We arrived mid-afternoon and spent the afternoon familiarising ourselves with the beach and surrounds, and planning the next day's activities. We picked up a National Parks brochure and decided on a couple of walks.
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| Sculptural volcanic rock formations on the beach |
Our first
destination in the morning was the mangrove boardwalk - Diversity
Boardwalk - just a short drive from the caravan park. It's a well laid
out trail - with boardwalk for the first section, then gravel path for
the rest. All up an easy 1.2km, with lots of seats placed at regular
intervals so you can sit and enjoy the surrounds.
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| Female Olive-backed Sunbird |
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| Mangrove flower |
We decided to check out a National Park camping area we had read about. Smalley's
Beach camp ground has a number of large, shady camp sites right on the
beach. Each site has a picnic table and there are toilets but no water.
Definitely one to keep in mind.
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| Smalley's
Beach in front of NP campground |
From the beach we could see houses to
the north and decided to head over there - assuming it was Seaforth,
a nearby village, that we could see, but the "Crazy Woman" struck again
and we ended up on a no through road, then another residential area,
but not Seaforth! We turned back and stopped for coffee and carrot cake at the tea rooms on Cape HIllsborough Road. Well worth a stop - great cake, good coffee and a beautiful setting in an old railway station building.
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| In the park behind the Cape HIllsborough beach you are likely to see Wallabies, and Emerald Doves |
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| Agile wallaby with joey |
After lunch back
at the cabin, we ventured out on the Beachcomber Cove Track which takes
you up over the headland to a beach. A gentle climb on "partly sealed"
(read lumpy bitumen) track, with some great views, lots of birds and
butterflies (for the photographer) and a deserted beach at the end. Just perfect!
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| Female Eggfly |
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| Eastern Brow Crow |
Because it was low tide we were able to walk back along the
beach, but at high tide you have to go back the way you came.
On our final
morning, Mick arose early to go to the beach to photograph the sunrise.
Thinking he would be the only one there, he stumbled down the track,
half asleep, only to see he was but one of many dozens. Seems it's a
popular thing to do.
We made another visit to the Diversity (Mangrove)
Boardwalk in the hope of capturing the Mangrove Golden Whistler but
without success. He did manage to photograph a shy Noisy Pitta and the
spectacular Wompoo Fruit-Dove instead.
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| Wompoo Fruit-Dove |
- Great walks through diverse habitats including mangroves, woodland and vine scrub
- Excellent beach with wonderful photo opportunities
- Good birding
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