Brown Lake Stradbroke Island
A natural perched lake, pure rainwater tinged brown by the native teatrees, Brown Lake, or Lake Bummiera, is a hidden treasure. The lake itself is a prominent part of the landscape for the people of Quandamooka, particularly the Dandrubin-Gorenpul and Noonucal Aboriginal groups. They associate Brown Lake with women and children, where only women are allowed to speak for the natural wonder and are responsible by law to care for and manage the lake and its resources. Brown Lake is one of the two largest and most culturally significant lakes on Stradbroke Island (it’s also known as Bummiera, alongside its counterpart, Kaboora). It’s thought to be home to a large spirit snake referred to as Yuri Kabool. The spirit snake is said to be able to travel from one lake to the other without any hindrance
Legend has it that the Quandamooka people warned against visitors swimming in the lake without approval from the elders as the natural pools of water needed to be approached with special acknowledgement beforehand. Elders would sing out before visitors got too close to the waters and made them stand back to wait for a sign that they could approach – usually, this signal came in the form of calm waters.
To the local community, this ritual of stopping, singing out, and waiting for a sign became common practice when approaching either of the two largest lakes on Stradbroke Island, including Brown Lake, in order to show respect for Yuri Kaboo, the spirit snake.
Today, the lake is still imbued with a fascinating cultural history that spans generations, but it is also a popular hotspot for visitors looking for the perfect place to picnic or soak up the spectacular scenery that this part of Australia has to offer. The picturesque backdrop that surrounds the lake lends itself perfectly to a day spent kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some fresh food. After that, you can explore the native bushlands and the other popular attractions on North Stradbroke Island
Sunrise at Tin Can Bay
Tin Can Bay is a coastal town and locality in the Wide Bay–Burnett region in Queensland, Australia. The locality is split between the Fraser Coast Region and the Gympie Region, but the town itself is within Gympie Region. In the 2016 census, Tin Can Bay had a population of 2,242 people.
The locality of Tin Can Bay is bounded on the east by the Great Sandy Strait, a pristine waterway protected by World Heritage listed Fraser Island. The area is a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance and an Important Bird Area of Australia. The town is located on a peninsula between Snapper Creek and the Great Sandy Strait
The town was originally called Wallu, but was changed to Tin Can Bay in 1937.[6] The origins of “Tin Can” are uncertain, but is believed to be derived from an indigenous name, possibly ”tinchin” meaning ”mangrove” in the Yugarabul dialect of the Yuggera language. European settlement began in the 1870s as the point where logs would be floated to the timber mills at Maryborough. Tin Can Bay later became, and still remains, an important fishing port, with a focus on prawns as well as recreational fishing.
An important tourist feature is the regular arrival of wild Australian humpback dolphins which usually appear early mornings next to the Norman Point boat ramp. These dolphins can be hand fed under close supervision. Bird watching is another popular activity as Tin Can Bay is home to a wide variety of birds
Rainbow Beach
Inskip Peninsula is a narrow, sandy finger of land built up by wind and waves. It forms a natural breakwater at the entrance to Tin Can Inlet and Great Sandy Strait. Inskip is a gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Beach she oaks, cypress pine and other coastal trees and shrubs shade the very popular camping areas ringed by open ocean beaches and sheltered estuary shores. All are within 15 minutes drive of Rainbow Beach.
Inskip Peninsula north of Rainbow Beach is a popular camping and fishing area that is important to generations of beach campers and to the local economy.
A section of coastline disappeared into the sea on 26 September 2015, resulting in the loss of a vehicle, van and camper trailer, followed by the immediate temporary closure of two campgrounds and the commissioning of a geotechnical report.
The report identifies that some parts of the coastline are more susceptible to this behaviour than others, and defines low, moderate and high susceptibility zones. After discussion with the consultant engineer, QPWS partitioned off the high susceptibility section of the coastline as a buffer zone where it was recommended that no camping, driving or parking should be permitted
The camping area is mainly behind the dunes. There are some camping areas closer to the water but these are limited and only available for 4WD vehicles. The other area is adjacent to the road and accessible to 2WD only at Dorrigo which is where I booked my camping stay. There are toilet and washing hand facilities at various locations within Dorrigo and one security light at Night.
Canungra Queensland
I was travelling from the gold Coast inland and saw Canungra on the map. I called the Showgrounds and booked in there for an overnight stay. I liked it so much I stayed a few days camping beside a tree just below the facilities which were an easy walk in the dark. There are powered sites above around the arena for $25 and unpowered sites along the river for $10. Great prices and great sites.
The river bed was edged in beautiful old, old trees, with huge trunks and leafy shaded areas where tents were erected as the busy weekend came up. Most camped right next to the water, where there were ducks and geese, and also a resident platypus that I never managed to see. Campers fished in the waters and also caught yabbies.
Camping sites are full of large trees offering shade on your tents during the day. The place is both a visual and an audible treat with songs of birds and sounds of water from the nearby creek. The sites are also very close to a swimming hole, so make sure you pack your swimmers if you’re coming up on a hot day.
The Canungra Showgrounds house entertainment for adults and children alike with plenty of space to ride bikes and swing from ropes. You can also build a camp fire and roast some treats, perfect for eerie nights with spooky stories around the fire.
Hot showers, toilets, and a common eating area are on offer at the Canungra Showgrounds. For all enquiries regarding hiring Canungra Showgrounds and Canungra Showgrounds camping sites phone 07 5543 5904.
The shopping centre is a few kms down the road, and at weekends it is a hive of activity as many people head to Canungra for the weekend. There is a bakery, grocery and coffee shops and restaurants. The Military Jungle training camp is in this area too as I drove past when going to the Showgrounds. We are right in the mountains and the scenery is beautiful and the roads excellent.
Rainbow Beach Queensland
Camping is easy at Rainbow Beach. You make a booking at National Parks at the cost of $6.50 a night, and armed with your permit you head for Inskip and search for the area you have your permit for. I booked into Dorrigo as that was the only campsite available for 2WD. The other camp sites are for 4WD because of the sand. I could park at the first level and I chose a spot close to the toilet. I changed the next day to where the toilets were bigger and cleaner.
The weekend was busy with campers at a maximum but from Monday I was virtually the only camper there so it was quiet, peaceful and perfect. There were paths to the beach and also you could walk along the shore and down to the water. It was very windy this week and I chose to stay above on the shore mostly. The beach was deserted once the weekenders left and only the sea gulls chose to wander down on the sands.
Inskip Peninsula is a narrow, sandy finger of land built up by wind and waves. It forms a natural breakwater at the entrance to Tin Can Inlet. Camping in Inskip. Beach she-oaks, cypress pine and other coastal trees and shrubs shade Inskip Peninsula’s camping areas which are ringed by open ocean beaches and sheltered estuary shores—all within 15 minutes drive of Rainbow Beach
The sunrise was over the water and the sunset was on the other side. I walked to the sunrise and was always the only person on the beach. It was very beautiful in the morning.
Russell Island Sunrise
Now I am home again to my house on the hill overlooking the water and a sunrise welcomed me back.
Reflections and Yachts at Tin Can Bay Marina
So many times I walked along the Marina looking at the boats and the yachts and the reflections in the water. How I wished I knew somebody with a yacht who would let me sit on the yacht and watch the colors of the day change.
The fishing boats were amazing too. I walked the jetties and looked at the boats there with not a soul nearby. The whole Marina empty of visible human life…just me and the camera just walking along..
Red Sunrise at Tin Can Bay
Tin Can Bay did not disappoint me. I got the most beautiful sunrise that covered the bay with color, that filled the water, and that reflected onto the shore and the surroundings. I ran from spot to spot taking photos and smiling to myself. I am so happy when I am surrounded by a sunrise.
Why do Sunsets and sunrises make us feel so happy? We feel this happiness because we are part of the vast and integral system called nature … and everything about nature causes positive feelings within us
Another answer at Quora…..
Philosophically, each of these events signifies the end and the beginning of something that should reach its ultimate destination. A new day starts with the sunrise which signifies newer opportunities in life and a chance to do better. The end of a trying day tells you that there’s more to it; even if the day wasn’t as good, it is going to end ultimately. Both are satisfying for the eyes and the heart- in ways only the observer can tell.
