Welcome to What’s Been On Your Calendar? 2024! I can’t believe it is the penultimate WBOYC? for the year. I hope you have had a wonderful month and if you are linking up, I can’t wait to hear about what you’ve been doing. If you don’t blog I’m still interested in what’s been happening with you and encourage you to leave me a comment and tell me your news.
November was a busy month for us both, so Mike and I planned to escape for a beach holiday at Caloundra. Most of what I’ve been up to can be found in my weekly Sparks of Joy posts so I’m devoting this WBOYC? to our time spent on the Sunshine Coast and it’s brief on words but big on photos!
Where is Caloundra?
Caloundra lies within the Aboriginal Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi, Cabbee, Carbi, Gabi Gabi) language region. The name Caloundra is from the Gubbi Gubbi language Cullowundoor with Kal Owen meaning ‘beech tree’ (Gmelina leichhardtii) and Dha meaning ‘place’.
We arrived on Monday afternoon and booked into the BreakFree Grand Apartments at Bulcock Beach. Neither Mike or I have stayed at Caloundra before so it was a very pleasant surprise. It is quieter than Mooloolaba or the sophisticated Noosa which are both further north on the Coast. Located just over an hour’s drive from Brisbane on a good day and with a relaxed beach lifestyle vibe, Caloundra is popular with families and Over 50s alike.
In a few weeks it will be buzzing as school holidays and the Christmas holidays are in full swing.
Morning walks & Relaxation
A fabulous coastline walk is the perfect way to discover the beaches. Mike and I enjoyed daily walks and I even managed a run.
Food
There are a multitude of food options from cheap and cheerful fish and chips or burgers on the beach to higher end restaurants and everything in between. We took a walk to the Seafood Markets and made a delicious lunch of prawns, oysters, salad and a glass of chilled prosecco. Lunch on the balcony with an ocean view – you can’t get better than that!
Where we stayed
The Breakfree Grand Pacific Hotel was our choice and although a little older now, the one-bedroom apartment provided everything we needed. Perfectly, located on the beach and easy walking distance to restaurants, cafés and retail shops we parked the car in the garage and walked everywhere. We enjoyed spending time in the private rooftop spa which had bbq facilities and dining area. We will be back!
Our Verdict
Caloundra is an ideal beach getaway and we will definitely return. We had a relaxing time away and are now refreshed and ready to take on the Festive Season.
What’s been on your Calendar this month? I’d love you to share what you have been up to.
I’m sharing my co-hosts’ links as well so remember to pop over and visit to see how their month progressed.
Debbie Harris
Donna Connolly
Jo Tracey
Enjoy your month and I look forward to next month’s WBOYC? edition. Please note link up dates below.
What’s Been On Your Calendar? #WBOYC
What: 2024 Monthly Wrap-Up Link Party.
When: Last Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Last Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere). The link will be open for 48 hours
Why: A space to share highlights from your past month.
Where: Link Party, Blog, Blog Comments, Instagram or other social media.
Who: This linkup is open to everyone.
How: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. Include the hashtag so that we can find you and include your link in our posts.
Dates for the Diary:
Last Thursday, 2 pm (PST)/Last Friday, 8 am (AEST).
• Nov 28/29
• Dec 26/27
The next #WBOYC will be Thursday December 26/Friday December 27. I’m looking forward to seeing and reading What’s Been on your Calendar? during the month.
30 Comments
wow! A beach holiday!! Good for you! photos are wonderful!!
We’ve had a very relaxing time, thanks Marina. Now to prepare for the Festive Season! x
I’m sure you had a lovely break Sue. We love Caloundra. When we were planning to move up there Caloundra was at the top of our list as a place to settle. I love your photos. We are always looking for an accommodation recomendation up there for when we visit my son, so will keep the Breakfree in mind.
We hadn’t stayed in Caloundra before, Jen but we will certainly be booking another stay. The Breakfree accommodation is a little dated but it was comfortable and right on the water so no complaints here. x
Caloundra looks absolutely beautiful, Sue — a perfect getaway for rest, relaxation and rejuvination. The Breakfree Grand Pacific Hotel looks perfect and that seafood has made me very, very hungry! <3
It was a perfect getaway, Donna. We didn’t do very much other than relax, spend time in the spa and go for walks. I was able to catch up with Jo witch was an added bonus. x
Ideal spot for pre festive season relaxation and refreshing the body and soul Sue. It looks wonderful. I enjoyed a solo break to Mooloolaba in 2012 and remembering seeing Caloundra on my drives around. ENJOY!!!
Denyse x
Hi Denyse, we liked Mooloolaba but find it way too busy now. Caloundra was a surprise packet as it is still relatively quiet and it was a perfect choice for our getaway. We are looking at booking again in 2025. x
That looks a great place for some R&R.
The perfect place to do nothing but relax, Barbara x
What a beautiful place for some rest and relaxation as well as just getting away from everything else. I love the idea of walking along the beach! Have a wonderful weekend, Sue!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha, we had a wonderful few days and are now refreshed ready to take on the Festive season. xx
It’s really pretty! We took our annual beach vacation this week of Thanksgiving and I was very grateful it still happened as my MIL who live with us passed away last week. It was a good to rest and spend time as a family and just enjoy the beauty here. We have one last day and then back to reality but I am looking forward to the holiday season and having fun with my 4 boys (well the oldest still has a little bit of school left but he is looking forward to some activities with us when he doesn’t hang out with his friends).
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I read about your MIL passing, Mireille and I’m sorry for your loss. Perhaps getting away was just what your and the family needed. I love the Festive Season too and looking forward to going home today and get stuck into putting up our Christmas tree! Enjoy xx
That looks and sounds like a fabulous beach getaway!
I was the perfect spot to rest and relax, Joanne x
It looks like a lovely getaway. We really don’t get down there often enough – I think parking always puts us off. It was lovely catching up with you yesterday and finally meeting Mike.
It is lovely, Jo but I get you re the parking. Fortunately, we just parked the car under the hotel and didn’t need it until we visited you and Grant. I am so happy we could make it happen and hopefully we can arrange something again in 2025. We have decided we will try for a sneaky break back up here in 2025. xx
Beautiful pics. Perfect beach weather, just before you hit the full heat of summer. And go you getting a rooftop spa. I do love a spa! #WBOYC
We were lucky with the weather Lydia as we arrived home just as heavy rain set in. Yes the spa was a lovely way to relax and wind down. x
It looks like you had a lovely getaway, Sue. The photos are just beautiful! Thanks, as always, for hosting #WBOYC. I can’t believe we are coming up on the final 2024 link-up.
It was just what we needed before the busy Festive Season and school holidays when I’m on Nan duty. xx
Hi Sue, This looks like a lovely place for some R&R. Beautiful photos. How great that you met up with Jo. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Hi Natalie, it was lovely to catch up with Jo and Grant. We enjoyed a delicious lunch with good company x
We’ve been to Caloundra a few times when visiting our daughter in Brisbane. As you say it’s only an hours drive (on a good day) and has a lovely relaxing feel to it most of the time. Christmas last year was very busy up there when we tried to get parking near the beach! It was great that you could meet up with Jo as well. I’m so glad you both enjoyed the break and the weather looked great. Love your photos.
PS. we both used the word penultimate in our posts 🙂
Caloundra was a lovely surprise and we have booked to go again in May! I actually thought of you when I wrote the word ‘penultimate’ as I know you’ve used it before, so I borrowed your idea x
That sounds like the perfect place to rest and unwind! What lovely photos x
It was lovely to get away before the Festive Season hits. x
WOW…that is all a mouthful! Lol. I’m thinking NZ and Aus are like Hawaii…I’d have to study the language and how to pronounce things before ever moving….Looks like a beautiful time away.
Yes the title is a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it, Kirstin? I’m sure you would pick up the Aussie language no problem at all. Both NZ and Australia are beautiful countries so you should visit if ever you get the opportunity. x