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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Plunkett Conservation Park Spring Colour.

 Wednesday 7 September

The Hungry Hikers chose a closer location to wildflower hunt. Plunkett CP is just a 20 min drive from Beenleigh, with very little traffic.

It was again a cool spring morning but it didn't take us long to shed layers. We headed for Wickham Peak with its views across to the Brisbane City skyline and hinterland ranges. The hike is a mixture of gravelly or sandy trails or walking on sandstone slabs. Not far from our starting point is a long steep ascent with impressive cliffs and gullies. It was here that we found our native bushes in flower. There had also been a fire management burn recently and the flora was responding happily.

Play acting for our absent friend Jocelyn,  who took a little tumble here on a previous walk.

Grass Trees

Banksia - flowering finished.

Fresh brush of Banksia.

A short drive from Plunkett took us to a lovely park beside the Albert River for morning tea.

A belated post, but I am still finding joy in our cool, rain-filled, lush green, colourful spring. 

Here it is the end of October, and the thermometer has only just decided to stay in the 30s. Wonderful!

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