Uki, New South Wales
Not many places in this world prettier or more gentle than Uki, New South Wales. Uki is FAR north NSW right along side the Queensland border and situated near the Tweed Valley near Mt. Warning.
When Tinto and I were roaming around Europe and we landed in Spain for a bit, of course we loved and appreciated Barcelona and Granada, but never did I think I would fall head over heels for an old, quaint fishing town named Almunecar. We went to meet a friend of a friend and thought perhaps, we would stay 2 - 3 days. An entire month passed and I STILL was not ready to go.
I think Uki would have the same affect on some people. That's why I'm not going to shout about it from the mountain tops. Almunecar is such a well kept secret and they don't get the hordes of visitors like their neighbouring cities, nor do they really want them! Uki is not going to be able to handle hundreds of visitors and frankly...it's one of those places that just needs to be handled gently. IF you already live there (as some of our very dear mates do) well, you've landed perfectly in the middle of paradise - pythons and all!
In 2006, Uki's population was about 203. Isn't that simply astounding? It IS the true meaning of a village. The houses are cool, too. They're hidden away among hillsides and built close to creeks - the homes are unique and inviting and in some places become part of the natural landscape.
The mates we were visiting are relaxed and enjoying the daily village life. An outdoor market is held on Saturdays and that's when the residents get together and it's a BIG deal. For some, it is their weekly entertainment and everyone buys necessary food items, too. This place is truly tucked away.
You have the Rainforest Café where you order inside, you're given a table number, and the sweet server attempts to find you amongst the picnic tables. You have to bring your own wine or whatever you prefer! None sold on site. The view is quite serene. Dogs, children, wheelchairs, walkers, runners, hikers, families, couples, single people - everyone converges on this glorious tiny spot. I was advised if I came early in the morning and remained extreeeeeeemely quiet I could see a platypus come out from the creek OR if I returned in early evening I might catch a glimpse, too. A platypus is a most strange, yet wonderful little being. I would have loved to have seen one up close and personal, but I missed the little guys this trip.
You can climb Mr. Warning, hike through Wollumbin National Park or Mount Jerusalem National Park, or visit the Tweed Regional Gallery. You won't be bored, but you will feel relaxed and happy.
Uki flooded in 2017 and I don't think the residents are over it. Would you be? I certainly would not. They were completely isolated without power and struggled for a good while. The river rose quickly and over 16 inches of rain fell within a short period - enough to tip them over the edge. It would be so difficult to ask someone to LEAVE their home, but of course, they had to for safety purposes...and then, to KEEP them away when all one wants to do is return, survey the damage, and get started on returning to whatever normal looks like.
NOTHING but sunshine and cool, evening air when we arrived and it remained blissful for the time we visited. There really IS a python living in the roof of this house, but don't be concerned. IF one lives with you rest assured another one is not lurking nearby. They seem to have their own patches, their territory and they remain there until they are removed or die, I suppose. Northern NSW seems to be python terrain. This one is a beauty. I got to see a video of it slithering through the laundry room and he/she looks very plain from the top, a gorgeous grey-white, but the bottom of this sneaky-snake, OH MY, black and white spotted and patterned and it was divine. We were able to see, too, that Mr. Python got out of the roof, looked as if he scarfed down a nice, FAT RAT (or other) and then...his belly...(well, he's ALL BELLY, isn't he?)...was TOO large for him to slither back into his roof-top home. Mr. Python had to WAIT until his dinner digested and his tummy went down so he could be skinny enough to get back to his own bed. My. Oh My.
The host and hostess have a most precious small dog by the name of Matilda, so they DO keep Matilda in at night. Oooooh, what a thought ~ could you even imagine?
It's a good coastal drive from Noosa Heads Queensland to Uki, New South Wales. I would try to make it so you're there on a Saturday to experience the market AND get to the Rainforest Café for a lazy, natural day. You won't be disappointed. Visit Mavis' Kitchen and Cabins if you can. We didn't get a chance to do so, but we KNOW SOMEONE very special who makes a brilliant cup of coffee there, too.
Caio'!
Blanco & Tinto LOVED Uki...perhaps it was because we adore our hosts enormously. THEY did choose a groovy, little place on this Earth in which to settle.
Explore when you roam and be kind when you're out there; a few nice words can change a person's day or outlook.
The Roaming Stevens
When Tinto and I were roaming around Europe and we landed in Spain for a bit, of course we loved and appreciated Barcelona and Granada, but never did I think I would fall head over heels for an old, quaint fishing town named Almunecar. We went to meet a friend of a friend and thought perhaps, we would stay 2 - 3 days. An entire month passed and I STILL was not ready to go.
I think Uki would have the same affect on some people. That's why I'm not going to shout about it from the mountain tops. Almunecar is such a well kept secret and they don't get the hordes of visitors like their neighbouring cities, nor do they really want them! Uki is not going to be able to handle hundreds of visitors and frankly...it's one of those places that just needs to be handled gently. IF you already live there (as some of our very dear mates do) well, you've landed perfectly in the middle of paradise - pythons and all!
In 2006, Uki's population was about 203. Isn't that simply astounding? It IS the true meaning of a village. The houses are cool, too. They're hidden away among hillsides and built close to creeks - the homes are unique and inviting and in some places become part of the natural landscape.
The mates we were visiting are relaxed and enjoying the daily village life. An outdoor market is held on Saturdays and that's when the residents get together and it's a BIG deal. For some, it is their weekly entertainment and everyone buys necessary food items, too. This place is truly tucked away.
You have the Rainforest Café where you order inside, you're given a table number, and the sweet server attempts to find you amongst the picnic tables. You have to bring your own wine or whatever you prefer! None sold on site. The view is quite serene. Dogs, children, wheelchairs, walkers, runners, hikers, families, couples, single people - everyone converges on this glorious tiny spot. I was advised if I came early in the morning and remained extreeeeeeemely quiet I could see a platypus come out from the creek OR if I returned in early evening I might catch a glimpse, too. A platypus is a most strange, yet wonderful little being. I would have loved to have seen one up close and personal, but I missed the little guys this trip.
You can climb Mr. Warning, hike through Wollumbin National Park or Mount Jerusalem National Park, or visit the Tweed Regional Gallery. You won't be bored, but you will feel relaxed and happy.
Uki flooded in 2017 and I don't think the residents are over it. Would you be? I certainly would not. They were completely isolated without power and struggled for a good while. The river rose quickly and over 16 inches of rain fell within a short period - enough to tip them over the edge. It would be so difficult to ask someone to LEAVE their home, but of course, they had to for safety purposes...and then, to KEEP them away when all one wants to do is return, survey the damage, and get started on returning to whatever normal looks like.
NOTHING but sunshine and cool, evening air when we arrived and it remained blissful for the time we visited. There really IS a python living in the roof of this house, but don't be concerned. IF one lives with you rest assured another one is not lurking nearby. They seem to have their own patches, their territory and they remain there until they are removed or die, I suppose. Northern NSW seems to be python terrain. This one is a beauty. I got to see a video of it slithering through the laundry room and he/she looks very plain from the top, a gorgeous grey-white, but the bottom of this sneaky-snake, OH MY, black and white spotted and patterned and it was divine. We were able to see, too, that Mr. Python got out of the roof, looked as if he scarfed down a nice, FAT RAT (or other) and then...his belly...(well, he's ALL BELLY, isn't he?)...was TOO large for him to slither back into his roof-top home. Mr. Python had to WAIT until his dinner digested and his tummy went down so he could be skinny enough to get back to his own bed. My. Oh My.
The host and hostess have a most precious small dog by the name of Matilda, so they DO keep Matilda in at night. Oooooh, what a thought ~ could you even imagine?
It's a good coastal drive from Noosa Heads Queensland to Uki, New South Wales. I would try to make it so you're there on a Saturday to experience the market AND get to the Rainforest Café for a lazy, natural day. You won't be disappointed. Visit Mavis' Kitchen and Cabins if you can. We didn't get a chance to do so, but we KNOW SOMEONE very special who makes a brilliant cup of coffee there, too.
Caio'!
Blanco & Tinto LOVED Uki...perhaps it was because we adore our hosts enormously. THEY did choose a groovy, little place on this Earth in which to settle.
Explore when you roam and be kind when you're out there; a few nice words can change a person's day or outlook.
The Roaming Stevens
The VERY LAST BEAST TO HIRE in order to drive from
Queensland to Uki, New South Wales! YAY! We got one!
The Ranforest Café.
The surrounding area ~ delightful!
Feeling well protected and looked after ~
in harmony with Mr. Python!
Hmmmmm...I do not have A CLUE what the plant is
above, looking a bit exotic...or...erotic? YOU choose.
Good-Bye to Uki and our
lovely mates ~ YOU have chosen nicely!
Tinto carries these SO well, BUT I'm
thinking he's missing Mr. Horace, too.
Cheers from Blanco of
The Roaming Stevens
Wishing we were ROAMING right NOW!
PS: Please excuse all typos. Anyone wanting a photo to be removed, please contact me and I shall be happy to do so. TA!
Comments
Post a Comment