As this year draws to a close, I’ve been thinking how Creating a new life on the Sunshine Coast led us to experience Slow Travel, Road Trips and more.
2017 started with the move from our home of 60 years in Townsville where both Marty and I were born and where we raised our two children. We loved life in North Queensland BUT we found ourselves rattling around in a house that was far too big, with gorgeous, but labour intensive gardens.
Of course we have travelled a lot and lived in other places, but Townsville was always home. But what is home? The old saying suggests it is where the heart is.
Made to Pin.
What You Will Find in This Post
Creating a new life on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia
We’ve downsized to our quaint previously rented out beach house, which we’ve gradually, it could be said too gradually, been renovating. Gardens have evolved, and two outside entertaining areas, at opposite sides of the house. They’re wide, deep and open sided areas where we can enjoy our huge paperbark trees. Ocean breezes flow through and when the rains blow we just relocate to the sheltered side.
Our new home town is Coolum Beach, where we’ve spent so many fantastic family holidays over a 20 year period. This last year we’ve maintained holiday mindset, which although enjoyable, has added a few unwelcome inches around my waist.
Slow Travel
Shifting to the coast has been a unique form of (very) slow travel, where we’ve explored the Sunshine Coast and South-East Queensland while living at a holiday destination and finding our feet as locals.
Our kids come to visit whenever they can and some of our life long Townsville friends have come to stay a while. We’ve taken them on a Noosa National Park walk, climbed Mt. Ninderry, Mt. Tinbeerwah, Mt. Coolum and Emu Mountain. We’ve embraced country road trips to Cooroy, Maleny, Montville, Mapleton and Kenilworth.
The Coolum Surf Club deck has folklore status in our family, while Sunshine Coast beaches, body surfing and walking at dog friendly off-leash Stumers Creek happens more often than not.
Noosa National Park Walk Views.
Thundercats race Coolum 2017
In June, Daughter and I went on our annual Palm Creek Folk Festival in the country south of Townsville. Marty and I towed our caravan from the Coast to Townsville, a road trip we’ve done more times than I can remember. At Palm Creek, Cassie and I camped in a field with a mish-mash of friendly festival-goers. Palm Creek is a well organised festival that runs like clockwork.
We talked by the fire, tramped from one big top to another, catching favourite acts and trying out newbies. We practiced morning yoga with like-minded souls and taste tested a range of food vans.
Marty as the designated puppy minder, stayed in Townsville looking after the three grand-dogs, after which he and I shifted to the Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village in our Caravan.
A beach north of Townsville.
Road Trips with our Coromal Caravan
We’ve just returned from another three week road trip into New South Wales, where we visited Durras North (and friends in South Durras). I’ve published a post on part of that road trip from Coffs Harbour to Brisbane.
We had a rude shock when the front window of our 3 year old Coromal Element 542 van, leaked while towing in heavy rain for the first time. We’ve asked for opinions on how to fix the problem on the Coromal Caravan Owners Group Facebook page and have received lots of helpful suggestions which we’ve yet to process and/or attempt. The van is out of warranty period, otherwise the cost of the fix would be covered. Otherwise we are very happy with it’s performance.
I’ve claimed Bellingen, west of Coffs Harbour, as my new favourite town and am currently working on a post to tell you why it captured my heart.
Live Music at the Purple Carrot, Bellingen.
Dorrigo in the mountains west of Bellingen on the way from Coffs Harbour to Brisbane.
We packed so much into those three weeks. After so long of slow travel or no travel at all, I thought my heart was going to burst clear of my body with joy.
Blogging Friends
On our return to the Coast, some blogging friends and I had a fun Mucho Mexicana Christmas lunch at Southbank in Brisbane. Mmmm… I assure you they make great Tacos and Sangria.
Living on the Sunshine Coast makes such meet-ups a welcome reality.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Marris at 50 Shades of Age blog.
How has 2017 been for you? Have you seen any life changes? Been on a road trip or experienced slow travel? Tell me about it in the comments.
Have fun celebrating the final days of 2017 and I’m hoping your 2018 travel plans make your heart sing.
Thanks for reading and commenting – we really appreciate it.
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Coffs Harbour to Brisbane Aussie Road Trip Heaven
I’m glad you’ve acclimatised to a new life in Coolum in your beach home. It was a very brave move. We’re about to do the same next year moving just across the border to Kingscliff in NSW. I have never been to Belligen or Dorrigo but should definitely put it on the list. We might even detour out here when we set off the down the Pacific Coast at the end of January. Thanks for all your comments and blog interaction this year. It’s been wonderful. Merry Christmas and happy travels in 2018.
Love your blog and support. Thanks Kathy.
Different parts of the world, but you and I could be peas in a pod this year. Downsizing from a too-large but long-loved home, moving into smaller cottage sized life and setting forth on a slower pace. That describes my 2017 to a tee! Happy Holidays to you and a toast to new adventures in 2018!
Definitely peas in a pod. Wish my pod was in Greece for a while!
Your move sounds wonderful. Life at the beach is the good life. I think. We traveled a lot in 2017 and 2018 has even more in store. Starting with Guatemala!
It would be so lovely to live in your part of the world. Maybe we could swap for a while lol.
It seems like you had an awesome and unforgettable year, Jan. Hope your 2018 will be filled with more wonderful road trips and slow travel!
Thank you Agness. I hope 2018 is an adventure filled year for you. 🙂
I’ve loved watching you settle into your new home. 🙂 You’ve found so many beautiful places to enjoy yourself AND share with your loves. Happy New Year!! xo
Yes Krista, it has been a lovely settling in period and still loads more to explore!
Stunning photos! Wow! It sounds like the last year has been good – full of change – but good. I personally prefer Slow Travel – it just never seems to happen for us as much as I would like due to vacation days and trying to see too much. But it’s always a goal. Happy New Year!
We don’t always manage Slow Travel either Jill – just in 2017. House-sitting is a great way to afford slow travel and as we are retired we have plenty of time.
Happy New Year! I am glad you have decided to take it slow and savor every bit of the coast. I am one of those that love to check out every nook and cranny of coastal areas. I wish I had more time to do that. At the end of the year, we were able to spend several days in California’s Central Coast. We had an excellent time! This past year was full of ups and downs. I cannot complain but hope 2018 is way better.
Me too Ruth!
What a year of adjustment for the both of you. Though, this looks like a great move. It has been wonderful following you along on your road trips and you showing us this part of Australia. Wishing both of you many more adventures in the new year.
A big move is always exciting and it looks like you and Marty have a chosen a great area to put down new roots. The folk festival sounds like it was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to visiting some of the festivals here in Nova Scotia this coming summer.