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Finally left Rainbow Beach, a day later than planned. After a morning spent relaxing and walking along the beach I caught the bus for my two and a half hour trip to Noosa. My friends from Rockhampton, Jim & Alex, were on the same bus, heading to the same place, staying in the same hostel and leaving for Brisbane on the same day. I guess it's a good job that I stayed that extra night after all.
The hostel itself was alright as they go. However it was part of a chain operating all down the east coast of Oz. Because of that it didn't have a very homely feel to it, I definately prefer the smaller, privately owned places. They're much more personal.
Before having anything to eat the three of us went for a short wonder round the town to see what Noosa had to offer. We walked along along the beach and had a short stroll through the centre. Noosa reminds me of the south of France with all it's pavement cafes and restaurants. Not that my budget stretched far enough to let me enjoy them!
After we had gotten back to the hostel and eaten the three of us went far a walk aorund Noosa National Park, which followed the head land. The sun was already setting when we set off form so by the time we reached the park it was pretty dark. This did allow me to get a photo of Noosa town at sunset. However, in order to get the photo I had to walk across rocks by the water's edge. Unfortunatly they were a lot slipper than they looked and I lost my footing resulting in my camera and a rock becoming well equainted. Needless to say that was the end of my poor camera. It had travelled all round the world with my brother and I managed to destroy it in three weeks. Typical!
After my little accident we began walking one of the numerous paths in the National Park. The one we choose was a point-to-point walk along the head land. We couldn't see a massive amount because it was so dark but when we got to the end we had a completely clear night's sky to admire. On the walk back we had to Jim's torche to make sure that we didn't stroll right off the cliff. It's a real shame we wouldn't have time to visit the park during daylight.
Back at the hostel we decided that the folowing day we would visit Australia Zoo (owned by the late Steve Irwin & family). This decision was finalised over a beer or eight in the hostel's bar where we met to brothers from Melbourne up in Noosa to visit relatives. Dave & Sean we both a real good laugh so we arranged to meet up the next night.
Next day started early with a bus ride to the zoo. I was totlally gutted that I had broken my camera, so any photos of the zoo on this site were donanted by Jim & Alex (thanks boys).
The zoo itself was amazing. There were all the animals you would expect although in most cases not how you would expect to see them. We saw a train of elephants being walked through the zoo form their enclosure to a site where the public could feed them. We saw a cheetah being walked around on a lead by it's keeper because it's enclosure wasn't finished meaning otherwise people wouldn't be able to see her. We were also able to stroke koalas and feed kangaroos. It was a very interactive experience.
Obviously there were a number of crocodiles at the zoo and we went to see the live demonstration made famous by Steve Irwin. There were three shows, first snakes followed by tropical birds and then the croc show.
It was a really good day but, I have to admit, a little strange seeing Steve Irwin's face everywhere. There were hundreds of tributes to him from all over the world but unfortunately it did seem that the zoo was almost cashing in on him and his image. That aside it was one of the best zoos I have ever been to.
That night we met up with Dave & Sean to experience a Friday night in Noosa. Out again the night before I travel! This is becoming a habit. I did have a good laugh and have arranged to meet up with them when I get down to Melbourne.
Next stop Brisbane for Christmas.
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