FROM INGHAM TO ROCKHAMPTON, GLADSTONE
As we have been moving down the east coast over the last week or so we have been staying a day or two in each place. We have been mixing up our stays in a mixture of free camps and caravan parks. We have noticed that our dollar is stretching a lot further over here compared to the Territory as we are not driving the long distances and are paying a lot less for fuel. We are averaging around 150kms a day and fuel is between $1.49 and $1.52 litre for diesel compared to the $1.72 litre we were paying in Darwin. We have found that we are enjoying the coastal scenery after seeing so much of the outback and the weather is good. We have even had a small smattering of rain but that was overnight.
We have not seen rain since that very first week we set out nearly six months ago now. We have seen so much since that week and been to so many places and met so many nice people. I even thought briefly whether we were doing the right thing all those months ago as it rained and rained all along the Coorong in South Australia and it was freezing. The trip so far has been interesting and at times a little stressful but we have learn't so much. We have had little things happen along the way such as:
- the hot water thermostat needing to be replaced in Darwin
- a broken window in Kakadu which was replaced very promptly in Mt Isa by Mt Isa Glass.
- we needed two new tyres for the 4wd after they both became bald on one side
- little niggles in the van eg. cupboard drawers that stick, a loose fire extinguisher, loose shower screen, cupboard latches that stick and windows that seem to open by themselves.
We are looking forward to what the future will bring and the rest of the adventure.
Free camps we have stayed in the last week include:
- Home Hill Comfort Stop - I found it a bit exposed. Parking was just at the curbside behind the town. Showers and toilets were provided. They were fairly clean and new. The trains were a bit noisy as were trucks driving by.
- Ingham Information Centre - Beautiful spot on the edge of a wetland full of birds and waterlilies. All vans must be self-contained.
- St Lawrence which is between Mackay and Rockhampton - very nice camp. Large area for parking with some shade. Clean toilets and showers. Showers $1 for 3 minutes. Donation. You can walk to wetlands but watch out for low flying magpies. 1km to town has a pub and a general store. Met up with Keiths mate from the navy Grayham and his lovely wife Lyn here and had a drink or two.
- Calliope River - camped right on the river. Plenty of people fishing even staying up through the night to fish. Went to the market the next morning at the Heritage Centre and bought some fruit and vegetables.
BOWEN - BIG 4 BEACHFRONT CARAVAN PARK
Loved Bowen could have stayed for a week but in the end it was only two days. Want to come back again. The beaches were beautiful and the weather was great. We swam at horseshoe Bay and had a coffee at the little cafe. We drove up to the top of the headland and looked at the magnificent view over the Whitsunday Islands. Briefly toyed with the idea of sailing out to Whitehaven Beach which I would have liked to see. The boat leaves from Airlie Beach but because the wind was up and the sea choppy and I suffer from seasickness decided not to risk it. The caravan park was in a great spot. Right on the beachfront next to a park. There was a gate out to the park and a walk round to Horseshoe Bay.
View from the lookout over the marina
Jabiru in the sea
The Big Mango
AIRLIE BEACH
We stayed at the Flametree Caravan Park which is a comfortable 10 mins drive to Airlie Beach. The airstrip is right behind the park but the planes only take off during the day. The colour of the water at Airlie is beautiful turquoise. We walked around to the marina and saw some very large boats. The town is jumping as Airlie is very popular with both tourists and backpackers and also the place to catch a boat to one of the Whitsunday Islands. We noticed there are a few nightclubs in the town and it seems to be geared up for younger people. There is a lagoon near the beachfront. The beaches there don't look inviting as the tide was out exposing some brown mud. We decided Bowen was more our style and quieter.
MACKAY
We stayed out of Mackay at Jolimont Caravan Park. It seems to be the cheaper option as caravan parks in town are fairly pricey. Took a drive to Eungella National Park which is closer to where we are. We stopped at a market in Marion and stocked up on vegetables and home made cakes and biscuits. Yum. We drove up a very, very steep windy road to get to the Broken River. Could not imagine taking the caravan up here as it is the road to Eungella Dam anda camping spot. We stopped at Broken River for lunch there is a platypus viewing area here. We saw lots of turtles but no platypus. After lunch we gave the bush turkeys a banana peel and laughed as they ran around with it in their mouths and chased each other.
The window to the sky at Broken River
YEPPOON
We stayed at the Causeway Lake Caravan Park. It is in a nice spot right opposite the lake and is sheltered from the wind. Both days we were here were windy. The coastal drive is very pretty and every now and then get a whiff of something that smells like rotten fish which I am informed by sources is blue green algae. Because of the wind the water is chopped up and brown and does not look very nice unfortunately. Took a drive out to beaches of Emu Park, Keppel Sands and the Kannaka village of Jockersleigh. Went to Yeppoon hash with Kennel and MD.
The Singing Ship monument at Emu Park
ROCKHAMPTON
Found a great place to camp in 'Rocky' as it is known to the locals. In the middle of town called Keswick Gardens is a free camp. Two days stay allowed. It is right in the middle of the park which has a lake and waterfall in it and is opposite a big shopping centre and cinemas. Vans must all be self contained to stay here.
Keith and I did a bike ride around the park to acquaint ourselves with the area after enjoying a cup of coffee in town in the middle of a Harley Davidson bike shop which was interesting. Bought some Barra off a guy that came around and was selling his catch. It was delicious.
The next day we arose and took a drive out to the Botanical Gardens which has a free zoo in the middle of it. We also visited the Information Centre that has a spire monument stating that you are now crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. Later that evening we booked in to do a ghost tour in the local cemetary that happens to be behind the Information Centre. We met Elaine who was conducting the tour. She provided us with several EMF meters and a spirit box in case any of the spirits tried to contact us through the evening. Elaine informed us that the Information Centre is built over old graves also a lot of the graves are in a river bed and when it floods the bones are washed downstream. She told us some interesting tales of murder and grave robbing that had occurred over the years. We also visited the shadow tree. The spirit box was going off all night but unfortunately I didn't have any ghostly contact that night I can't speak for the others though.
The sausage tree at the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens - amazing never seen anything like it.
GLADSTONE
We stayed at Tannum Sands which is definitely the place. The park is a Discovery one and is right on the beach. No reception though amazingly. There is a bike track right out the front you can ride right along the beach front and the beach is beautiful. Didn't stay long here as we were looking for work and there is no work around. Not for electricians or anything else. Things are quiet along the work front and that was definitely something we were surprised about as we were told there is lots of work about. We certainly have not found that to be true. The agencies keep telling Keith they are quiet and there is work in Darwin - we have just come from there!! The thing is we need the cash not just an exchange for power, water etc but we stay positive and are enjoying seeing new places and our van. We definitely made the right choice there the van is very comfortable and suits us perfectly. We have found it to be perfect for free camping and have done a lot of free camping helps to stretch the budget and you meet so many more people as well.
