And so it should now and again. Like when you visit an inspiring modern art exhibition maybe.
I called in on Brisbane's GOMA, the Gallery of Modern Art, yesterday. On show is an exhibition of the works of Chiharu Shiota, a Japanese performance and installation artist of some note. Here are some of the highlights.
A bora was a raised earthen circle, traditionally built by women, and used as a meeting place for all kinds of activities. In the local language it was called a 'durn'. There's a fairly well preserved one in the Glass House Mountains region, off Johnston Rd. Nearby, in fact 60m nearby, there was supposedly a 'kippa ring', a smaller circle in which adolescent boys were initiated into adulthood.
There's little info about where this particular kippa ring actually is or was. About 60m nearby is a flat bit of bulldozed land. Here's hoping that it's not there? Do let me know if you've any further information about this.
A few kilometres to the north, on the Old Gympie Road on the way upto Landsborough, there's Little Rocky Creek, and a collection of stone tool sharpening grooves.
Fine examples. I suspect there are more such places. Sensibly hidden away from the public maybe?
Maleny has quite a few attractions. Quite the place in many ways. I checked out the Mary Cairncross Reserve yesterday, and wasn't disappointed.
It's not just a park or patch of rainforest with public access. It's got an excellent little network of easy walks, all well curated with educational signage etc. It's got a very fine little visitor centre too, a treetop walk, a cafe, and last but not least, magnificent views of the Glass House Mountains.
I ventured into the Conondale National Park yesterday. It's about an 80km drive from the coast, to the west of Cambroon, which is on the Kenilworth to Maleny road. I had to walk the last bit of the road, as my car might not have been up to it. Then I walked along fine and relatively untrodden walking trail, to an old gold mine.
Most of the other park visitors were, as is often the case, people in four wheel drives, just, well, four wheel driving.
I was intrigued by this sign, advising me of the various things I should have taken with me. See if you can spot what particularly intrigued me! (Click to enlarge pictures)
Cotton Tree actually, near the Boat Shed restaurant. Yet another red sunset, courtesy of that Tongan volcano.
It's been NAIDOC week this week (standing for National Aborigines and Islanders Observance Day Committee). We went along to a colourful event in Nambour's Quota Memorial Park today.
It's just appeared on Broadmeadows Road, Maroochydore, and as far as I can tell, it's not part of a franchise. Maybe it ought to be?
It's certainly got a vibe about it, even if it's so far got nothing sweet on the menu. Or the usual Australian breakfast classics. But maybe that's the idea.
We like it anyway.
Magpie-larks are found over wide areas of Australia, but they seem to be particularly prolific here on the Sunshine Coast.
I used to be a bit confused about the different patterns of black and white I'd encountered, but it seems it's actually quite simple.
This one's a female. She's got a white face like a Geisha Girl.
And this one's a male, with his stern eyebrows and big black beard!
This cafe is a strawberry farm too. It's on Sports Rd, Bli Bli, just past the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.
As well as the usual coffees and breakfasts, you can have strawberry ice cream and other such treats.
And of course you get to pick your own strawberries to take home.
They're open every day during the cooler months - which I guess are the strawberry-growing months.
It's very planned, it's very publicised, and when it's finished, it may well be something special. Not sure yet.
I went down there today to investigate, especially the part of it called Nirimba. I climbed up the viewing tower they've erected, which gave me fine views of the Glasshouse Mountains to the west. I'm not sure how many residents will get these views though. The houses a bit packed together.
