We woke to a cloudy and overcast morning but decided to brave the beach first thing.

Before this Andy had already been out for his customary 10km run and returned to the apartment complex for a recovery swim in the pool.

Pipes Beach opposite was unsurprisingly quiet, with only a few foolhardy swimmers in the ocean. We caught up with some reading, before negotiating with the apartment managers to stay for an extra couple of nights in the knowledge that the sunshine is due to return tomorrow.

With the rain coming in, we headed to the hinterland and revisited Montville before moving on to Flame Hill Vineyard and a spot of cellar door action.

It’s been a month or two since we last found ourselves trying NZ wine in Marlborough, this time it’s Queensland’s finest.

Andy picked out his 5 wines for tasting, with a combo of whites and reds – Cab Sav, Shiraz and Sav Blanc – all great tasting and fab value at just 12 dollars.

After our session we went for a wander around the vineyard estate and soaked up the views down the valley.

From there we made our way down the steepest road to Lake Baroon.

Onwards to the stunning town of Maleny, a charming hippy place awash with quaint craft stores and coffee shops.

We enjoyed a relaxing break on the high street at a local coffee shop and then wandered Maple Street browsing in the independent stores.

Back to the car we drove down to Mountain View Road to check out the vista out to the Glass House Mountain range.

Alongside the mountain range we came across the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve protects an important patch of subtropical rainforest. Many of the trees you see today are hundreds of years old. 

Many of the animals and plants that live in subtropical rainforests are only found between southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. They are endemic – meaning they do not live anywhere else.

The reserve came into being after one hundred acres transferred to the former Landsborough Shire Council in 1941 by sisters Elizabeth, Mabel and Mary Thynne. The sisters transferred the land to the Council through a Deed of Trust, with the aim of preserving the rainforest in perpetuity. It’s an amazing place and makes you appreciate how stunning the rainforest truly is and untouched for hundreds of years.

With the wet weather returning, we decided to drive down to the Glass House Mountains but the rain was so severe we decided to pass on a walk and took photos from the side of the car!!

On the way back to our beach apartment, we stopped at Australia Zoo to reminisce about our last visit some 16yrs ago. Our daughter Amelia was only 3yrs and fell off one of the viewing platforms, resulting in a huge lump on her forehead. Happy and blessed memories….

Once back at Alexandra Headland, we went for one more beach walk down to Maroochy Surf Club, before retiring for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Tomorrow hopefully will be all about the beach, and a return to sunshine and soaking up the rays!!!