MOORE PARK
Wayne Kampe

"LOOK OUT!" My son Scott yelled the warning as he hastily pushed me out of the way of the falling coconut. It was an unusual way of being welcomed to a new holiday destination, but if the lad hadn't warned me, I would have been much the worse for wear after copping a coconut on the cranium. As it was, it was a very close call. I ate the tasty nut for smoko a couple of days later. Last laugh and all that, eh?

We'd stopped for a look at the interesting lagoon next to the Golden Sands caravan park at Moore Park, and while I was trying to work out whether it was fish or water birds making some interesting swirls in the lagoon, the tall, gently swaying palm had decided to unload one missile in Mr Kampe's direction.

In order to admire - or dodge - the coconuts at Moore Park, one must first travel there. This delightful holiday destination is situated on the coast, north of the city of Bundaberg, which is some four hour's drive north of Brisbane. Moore Park is virtually only a quarter of an hour's drive from Bundaberg, and is one of several seaside locations in the area. Moore Park Road runs north from the main connection road between Bundaberg and the town of Gin Gin on the Bruce Highway, and may be accessed if travelling from Gin Gin to Bundaberg, or vice versa. At any rate, the turn off is only a few kilometres west of Bundaberg on the Gin Gin Road, and it is very well marked as Moore Park Road.

The little town is small enough to offer a great deal of peace and quiet, but I did notice a fair amount of new development taking place. Obviously, investors have got their eye on the place, but at this stage it is still a neat and nicely tucked away holiday spot. Its main features include the caravan park, a surf life-saving club, kiosk, service station, bowls club, tennis court, and Moore Beach Motel. Did I mention the beach? Well, it's a beauty. Kilometres and kilometres of golden sand with a gentle swell lapping softly onto the beach. Very easy on the eyes and ears.

Moore Park is one of those great little places where folk can put up the feet and take it very easy, and if the need for more facilities or services other than those present arises, it's just a matter of driving for fifteen minutes into Bundaberg. Bundaberg, a substantial city, has got the lot - including the renowned rum distillery, where they fill up those square bottles with the bears on them.

Although there is no boat ramp at Moore Park, the nearby Booyan boat ramp allows access to the Kolan River, where everything from whiting to mangrove jacks and mud crabs can be caught. The Booyan boat ramp is clearly signed on the Moore Park to Bundaberg Road, and a short eleven-kilometre drive will bring you within sight of the Kolan river. Another alternative is to simply enter the beach via Pacific Boulevard at Moore Park, and travel north to the river. Reasonable beach launching is available. Please note that a Shire Council permit is required for all beach travel, whether north or south of the town.

While sussing out the beach, I found out that pipis and beach worms are available. Yabbies can be pumped on the flats near the mouth of Moore Park Creek, just a few kilometres south of town. Flathead are a possibility around the creek as well, fresh bait being best. Standard frozen bait is available at the service station in town.

The main fish taken by beach anglers are whiting, dart, flathead, bream, and sometimes tailor. Locals advised me that a rising tide onto the gently sloping beach around dusk could offer some of the best fishing conditions. Fishing the beaches is easy, because it's mainly a pretty gentle surf that breaks onto most beaches in the area, Moore Park included. This is because the entire beach area is somewhat sheltered by Fraser Island to the south (from south easterly blows) and from northerly influences by the Bunker Group reefs in the north. Big rollers just don't come ashore in this neck of the woods.

Campers and caravan towing visitors tend to stay at the Golden Sands Caravan Park. There are excellent camping sites, clean modern cabins, overnight vans to spare, and it's all within a thirty-second walk to the beach at the rear. I liked the spacious layout of the caravan park, but the multitude of coconut palms has taken on a new meaning to me. These things are easy on the eye, sure, but could be hard on the cruet in the case of a direct hit!

You can arrange to bring pets to the Golden Sands Caravan Park with Anthony and Ina Climas, the convivial hosts. Given the amount of room available, Fido should not disturb anyone while he's on his leash. This caravan park has wide bitumen roads, plenty of lawn area, a swimming pool, and heaps of shade. The gentle lapping of the sea as it breaks on the beach at night is just about the nicest sound one could hope to hear. Linen and TV hire is available. An adjoining kiosk provides basic food items and take away up until nine o'clock at night.

To book a holiday at the Golden Sands Moore Park Caravan Park, call (07) 4159 8308.