40 Mile Beach, Colored Sands, Rainbow Beach and a Lighthouse

[Alpine]

For the past week, my wife, daughter and I took a holiday up north at the Sunshine Coast in a quaint little town called Noosaville. We did many activities including alot of beach driving and offroading - all the pictures are below.

But first a confession - we decided to leave our CR-V at the resort and instead let all the beach driving be done by a tour guide we hired who took us to see all the sights in his very impressive Toyota Landcruiser.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture065Small.jpg

So let the journey begin!

We started the day with our guide picking us up in the Landcruiser and taking a short ferry across the river to Noosa North Shore.

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After disembarking from the ferry, it wasn't long before we hit the entrance to 40 Mile Beach (or Teewah Beach by its other name). And once we got onto the beach it was absolutely beautiful.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari020Small.jpg

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We came across this highly venomous sea snake which had seen better days. Our guide discovered it was still alive and he said it appeared to have been run over by another 4WD on the beach. He attempted to pull it back into the sea but it kept getting washed up again in the surf, and it didn't appear to have enough strength to swim away on its own. Well, at least we tried to save it.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari029Small.jpg

Here is our tour guide's Toyota Landcruiser. It is a very impressive machine which handled all the terrain we put it thru perfectly.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari038Small.jpg

And so we continue our trek along 40 Mile Beach...

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari041Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

...where we saw this majestic eagle flying along...

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari046Small.jpg

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...and even this little Subaru Forester absolutely hammering up the beach!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari049Small.jpg

This is an exit we took to enter a rainforest trail.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari051Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

This rainforest trail was totally cool, the air was so crisp and cool, and so fresh. I wished the Landcruiser had a sunroof coz it would have been great to look up into the trees above us.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari053Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

We came out of the rainforest trail on the other side and once again reentered another beach - Rainbow Beach.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari099Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

The colors to be seen along this beach was truly a spectacle, which would be why they also call it Colored Sands!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari114Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari137Small.jpg

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The beach was getting rather narrow along this stretch, forcing 4WDs to drive thru the salt water.

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http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari141Small.jpg

Here's a link to a youtube video of our Landcruiser getting abit wet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqw5tFadxUA

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari142Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari152Small.jpg

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http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari154Small.jpg

The following pictures show an absolutely picture perfect bit of beach - it was a sand bar at low tide. It couldn't get any better than this! Crystal blue water surrounded us on the sand bar.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari155Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari186Small.jpg

These slopes were perfect for some sliding action.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari195Small.jpg

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Now we proceed over to the lighthouse. It was very crowded in this section. You can see the gradient of the slope we had to climb up to the lighthouse in the Landcruiser. Trust me, it felt pretty steep.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari197Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

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[Alpine]

And once we got to the top...whoa...that view was just breathtaking!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari209Small.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari213Small.jpg

Including the view of some of the local wildlife.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari214Small.jpg

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http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari224Small.jpg

We also spotted a whole family of dolphins from up here, I counted at least 20 of them. Too hard to spot in the photos though - the zoom didn't go in far enough.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari225Small.jpg

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[Alpine]

And so we climb back down.

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One thing I might mention too is that apart from this MDX, I didn't see any other Hondas on the beach whatsoever. :(

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari242Small.jpg

[Alpine]

Now we stop at this cool little spot called Red Canyon. The fully natural rock formations in here was very interesting and the sand was a copper red color, and felt so cool under our feet.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari244Small.jpg

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Towards the end of our tour, the Landcruiser was looking alot dirtier than it did at the start of the tour. :)

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari276Small.jpg

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Talk about the difference between high and low...this Ford Territory really looked like it was struggling thru the deep soft sand due to lack of ground clearance. Compared to the rig behind it which was making short work of it all! Moments after this picture was taken, the Ford got bogged after sliding sideways. Shame I didn't get a picture of it stuck in the sand.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari280Small.jpg

[Alpine]

More of the wildlife we came across our travels...

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari347Small.jpg

...and this kangaroo had a baby joey in her pouch. Very cute.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture154Small.jpg

After 7 hours of paradise, it was soon time to head back to the ferry to return back to the resort for a swim rest up for the next day.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari283Small.jpg

[Alpine]

After that wonderful day, I really got the bug for offroading. That was when I thought "to hell with it" and grabbed the keys to our CR-V and went searching the area for some tracks.

But first we stopped for some breakfast near our resort...only to return and found a heap of crap splattered on our hood!! Not happy. I promptly returned to the resort to wash it all off before it hardened.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture146Small.jpg

After a quick hose down, we were off!

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[Alpine]

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[Alpine]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture184Small.jpg

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I really like this picture for some reason:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture200Small.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture201Small.jpg

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Timbeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr!!!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/Picture203Small.jpg

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And that's it. We just got home earlier this afternoon and we're all rather tired from a fun week. I will be washing and cleaning up the CR-V tomorrow. Until next time, safe driving. :)

[mdugan7000]

Wow. Cool pictures! It is always neat to see pictures of other V's from around the world in locations that others may not ever see otherwise.

ps - sure glad I am not on dial-up!

[liquidfuel88]

wow :shock: :shock: :shock:

those are some AMAZING pictures!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Racoon]

Very cool. Thanks for posting them for us.

:D

[skyout]

I agree totally - awesome pics and thanks for sharing!!!

So cool you caught the eagle like that!!!

[sgtsandman]

Some great pictures from what looked like a great trip! How'd you sneak the "Local Wildlife" picture in there without getting in trouble? :lol: Thanks for posting them. 8)

[mezz64]

Beautiful photos! I really need to visit Australia some day.

[Alpine]

How'd you sneak the "Local Wildlife" picture in there without getting in trouble? :lol: 8)

Very quickly and without making it too obvious! :lol:

[sleeksilver]

woowwwww that was absolutely beautiful :shock: :shock: :shock:

We don't have anything like that here in VA, which is sad. Thank you so much for sharing those pictures, I especially like the photo of the wildlife! :lol:

Thanks again. Beautiful stuff!

[goraiko]

Great area. Might have to head up there again soon. Now do I drive or catch the plane and hire a car.mmmmm.

This view was great.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari214Small.jpg

[Alpine]

Great area. Might have to head up there again soon. Now do I drive or catch the plane and hire a car.mmmmm.

This view was great.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari214Small.jpg


That is a great view of the local wildlife indeed. :lol:

[pahipo_aviv_V2]

Wonderful pictures! Only in Australia! It would be a DREAM to drive my V on an endless beach!

[Alpine]

Wonderful pictures! Only in Australia! It would be a DREAM to drive my V on an endless beach!

It really is an awesome experience. Absolutely love it! We're very lucky to have such beaches here in Australia.

[fox22]

Awesome pics but WHYYYY didn't you take the V out instead of the Landcruiser??? :confused: I would have died to have a chance to drive around in that sorta landscape!

I- I think there's something wrong with your V... its far too shiny - might I recommend a healthy coat of mud? When I get my CRV covered in mud I consider it a badge of accomplishment rather than scamper back home to wash it off :shock:

[Alpine]

Mud yes...but bird shit...no! Bird shit = bad for paint.

['Curly Q Links']

. . . . . ps - sure glad I am not on dial-up!

Yeah, right. I'm still waiting for the last ten pictures to reveal themselves. :evil: Maybe tomorrow.

It's taking almost as long to view the pictures as it took ALPINE to SHOOT them. :roll:

[Crinale]

This view was great.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/magna_elite/CooloolaSafari214Small.jpg

all i can say is... damn... haha

Wonderful pictures! Only in Australia! It would be a DREAM to drive my V on an endless beach!

u say it would be a dream, yet u didnt join us in pismo last weekend? its only a few hours from your home in San Francisco... (you can drive for hours in pismo and never see the same place twice)

Awesome pics but WHYYYY didn't you take the V out instead of the Landcruiser??? :confused: I would have died to have a chance to drive around in that sorta landscape!

i completely agree... how did u pass up such an oppurtunity to drive your V through some truly tricky terrain? i couldnt have left it... i would have felt bad for ditching my V... lol

oh well, at least you all had a great time!
happy trails
-Kevin

[Alpine]

Well, there were six of us and we wouldn't have fit in the CR-V as it's only a five seater. The Landcruiser seats seven.

[Crinale]

Well, there were six of us and we wouldn't have fit in the CR-V as it's only a five seater. The Landcruiser seats seven.

thats y u take the V and follow the Cruiser ;) ... 8) 8)