Still stunning even on a cloudy day - Image: Elaine de Wet
I'm sure you are all aware by now that I'm not the most energetic soul on the Sunshine Coast, but having just recovered from pneumonia and also having had one of those 'ickies' (test results pending) cut out of my leg, I've been somewhat restrained as to what exercise I'm permitted.
Heaven forbid! My body feels like it's been in hibernation for the last part of summer and needs something….anything, to get it moving!
Lonely Yacht - Image: Elaine de Wet
So, this morning our destination was The Mooloolaba Esplanade towards the Spit - nothing dramatic, you understand, in case I pull my stitches apart or have a coughing spasm, which would ensure we had the Esplanade to ourselves.
Picnic spots - Image: Elaine de Wet
We parked the car right on the beach at the public parking lot and commenced our walk. The early morning dawned with more cloud than sun, but this is the ideal time to stretch ones legs before the day becomes too muggy. It's literally a case of the early bird catches the worm as parking was plentiful even though some Council workers had blocked off a few parking spots for their vehicles.
Did you know that Mooloolaba is derived from the Aboriginal word
mulu, meaning snapper fish or
mulla meaning Red-Bellied Black Snake - I guess the latter were abundant in the day way back when, but luckily for us we didn't see one on our stroll.
Natural History of the area - Image: Elaine de Wet
According to the
'Natural History' that we picked up along the way, during the current
Holocene Period which commenced some 11,500 years ago, the Spit at Mooloolaba was formed across the estuary of the Mooloolah River on a bar of Landsborough sandstone. The Mooloolah River shoreline's mangroves are important habitats for migratory birds and provide spawning and nursery areas for aquatic animals such as Mud crabs and Fiddler crabs.
Time for a stretch? - Image: Elaine de Wet
People of the Kabi Kabi language group of tribes were indigenous to the Mooloolah River catchment area and this is still a significant area for the Kabi Kabi First Nation People, who are the recognised Traditional Custodians of this Region.
I digress! The paved pathways to reach the Mooloolaba Spit Boardwalk are beautifully maintained and pass through picnic areas, the
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club, a childrens' playground and even boasts a 'Loo With A View'.
Loo with a View - Image: Elaine de Wet
Need a coffee break? You'll pass HUSTLE & Flow, underneath the Mooloolaba Surf Club, who, despite the early hours, was already open and ready with that first morning caffeine hit.
HUSTLE & Flow for an early morning caffeine hit - Image: Elaine de Wet
The boardwalk is through the sand dune forest with overhanging branches and brush turkeys looking at us askance as if to say
'excuse me, I was here first'. It's a cool, peaceful area where one can bask in one's own thoughts and listen to the sound of the waves.
This stunning walk continues all the way along to the Spit or the Point and is well utilised by locals and tourists. Why not do the walk early evening and catch the sunset from the Spit - it's a great spot to sit back and enjoy Mooloolaba from a different perspective.
Take in a sunset - Image: Elaine de Wet
The return journey was just over two kilometres (okay, we didn't do it
all the way to the Spit) and is easily managed by the unfit (that's me!) and is definitely wheelchair-accessible too.
PS Our furry family members are welcome too, provided they're on a leash.
