Rising at 7 am, I found my granduncle and grandaunt still in bed. With Rainbow Beach as my destination today, I quietly prepared for the journey while they slept. By 7:30 am, my aunt and uncle were up, and we shared a breakfast together. Following the meal, I captured some photos of my grandaunt and granduncle to share with my aunt in Holland. Expressing gratitude for their kindness, I offered my thanks, shared my mobile number, and bid them farewell. In that moment, appreciation welled up for everything they had done for me.
My first stop was Woolworths in Rockhampton, where I grabbed a drink and a small snack for the journey ahead. With a long drive ahead, potentially taking up to six hours due to ongoing road works, I braced myself. My granduncle warned me about numerous roadworks planned on the route to Brisbane.
Fortunately, Brisbane wasn’t my destination for today; I was en route to Rainbow Beach. With a tour booked for tomorrow, my goal was to reach Rainbow Beach today, ensuring I’d make it in time for the upcoming tour.
After the supermarket visit, I topped up my car’s gas tank at the station, paying 30 Australian dollars since my tank was already halfway full (I initially anticipated touring around Rockhampton, but my grandaunt and granduncle chauffeured me in their car).
Australian Particularities
Finally en route to Rainbow Beach, my journey took an unexpected turn after an hour when a car in front of me abruptly halted. A police car with flashing lights sped by, leaving me wondering, ‘What’s happening?’ I leaned out of my window and noticed the approach of a massive truck. Normally, traffic would continue past such large vehicles, but this was different. All the cars in front of me had come to a standstill, prompting me to follow suit. Quick thinking allowed me to grab my camera just in time to capture the scene. I relished these unexpected surprises, reminiscent of watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel. It brought back memories of a childhood program featuring the relocation of pre-built houses in America. Transporting sizable objects wasn’t a rarity in Australia either.
Following that unexpected pause, I continued to drive relentlessly. Along the way, I made several brief stops for drinks and restroom breaks. It wasn’t until I reached the town of Chinders after 3.5 hours that I refueled. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to kick off my shoes, as they were causing discomfort and cramps in my right foot – a humorous situation. Driving barefoot felt more relaxed, adopting the Aussie style I observed, especially at gas stations where many locals strolled around without shoes. While barefoot driving seemed fitting, I couldn’t imagine walking outside like that myself.
Maryborough Tourist Information
Following my stop in Chinders, I continued driving for another hour until I reached Maryborough. From there, it was just one more hour to Rainbow Beach, my ultimate destination for the day. By 2:30 pm, I arrived in Maryborough feeling quite exhausted, prompting me to decide on an extended break.
Navigating through Maryborough’s city center, I was uncertain about the route to Rainbow Beach. Surprisingly, in the last 50 miles on the highway, I didn’t come across any signs pointing the way to Rainbow Beach.
In the primary shopping street of Maryborough, I parked my car and headed to the tourist information center. Needing to use their facilities and gather some information, I found the staff to be exceptionally helpful. Despite already having five maps in my car, they generously provided me with additional ones and shared insights into the key attractions in the vicinity. They even provided me with a secure parking address in Rainbow Beach, for which I expressed my gratitude. The hospitality and assistance from these individuals were truly remarkable. I considered myself fortunate to encounter such helpful tourist information centers along the east coast.
Maryborough Pawn Shop
Following my stop at the tourist information, I strolled back to my car and decided to pick up a treat from the bakery nearby. Enjoying my pastries, I returned for a final restroom break at the tourist information facility, conveniently located about 50 meters from where I had parked.
During my walk, I noticed a pawn trader’s shop and decided to step inside. Having purchased a new laptop in Bali, I still needed to sell my old one. I inquired if they were interested, and the man suggested bringing in the laptop. Retrieving it from my car, I showed it to him. After checking online, he offered around 70 AUD, but I disagreed with the valuation and chose to leave the pawn trader’s shop. Returning to my car, I bid farewell to Maryborough and continued on my journey.
With just one more hour remaining to reach Rainbow Beach, nestled in the Great Sandy National Park, the road transitioned into a narrower path devoid of guardrails. As I approached the entrance of the national park, the scenic beauty compelled me to capture some photographs. The landscape was truly enchanting.
Rainbow Beach
An hour later, I reached Rainbow Beach. My initial task was to find the Rainbow Sands Hotel, where I could secure parking. Upon inquiry, the staff informed me that I should return the next morning around 7 am to complete the paperwork, and the daily rate would be 9 AUD. With that settled, I proceeded to explore the beach, anticipating the beauty I had heard so much about.
Following the sunset, I set out to find accommodation, and fortunately, I had some information from the internet. A nearby hostel offered parking with the option to sleep in my car. Upon arrival, I discovered that all their available spaces were already occupied. Now confronted with a new challenge, I learned that I wasn’t allowed to park and spend the night in my car, as Rainbow Beach had numerous penalty signs prohibiting camping.
Unexpected Generosity
In the end, I purchased a drink at the gas station and approached a lady to inquire about legal parking and sleeping options. Unfortunately, she informed me that it was not permitted anywhere in Rainbow Beach. Despite this setback, we engaged in a conversation, but she needed to assist some customers first.
After helping them, she generously provided me with her address. She suggested I could park my car on her lawn, located on the street behind the gas station. This private property would allow me to sleep in my car without the risk of fines. She even mentioned I could park there for the upcoming days when I was away to save money on secure parking. Once more, this serves as another illustration of the incredible hospitality one encounters during a global journey. It’s truly astonishing when I reflect on it. The only negative encounter I had with people was on Pulau Weh in Indonesia. Ultimately, I decided against it as it didn’t feel secure enough for me without the benefits of a designated secure parking area.
Brushing Teeth in a Pub Toilet Cubicle
Initially, I opted to visit the address the lady had shared with me. I explored the place, familiarizing myself with its surroundings and ambiance. Following that, I drove back to the shops near the beach to have dinner. With my laptop in tow, I spent some time typing up reports. Eventually, the cafe closed quite early. Outside, I struck up a conversation with some Danish guys who, like me, were heading to Fraser Island the next day.
After the guys left, I stowed my laptop in the car and crossed the street. A pressing need for a restroom break before bedtime led me to spot a lively pub. Inside, a band was playing live music, and the pub was bustling with patrons. Navigating through the crowds, I reached the toilets, fortunately finding them unoccupied. I then returned to my car to retrieve my toiletries. Inside the restroom, I amusingly found myself brushing my teeth in a toilet cubicle, thinking, ‘What a life,’ and ‘I must be crazy for doing this, haha.’ Over time, you cultivate a carefree attitude and stop worrying about what others think. Let me be clear; I can comprehend if someone might disapprove of me brushing my teeth in the pub toilets if they were to walk in.
Tomorrow required an early rise as I had to be prepared by 7:30 am at the bus stop. Navigating Rainbow Beach, a small village, was straightforward. After brushing my teeth, I drove to the house and parked my car. Attempting to sleep in the front seat proved impractical, leading me to opt for the back seat instead. Around 11 pm, after approximately 30 minutes, I managed to drift off to sleep.
