Hervey Bay, QLD

When we arrived in Hervey Bay, late in the afternoon, we were surprised how quite it was with plenty of accommodation available even though it was the Christmas school holidays. In the winter it gets very busy and it is necessary to book accommodation and powered sites in advance.

After settling in to our accommodation we headed to the Esplanade for some fish and chips. It is very pleasant to sit on a picnic table with views of the ocean and one of several small piers along the waterfront. 

We were pleased to see a number of Cockatiels come in to roost as the light was fading.

One of the many nice things about Hervey Bay is taking a stroll along the beach as the sun sets.  

On our walk to historic Urangan Pier we saw a gecko and a Rhinoceros Beetle.

Breakwall to Urangan Pier

Gecko

Rhinoceros Beetle Xylotrupes ulysses

This blog is a little on the skimpy side because our computer went to computer heaven and we are in the middle of setting up a new one. 

All the photos in this blog were taken in December 2014.

Point Vernon, QLD.

Point Vernon

Point Vernon is one of our favourite places. We like to park in Corser Street (opposite house Number 8) where there is an Osprey nest in a tree.  There are also many trees along the foreshore with nesting holes that attract a large number and variety of birds. This trip we walked south along the waterfront and wetland area towards Eli Creek. Then we walked north via Parraweena Park and returned to the car. This is a great walk because it covers three distinct habitat areas.

Corser Street

Osprey with its catch.

This pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were nesting just above the Osprey nest.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Galah in one of the many nesting holes.

Common Koel, male

Common Koel, female (front)

Common Koel, female (back)

Bearded Dragon

Rain Lilies

View near the parking area.

Foreshore

Tidal flats on the walk south (looking north).

Bar-tailed Godwit

Pacific Golden Plover

Eastern Curlew

Striated Heron

Parraweena Park

There were lots of butterflies in the forested park but we were unable to get a photo of two darker types that wouldn't settle.

Lemon Migrant Catopsilia pomona

White Migrant, female Catosilia pyranthe

Crested Pigeon

Australasian Figbird, male

Australasian Figbird, female

After our walk we drove around the headland stopping at Gatakers Bay before driving along the eastern side of Point Vernon. 

Gatakers Bay

Seaplane taking off from Gatakers Bay

View south from Gatakers Bay

Gatakers Bay Boat Ramp.

Elsa Park, Southern Entrance.

There is an artificial nesting platform between the northern and southern entrance to Elsa Park. An adult osprey and chick were in the nest and another adult was in a tree along the foreshore.

Pandanas Tree Pandanus tectorius and picnic shelter.

Parking area and picnic shelter at southern entrance to Elsa Park.

An adult Osprey on the foreshore.

All the photos in this blog were taken in December 2014.

Buderim Forest Park, Buderim, Sunshine Coast, QLD

One of the Sunshine Coasts hidden places is Buderim Forest Park in Buderim. The southern end of the forest can be accessed from Quorn Close and the northern end from Harrys Lane. The walk between the two ends is 2.6 km return.

Buderim Falls, unofficially known as Serenity Falls

Quorn Close

There is a carpark at the end of Quorn Close and a memorial garden dedicated to Edna Walling who created gardens around the world. We often see Eastern Yellow Robins and Lewins Honeyeaters, as well as other birds, in this garden.There are toilets, picnic shelters, tables and electric BBQs in this southern end of Buderim Forest Park.

Picnic area at the Quorn Close end of Buderim Forest Park

It is a short walk from the picnic area down to Buderim Waterfall on a dirt path. A picturesque bridge crosses Martins Creek, affording excellent views of the waterfall. The track detours for a short distance to a shallow cave overhang alongside the falls.

The bridge seen from the overhang next to the waterfall.

It is common to hear Catbirds in the area between the carpark and the falls. Barred Cuckoo-shrikes were seen nesting here by locals. On our last visit we saw a male Koel on our way down to the falls. 

Common Koel, male.

From the waterfall the walk continues north through the forest and alongside cascades and rock pools. The rough track crisscrosses Martins Creek several times until it reaches the boardwalk to Harrys Lane. We have seen small yabbies in the rock pools along this section of the walk.

Cascades in Buderim Forest Park.

Cascades on Martins Creek.

Australian Brush Turkey

Lace Monitor

Harrys Lane.

If you start the walk from the northern end there is plenty of parking at Harrys Lane and a large flat grassed area with a picnic shelter. Harry’s Restaurant is located here. 

Harry's Restaurant

To start the walk, proceed past the restaurant to the entrance to the boardwalk which heads south into Buderim Forest. The boardwalk is suitable for prams and wheelchairs. There is a toilet block located a short distance into the walk. 

The boardwalk meanders through areas of rainforest and piccabeen forest.

Eastern Whipbirds, Grey Fantails, Rufous Fantails, White-browed Scrubwrens and Spectacled Monarchs are common in this section of the park. A local informed us that Pale-yellow Robins can be seen here as well.

Rufous Fantail

White-browed Scrubwren

Spectacled Monarch

The delicate nest of a Spectacled Monarch, decorated with small white flowers.

All of the photos in this blog were taken on 19/11/14.