Saturday, August 29, 2009

Discovering a camp fire

On a morning walk below the Coloured Sands of Rainbow Beach (Queensland), we found the remnants of a camp fire - perhaps someone had been cooking the fish they just caught.  We gathered dry kindling and then with lots of blowing we managed to reignite the flame.   Of course, before we left, we completely extinguished it!



If you're in to Pinterest, check out this page with hiking and camping ideas.  Find camping supplies 

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Coloured Sands conglomerate

The most recognised images of the Coloured Sands of Rainbow Beach show bands of red and orange colours along the steep sand dune cliffs.   The coloured sands formed as a result of water moving through the sand mass, depositing iron-oxide minerals and organic matter in coloured bands.  Here is a conglomerate of coloured sand "pebbles" on a large boulder that must have fallen onto the beach.  We're not sure how these different coloured pebbles grouped and reformed into a conglomerate like this.  Double-click on the photo to see it up close.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Inskip Peninsula development controversy

View to Inskip Peninsula and Fraser Island from Scribbly Gums beach house.

Even paradise has its troubles. There is a long running fight over development on Inskip Peninsula where Rainbow Shores is proposing a stage 2 development of some 6000 people (Rainbow Beach has a permanent population of around 1000 people). Because of environmental sensitivity, it appears that the Queensland Government is working on a deal to swap some Crown land. As reported in The Courier-Mail, several Government Ministers and staffers have been involved with advising with the developers over time.
A community group called Citizens Helping Inskip Peninsula (CHIP) is fighting this development. You can read more at their website about the issues for Rainbow Beach and what is happening.

This is precious land bordering a World Heritage area - it deserves absolute transparency and a decision for the better good of the environment and community.