Mark Thomson

I've just jumped back into the owner market again, with the purchase of some land in the area I'm currently living in. I needed something central to public transport so the children are able to get to and from school, as well as be accessible to the ex-partner.

It's not a very big section, being a recently subdivided ex-Queenslander block, and it has some potentially annoying restrictions on what can be built on there due to requiring a 'character' house, but I'm working through that. I figure at the end of the day, it's more about the living space inside the house anyway, than what it looks like from the outside. Although if it will be quite rankling if I'm locked into building an 'old lady' style house. I'll just have to get over it. Still it's an exciting time again, and its a significant step in getting my life back on track again.

So we went off for a weekend on Coochiemudlo Island, which sounded lovely. And probably would have been if the weather was better and not the current monsoon conditions we're getting. As it was, if your planning on going to visit there, you probably want to know some things:

[1] Apart from the beach, there isn't anything much there. I'm told there's a 9 hole golf course, but if its raining you won't be using that. Its got plenty of beaches, which looked quite nice, although I hear they get jellyfish! If your stuck indoors, make sure you take something to do, otherwise its a trip back to the mainland for you! Thankfully that doesn't take very long, and the ferry runs pretty regularly.

[2] Not much in the way of food/dining options - take your own supplies with you. Otherwise it's a trip back on the ferry again. The closest thing we could find to a restaurant, was a kiosk with a barbeque behind it the would burn meat on demand, or a fish'n'chips shop near the beach. Functional, but not very romantic!

[3] But the worst thing was how utterly uncomfortable we were at the Seminara Apartments. The place was lovely, quite modern, and very tidy, but features one of the hardest beds I think I've ever had to try to lie on. The fold out bed/couch was missing its mattress, so it had no support or comfort to it either. We both felt pretty bruised and exhausted by the end of it - not the relaxing getaway we were envisioning. We certainly couldn't sleep in or relax, and were up every morning at 5. So I'd suggest taking whatever you need to be comfortable. If that means taking an inflatable mattress, or your own pillowtop, I'd say do it!

Anyway, that's enough complaining. I think if the weather had been nice and we were able to get outside, we'd probably have enjoyed the beach, and walking the island. We had a few hours of sunny weather when we first arrived, and did manage to walk part way around the island which was quite nice. It's not very big, and I think you could probably walk around it in an hour.

The people were also quite friendly, and were happy to talk with you. Little things were quite nice, but overall I think Coochiemudlo needs some effort to be come a proper destination for people to go too.