James Sharp Memorial Park

It was time to head out on another trip with the van, so I knocked off early on Friday and we had the kids out of school by lunch time. We needed to detour via Coomera to collect the daughter from her break-up day at Dreamworld, then it was full steam ahead to Sharp Park.

Splish splashin'

Fully loaded outside the school

James Sharp Memorial Park is a family and pet friendly bush camping ground located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, just 5 kilometres from Canungra.

Ice and firewood available on site

Entrance to the camp on the other side of the river

Flushable toilets at our camp grounds

We pulled into camp around 2ish and noticed one thing. It was bloody hot! SEQ is at the start of what's reported to be summer's first heat wave with temperatures in the 40's being predicted by Tuesday. In our first trip in the van a few weeks ago, we experienced the first big wet of the season, this week we get the first big heat of the season. It's all in the timing I guess!

From the centre of the oval looking towards camp

Camp was set up in record time (RIP the old camper trailer) and we set about looking for some way to cool down. That put the Coomera River at front of mind.

River view from on top of the bridge

Unfortunately there was report of a rogue catfish in the main swimming hole. Apparently this fish decided the swimming hole would make a good breeding/nesting area and was doing its best to defend the territory. There were a few blokes sporting bleeding lower legs as proof of the fish's determination. We've got a number of young kids, so it was was thought wise to avoid the ankle biting terrorist and head downstream where the kids spent some time building dams so they could wade in some water more significant than big toe deep. It was also our dog's (Buddy) first trip away, so it was a hoot to watch him become familiar with the running water and riverbed terrain.

Dogs are allowed provided they remain leashed

As the sun got lower in the sky things cooled down to a comfortable level. We were told the nights were pretty cool, so we lit a fire and settled in for the evening ritual of showers, dinner a few drinks and plenty of roasted marshmallows.

Is it ready for marshmallows yet?

Saturday morning we woke to a lot of condensation. I mean a shit load! Everything left outside was drenched. We even had condensation on the inside of the bed canvas, which I suspect was because I'd left the vinyl fly resting on top of the canvas.

Anyway once this dried out (which didn't take too long) we ate a big breaky on the weber Q. Relaxed and read a book, went back for a swim, played a board game. Watched some poor bastard set up his tent in the heat of the day and went back for a swim.

Did I miss a storm last night?

The caretaker told the couple next to us (who we were there with) that they wanted their spot cleared by 10:30 for the next arrivals. No big deal, but they were a little peeved because when we'd booked we were told checkout was 12pm. So if you're visiting Sharp Park prepared to be gone by 10ish regardless of what you're told.

About 4pm a little girl (6-7?) came off her bike face first on the gravel road. The first her parents were aware of it was when our buddy carried their screaming kid into camp. Her chin was cut up pretty bad and amazingly her parents didn't even have as much as a bandaid for first aid!?? So the camp ground provded some first aid essentials before the parents took her off to hospital for 8 stitches.

The remainder of the evening was uneventful. Kicked the footy around, got the fire going, showers for all, dinner and plenty of roasted marshmallows, yum!

Another section of campground 

We woke around 6am the next morning, thankfully the condensation level was much less than the previous day. Raising the flys had worked to eliminate the moisture inside the bed canvas as well. Pack up was at a leisurely pace and we were out of there by around 9am.

The top camp ground, looks shadier but is closer to the road

Then it was off to Canungra for a quick bite to eat at the Cafe which I had heard so many good things about. For the record, they make awesome Pies and Sausage rolls!!

Overall, Sharp Park was not a bad place to stay. I think a few things conspired against us like the bloody hot, still weather and the rogue catfish, however we still had a top time and it was nice to get away for the weekend.

Top tucker at this busy cafe

Klms: 204
Time: 48hrs
Fuel: 18.4L/100k