Almost Home

Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast was our last campsite before heading home on Tuesday (7 Sept). As a finale to our trip we spent Monday at Seaworld (we are all really just kids at heart). The weather was wonderful, the dolphin, pirate and seal shows were very entertaining. The aquarium and polar bear display were amazing and Di, Joyce and Carol even went on some of those crazy rides!

So, it is with heavy hearts we pack up our gear, roll up the hose, electrical lead and drain hose, wind up the supports and hitch the caravan to the car for the last time and head south. It has been a wonderful time away - all too short!

The Sunshine Coast

Mooloolabah Beach and Point Cartwright

Graeme

Thursday, Friday and Saturday (2 to 4 September) we booked in to Mooloolabah Caravan Park on the Sunshine Coast. This location was very handy to the Mooloolabah shops and clubs as well as the beach. Di and Joyce had a wonderful swim (the most enjoyable of the entire trip, they say) on Mooloolabah Beach and John, Carol and I had a good 8 km kayak across to the Mooloolabah River mouth near Point Cartwright then down to the marina and along one of the canal estates that proliferate these coastal communities.

John and Carol

On Saturday we travelled up to Gympie to take a trip on the Valley Rattler, a half-day heritage steam train ride with live entertainment and an historic re-enactment. A truly great day out!

The "Valley Rattler" at Old Gympie Railway Station

Hervey Bay and Whale Watching

Early morning on Hervey Bay 

The last couple of days has been spent at Hervey Bay. Yesterday (Wednesday 1 September) we spent half the day whale watching on the good ship, Quick Cat II . . . and we weren't disappointed.

"Tharrr she blows!"

It was an early start from the Hervey Bay marina as we headed off at 7 am. First stop was Kingfisher Resort on Fraser Island to pick up more passengers then it was out into the Bay.

Breaching Whale

Whale Fin Slapping

Whale swimming under our boat

We saw many whales with calves and at one stage a large whale swam right under our boat. We witnessed a whole range of whale antics: fin slapping, breaching and expelling air through their blowhole. Joyce and Carol, between them, took hundreds of photos with their fancy digital SLRs. They are truly a marvellous animal to behold (the whales, that is, not Joyce and Carol although they are marvellous in their own way!).

Joyce, Di and Carol - keen whale-watchers

1770

The past few days has been spent staying in the camping grounds at the Town of 1770. So named because Lt. James Cook came ashore here in May 1770 on his voyage up the east coast of Australia in the "Endeavour". This was Cook's second landing in Australia. It also marks the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Here we are, all enjoying a coffee . . . mmmmmmm!

The view from the cafe

There is a great restaurant and cafe here known as "The Tree since 1770" (not that it's been here since then as the town on 1770 is a relatively new development) and we can certainly recommend the coffee and food . . . and with a great outlook over Bustard Bay.

We kayaked around here (What yer reckon, Scott?)

1770 is also great for kayaking. John and I kayaked around the headland from Agnes Water surf beach into Bustard Bay inlet (about a 7 km paddle) which lies on the northern edge of 1770.

The plan for tomorrow (Tuesday 31 August - last day of winter) is to head down to Hervey Bay and stay there for a few days.

Three Easy Steps to Fold an ALDI Portable Shower/toilet:

STEP 1. In the upright position push in one corner so it becomes a single flat panel.

STEP 2. Holding edge of each wall near the bottom, lift it upright

STEP 3. Twist into a figure eight so it comes together into one neat circle, . . . then . . . into the . . . carry . . . bag . . . ummm . . . let's try that again . . .

STEP 3. Twist into a figure eight so it comes together into one . . . neat . . . circle, ummm, errrrrrr,

. . . we'll try that just once more . . .

STEP 3. Twist into a figure eight so it comes together into one . . . neat . . . circle, ummm, let try that again . . . RRRRRRGRRRRAHHHHH!

OK, John, if you're so smart YOU DO IT!

. . . then pack into the carry bag.

(ALDI sells some really STUPID things!!)

Back in the Temperate Zone

Clairview campsite

Leaving Midge Point (Thursday 26 August) we continued the southern push. Next stop, Clairview where the highway clips the coast before heading inland for good stretch.  Another free camp spot with toilets and good mobile phone coverage.

The coast at Clairview - a long haul to the water at low tide

Something to behold up this way is the tide range and the flat grades of the beaches. At low tide you can walk forever to get to the water's edge. A fellow I was talking to here said he walked out at low tide and it took him half an hour before he was in ankle deep water . . . and I could believe it.

Tropic of Capricorn monument

After spending three weeks in the tropics we are now back in the temperate zone; we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, i.e. Rockhampton, on Friday.  Lunch was had in the botanical gardens in Rocky and an enjoyable stroll through the gardens. Some (John) even ventured into the zoo.

Calliope River

Next stop: another free camp at the Calliope River Rest Area near Gladstone.  Great spot with plenty of room despite there being many caravans, campervans, etc. The river looked good for kayaking and even had a sign warning of the presence of crocodiles just to make any river trip more exciting.

Di testing our ALDI portable toilet/shower

While toilets are provided hot showers are not - but does that deter the well seasoned camper? NO! Not when we have our ALDI special portable foldaway shower/toilet. Di even managed to get her hot shower despite the lack of facilities . . . and as for folding away our ALDI special portable foldaway shower/toilet in three easy steps . . . well, that's another matter.

The Whitsundays

Wow, what a great location!  Yesterday (Tuesday 24 August) we cruised (with 40+ other passengers) the Whitsunday Islands on board the "Reefjet".  First stop was Cataran Bay on Border Island about a one hour cruise from Airley Beach passing plenty of beautiful scenery on the way. Here we snorkelled in clear aqua-coloured water on a superb day over coral with a variety of colourful fish.  Unfortunately, there were little bities in the water that singled out Di and Joyce so their stay in the water was short lived.

Cataran Bay, Border Island

Next stop Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsunday group. This little bay was scattered throughout by boats of many shapes and sizes.  After being ferried ashore in a rubber duckie we took a short walk to a lookout overlooking Whitehaven Beach - that classic pure white sand beach of Ken Duncan fame that they say is the third most photographed place in Australia - after the Sydney Opera House and Uluru.  It is easy to understand why - the view over Whitehaven is truly magnificent!

Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet Lookout

We spent the rest of our cruise time swimming and sunbaking on Whitehaven Beach.  The southern end of the beach looked like a marina with many boats anchored off-shore enjoying the beautiful weather and the great location. Then back to Airley Beach arriving there just before dusk. A wonderful day out!

The marina at Airlie Beach

Perils of First Time Nomadding Pt II

1. When travelling over gravel roads and cattle grids be sure to check under your caravan for things that just may have come lose.

Van water tank ready to make an exit.

2. Beware of free campsites with the name "Funny Dunny Park".  There may be more than the dunny that's funny there and you may feel you're in "Deliverance Country".

Funny Dunny Park - just south of Ayr

3. Before hopping in for a shower at night in a caravan park amenities block check the light switch. It's not the greatest experience in life to be under the shower all lathered up and the lights go out because the timed light switch should have been press BEFORE entering your shower.

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Our Midge Point campsite

At present we are staying at Midge Point, a small coastal village between Proserpine and Mackay at the southern end on the Whitsundays. With a name like Midge Point we had our reservations about staying here but our friends, John and Joyce, have stayed here before and assured us it was a great place to stay.  The van park here, unlike others we have stayed in over the past couple of weeks, has plenty of trees, is spacious, not crowded and we have managed to find a quiet spot by ourselves just a short walk to the beach. We have been here since Sunday night and head off tomorrow down towards Mackay.

Gould Island

Just off the coast here is a small island known as Gould Island. This island is a little over 4 km out and just too tempting not to paddle out in our kayaks.  So last Monday morning with fine weather and almost no breeze John and I paddled out to explore this desert island. The paddle took just over 50 minutes and I tried a little snorkelling out there. Not great for snorkelling as there is no coral only a basalt rock reef surrounding the island with no plant growth and few fish. Heading back we saw a dugong (or was it a crocodile?) and a leopard shark and a number of rays.

Friday, 20 August

Hinchinbrook Island from Cardwell jetty

Friday was spent exploring Hinchinbrook Island just off the coast at Cardwell, approximately halfway between Cairns and Townsville. The entire Hinchinbrook Island was created a national park in 1932 and is the largest island national park in Australia.

Heading our from Port Hinchinbrook

On board the "Hinchinbrook Explorer II"

From Port Hinchinbrook (a Keith Williams (of "Seaworld" fame) development) on the mainland at Cardwell we took the "Hinchinbrook Explorer II" across to the island, about an hour's cruise. Transferring to an aluminium tender we then continued the journey through winding mangrove creeks to the boardwalk on the north eastern corner of the island.  From here it was an easy 20 minute walk to Ramsay Bay - the classic tropical island beach.

Ramsay Bay with Mount Bowen shrouded in cloud

Cassowaries, Crocs and Cooktown

Cooktown from Grassy Hill

While at Cape Tribulation we headed up to Cooktown for a couple of days leaving the vans at Cape Trib. The coastal road, known as the Bloomfield Track, runs through some marvellous coastal rainforest and crosses a number of pristine streams and road is recommended for 4WD vehicles only - some grades on the road were 33%!  The road joins a more conventional road at the Bloomfield River and the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. The trip to Cooktown covers some 100 km and passes some great coastal scenery, waterfalls and waterholes.

Archers Point - south of Cooktown

A few kms before you get to Cooktown there is an amazing little pub called the "Lion's Den" - a real "must stop".  The pub claims a history dating back 120 years and it is fascinating to have a wander inside - writing all over the walls from passers-by and crazy signs adorning the place - "Keep your dog outta my bar I'll keep my bullets outta your dog!", etc.

The Lion's Den verandah

Cooktown is fascinating and full of history.  James Cook managed to sail the crippled "Endeavour" about 40 km from the reef to the river inlet of present-day Cooktown to repair the ship in order to continue his exploration of the east coast of Australia and then back to England. The ship was beached near the river mouth and the hull repaired in three weeks although, due to unfavourable weather conditions, they remained in Cooktown much longer. We actually had breakfast in the "1770" restaurant which is located on the bank only a 100 metres or so from the actual spot where the "Endeavour" was beached in June 1770.

Croc at Bloomfield Falls

On our way back to Cape Trib we stopped at Bloomfield Falls.  We were discussing the possibility of a swim in the river when the sight of a nice big crocodile in the middle of the river sunning himself on a rock decided the question without any further discussion!

A cassowary in the rainforest

Further along the trek back home we came across a cassowary on the road.  We weren't quite quick enough to get a good photo of it as it darted quickly into the rain forest never to be seen again.

Cape Tribulation

What a great place, Cape Trib!  We arrived here last Friday (13 August) from Cairns staying at the Cape Trib Camping Grounds. Our van site was all of 100 metres from the beach. The weather was wonderful for the four days we were here.  We kayaked, snorkelled, swam a mountain pool and even had a barbeque breakfast on the beach - ahhh, living in paradise is just wonderful! Di, Graeme and Carol even managed to kayak around Cape Tribulation itself - what a wonderful experience even though it took Di out of her comfort zone.

Kayaking

Breakfast on the beach

Slummin' it at the Cape

The Cape gets its name from James Cook's 1770 voyage in the "Endeavour" as it was out from here that the voyage's "tribulations started".  The "Endeavour" hit the reef to the north east of here, the hull was holed and nearly the ship nearly sunk.

Mossman Gorge

Before heading further north to Cape Tribulation we stopped to check out Mossman Gorge some 70 km or so north of Cairns. This area consists of fast flowing creeks strewn about with large granite boulders and bordered by lush tropical rainforest.

A small shuttle bus takes you from the carpark up to the walking trails (about 1 km) of the Gorge. A short walk follows the creek where there are numerous viewing areas along the watercourse - very picturesque and plenty of things to photograph.

Mossman Gorge Creek