Seaside holiday

I’ve written before about how much I like living in Toowoomba.

It has everything it seems, except a beach!

Mr Grumpy promised me I could have that so-longed for seaside holiday this winter.

I love the beach in Queensland’s mild winter.

So does everyone from Victoria, it seems.

Due to Covid there were a few more vacancies to choose from – where to go?

A high-rise apartment on a busy coastal strip was out – ok once you get there, but getting around is tricky – the traffic in some places is intolerable.

Trendy and expensive places? No. Must have a water view and yet be quiet.

We settled on Elliot Heads, a beach I often visited in my childhood.

My family lived in Bundaberg, and the beaches are so close we used to ride our bikes to them.

In those days there was sugar cane everywhere, and the only thing that rose above it was the Hummock, our only hill.

Much to my delight, Elliot Heads has changed very little over the years.

Our holiday cottage was right by the water, and surrounded on three sides by open parkland and reserve.

All of the dwellings are single houses and cottages, with little yards.

There are no blocks of flats that I could see, and nothing above two storeys.

There are still only two kiosk type shops, selling fish and chips, bait and fishing gear, as well as basic household supplies.

What had changed a lot, and this surprised me, was the coastline.

The path of the river towards the heads seems to have moved about a kilometre further away from where it used to be, creating a new magnificent beach that I don’t remember seeing at all.

Acres of soft, golden sand. There were also new coastal paths to walk along, and lots of nice new BBQ shelter areas.

Quiet. We couldn’t believe how beautiful, laid back and quiet it was.

The local people drive slow, and quietly. It’s not crowded. The caravan park was full – not surprising, as there aren’t so many of these left in lovely coastal spots.

It’s not a Surf Beach, none of the Bundaberg beaches are, due to the protection of Fraser Island.

That makes them relatively safe for swimming, and very family friendly.

Could this last? How come the developers haven’t spotted this place? Well, sadly, they have.

A walk around town revealed a huge plot of land about to be developed for a shopping centre, and a hundred or so housing lots.

My little piece of paradise is about to change forever.

Progress, they say. We all want to have our little bit of coast, and we are loving it to death.

How long will it be before

I’M REALLY GOING TO SAVOUR THE MEMORY OF THIS LAST HOLIDAY AT MY BELOVED ELLIOT HEADS. IN MY MIND IT WILL NEVER CHANGE, AT LEAST.

the quiet streets of lovely Elliot Heads will have roundabouts, or even traffic lights? The street lights will be so bright that the lovely velvety darkness at night will be gone forever.

Instead of the occasional couple walking their dog along the coastal path there will be an endless throng of people all trying to get their bit of sea air.

I’m really going to savour the memory of this last holiday at my beloved Elliot Heads. In my mind it will never change, at least.

Kat Adams, Toowoomba