NUMINBAH VALLEY, QLD

 Numinbah Valley                                                                                           

Started out at 0745, which is a smidge later than we normally do.  Probably because we were so excited to be going to a campsite just a little over an hour and a half from home and knowing that the day onsite would be longer and hot than normal.

This weekend our trip was straight down the highway at 110kph, then a right hand turn through suburbia and into the countryside.  We followed the Hinze Dam’s zig-zagging western coastline down to the Nerang River and then through the valley to Numinbah Valley, which is a quaint little country town.

We arrived at Numinbah Adventure Trails around 9.30am and were told to head straight for the campground.  Then it was a matter of unhitching and start setting up. Tent goes up right beside the creek.

Kim’s down to the creek and checking it out by 10.30am.  Of course our dog Shari was straight in the water.  By now we are joined by others.  And pretty much the afternoon continues,  sitting in creek , camp for a refill, sitting in creek, lunch and back to drinking in the creek.

 By 3.30pm we headed to Beachfront Markets. During late afternoon and early evening, The Esplanade along the beach of the Gold Coast becomes a hive of activity when a hundred or so colourful stalls set up for the Beachfront Markets. We finally got to take a stroll along the foreshore to check out the microcosm of life on the strip with a spot of crowd watching, to watch street performers.

While we were there, we wandered the stalls investigating new gizmos and gadgets, unique products and paraphernalia, with Kim giving in and buying a bracelet. The wares on sale are fairly touristy, carrying goods such as jewellery, home wares, fashion, beauty products and Gold Coast oriented tourist wares. While some of the goods are made elsewhere, the emphasis is on locally made or produced. Kim especially loved the seashore-inspired jewellery and the beautiful metal-mounted photographs of Surfers Paradise by Geoff Edwards. 

Back to camp for a quick chat around the fire before a small storm with a shower rolled in, so we retreated to our campsite a made an early night of it.

Next day dawns noisily.  Birds of all shapes, sizes, colours and call have descended on our campsite and are doing their best to get us out of bed. 

We then jumped in the car and headed to a sizable sandy patch of dog paradise which starts at the edge of Palm Beach Parklands and follows Currumbin Creek all the way around to the surf. So whether your dog is the wave catching type or just enjoys a good old-fashioned dog paddle, both will be in heaven here. And for owners it doesn't come much more scenic than this, with gorgeous vistas across Currumbin Creek on the still water side and views to Surfers paradise from the wide surf stretch on the other. On the parklands before the beach is a cafe that is dog friendly which we had a nice lunch.

 We arrived back to camp late afternoon just before some storms rolled in. We decided to fire up the Ozpig and eat dinner early. Back to the fire for some drinks and yarns before more storms rolled in and we all split back to shelter.

The next morning we were up and early to pack up and head to Burleigh Markets. Featuring over 75 fashion, art and craft stalls, the Village Markets in Burleigh Heads is Kim’s most loved boutique market on the Gold Coast.

Now five years old, the market provides a valuable springboard for talented emerging designers, photographers and artists from the local area, as well as providing a regular community meeting hub and cultural event for all ages to enjoy. We picked up a freshly brewed boutique coffee and enjoyed a laid back Sunday morning browsing the fantastic mix of men and women’s fashion, vintage clothing from all over the world, hand crafted jewellery, homewares, gifts and much more. Then home to dry the camping gear. Was a fantastic and short weekend away.