Couran Cove

It seems the people that run Couran Cove, are between a rock and a hard place.  When it started the dreams were obviously big.  There are negatives, but the positives far outweigh them to me.
I reckon it is brilliant here.  The place has everything.  I had already explored a number of things including the walking tracks for photography.  Love them.  There are a number of critters around for photographing to including birds, goanna’s, and wallabies.  Yesterday I captured (on camera) a large sand crab.  There is no end to what can be photographed.  There is a board walk through a marsh area.  Well it is a marsh area when it is wet.  Right now it is as dry as a bone.  We have seen it wet and whatever the state, it is always a great pace to explore.
If walking and photography is not your thing, the ocean side is not far away, and it is great for fishing, swimming, just lying on the beach, or any number of things.  There is even a surf club there.  Once there was an observatory for star gazing, but it has fallen into disrepair.  If someone does not want to walk or ride a push bike, then there is a “train” that takes people there at certain times.  The train consists of a vehicle pulling a number of similar looking carriages.  I have a lasting impression of it going past me full of Asian tourists.  They were sitting there looking like…well….tourists.
There is a conference room that can be booked.  Last time we were here there were complaints from the attendees, that it was not upmarket enough.  This is no doubt a totally personal opinion, but I would rather have everything and it be a bit run down, than have a pristine place with almost nothing.
When I say “have everything” I did some more exploring this morning.  I love taking pictures in soft light.  This is generally early or late.  Today I wanted to get pictures of the sports area and the children’s playground.  Ok being in the kids area with kids around and a camera, is not a good look.  Going early, also meant there was no one there, and I could snap away to my hearts content.
I could not believe the amount of stuff that was there.  Forts, climbing things, slippery slides, things really little kids could sit and ride on, a trampoline, tables to eat at, chairs to sit on and a game I have never seen, that had three courts and score boards for each.  It looked like a child paradise.
I then got pics of the sport area.  Again it was almost beyond belief.  Tennis courts, a squash court, a table tennis table, Beach volleyball area, basketball area, mini golf course, a running track dedicate by Carl Lewis, weights, and stuff at gyms like elliptical trainers, walkers, a bike and a punching bag.  All powered where it needed to be, and ready to use.  Once here any one can use them. Only the mini golf costs extra.  Amazing. 
There is more stuff, but time and space does not permit covering it.
Great spot.  Unfortunately it seems like a secret place.  We are surprised when we see other people.  We see staff, but this time we are not seeing many others.  It is obviously under-utilized, and maybe in 50 years it will come into its own, but right now, the problem seems to be how to make it pay.