Bluedog Does the Rumba

By Danielle Lancaster

Here in the Bluedog Kennel we get to cover a wide range of photography shooting scenarios and experience a wide range of opportunities. It keeps us on our toes and recently on a contract on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast we came across a new tourism treasure we have to share with you.

It’s the Rumba Beach Resort – Caloundra’s only 5 star resort and it is has already lured some of us back for another night or two, it’s really that good!

I can remember heading to Caloundra as a young girl from the bush on family holidays and loving it. Caloundra always had that relaxed, laid back charm and thank fully in a growing frenzy of high rising concrete monsters taking over much of Queensland’s coast line this coastal strip has been spared.

But don’t expect to find Caloundra as it was 30 years ago. Yes it is still quiet and laid back but now there is a modern finesse, a taste of chic and along with Rumba worthy of luring us back to check it out.

Let’s start with the resort first. We get to visit a lot so to rank highly it has to be good. Here’s some of the the top points we loved about Rumba:

Every room has beach views.

Coffee Espresso machines and quality furnishings, fittings and everything – even the knives are good quality and sharpened each week!

The state-of-the-art sound, lighting and WIFI connectivity: each apartment is built out of Ritec meaning its totally sound proof and on my last visit we racked up the stereo to full ball and you could not hear a sound from outside.

One of Rumba's beautifuly appointed apartments.

Location, Location, Location: set opposite the new Waterfront Boardwalk and across from Bulcock Beach with magnificent views across the Pumicestone Passage. Rumba is also home to four restaurants and will soon have its own pampering day spa – oh yes!! There’s Hog's Breath Cafe, La Dolce Vita, The Coffee Club and The Penefathings Inn (you must check out the lead light around the bar made up of local scenes by a local artist).

Beach views from every apartment.

The pool and bar areas – these are superb!! Every age will love them. There’s cocktail hour around the big pool, a giant Jacuzzi, a heated lap pool that rises above Rumba’s restaurant plaza - all a guarantee for a perfect holiday setting. Even the locals have discovered the bar and pop in for happy hour.

What child, big or small would not love this pool at the Rumba.

They will SMS you if your room is ready early and it usually is!

Relaxing in the spa.

Their specials – a girl does love a good deal. Check them out and if you are looking for any last minute deals for the remainder of the school holidays then this may be the place to go. They regularly have specials for that much needed get-away too which we here can highly recommend.

Anyway if you thought Caloundra was only for retirees and those with little children think again! Rumba means FUN, it’s got an Italian elegance without the hefty price tag and has become a bit of a special favourite with some of the crew here. Enjoy!!

Rumba Beach Resort
The Esplanade, Caloundra
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Tel: 07 5492 0555
www.rumbaresort.com.au

Quay West Resort and Spa has our fingers clicking.

The brand new Quay West Resort and Spa Noosa, the first 5 star resort for 10 years to this famous coastal strip and just a 3 minute drive from the iconic Hastings Street, provides more than a photographers delight and challenge as we found out last week.

A combination of exquisite textures in furnishings, decor and outfitting, experiences, fine food presentations, nature at your doorstep and a little luxury cannot help a shutter finger clicking.

At the Mii Spa, ‘a place for your total indulgence and rejuvenation...’ you can gain enough photographic inspiration alone from the photos in the booklet of what’s on offer. Though the mind may wander like mine did visualizing inspirational images I’d like to capture as it relaxed into a state of almost comatose under the hands of one of the masseurs. This has to be one of the best spa treatments on the Sunshine Coast. (It is reported Augustine did have to almost physically drag Danielle away for their next appointment).

In the kitchen, master chef Lee Jeynes from Wales, serves delicious cuisines prepared to perfection in Restaurant Aroona. Even breakfast is not overlooked, the Egg Benedict’s cooked to perfection – an important factor for some of the Bluedog Photography crew, especially me (Augustine). What could one expect from an international award winning chef!

Then there’s Michael. He’s the manager of Shades Bar, open daily and leading out to the sheer drop pool falling into a wetland dotted with water lilies and fringed with rushes and grasses attracting birds, frogs and other native animals into an area of complete bush refuge in this busy tourist strip.

For the night birds, spot the stars in the water, listen to the tones of frogs echoing through the valley and in the distance is that the high tide you can hear rolling in heralding another day of top surf conditions.

The mist rises early across the lagoon and valley as the golden light of dawn gently falls across the fully self contained luxury studios (1-3 bedroom available). A spiral staircase leads up from our two bedroom apartment and affords me a vaster view. Again I click away.

All too soon it’s time to pack the camera gear and head to the next destination. However, allow us the opportunity to return with photography friends and what would our answer be – yes of course!

Maybe a top place for a Sunshine Coast Bluedog Weekend Retreat? Let’s face it we all love a little 5 star every now and then.

More:
Quay West Resort and Spa Noosa
94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads QLD 4567 Australia
Tel:
General Sale +61 7 32222 1181
Reservations: 13 15 15 od 1300 273 962
www.mirvachotels.com

Written by Danielle Lancaster and Augustine Mathews
Please note: all images were taken in jpg and Raw – we have only loaded the unprocessed jpg’s to this blog.

Shades Bar
Image by Augustine Mathews

The pool looks out over the valley to the mountains.

Image by Augustine Mathews

Earthy tones in the reception are echoed through the resort.
Image by Augustine Mathews

Looking back towards the bar and restaurant.

Image by Augustine Mathews

One of Danielle's favourite places at the resort - Mii Spa

Dreamboat Photography

There’s one thing about doing what we do and that’s being thrown challenges.

Different textures, surfaces, materials and the list goes on, gives photographers a myriad of challenges.

One such for us recently was Noosa’s brand new Dreamboat. Made of deep red mahogany and coated with 13 layers of varnish, this beauty truly glistened.

It’s only been cruising the river and canals of Noosa for the last 3 months and already photographers are booking it for a fun day out.

A polariser won’t always get rid of the reflections from such a shiny surface as the Dreamboat but it will help. Placement of boat to the angle of light is the best answer. And while you want the sun out to make the water jets glisten, the sun also makes the timber reflections stronger.

Ah another day in the office of a photographer.

Augustine slumming it at work on the Dreamboat.

Nikon D3, 17-35mm, polariser filter, f11, 200th
ISO 400 (why because with this camera we can),

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Out and about on the Noosa River with Michael and the Dreamboat - what a beast!
17-35mm, polariser filter, f3.2, 5000th, ISO 400

Image by Augustine Mathews

Shiny surfaces, such as timber can cause all sorts of challenges for photographers.
Noosa River with Michael and the Dreamboat - what a beast!

17-35mm, polariser filter, f2.8, 5000th, ISO 400

Image by Danielle Lancaster

For More informaion on the Dreamboat:
Tel: 0414 990 708
http://www.noosadreamboats.com.au/