Radical- North To Noosa

Up on the North Coast it was always warmer with the sun out shining day after day. There were less people and miles upon miles of open green fields and trees. Simple living Country folk survived off the land in wooden farmhouses and the classic Point wave setups always seemed better and un-crowded. Spending weeks on end living in the same pair of boardshorts and mud crusted thongs while T’shirts were optional as well. You could lie all day in the sun without any suntan protection whatsoever apart from a dab of zinc cream on your nose.

Crescent Head Point is the first compulsory stop for wave hungry adventurers as they head up the highway north. It has long been famous in surfing circles as the best wave on the mid north coast offering rides rifling down the point lined with smooth round stones up to 250 plus metres. Everyday dolphins would play alongside in the waves, gliding along next to you as you make your way down the wave face. One time Scrotem had his own unique experience when he was out surfing near Point Plomer back beach. As he dropped down the face and made his bottom turn as a cellophane glassy blue barrel began to form a dolphin suddenly launched out of the wave face right over the top of his head. He remained locked inside the barrel for what seemed like an eternity and long enough to celebrate the moment by throwing a double handed peace sign as he emerged from the tube. Photo Johnny Scott back road Cresent Head ’73                                                                                                                                          

Up North it was a daily routine of smoke dope, surf and then search cow paddocks for magic mushies. Gold Tops or Psylociba cubensis could turn your brain inside out and the more blue the liquid found in the stem the more potent they were. Digesting large portions of alcohol and toxic substances on every surf trip comes without saying. Being stoned out of their heads added to the whole surfing fantasy but at times things didn’t always go perfectly to plan. Photo Buddah bud.

          Another 2 hours further north from Kirra, and another tank of petrol to get there was Noosa the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. For most Aussie surfers it was the ultimate surfing getaway as it was still classed loosely in the semi secret spot category. Surrounded by a National Park with Banksia trees offering shade from the scorching sun it was the closest thing to wave heaven on the East Coast. Hippies ruled the town while quietly the developers were slowly buying up all the vacant blocks. The main street catered for all types. The Hotdogatorium was right next door to the Health Food Shop. Rock stars have been spotted cruising the streets with topless girlfriends in convertibles while wide eyed hairy homeless drifters lived and sheltered inside the palms of Pandanus trees inside the National Park.

When the swell is up corduroy lines stretch out to the horizon and wrap around unmolested bush covered headlands. The first time you walk the National Park winding bush track and lay eyes on Tea Tree Bay between the foliage it is an unforgettable experience. After witnessing surfers slipping in and out of tubes all the way to the beach it felt like you had discovered surfing nirvana.Photo Tea Tree Bay ’73.

Exerts from Radical…….What it was like living in the early 70s. ………..To be continued