We’ve been quite well……quiet lately. Exam season and real work commitments keeps both of us sadly preoccupied pied these days. But finally this past weekend I got a chance to step out of the house for some R and R with the boys and attended a Fight Night in Noosa.

As of recent I have taken an interest in fight sports and my boy pictured above having his first amateur bout and I was ring side to capture every moment even though when he knocked his opononent out I was too busy in celebration and dishging out high fives and fist bumps to capture the moment, but there is some footage i will upload soon. Lots of mean photos after the jump!

- T

I took over 800 shots but I have condensed them down to the ones that took my fancy, I was really digging the pee wee fighter those kids are so well trained and composed even after drawing blood they hold their cool can’t imagine I would’ve reacted the same at that age and also the different gym logos were ill very reminiscent of old school Americana which is something I’ve always loved.

If you are thinking about your next vacation and go where you want to have a serious look at visiting the Noosa Holiday region in Australia. This is the only place where you can find all the best natural attractions Australia, all in one place and completed by first-class accommodations. Noosa is located in the state of Queensland is located in the north of Australia and enjoys a superb sub-tropical climate. Here is a place where fantastic beaches meet the chic and sophisticated NoosaCity lifestyles of the rich and famous. The result is spectacular. Noosa has iconic status in the Australian holiday calendar. The beach and point break are a magnet to experienced surfers from around the world, especially when the waves are big from the east, and the Hastings District St is a prize destination for tourists who wants to be healed well seen Enjoy the stylish restaurants, cafes and boutiques.

There are so many things to Noosa, it is almost impossiblethey experience them all. A journey into the hinterland is essential. There are a number of tour operators offering a wide range of experiences. A day tour of the Noosa Everglades to show you, through a new, pristine lakes and rivers teeming with unique flora and fauna system. A day trip to Australia in the late Steve Irwin's zoo is impressive, and their bus picks you from your front door. The Eumundi markets are fascinating and a tour of Malany and Montville is a great way to fill in one day. Noosa NationPark is walking distance from the center of the city and offers an ideal opportunity to relax in the vicinity of your accommodation. There are koalas live in the park and it is possible to see one in their natural habitat. Of course there are many other day trips to choose from underwater world, including in Mooloolaba or a spectacular whale-watching tour in the nearby Hervey Bay. The beach at Noosa is the main attraction, and if you want to surf or just enjoy a family day, the sun, then there isno better place to be.

Noosa is renowned for its wide selection of accommodation fame. There is an absolute luxury apartments along the beach promenade in Hastings St, if you want to be right in the center of the action. Noosa, but offers for every budget, and it is possible to find everything from quality backpacker resorts, through to the best five-star hotels. The Sheraton Noosa, Netanya Resort, BreakFree The French Quarter Resort and the Hotel Laguna are exactly in the middle of theHastings Street. Noosa Blue Resort is located in close proximity on Noosa Hill with BreakFree Noosa International. Near the Hyatt Coolum Resort are with his world-standard golf course, Novotel Twin Waters Resort, South Pacific Resort, Verano Resort Nautilus Resort and many, many others.

The Sun shine Coast Airport near the access for tourists. Brisbane Airport can be accessed from many overseas and is only an hour or so by bus to a modern highway .. There are alsoMany domestic flight options if you want to Noosa part of a full Australian holidays including some of its other iconic destinations such as Ayers Rock and the Sydney Opera House, the Gold Coast and Cairns. www.aunztravel.com.au a wealth of information to leave Australia and New Zealand has, including information on accommodation, attractions and transfers.

Globetrotting are a Sunshine Coast based company specialising in horse riding holidays and horse riding safaris around the world and in Australia. The Australian horseback adventure is located on the North Shore in Noosa and encompasses both bush and beach riding with stop-offs along the way.

Globetrotting are a Sunshine Coast based company specialising in horse riding holidays around the world and in Australia. The Australian horseback adventure is located on the North Shore in Noosa and encompasses both bush and beach riding with stop-offs along the way.

Click the following link to see more:  Australian horse riding holiday

I’m back at home now recovering from my 10 weeks on the road. I’ve washed my clothes, dusted out my pack, displayed my souvenirs and showed photos to anyone that shows the slightest interest; but really the memories of travel are already starting to fade with the return to routine. These post-travel blues are very sad but fortunately I was saved today when Maureen Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet with husband Tony, came on the radio to talk my favourite subject – travel!

As I’m already starting to work out travel destinations for next year, I’m asking you to write in with your top five travel destinations for me to consider for the next trip and relieve my travel blues.

Top 5 Australian Destinations

To get the ball rolling here are my top five destinations for Australia as I know many of you are probably here or on your way to enjoy our summer:

1. Noosa, Queensland
This is my all time favourite holiday destination and the ultimate summer spot. There’s so much to do from the beaches, to the fantastic walks through the national park, coffee on Hastings Street, Sunday lunches at Boreen Point’s historic pub The Apollonian or shopping at the Eumundi Markets.

2. Byron Bay and hinterland, New South Wales
I’m probably in love with a Byron Bay of a decade past but still, it rocks, despite the increase in tourism. The most easterly point in Australia has a great range of food and drink on offer (surely you can’t beat a beer at The Beach Hotel), one of the country’s best festivals (Byron Bay Blues and Roots at Easter), a fantastic array of beaches and watery pursuits and some of the best hinterland areas. Don’t get stuck just in Byron but wander inland to the other weekend markets nearby, head to Nimbin for a bit of alternative culture or even hike the great spike of Mt Warning.

3. Fraser Island, Queensland
Driving along an open beach past grazing brumby’s, a dingo or a shipwreck to thermal springs, desert like dunes or freshwater rivers are just some of the glorious memories I have of Fraser Island. There are plenty of hostels in Hervey Bay that organize combined 4WD tours for tourists to Fraser but please take care. Every year foreign tourists are killed or badly injured as a result of inexperienced driving.

4. Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Every corner you turn along the Great Ocean Road gives you an opportunity to ooh or aah at the scenery. It’s fabulous and there are some 243km of it to travel between Torquay and Warrnambool in Victoria. The route hugs the coast by the Bass Strait and Southern Ocean and features dramatic limestone formations, temperate rainforests, fantastic walking tracks and quaint towns. One of the best places to stay with great surfing, pubs and cafes is Apollo Bay.

5. Kununurra, Western Australia
You can’t help but fall in love with the Kimberley, the dramatic wilderness area of open skies, rich geography and rugged landscapes that Baz Lurhmann used to film Australia with Hugh and Nicole. I fell in love with the land before I saw the movie, but if you’re now itching to explore it the best way to do so is to base in Kununurra. You can explore film locations such as gorgeous King George Falls, the sandstone domes of Purnululu National Park or Home Valley Station and Diggers Rest station for the wet season and droving scenes. Or do your own exploration and get to places like the famed beaches of Broome along the Gibb River Road taking in gorges, waterfalls and outback along the way.

Top 5 Other Destinations

1. Southland, New Zealand
Chasing shadows across the mountain ranges in Fiordland National Park is one of the most amazing travel experiences you’ll have anywhere. Take on a challenging walk, kayak through beautiful areas like Doubtful Sound or do the Milford cruise and marvel at the seal numbers. Or hang around in Queenstown, the adventure capital, to ski, snowboard, mountain bike and bungy yourself into travel oblivion.

2. Garwhal, India
You could probably name any destination in India and I would like it but the Garwhal is a favourite because I once spent two years there. The Garwhal is in the foothills of the Indian Himalaya and filled with great trekking opportunities, hillside villages, rural life, gorgeous pine forests and snow capped mountains. It’s also of significant religious importance with the Ganga and Yamuna rivers originating here. VIP can get you started in places like Mumbai and New Delhi but to get to the Garwhal you’ll need to be more independent.

3. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Bella Italia is most beautiful along this coastline south of Rome that is dotted with islands, great seafood restaurants, historic churches and towns and even the famed ruins of Pompeii.

4. Goreme, Turkey
This region of spiky and unusual landscapes is one of the most picturesque in Turkey. If you like to hike in foreign countries and enjoy the rural hospitality this is the place for you. Some guesthouses are actually located inside caves like the traditional hillside homes.

5. Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
You can visit the beautiful Wicklow Mountains on a day trip from Dublin although I would advise you give it more time. They are not only the largest mountain range in Ireland, but they boast numerous walks in the area including the 131km Wicklow Way, the first marked route in Ireland. The beautiful valley of Glendalough is based along the route and a good place to do day walks particularly around the two lakes. Make sure you wander down to the lake edges also to explore the ruins of churches, towers and cemeteries at the famous monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in the 6th Century.

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Hope you’re enjoying the VIP Backpacker’s Travel Blog. There’ll be an update added every other Friday, so keep tuning in to keep your travel dreams alive! If there are any travel topics you want covered feel free to contact me, Jo, at blog@vipbackpackers.com

Tranzluzid are LIVE @ The Rolling Rock this Sunday 15th November 2009 7:30pm.

See you there!

Rose x

Michelle Brown

For lovers of jazz, blues, country, rock and everything in between … and dancers of all ages – featuring leading blues, R & B, soul and gospel singer Michelle Brown plus Johnny Maier on keyboards. Michelle & Johnny already have a huge following on the Coast.

When: From 9.00 pm
Where: Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa 14-16 Hastings Street Noosa Heads

Trip to Noosa: We went by train and then by bus, arrived in Noosa, went to the Information Centre asked directions and set foot to the Noosa National Park, were we saw lots of birds and I did a footage of a lazy lizard.

There is people in Australia that only think about tanning and forget about skin cancer…

The second part of the beach was more interesting, because it wasn’t crowded. If we went down by the coast we would end up in Sunshine Coast.

Fabio.

Both Noosa Fabulous 50s & Coolum Gadabouts are doing this.

Pantastic will provide the music

The cruise departs from the Catalina jetty by the big Pelican on Gympie Terrace Noosaville at 5.00pm sharp & returns at 6.30pm. Meet at the jetty no later than 4.45pm to Board as a Group for discount fare.

The cost is $20.00 per head. Drinks are available on board & the boat is licenced – BYO is not permitted. We can take our own nibbles on board.

For those who really want to get into the spirit of the evening, why not come dressed with a Jamaican flavour – colours are Red, Yellow and Green – sometimes with black.

For those who are interested, we plan to have fish & chips (or something else) on our return, to finish off the evening.

For information call Pauline – Ph: 0404 709 971 – Email: carpe.diem@y7mail.com.

Who’s Going

Pauline C, Jill R, Lesley C, Joan B, Max, Robyn, Junee, Vonn and Friend, Doreen, Ruth H, John S, Barb V, Warwick, Reg M, John W, Pete W, Joan, Alan, Eny, Rod, Rosemary

So Sharon and I were in Noosa for the weekend. The Noosa triathlon or should I say multisport festival was taking place. The festival combines the Noosa Triathlon with a myriad of other events like the Asics 5k bolt, Kids Triathlon and Bike Criteriums.

Noosa is really nice. Hastings St the focal point of the seaside town bustles with small cafes,restaurants and bars. Just off Hastings St is Noosa beach overlooked by Noosa National Park with its scenic paths through the rain forest.

We were in town primarily to watch the racing. I managed to swim the course for the triathlon with the rest of the club members early on Saturday morning. I think they were having good fun warning me of sharks and other deep-sea predators as we wadded into the Noosa river. It was widely agreed that I was definitely shark bait as I was easily the most identifiable thing in the water with my rather pale skin.

Saturday saw a hive of activity around the town. The Expo was pretty good and we managed to bag a few bargains. The mens Criterium was the highlight of the evening but the 5k bolt and ladies criterium didn’t fail to disappoint.

Two members of the Carina Leagues triathlon Club raced in the ladies 5k and posted very respectable times finishing in the top ten.

Sunday dawned early as we made our way down to the race venue for the triathlon. Noosa Triathlon is unique in that the Elite triathlete’s race the same course as the age groupers at the same time. The only luxury afforded them is a separate wave start. I was really impressed with some of the racing. The depth of talent was evident in the age group field and you get the sense of the scale of triathlon’s growing popularity with almost 30% of the field made up of first timers.

The numbers watching the race was impressive with people lining the course for kilometers along the bike route. The organisation was impressive also with everything seemed to work well and good reports from those racing. While Noosa is a large race I definitely think that races like Triathlone are not far behind.

Michelle Brown

For lovers of jazz, blues, country, rock and everything in between … and dancers of all ages – featuring leading blues, R & B, soul and gospel singer Michelle Brown plus Johnny Maier on keyboards. Michelle & Johnny already have a huge following on the Coast.

When: starts 12.00 noon
Cost: $80
Where: Sails Restaurant 75 Hastings St, Noosa Heads

When & Where

Meet at 8.45 am ready for an 9.00 am start at Kookaburra Park, on Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy (map).

The walk is 9kms return and is fairly easy.

For those coming from Noosa – the main road from Cooroy to Noosa will be closed from 6am till 11.30am because of the Noosa Triathalon

Coffee afterwards at Cafe Garnish‎ 3/1A Garnet St, Cooroy – Map

Carpooling

If you are interested in car pooling to this event post a Comment so that others can respond. Make sure you check out the Comments if you are looking for a lift.

Note: We are not a walking club, just a group of people who enjoy walking. All walkers accept personal responsibility for their own well-being. It’s recommended that you be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear, adequate drinking water, a snack, sun protection, insect repellent, etc.

Who’s Going

Neil, Ron, Meryl, Jenny, Jill, John, Jane, Cathy, Pam, Geoff, Dave, Jan

Host: This event is being hosted by Neil 0409 453032  who has kindly volunteered to help make it as easy as possible for others, especially newcomers, at this event.

Their musical energy & unrestrained delivery is thrilling audiences wherever they perform. Their tunes meander their way across the bumpiest musical terrain, a rhythmic body moved with stately deliberation creating inspiring & infectious rhythms that you just cannot help but dance to. Thus is a live show not to miss.

When: 6.00 to 8.00 pm
Where: Parque Mexico Quamby Place Noosa Sound
Cost: $40 per person – cocktail food
Bookings: 5475 8785.

Host this Event: If you are definitely going to this event and would like to act as host please let us know. You don’t have to do much – we just list your name and number along with the event so you can talk to people if they need – it’s usually pretty basic stuff and often new people just need reassurance from a friendly voice.

Chukale

Son Con Clave, the small version of “Chukale”, the renowned and sought after 11 piece Afro Cuban Salsa Ensemble based in Brisbane. These Boys and Girls must be the hardest working afro cuban group in the country. Their repertoire aims to please the easy listener with a more traditional style of Latin music & also to the dance enthusiast .Dont miss this oportunity to see them in an intimate atmosphere.

When: from 6.00 pm
Where: Parque Mexico Quamby Place Noosa Sound
Bookings: 5475 8785.

Host this Event: If you are definitely going to this event and would like to act as host please let us know. You don’t have to do much – we just list your name and number along with the event so you can talk to people if they need – it’s usually pretty basic stuff and often new people just need reassurance from a friendly voice.

Historic Noosa Hill Climb up the picturesque Gyndier Drive at Tewantin

“The Hill” is classed as one of the premier hill climb events in Australia. It has attracted such notables as Vern Schuppan, Kevin Bartlett, Dick & Steve Johnson just to name a few.

With such a broad range of makes and models competing such as the Skelta, XU1s, Minis, Fiats, GTs, Jags, Open Wheel Hill Climb Specials and to many more too mention. The weekend is loaded with lots of thrills and spills and is sure to keep you entertained.

So gather your friends and family and come and enjoy the thrills and spills that are “The Hill”. Racing starts at 8 am and finishes about 4 pm.

There are several spectator areas for you to catch the action with catering and licensed bar. Feel free to wander around the Pits and talk to drivers and get up close to the cars.

Parking is available at the Tewantin Sports Ground with a shuttle bus to all entrances.
Buses run from 8am to 5pm.

Website – http://thehill.noosacarclub.com.au/thehill/index.html