Off The Water

Unfortunately it's simply not possible to fish all the time! Bad weather, family commitments and injury or weary muscles mean sometimes you have to take some time away from the rods, and of course you do need to eat, drink and sleep! In "Off The Water" our FishMax writers bring you the best activities, restaurants and accommodation for those (sad) times when you're not actually fishing.

Day Spa Luxury

Planning a big day fishing and want to keep the other half on side with something special?  Why not spoil them with the Day Spa that comes to you from Ripple Massage.
With all the fishing hot spots covered including Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and many more, Visit www.ripplemassage.com.au  or call Ali on 0438 567 906 for details of their great packages and how to book. 










Caboolture Gliding Club


Fishermen in South East Queensland know some great fishing spots near Caboolture, but I couldn't refuse the opportunity to spy out the best spots from 3,500 feet up courtesy of the Caboolture Gliding Club.

It was (another) perfect and clear SEQ September day, and while the views of the Caboolture River and Deception Bay are spectacular I couldn't actually quite pick out where the big fish are! Despite this meaning no direct corrolation to fishing, soaring in a glider over Caboolture was one of my all time favourite "adventure days" so far.

For those fishermen and women who are also interested in trying a bit of "sailing in the sky", the Caboolture Gliding Club offers Air Experience Flights allowing you to experience the amazing vista of ocean, islands, farmlands and the Glasshouse Mountains and more while soaring  above the Caboolture Airfield.

Your air experience flight commences with the glider being towed to a predetermined release height by a powered tow aircraft. Once the required height is reached your qualified instructor pilot will release the glider from the tow, or turn off the engine, and the wonderful experience of silent flight commences.

If you want to make the most of your introduction to gliding you can even receive some basic instruction followed by hands on flying experience! For the keen there are also various training options so you too can receive your gliding licence.

For more information visit the CBC at GlidingCaboolture.org.au



The Single Malt Scotch Whisky Club

Rum may be traditionally be the drink of sailors, but here at FishMax there is nothing we enjoy more than a good Scotch Whisky to round off a long day fishing (especially if its wet!).

Recently we had the pleasure of sampling a new (for us) Whisky, a single malt from Benromach distillery in the Speyside region of Scotland courtesy of the guys at SingleMalt.com.au .

The distillery is the smallest in its region region and has a reputation for being quite experimental, having produced the first organic whisky. The Benromach Traditional is quite a light almost straw coloured whisky with a smokey, citrus aroma and a complicated flavour. Most noticable for us was an initial sweetness overlayed by a smokey bacon flavour.

Here is what Andy Anderson from SingleMalt.com.au who knows more than we do about Scotch Whisky has to say about Benromach Traditional Single Malt.






If you're a whisky lover, we recommend you check out SingleMalt.com.au . As an added bonus, thanks to the kind generosity of the gents at SingleMalt.com.au, we have a bottle of this fine Scotch Whisky to give away. Click here for detail on how to enter.


North Lakes Resort Golf Club

North Lakes Club House
Arguably one of the best resort courses in Australia, and conveniently located between hot fishing spots on Morton Bay and the Sunshine Coast, North Lakes Golf Club is a great place to take a swing this Summer if the wind is keeping you off the water or you're just ready for a break.

This Graham Marsh designed Championship resort style course,  is challenging but great to play.  With limited water hazards on most holes and designed with four tee positions on each hole this course caters for all levels.  

The course has plenty of interesting holes to make you think about where you want to hit the ball with undulating fairways that aren’t too straight or wide and a good scattering of bunkers and water and quick-ish greens. The 12th Hole is a cracker.

FishMax Tip - if you're an amatuer hacker like me, pack lots of extra balls!

North Lakes Golf Course gets consistantly good user reviews, with a four star rating at iSeekGolf.com .

As visitors we were made very welcome and the food in the club house is excellent (try the Signature Burger!). FishMax Tip - Check out the Jazz & Shiraz each Sunday afternoon from 2 until 6.


View of the 11th Green at North Lakes Golf Club
Address:
Bridgeport Drive
North Lakes 4509 QLD

Directions:
(Bruce Hwy by Gateway toll road or Gympie arterial, N to the Sunshine Coast, Anzac Ave to Redcliffe, entrance first or second on left)

Club Phone: (07) 3480 9200
Golf Phone: (07) 3480 9299






Know a great "off the water" activity which you think other readers might be interested in? Then please  tell us about it.