Header Image: Taken at Red Canyon on Teewah Beach.
The Cooloola Loop - A SEQ Overnighters Adventure.
On this trip we had a total of 12 people (including Kate and myself) spread between 5 vehicles. We had Brad & Gavin, Joe, Tony & Kim, Tim & Alison, and Dan, Amy & Jack. 2 Nissan Navaras and 3 Great Walls.
November 22nd, 2014.
HEMA App Track Stats:
Cnr Kin Kin Rd. & Cooloola Way to Inskip Point via Harry's Hut - 115kms.
Poverty Point to Tewantin via Kings Bore Loop and Freshwater Track - 125kms.
After meeting up with our travelling companions at the Ettamogah Pub we set off North toward Pomona. After a making a right off the Bruce Highway and driving through Pomona we then made a left after the level crossing and headed toward Kin Kin. Passing Kin Kin we continued until we ran out of bitumen and then made a right hand hair pin turn onto the Cooloolah Way. (looks more like a T-intersection on the map though)
A few kilometres later we made a right hand turn toward Harry's Hut. Harry's is a popular location for both day trippers and campers alike and is a great place to launch a kayak if you want to explore the upper reaches of the Noosa river. We had morning teas here and our little fun "lucky door prize"raffle.
Kim won Saturday's prize, a packet of Monte Carlo Biscuits, a DMX Custom 4X4 Sticker, and an "Unlock Australia" stubby cooler. Brad won Sunday's prize but the difference being Shortbread creams instead of Monte Carlos but he too got a DMX sticker and a stubby cooler. DMX Custom 4X4 can be found on facebook "here."
I should point out that this trip was almost identical the one I did back in September, although done in the reverse direction. You can read that report "here." I have only bothered with a trip report and photos again because this was a trip done with my facebook group "SEQ Overnighters 4X4".
Getting back to our trip now and we left Harry's Hut and made our way North along the Cooloola Way. This was somewhat disappointing in some respects. The last time I was on it there were a few bog holes to make things interesting but the road is so good now, you could have done it in a 2WD.
Having reached the top end of the Cooloola Way where it meets Rainbow Beach Road we had a quick stop so that I could air up for the bitumen run into Rainbow Beach. A couple of us did a fuel top up and we hit the beach again after airing down once again. The tide was low enough to drive all the way around to the barge landing area but we stopped just after the timber and had a lunch break. After Lunch we backtracked along the beach, went into town to air up again and headed out to our campsite at Poverty Point and set up camp for the night.
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our waterfront camp and got some great photos. Each of us did our own thing for dinner and eventually, we all sat around the campfire and chatted. Many thanks to Tim for providing the firewood. Slowly but surely, and over an hour or 2, we all found our way to our beds. As is always the case when camping, you wake up with the birds but, I'm pretty sure I wasn't the first one to drag myself out of bed. Breakfast, break camp, a couple of group photos and we were on our way before 8am to the next part of our trip.
First up for Sunday morning was a shirt run on the bitumen, back toward Rainbow Beach a little, and onto Camp Milo. This is a track which leads to Kings Bore and onto Teewah Beach but the stretch down to the beach is closed until further notice due to erosion and the risk of vehicle roll over. To quote the National Parks Cooloola Conditions Report; "Kings Bore track exit closed until further notice: Kings Bore track exit onto Teewah Beach remains closed due to severe erosion. The Eastern firebreak (Pettigrews Road) and the Western firebreak are open as a circuit track only."
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/pdf/cooloola-conditions-report.pdf
So it is this circuit track, or loop, that we did. It is a 40km loop according to the signage on site. Very picturesque with varying vegetation and track conditions, although, conditions were better than the last time I was on it. The soft sections weren't nearly as soft as I have seen them in the past. Much of this track could be done in 2WD to be honest but 4WD does less damage as it reduces wheel spin. We stopped for a leg stretch at the Kings Bore turn off and drew a ticket for Sunday's Lucky door prize/raffle and then completed the loop.
Back onto Rainbow Beach Road again for a while and another right turn onto the Freshwater Track. The gravel road in was corrugated and uncomfortable with full pressure and knowing we would eventually need to anyway, we aired down before we continued. After a quick stop at the Bymien Picnic area to use the facilities we were soon on our way again. We had a little oncoming traffic but not enough to be a bother. The Freshwater Track is quite similar to the loop track in terms of the varying vegetation & patches of rainforest and is a pleasant drive. The overall track condition was good and again, the soft spots weren't nearly as soft and rutted as they were on my last visit.
Not long before reaching the Freshwater Camping area and beach exit, you find a little parking area for Freshwater Lake. An easy 150m walk gets you to the lake and although it's not the most ideal spot for a swim, a couple of out group took a refreshing dip. Onto the beach now and the run up to Double Island Point with a brief stop at the old Cherry Venture wreck site. Once at Double Island we stopped for lunch, although Kate & I only had a bit of fruit. A couple of us had a swim and eventually we were back behind the wheel and heading South along Teewah Beach.
On the way back to Tewantin we had a short stop at Kings Bore to see the bottom end of the closed track. There was a steepish sandy slope to a sharp drop of about two and a half feet into a bog. A lot of water runs out from under the sand dune here and it just happens to be right where the track comes out onto the beach. I sank almost half way up my shins and there was quite a bit of suction when I pulled my feet out. I think you would need another vehicle to snatch or winch you out of that spot.
A few hundred metres further down the beach was Red Canyon, but no one wanted to get out and have a walk up the canyon for a look so we continued our trip South. At the beach exit there was a bit of a queue to traverse the soft section as everyone wanted a run up but it cleared quickly and none of us had any dramas getting off the beach. After a short drive we arrived at the car wash where we said our goodbyes over the radio and those that didn't want a wash went on their way. After the carwash, Kate and I went across the road to the air up point, only to find that it no longer exists, so out came the compressor again and we aired up and headed for the ferry.
We had a reasonable run home to Caloundra and walked in the door at about 3:40pm. A quick unload and emptying of the car fridge, followed by a nice hot shower and a cup of tea and this old fart passed out in front of the TV for about 3 hours. Kate and I would like to thank all those that came along and made the trip so enjoyable. It was great to catch up with folks from the previous trip and also to meet members we had not seen before. A great buch of people made for a great weekend. Of course, we won't mention someone's car troubles. *Grins.
Please enjoy the photos below and I will add a link to the video as soon as I have it done. As is Kate's want... there will be loads more nature shots than car shots. Only 85 shots this time, out of the 325 that Kate took. The photos may not be in proper order. If you have any questions or comments about this trip, please use the "Trip Comments" category on the blog page.
HEMA App Track Stats:
Cnr Kin Kin Rd. & Cooloola Way to Inskip Point via Harry's Hut - 115kms.
Poverty Point to Tewantin via Kings Bore Loop and Freshwater Track - 125kms.
After meeting up with our travelling companions at the Ettamogah Pub we set off North toward Pomona. After a making a right off the Bruce Highway and driving through Pomona we then made a left after the level crossing and headed toward Kin Kin. Passing Kin Kin we continued until we ran out of bitumen and then made a right hand hair pin turn onto the Cooloolah Way. (looks more like a T-intersection on the map though)
A few kilometres later we made a right hand turn toward Harry's Hut. Harry's is a popular location for both day trippers and campers alike and is a great place to launch a kayak if you want to explore the upper reaches of the Noosa river. We had morning teas here and our little fun "lucky door prize"raffle.
Kim won Saturday's prize, a packet of Monte Carlo Biscuits, a DMX Custom 4X4 Sticker, and an "Unlock Australia" stubby cooler. Brad won Sunday's prize but the difference being Shortbread creams instead of Monte Carlos but he too got a DMX sticker and a stubby cooler. DMX Custom 4X4 can be found on facebook "here."
I should point out that this trip was almost identical the one I did back in September, although done in the reverse direction. You can read that report "here." I have only bothered with a trip report and photos again because this was a trip done with my facebook group "SEQ Overnighters 4X4".
Getting back to our trip now and we left Harry's Hut and made our way North along the Cooloola Way. This was somewhat disappointing in some respects. The last time I was on it there were a few bog holes to make things interesting but the road is so good now, you could have done it in a 2WD.
Having reached the top end of the Cooloola Way where it meets Rainbow Beach Road we had a quick stop so that I could air up for the bitumen run into Rainbow Beach. A couple of us did a fuel top up and we hit the beach again after airing down once again. The tide was low enough to drive all the way around to the barge landing area but we stopped just after the timber and had a lunch break. After Lunch we backtracked along the beach, went into town to air up again and headed out to our campsite at Poverty Point and set up camp for the night.
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our waterfront camp and got some great photos. Each of us did our own thing for dinner and eventually, we all sat around the campfire and chatted. Many thanks to Tim for providing the firewood. Slowly but surely, and over an hour or 2, we all found our way to our beds. As is always the case when camping, you wake up with the birds but, I'm pretty sure I wasn't the first one to drag myself out of bed. Breakfast, break camp, a couple of group photos and we were on our way before 8am to the next part of our trip.
First up for Sunday morning was a shirt run on the bitumen, back toward Rainbow Beach a little, and onto Camp Milo. This is a track which leads to Kings Bore and onto Teewah Beach but the stretch down to the beach is closed until further notice due to erosion and the risk of vehicle roll over. To quote the National Parks Cooloola Conditions Report; "Kings Bore track exit closed until further notice: Kings Bore track exit onto Teewah Beach remains closed due to severe erosion. The Eastern firebreak (Pettigrews Road) and the Western firebreak are open as a circuit track only."
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/pdf/cooloola-conditions-report.pdf
So it is this circuit track, or loop, that we did. It is a 40km loop according to the signage on site. Very picturesque with varying vegetation and track conditions, although, conditions were better than the last time I was on it. The soft sections weren't nearly as soft as I have seen them in the past. Much of this track could be done in 2WD to be honest but 4WD does less damage as it reduces wheel spin. We stopped for a leg stretch at the Kings Bore turn off and drew a ticket for Sunday's Lucky door prize/raffle and then completed the loop.
Back onto Rainbow Beach Road again for a while and another right turn onto the Freshwater Track. The gravel road in was corrugated and uncomfortable with full pressure and knowing we would eventually need to anyway, we aired down before we continued. After a quick stop at the Bymien Picnic area to use the facilities we were soon on our way again. We had a little oncoming traffic but not enough to be a bother. The Freshwater Track is quite similar to the loop track in terms of the varying vegetation & patches of rainforest and is a pleasant drive. The overall track condition was good and again, the soft spots weren't nearly as soft and rutted as they were on my last visit.
Not long before reaching the Freshwater Camping area and beach exit, you find a little parking area for Freshwater Lake. An easy 150m walk gets you to the lake and although it's not the most ideal spot for a swim, a couple of out group took a refreshing dip. Onto the beach now and the run up to Double Island Point with a brief stop at the old Cherry Venture wreck site. Once at Double Island we stopped for lunch, although Kate & I only had a bit of fruit. A couple of us had a swim and eventually we were back behind the wheel and heading South along Teewah Beach.
On the way back to Tewantin we had a short stop at Kings Bore to see the bottom end of the closed track. There was a steepish sandy slope to a sharp drop of about two and a half feet into a bog. A lot of water runs out from under the sand dune here and it just happens to be right where the track comes out onto the beach. I sank almost half way up my shins and there was quite a bit of suction when I pulled my feet out. I think you would need another vehicle to snatch or winch you out of that spot.
A few hundred metres further down the beach was Red Canyon, but no one wanted to get out and have a walk up the canyon for a look so we continued our trip South. At the beach exit there was a bit of a queue to traverse the soft section as everyone wanted a run up but it cleared quickly and none of us had any dramas getting off the beach. After a short drive we arrived at the car wash where we said our goodbyes over the radio and those that didn't want a wash went on their way. After the carwash, Kate and I went across the road to the air up point, only to find that it no longer exists, so out came the compressor again and we aired up and headed for the ferry.
We had a reasonable run home to Caloundra and walked in the door at about 3:40pm. A quick unload and emptying of the car fridge, followed by a nice hot shower and a cup of tea and this old fart passed out in front of the TV for about 3 hours. Kate and I would like to thank all those that came along and made the trip so enjoyable. It was great to catch up with folks from the previous trip and also to meet members we had not seen before. A great buch of people made for a great weekend. Of course, we won't mention someone's car troubles. *Grins.
Please enjoy the photos below and I will add a link to the video as soon as I have it done. As is Kate's want... there will be loads more nature shots than car shots. Only 85 shots this time, out of the 325 that Kate took. The photos may not be in proper order. If you have any questions or comments about this trip, please use the "Trip Comments" category on the blog page.
Click on photos to enlarge and read caption if any.
The first gallery consists of a few shots from Kates iPhone. Mostly of Monk, doing his thing around the car. Plus the track pic from my iPad.
The first gallery consists of a few shots from Kates iPhone. Mostly of Monk, doing his thing around the car. Plus the track pic from my iPad.
This gallery is all the photos from our DSLR Camera.
Once again, please let me remind you that there are loads more photos of this area that were taken on a previous trip. They can be found "here."
All photos may be purchased for a nominal fee by going to the "shop" page and filling out the form. Please be sure to quote the image numbers exactly as they appear when you mouseover the image. eg; the last image above is "CL-L30". Fees and ordering instructions can be found on the shop page. Any and all profits from photo sales go toward prizes in the "SEQ Overnighters 4X4" facebook group.
All photos may be purchased for a nominal fee by going to the "shop" page and filling out the form. Please be sure to quote the image numbers exactly as they appear when you mouseover the image. eg; the last image above is "CL-L30". Fees and ordering instructions can be found on the shop page. Any and all profits from photo sales go toward prizes in the "SEQ Overnighters 4X4" facebook group.
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All content ©Copyright Stuart Whitehouse 2014 - Unless otherwise stated.
Images on this site may be purchase by using the form on another site here. Simply take note of the image I.D number.
HOME | ABOUT/CONTACT | MY CAR | MODIFICATIONS | TRIPS | GALLERY | BLOG | LINKS
Updates | Mistakes & Regrets | Electrical | Rocksliders | Roof Accessories | The Drawers
All content ©Copyright Stuart Whitehouse 2014 - Unless otherwise stated.
Images on this site may be purchase by using the form on another site here. Simply take note of the image I.D number.