Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey continues from Point Arkright following the beach southward with a diversion to climb to the summit of Mount Coolum. From here I return to the beach and follow it passing Mudjimba Island and reaching the mouth of the Maroochy River. I follow the river upstream to cross the first bridge before heading back downstream to Maroochydore.
Distance hiked today: 31.3km
Total distance hiked: 789.5km
Today's Journey
 |
I watch Venus and the moon rise in the early dawn from the main lookout at Point Arkwright before the sun comes up. |
 |
Leaving the point, I follow the beach southwards as waves break on the golden sand, passing many others on their morning walks. |
 |
A boardwalk goes from the beach to a walkway climbing Mount Coolum, the remains of a volcanic plug similar to the formations of the Glasshouse Mountains. |
 |
From the 208 metre high summit I have amazing views along the length of the Sunshine Coast, seeing up to the Cooloola Sandmass, Noosa Heads, and along the coast to Point Cartwright and over to Moreton Island visible here. |
 |
From Mount Coolum, I return to the beach following it as the tide comes in making walking on the soft sand quite difficult. |
 |
I eventually reach Mudjimba Point, with Mudjimba Island and the artificial reef of the HMAS Brisbane sunken on the other side of it. |
 |
From Mudjimba Point, there is another long stretch of beach hiking before I reach Pincushion Island, a sandstone formation at the mouth of the Maroochy River. |
 |
Following a path upstream, I reach the Maroochy River bridge where I cross over to the other side into the busy suburbs of Maroochydore. |
 |
The sun sets as I follow the Maroochy River downstream, following a path beside the busy road. |
 |
I reach the centre of Maroochydore, the Sunshine Coast's main city centre. Continuing a little downstream, I watch the last light of dusk over the city centre. |
|
