Spit to Hota in Perfect November Weather

Wednesday 2 November 

In the last week of October, the temperatures finally soared into the 30s, with accompanying high humidity. It seemed summer had finally arrived. Thankfully not so. On the first day of November, we woke to a lovely 9C with a crystal clear, blue sky day of 23C. Unheard of for November in the past ten years or more. 

It was sheer bliss for the Hungry Hiker's coastal walk of 15 kilometres. In fact, several of our group were caught out and complaining as we enjoyed coffee and a savoury slice at 7am at The Spit.

A variety of birds felt we should share our repaste with them. It wasn't pleasant having them dive across the table.

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Our trail for the first 5 km was through the sand dunes parallel to the beach.  It was a wide, gravel trail with birds singing and periods of walking under lovely shady trees. We were thrilled to watch a kingfisher flitting from tree to tree. Never still long enough for a photo.

Eventually, the trail became sealed, with lovely views through the Casurina trees to an incredibly tranquil, glistening sea.

The beach beckoned! It was extraordinarily beautiful on this unbelievable November day!

The first highrise buildings all too soon became a part of our view.

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On such a day, we could clearly see the 34-kilometre sweep of the Gold Coast beaches all the way to Tweed Heads and New South Wales.

Our destination was HOTA - Home of the Arts, "an iconic Gold Coast destination where art, entertainment, culture and lifestyle meet." 

The next 5 kilometres saw us walking through parkland and along busy roads surrounded by soaring highrise.  On such a pleasant day, this wasn't a hardship.

An artistic pedestrian crossing.

Nerang River

Our destination.

The eco-friendly amphitheatre on the grounds of Hota.

I've sat here listening to a symphony orchestra, that was the backing for the projected footage of David Attenborough's natural world. It was an evening we didn't want to end.

Sensational views from HOTA.

This artwork is actually in an adjoining room.

The ferry back along the Nerang River to within 3 km of our parked cars only ran once every hour. Realising the time as we exited HOTA, we had to make a 500 metre dash to catch it. Loading was slow so we made it.

Our lunch view, just a short distance from our cars.

Looking at the image above and below you will be thinking it is autumn. Not so, and living in the tropics, autumn doesn't exist, so it is always a thrill to witness scenes like these, especially on a blue sky day.

The following photos are for Bill, to reassure him that it is highly unlikely we will ever stop being goofy! We just might have to add a few zimmer frames into the act!

This week's weather promises more of the same. Wonderful!

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