WINTER WHEREABOUTS
After a good hibernation I’m emerging to blog once again!
We have been lucky enough to spend our third winter in beautiful Noosa Heads, and again we are embracing the wonderful lifestyle it has to offer. We are still discovering new and fascinating “pockets of interest” as we explore.
BOREEN POINT
Today we joined forces with a great group of friends and descended on Boreen Point, a quaint Sunshine Coast village 20kms from Noosa and nestled on the shore of the expansive Lake Cootharaba.
We hiked around the foreshore of the lake and through the village taking in its scenery, beauty, culture and history before lunching at the famous historic Apollonian Hotel. Wow! What a fun and interesting day! We all thoroughly enjoyed our explore of this beautiful area.
Come hike with us............................................
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Heading out from the Apollonian Hotel for our hike around Boreen Point - beautiful sunny weather!? -
for a while :) - took refuge for 10 minutes under the awning of the General Store as a shower of rain swept across the lake. Sun, then scuds of rain was the order of the day. Didn't spoil our explorations! |
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| The charming colonial hotel |
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| Through the bushland to Lake Cootharaba's shores |
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Nev's answer to not wearing a belt with his shorts!
A handy idea! |
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| Pausing for a pic :) |
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| "Jean" the houseboat bobs on the lake - aahh "the serenity"! |
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| Enjoying the walk along the sandy shoreline |
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| Nice scenic and quiet spots around the lake to moor your water craft |
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Looking across the lake to Mt Tinbeerwah - a 265m volcanic plug popular with hikers and rock climbers
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| The popular Sailing Club perches on the lake's shore - perfect view! |
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| Next door to the Sailing Club Boreen Point prepares for its upcoming "floating land" exhibition around the lake. |
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| Main Beach, Boreen Point |
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| The natural bush landscape forms the back garden of this lake front home - the home was formally a popular restaurant. |
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| Looking across the lake to the east. A strip of the southern section of the Great Sandy National Park separates the lake from the Pacific Ocean and Teewah Coloured Sands |
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| Moody and spectacular the rain clouds loom, drenching the eastern side of the lake. |
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| The characteristic brown water of the lake is the stain from the Tea Trees which are common in the area |
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Monument to Eliza Fraser
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| Eliza Fraser was a Scottish woman whose ship was shipwrecked off the coast of Queensland, Australia, on 22 May 1836, and who was captured by Aborigines. Fraser Island is named after her. |
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| Holiday accommodation on the lake |
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| The southern section of the Great Sandy National Park guards the eastern shore of the lake |
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Rod road tests the novel use of the fence post as a seat for viewing the lake -
practical or artistic? |
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| Beautifully bejewelled! |
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| Another peaceful cove to enjoy a relax |
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| "The Old Post Office" sign hangs above this home's door |
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| Easy access to slip into this beautiful lake |
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The Anglican Church, Robert's House
The cottage was given to the parish by Ms Elizabeth Roberts in 1967.
She held bible studies and fellowship meetings in her house for many years
and it was her intention that her home be made into a Church after her death.
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| What character - a long standing, well kept holiday cottage - one of many scattered among the newly renovated lake houses. A reminder of a bygone era! |
We took in some art and culture on our hike. Along the picturesque foreshore we witnessed artists’ preparing and setting up their artwork for the coming week long “Floating Land - Nature’s Dialogue” Exhibition. What a perfect setting for artists to exhibit their work to raise awareness in respect of the environment, land, water and culture, and to celebrate nature. A very successful festival which is in it’s seventh year.
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"A Tale of Fish and a Fishery" - Simon McVerry
This artwork was inspired by the mullet which team in the lake.
Commentary on the art work from the catalogue:
"Simon's aspirations include the guiding principles of protection of the environment, csre of people and sustainable use of resources. The tale of of a fish and fishery tells the story of the Mullet, the watery world it lives in and the people who have worked and still work in this local fishery. This project, in collaboration with Julara, emphasises the importance of the local mullet industry and local sustainable fisheries, dispelling common misconceptions of this fish species."
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Artists weaving "Aqua Dermis - Common Threads"
Sue Coburn, Michelle Knightly, Gabi Timm, Vicki Driscoll, Sue gamble, Johanna bird, Beatrice Prost
Commentary on the art work from the catalogue:
"Through a dynamic and creative process, using the delicate weaving of threads and imitating the form of the microscopic image of the human dermis, this enclave of local and hinterland artists weave mats which undulate on the water surface. The dermis spreads its way to the shore and, again makes connection with the vegetation. Aqua Dermis aims to portray how nature is intertwined through the mimicry of growing cells, and the strength of web making; how "life creates conditions conducive to life".
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| We spoke to a couple of the shivering and wetsuit clad artists at the General Store as we escape the scrud of rain that came in off the lake. They were grabbing some hot coffees to warm up! |
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"Growth" - Stephen Guthrie and Lindy Atkin, Bark Lab
Commentary on the art work from the catalogue:
"Bark Lab is a creative collective offshoot of Bark Design Architects and is led by local architect Stephen Guthrie and Lindy Atkin. Bark Lab focuses on creative collaborations through their everyday design processes and listen to nature's dialogue by reading the site and landscape. From the man-made to the organic and back, Bark lab will be reconnecting people with the natural environment with a series of participatory physical constructs that will "grow" and provide an inextricable link to the landscape."
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| Judy appreciating the intricacy of the art piece |
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| Rod and Judy critiquing "Growth" |
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| Rain drops and reflections |
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| A perfect place to take in the wonderful view! A clever and practical use of the fence post! ....... |
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Footprints found on the road.
Meaning? |
So, if you like fishing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, other water sports, bushwalking, bird watching and “serenity”, this is your destination - Boreen Point on Lake Cootharaba.
There is a peaceful camp ground hugging the lake’s shore. Surrounded by natural bushland and boasting a long sandy foreshore, it is perfect place for a relaxing getaway. We’ll be back!
The geography of the area is very interesting. Lake Cootharabah is the largest lake on the Noosa River and it is the gateway to the Everglades - a popular attraction in the Noosa area. The lake is approximately 10km long and 5km wide, and is quite shallow, with an average depth of 1.5m. Interestingly the lake is close to the Pacific Ocean but doesn’t drain directly into it. Instead the Noosa River enters from the north via the Everglades Wetlands and exits at the south via a navigable channel to meet the sea at Noosa Heads 12kms to the southeast.The southern section of the Great Sandy National Park surrounds most of the lake, with farmland to the west.
Boreen Point is the major access town to the lake, as well as Elanda Point, a smaller camping spot and historical site where a sawmill becoming operational in 1869. Overlooking the western shores of the lake, Boreen Point sits on a raised point giving the village dwellings very pleasant views. Two general stores, a sailing club, several art galleries and the historical Apollonian Hotel make up the village metropolis - very manageable!
We relaxed and had a very social lunch on the verandah of the historic Apollonian Hotel after our hike.
If you come to Boreen Point you have to call into this historic pub and enjoy a step back in time while you quench your thirst and savor some homemade delights on the menu. The Apollonian Meat Pie is highly recommended and is the pubs homemade specialty - delicious!
What fascinating stories and tales this historic colonial building must hold within its walls............from a goldfield’s music hall built in Gympie in 1868 to the pub we see today - moved to Boreen Point in 1987.
History of the Apollonian Hotel
Gold was discovered in Gympie by James Nash in 1867. Within ten months a well known English comedian and vocalist named Robert (Billy) Barlow had built, ‘Barlow’s Apollonian Philharmonic Music Hall Hotel’ established on 18th September, 1868 and situated at 43 Apollonian Vale, Gympie.
The word ‘apollonian’ comes from the ancient Greek sun god, Apollo, god of theatre and music. It was subsequently renamed, ‘Barlow’s Apollonian Hotel and Music Hall,’ ‘Taylor’s Apollonian Music Hall Hotel’ and finally just ‘Apollonian Hotel.’
In 1869 the music hall was enlarged. It was stated that the music hall could now hold 300. A copy of the advertisement appearing in the Gympie times on December 15, 1869 states:
‘W Taylor begs to announce that he will give Another Grand Ball At his Hall, on Friday, December 31. W Taylor trusts that the arrangements he has made for this occasion will cause general satisfaction, and hopes the success hitherto attained will prove a guarantee for the present ball. To ensure respectabiliity, Gentlemen must purchase their tickets from, and Ladies will be invited by, the Proprietor only.’
(The rather eccentric capitalisations are Mr Taylor’s.)
Taylor staged frequent wrestling performances, ‘Cornish’ and ‘Deveno’ styles being advertised. Billiards competitions and championships were held weekly, and a ‘Free & Easy’ was held every Saturday night. This must have been a sort of amateur ‘variety’ get-together in which anyone could sing a song, tell a yarn or do some comical or physical feat, whilst everyone drank the good publican’s ale and porter.
In 1878 livestock salesyards known as the ‘Central Market Yards’ were constructed at the rear of the hotel. Hence every Saturday became a very lively occasion with livestock sales being conducted.
Early in 1879, due either to fire or the dilapidation of the earlier building, the present Apollonian Hotel was built. The building was built of hoop pine, with all the doors and windows being cedar. The standard ceiling height throughout is 13 feet.
In 1890 the hotel was leased to Richard Henry Cox, father of the very gifted soprano singer, Mabel Cox. The lease was held by the Cox family for 31 years before Percy, Richard’s son, was able to buy the freehold. Richard later became Mayor of Gympie in or about 1910.
It is most pertinent that this unusual old pub remained so faithfully entire and intact, and in basically sound condition. As a Hotel Music Hall of the goldfields era it survives as a precious fragile link with our history. History | Apollonian Hotel
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| The beautifully preserved colonial pub from the goldrush era - step back in time.................. |
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| The verandah was the perfect place for to relax, talk and enjoy our lunch |
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| On the move from Gympie to Boreen Point |
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| The Menu - decisions, decisions, decisions |
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| Take 1 - Rod, Rhonda, Nev, Carol, Jud, Colin, Peter, Pauline |
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| Take 2 - Rod, Rhonda, Nev, Carol, Judy, Colin, Vicki, Peter, Pauline |
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| The famous homemade Apollonian Meat Pie |
A great day shared with great people!
Thanks Nev, Carol, Rod, Pauline, Colin, Judy and Rhonda!
