Sunshone Coast Hotels

$50k in gold thrown out with the trash

A Sunshine Coast man who accidentally threw $50,000 worth of gold jewellery into the rubbish says he felt sick when he realised what he had done.

The Caloundra man, who has given his name as Geoffrey, had hidden his wife's jewellery in three garbage bags in an attempt to fool potential robbers.

But the bags were inadvertently thrown out with the rubbish last week.

Geoffrey says he immediately contacted the Sunshine Coast Council in an attempt to track down the garbage bags.

"My wife rang me up to ask me where I'd put the rubbish and then [the] realisation I'd thrown it out - sick feeling and everything.

"I rang the council up, lovely, young, very sympathetic, [and they] said 'I'm sorry - there's just nothing we can do. It has been taken to Nambour'.

"If she can tell me roughly where it is, I'll come down with a metal detector.

"From what I've been told, we're never going to find them. I'm hoping one of the council workers may come across it, and I'm sure they'll do the right thing and we'll all have a happy ending."

Sunshine Coast Regional Council spokesman Gary Reeve says there is little hope of finding the lost gold because officers were not notified immediately.

"The biggest difficulty we have is that we're not sure which tip it's gone to," he said.

"If it goes to the Caloundra tip, that receives 1,400 tonnes of waste a week - that's compacted by a 52-tonne machine.

"It could be anywhere in that tip.

"If we'd been contacted the day it happened, we'd stand a chance.

"But whilst my heart goes out to Geoff, it's worse than a needle in a haystack situation."

The council's waste manager Wayne Schaffer says the man is welcome to search the tip for the lost gold but thinks he will be wasting his time.

"He can go there to the landfill, but the rubbish isn't going to be on the surface," Mr Schaffer said.

"As I said to go down two metres deep, that's been compacted by a landfill compactor, you know, the chances of him finding this jewellery is nil. It's a huge job, it would take weeks and weeks.

Sunshine Coast Accommodation in Western BC: Luxury Hotels and ...

Sunshine Coast accommodation in BC is varied for holiday travel. Families can choose pet-friendly bed and breakfasts, while couples can cozy up in romantic luxury resorts. The Western Canadian coast displays a dazzling array of hotels and accommodations that run the gamut from family-run to luxury hotels.

Some travellers prefer an option where their small animals can come along for the trip. On the Sunshine Coast, there is a family-run bed and breakfast that caters specifically to pet owners.

At Marian's on the Coast , the concept of a pet friendly B&B is taken seriously. They treat dogs with pampering services - a dog bed, homemade treats, pre-arranged dog sitting, and even a "dog spa" - so no one goes unnoticed. In support of this philosophy, dogs stay free.

For the ultimate in luxury, slip into the exceptional Rockwater Secret Cove Resort . A mixture of remote accommodation and indulgent tent house camping, romantics find it easy to fall in love.

Although resort rooms are available in the main lodge, it's worth it to spend the extra money and book a treetop "tenthouse suite." Termed "glamping," Rockwater Secret Cove Resort has given camping a stylish kick in the butt.

"Tents" are complete suites with heated slate floors, hydrotherapy tubs, fireplaces, king size beds and views from private patios overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They're shaped like tents but don't come with the hassle of pitching them or having to watch out for bears. Each tent is connected by a wooden boardwalk and all are perched comfortable within a forest of elegant Arbutus trees.

Keeping with the upscale theme, Painted Boat Resort (12849 Lagoon Road, Madeira Park, BC 1-866-902-3955 / 604-883-2456) is a home-away-from-home disguised as a hotel. Owners keep their waterfront villas in tip top condition for travellers to feel like they're at home.

Luxury Hotels Beach Resorts

Hotels and resorts, planning, design, and refurbishment

Love hotels, the hidden fantasy rooms of Japan

Coast, A Celebration of Britain's Coastal Heritage

Spectacular Hotels, The Most Remarkable Places on Earth