CURRUMBIN

Currumbin with its picturesque white beaches and sandy creek banks is one of my favourite places to visit. This superb destination have several well located cafes that offer fabulous ocean and creek views. Currumbin is a suburb on the Gold Coast, a one hour and 40 minutes drive from Brisbane southern suburbs. To get there, drive along the Pacific Motorway and exit at 93 or 95 to arrive at Currumbin.

Currumbin has several popular hot spots; the  Currumbin Alley, the Sandy Bay, The Curumbin Rock , Wildlife Sanctuary and the Currumbin Rock Pools and Mt Cougal National Park located further down the creek.

The Bay is a cracking place for a little sunbathing and swimming. Children are easily entertained by the reasonable sized playground and shallow waters of the bay area. The park amenities include public toilets towards the edge of the lagoon, and contain changing rooms. 

Looking towards the Gold Coast from the far north beach

Located on the northside of the lagoon is a fairly decent cafe providing outside seating for people to relax and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze and the scenery of the bay.

Around the bend of the bay is a delightful boardwalk that winds its way through the mangroves and the sandy creek bank.

High tide is when this boardwalk is at its most spectacular. Fish can be seen swimming in the clear water of the mangrove forest. 

The boardwalk also has special built shelters for fishing enthusiasts. These shelters are also great places to rest and admire the placid creek and the surrounding wildlife activity.

Venture down the Currumbin Creek and you will find a place that hires out boats, canoes and kayaks for a few hours. Next to the boat hire store is a reasonably price cafe that is ideal for a quick bite and a nice coffee or a thick shake!

A popular swimming spot for locals and tourist is the Currumbin Valley Rock Pools.

The Rock Pool is located along Currumbin Creek Road at the intersection of Reynolds Road. If time permits travel further to the end of the road and you will find Mt Cougal National Park. Explore the old Saw Mill and the Currumbin Natural Rockslide.

The Currumbin Alley is a popular surf break often crowded throughout the day. Located at the mouth of the Currumbin Creek, it offers a great place for longboard surfing.

WIVENHOE DAM

Sunday Drive To Lake Wivenhoe

The Wivenhoe Dam (or sometimes called Lake Wivenhoe) is the largest dam in the south east region of Queensland. The dam was completed in 1985.

I have lived in Brisbane for 14 years and had never made the effort to explore Lake Wivenhoe. The lake is very popular with the locals, so on a nice Sunday morning I packed up a picnic and invited a few friends to see for myself  why people flock to  Lake Wivenhoe.

The journey to the lake from Brisbane took about an hour and 15 minutes from the southern suburbs. There are many parks at Lake Wivenhoe so our group decided to stop at the park close to the spillway to visit the Information Center.

Wivenhoe Dam is popular for barbeques, boating, swimming in allocated areas, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, sailing, and walking.

On our visit, my friends enjoyed a well packed picnic with glass of white wine and settled in to absorb the tranquil surroundings. After a game of bocce (a mini version of outdoor bowls with different rules) our day was complete.

The Spillway Common (where we picnicked) is a rather large park with plenty of space for a friendly game of cricket, soccer, or rugby amongst mates.

  

Lake Wivenhoe have a few popular spots to visit, Cormorant Bay, Hamon Cove, Spillway Common and Captain Logan Camp. 

On my next visit to Wivenhoe Dam, I am planning to explore Cormorant Bay after hearing of a restaurant that sits on the banks of Lake Wivenhoe. You will get to see great views from the veranda while enjoying your restaurant meal.

The trip to the lake was a success. My friends and I look forward to our return visit. To gather more information on Lake Wivenhoe follow this link:http://www.seqwater.com.au/public/virtual-tours/pdf/WivenhoeDam_Script_Sheet.pdf

CEDAR CREEK FALLS, SAMFORD

Crossing Cedar Creek

still a way to go before we get to cedar falls

Pretty little creek

Arrive at Cedar Creek Falls

looking above at the tree cover

Disappointed with rock pool

Nice view looking down the creek

Small rock cave

interesting rock boulder

       At peace with nature

Cedar Creeks Falls is rather a small rock pool that the locals use for swimming to cool down from the summer heat. To get there involves climbing over a gate and walking through a private road. The trip was not worth the effort.