The migrating humpback whales go right past the island on their way north to breed and Mike and Judy live at Point Lookout! The first morning, from the look out just a few metres from their home, I was lucky to see whales blowing and breeching in the distance. What a thrill it was and just as well I made the effort to get up early, as I didn’t see any more.
Day trippers come from Brisbane to see the whales and it is a popular place for weddings. What amazing photos this couple must have of their happy day, even if the women did look a little chilly!
I walked the spectacular gorge walk, which is a narrow gap between high cliffs with the water surging in, but unfortunately my camera ran out of battery at that moment.
Mike and Judy are involved with the local museum, which has just won an award as the top regional museum in Australia. I was lucky to be there for the AGM which was interesting, and entertainment was provided by the local Stradbroke Singers. A delicious lunch was provided and I felt very much at home in the small community in a beautiful setting, just like Coromandel.
My hosts were up very early making marmalade from kumquats growing in the museum grounds, to raise funds.
Judy took me on an informative tour of the island after lunch and told me a lot about the history and geology. The island is completely made of sand. Mining is the big industry apart from tourism. Certainly well worth the effort to visit if you are in Brisbane.
I dipped into a book while I was there called, Blood on the Wattle, which is a harrowing account of how aborigines were treated during the settlement of Australia and it was certainly food for thought.
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