remove the washing machine however he went to the wrong house!!  Quite a bit was happening - the neighbour called Police to lodge incident and the tenant could not contact her friend to bring the washing machine back. Washing machine still missing the next morning however by afternoon it had been returned and all was in working condition with no damage.  The tenant's washing machine was then picked up and all was good!

Our visit coincided with the Byron Bay World Nude Bike Ride (WNBR) an event organised to make people aware of environmental issues.  I thought it would be worth a look and as I hadn't brought my bike along, couldn't participate!!


Byron Bay, streets closed for the WNBR
Group of happy participants in the WNBR on the streets of Byron
While in Byron also had a quick look around town and checked out the beach, not a lot different to the last time we visited, always lots of people.  I hadn't been to the lookout for some time so thought this would make a good opportunity for a photo. Unfortunately the traffic was bumper to bumper going to the lookout and parking was basically impossible so only snapped a quick photo through the car window, well at least I could say I went there!

Byron Bay - the beach side was very busy

While in Byron decided to go to the Lookout, Australia's most Easterly point.

Henry and Jess waiting for Helen, Jess found Helen's Gidgee bag a very comfortable place to sleep.


When Sue returned we were already starting to hear more information regarding the Coronavirus which was starting to spread in Australia so we basically said hi welcome back and left to avoid personal contact, just in case Sue had come into contact with an infected person on her travels.

Drove back to Wayne and Susan's home at Maudsland where the van was stored during our housesit. Rain, rain, rain for a few days - drove down to Banora Point and checked out Briony's new bedroom layout then had a nice lunch at Banora Point Bowls Club. I was Todd's guest at the BMI group so had to be at Robina for 6.45am start! Do not miss Corporate Meetings at all!!!Starting to hear a lot more of COVID-19 with many events being cancelled. Also talk of playing AFL in closed stadiums ie no spectators. Thinking now it is a lot more serious than what we originally thought.
Early morning rainbow while on my walk around Maudsland.

Wayne and Susan took us for a drive to see their investment houses in Upper Coomera; their Business premises which they sold nearly a year ago; Jacobs Well, then to Harrigan's Irish Bar at Calypso Bay for a nice lunch. Essential stop after lunch at the Jacobs Well Bakery for their Vanilla Slices then returned home via Tamborine and Mount Tamborine - lovely drive through backroads.  Experienced our first drive thru at the Yatala Pie Shop where Susan and Wayne bought an Apple Pie which we demolished later!



02 March, 2020

Lennox Head

Sunrise at Lennox Beach
After leaving Gulmarrad we headed back north and decided to stay at Lennox Heads for a couple of nights ($50 per night!). Hadn't stayed there before and had only driven through so thought it would be good to spend time having a look around and taking in the sights. Very humid weather and once set up we crossed the road to have a swim in Lake Ainsworth to cool down (tannin water from Tea Trees).  After lunch I went for a long walk along the beach.  Our stay coincided with a weekend and the park became very busy. Additionally the picnic area opposite us was also very busy however we did experience a couple of week days which was much quieter.  We drove into Ballina for a look around and a quick stock up of supplies one day and another day drove around Lennox Heads calling into a few lookouts travelling towards Ballina.

Apart from several long walks along the beach I was also able to get the bike out and one morning rode up to Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Head.

Lennox Head, early morning.

Lake Ainsworth - Tea Tree Lake

Our site was right next to the road with Lake Ainsworth opposite.


Had a couple of morning bike rides, this one to Pat Morton Lookout, looking back towards Lennox.

Boulder Beach from Iron Peg point.

Just before sunrise - Lake Ainsworth
Watched the sunrise from the beach

After sunrise the reflections had much more colour.