Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Waking up in the morning at Beachmere was a pleasant experience after witnessing the “real life zombie apocalypse wasteland under the bridge caravan park” at Caboolture. Even more pleasant was the day we had planned so we’re excited to fill you in about it.
 
We set off at a good time in the morning to go for a run around some of the tracks at the Glasshouse Mountains, which is nestled up in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland 64 kilometres north of Brisbane. The Glasshouse Mountains are plugged volcanic peaks that have been inactive for approximately 25 million years. Named by James Cook, he described them as Glass factory buildings with their close proximity to each other and impressive elevation. The rich resources in the area made it sustainable for Aboriginal people over thousands of years, it also has very spiritual significance, which made for large ceremonial gatherings that are still happening presently. We lapped around Mount Tibrogargan on a track and run along the Trachtyte circuit. The circuit took us up to the Jack Ferris lookout and gave us great views of five of the surrounding peaks. Stoked with the views we ran ourselves back to the car park and thought we would go and find a beach.

Glass House Mountains National Park

"These hills... are very remarkable... (they) very much resemble glass houses which occasioned my giving them that name" ~ James Cook 1770

Mount Tibogargan from the Lookout

Mount Tibogargan

We decided to make our way to Caloundra, a tidy popular beach town that is the most southern beach of the Sunshine Coast. Ever since 1875, it’s been a destination for tourists to soak up beach and sunshine. After an epic smoothie bowl at the Greenhouse Café, we strolled down to the beach and threw ourselves into the water. The beach was amazing to swim at; the waves were pleasant, no harsh rips and clear water that we could just sit in all day. Refreshed with an early afternoon swim we made our way over to Bribie Island for dinner.

Caloundra

Caloundra

Caloundra

Bribie Island

Caloundra

Bribie Island

Bribie Island

Date Night on Bribie Island

Bribie Island

Bribie Island

Bribie Island Surf Beach

Driving on a bridge that takes us over the Pumice Stone River, it landed us on the island. With some time to spare before dinner, we went and had a look at Woorim beach, which had good views over towards Moreton Island. Watching endless waves of water took us to dinner at the Kai Restaurant. The views here were just as good, we got to watch the sun drop over the horizon and see the glare of the city lights rise. A beautiful storm made its way over and gave us a decent light show too.  After nature’s performance, dinner made its way out with a garlic bread entrée and a pair of lamb shanks resting on top of a flavoursome risotto, finished with a brownie for desert. We certainly didn’t go home hungry.
 
The day was action packed but amazingly relaxed. It was filled with everything from running on dirt tracks between mountains to drifting between waves on the beach. Graciously eating acai bowls to devouring the shanks of a lamb. Highways to gravel roads and then parked back at Florence to hit the hay. What an awesome day!