Sunshine Coast (Birthday vacay) December 2019

We’ve taken a few days off work before the Christmas 🎄 shenanigans begin to relax and celebrate 🎉 another year older. We’ve both been lucky enough to celebrate our birthdays this year on the Sunshine Coast.

We’ve not done a whole lot other than relax, shop, eat and drink. We return to Sydney on Thursday 19/12 and we both return to work on Friday 20/12.

Overlooking Coolum Beach on our way to dinner

The magnificent Coolum Beach

Relaxing day and a visit to centre Ville

Today was a very lazy day relaxing and a trip into the town centre to check out the musée maritime and a wander around.

A ships wheel at musee maritime

Sunset from our hotel 

Amadee Lighthouse

We booked a day trip to Amadee Lighthouse on the Mary D. An early start with a pick up at our hotel at 07:30. We’re really looking forward to being about to do some snorkelling today. 

A turtle swum under the glass bottom boat- included as part of the tour

The Mary D Seven our transport to/from Amadee Island

The Amadee Lighthouse 

Out and about in Anse Vata and Ouen Toro

Tuesday we did some exploring of Anse Vata and walked up to Ouen Toro to check out the views.

Ouen Toro

Anse Vata and Le Roof restaurant 

Ile aux Canards and a very windy day in Noumea

On Monday we took the water taxi out to Duck island and attempted to do some snorkelling, we had planned to spend a few hours on the island but it was windy and that made it unpleasant. The water was very shallow which made it difficult to snorkel but we managed to see some coral near the shore.

The Pacific Explorer was also in town so the town centre was overrun by another 3,000 people and it was interesting the places that we managed to spot the cruise ship passengers. We spent much of the afternoon at our hotel.

The sun lounges and umbrellas for rent on Duck island

Pacific Explorer P&O in town for the day

Our second day in Noumea

We ventured into the main town centre on Sunday afternoon only to discover that everything was closed, we now take so much for granted. We had fun experiencing public transport in Noumea and got to see our surrounds. We had a very relaxing afternoon and we ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant which was very good.

Our afternoon view whilst we get ready for happy hour

The bar L’Étrave where we enjoyed pre dinner drinks

Mexican food in Noumea - delicious 

First 24 hours in paradise (Noumea, New Calédonie)

We had an amazing flight with Qantas and thanks to tail winds the flight was a very quick 2 hours and 33 minutes. The transfer between the airport and the town centre was just over one hour and we finally arrived at our hotel at 13:30. Thankfully our room was ready so we unpacked and didn’t waste anytime in exploring our surroundings and home for the week.

Anse Vata has loads of places to eat and drink and we were taking note of places that we’d like to try during our stay.

Sun setting over le Roof restaurant Anse Vata

Photos from our visit to Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Calédonie 

We also got to watch all of the sea creatures being fed. A truly amazing experience. 

Paradise here we come!

Let the holiday begin! I never thought that this day would get here. We’re both really looking forward to the week in Noumea and hoping to do some relaxing.

Time in the lounge to get some breakfast before our flight

Our view from the lounge