Mackay Tuesday 14th August 2007

Day 26 (1^st August 2007)

Left Cairns and headed for Babinda Boulders to free camp tonight. The camp site was OK and the walk up to the water falls was very special. The Boulders look very appealing but apparently are quite treacherous. There have been deaths in the river near the boulders are the rocks are very slippery and the water is freezing cold. Still, it looked very nice. Babinda was a lovely place and when we went for a drive to look around found a very nice beach at Bramston where we are going to go tomorrow. Council Park and no electricity but we are self sufficient so it will be fine.

Day 27 (2^nd August 2007) – Day 31 (5^th August 2007)

Bramston Beach is beautiful. We camped right opposite the beach, which is a great swimming beach and a lovely beach for a long walk. I went for a walk and collected some driftwood as well as some shells that I am sticking together to form “something” I don’t know what but it looks OK!!

The temperature has been hovering around 28deg and I am really loving it

Ended up staying 4 nights and plan on keeping the place a secret so it doesn’t get too crowded. Went for a drive into Innisfail and had lunch at the Flying Fish Café which over looks the water. Lovely. Also went for a drive to Josephine Falls and took lots of pictures. The other drive we did was into Mission Beach…..terrible. So overcrowded and the Council Park was an absolute disgrace. Looked like a shanty town. We have decided to stay away from the big towns. The trouble is that all the way along the East Coast it is a real bun fight to get camp sites. We have decided to go on the unpowered as that is usually all that is available. It is also less crowded so we can spread out more and Maree & Paul’s van ends up facing our van so we have a great area for our happy hour each night.

Day 32 (6^th August 2007)

Met up with Ken & Sabina at Toomulla Beach at the free campsite. Not much of a beach but are only staying for the one night before we head down to Townesville. Had a fire for the first time in a long time and that was pleasant. Ken & Sabina are heading to Bramston Beach as we told them how lovely it was.

Day 33 (7^th August 2007)

Arrived at Townesville and have decided to go out to Magnetic Island tomorrow. The park is reasonable and we are on the large grassed area with plenty of room. The only problem is that it is a bit close to the Bruce Highway so is a little noisy.

Day 34 (8^th August 2007)

Magnetic Island. Caught the ferry over to Magnetic and hired a little Moke for the day. Ended up at Baulding Bay for a swim. The walk was very energetic, watched a red sea plane take off and had a great day.

Unfortunately there is heaps of development on the Island and it is now looking like a really built up resort. The Ferry Terminal is huge and has relocated to Nelly Bay. Where the Ferry used to come into Magnetic Island it is now all closed and waiting for the developers to start new apartments. Very disappointing. Townesville also looks like a ghost town, we went for a walk down the Mall and more than ½ the shops are closed.

When we got back to Townesville from Magnetic Island we went for a drive up to the lookout. 360degrees views and amazing. One of the best lookouts I have ever been to.

Day 35 (9^th August 2007) – Day 37 (11^th August 2007)

Booked into a Caravan Park at Bowen for tonight. When we arrived it was revolting…..looked like there were a lot of permanents and was very down & out. Decided to head towards Hydeaway Bay. What a lovely spot. Once again we have been very lucky to find a Caravan Park off the beaten track which is really nice. Very quiet and went for a drive along a dirt road that popped us out at an Eco Resort called Gloucester National Park. Fabulous spot. Had coffee and enjoyed the views out across the water to the Islands. Around the corner on the way back to the caravan park we came across a place called Monte’s. A bit run down but right on the beach with great views. Had lunch and stayed for a swim. Ended up staying at Hydeaway Bay for 2 nights.

Day 38 (12^th August 2007)

Went to Seaforth today which is North of Mackay. Had a very close call with a stupid truck driver on the way. He was flying on a very small dirt road and came upon us on the top of a blind corner. Maree & Paul saw how close it was and at the time was very scary. When we got to Seaforth we strolled over to the Sunday Market and stayed in the caravan park on the foreshore. Had a look around at a few of the beaches in the area and will head to Mackay tomorrow.

Sunday 12th August 2007 - Seaforth Beach

Hi All,
We are currently at Seaforth Beach which is just north of Mackay. Travelled down from Hydeaway Bay this morning. An absolutely beautiful National Park with an Eco Lodge situated right on the beach. Had a coffee and watched the yachts cruise through the Glouchester Straights on their Whitsunday Cruises. Haven't had a lot of internet access therefore the pictures are still on my computer and not on the Blog..... will fix it up when I get a chance. We stayed at Townesville for a couple of days and went out to Magnetic Island for the day on the Cat. From here we are heading towards 1770 and are slowly working our way back south. Love to everyone will catch up soon. Kay & Barry

Day 21 (27th July 2007) to Day 22 (28th July 2007)

Left Wonga Beach this morning at 8.30 heading up to Cooktown for the night. We are traveling up the Bloomfield track which is a 4WD track and very very pretty. A couple of water crossings and a couple of stops along the way to look at the views. Then it was into the Lions Den Hotel for a counter lunch. The Lions Den Hotel is a Hotel established back in the 1880’s, and is full of lots of memorabilia. We are staying in Cooktown for the night in a rented house and doing the sightseeing “tourist” bit this afternoon and tomorrow morning before we head back to Wonga Beach for our last night before we move onto Lake Placid which is down near Cairns. This morning at our breakfast restaurant on the foreshore there were tame fish just below where we were sitting. The waitress gave Maree some bread to feed to them and they swarmed around fighting off the seagulls for the snack. We also went for a nice walk from the Botanical Gardens in Cooktown to Finch Bay, approx 1km along a track. What an absolutely glorious spot. No one in sight and the beach all to ourselves. Bit worried about the “ACHTUNG” signs warning of crocodiles though!!!! Didn’t bother going for a swim although it was certainly warm enough to.

Update Day 19 (25th July 2007) to Day 20 (26th July 2007)

Wednesday morning we packed a picnic lunch and headed up to Cape Tribulation. Went across the Daintree River on the Car Ferry and then headed to Cow Bay. On the way we went for a Botanical walk along a boardwalk at Jindalba near the Daintree Discovery Centre. Called into a lot of the beaches on the way up to Cape Tribulation. Thornton Beach, Alexandra Bay and Myall Beach. Had lunch at Myall beach at a lovely park in really pleasant sunshine. We had a lovely Green Tree Frog adopt us for a couple of hours on Wednesday, he climbed up under the window protector on the front of the caravan. During the night he decided that he should move on but not before we got a couple of pictures of him.

Tomorrow is going to be a quiet day around the Caravan Park, Paul is going on a fishing charter and we are all hoping for a nice big catch!!!!!

(Maybe Baked Beans will be on the menu).

On Friday (27^th July) we are heading up to Cooktown via the Bloomfield track, which is 4WD, and staying in a cabin overlooking the Endeavour River. We will do a heap on sightseeing there before heading back to Wonga Beach on Saturday. The vans will be left here at Wonga Beach until we get back we will stay the night before heading to Cairns on Sunday.

Wonga Beach 22nd - 24th July

Day 15 (21^st July 2007) – Day 18 (24^th July 2007)

Stopped at Atherton to do a spot of shopping before heading into Wonga Beach Caravan Park. The park is lovely and quiet and right on the beach. There are peacocks wandering about and the setting is really tropical. There is rain during the night but during the days it is warm & sunny. Sunday was Barry’s birthday and we managed to have a bit of fruit cake with a candle in it to celebrate. As soon as we can get to a “Bunnings” I will buy his present!!!! Went down to Mossman Gorge for a walk up to the lookout, also called in to see what was happening at the Mossman Show – nothing much so we continued on. When we got back to the Caravan Park Maree, Paul and myself went for a swim in the pool while Barry had a snooze. Quite cold when you first get in, but after a while lovely. I am starting to get a bit of a suntan at last thank goodness. Today, Tuesday 24^th we all went up to Daintree to go on a river cruise. Got some good pictures of a crocodile on the side of the bank and some birds. The tour guide was really interesting to listen to and quite informative. Barramundi again for dinner tonight, we bought a lot at Karumba from a fishing co-op and it is beautiful. I still have prawns in the freezer from the same place. Planning on being thoroughly sick to death of seafood before I get back home. Paul is going on a fishing charter on Thursday, so we are all hoping that he catches a bag full as well. There is also a picture there of Barry getting into a coconut. Maree and Barry picked them up and after Barry opened them we drank the milk and then ate the flesh – Yummy……………

Update 7th July - 22nd July

Day 1 (7th July 2007)
Headed off at 7.30 am on a miserable, foggy & rainy Saturday morning. Nagambie was the first stop for breakfast and then on to Strathmerton to collect some yummy pies from the Bakery for lunch. Raining all the way. Stayed the night at Griffith and went for a 4k walk around the town. Not as cold as last night at Monegetta but still miserable.

Day 2 (8th July 2007)
8.30am start today heading toward Hillston and listening to Macca on the ABC. Looks like we may be heading out of the rain. NO SUCH LUCK!!!!!! Rained on and off all the way to Bourke where we are staying overnight tonight. Lunch stop was at Cobar where we had a look at the open cut mine, very impressive. We are staying at the Kidman Camp Caravan Park which is lovely, the sky is pitch black and the stars look sensational.

Day 3 (9th July 2007)
Went for a drive into Bourke to fill Paul’s car with gas and have a bit of a look around. The pubs are all barred up and the shops in the main street have shutters on the windows….. not a very nice place. The Wharf was interesting with a Historical Crossley Engine running. Late start today – headed off from the Caravan Park at 10.30 on our way to Nardoo Station for tonight. Our lunch time stop was at Barringun which is on the NSW QLD border. Stopped for a look around at Cunnamulla and took a picture of the Cunnamulla fella which is a statue in front of the Municipal Offices. Staying tonight at Nardoo which is a working sheep & cattle farm with hot artesian spas. Barry & Maree went in for a dip but I wasn’t too sure if there was Sulphur so I stayed away. Tonight we cooked our dinner in the Bar-b-Q area right next to a roaring fire. A lot of people staying here at Nardoo are congregated around the fire telling jokes and having a good time. Tomorrow we head for Charleville.

Day 4 (10th July 2007)
Heading for Charleville for tonights camp. Got a site at the Cobb & Co Caravan Park because Barry’s car is booked in tomorrow for a service. Very ordinary Caravan Park, squashed in and very crowded, not actually legal what the Caravan owner was doing. We had caravans parked in front of us and couldn’t get out if we wanted to…….Maree & I went for a nice long walk into Charleville and tonight we are cooking our Bar b q in the Camp kitchen. Met up with a nice bunch of travelers and sat around and talked for a while. The weather is now getting nice and warm with lovely clear blue skies and the temp is in the mid teens, am gradually stripping down to warmer clothes, soon I will be in shorts!!!!!!

Day 5 (11th July 2007)
Left Charleville about 11.30 today after Barry picked up his car from the service and Bary & Paul managed to wash the cars before we left. Had lunch at Augathella a small town with some interesting murals along the main street shops. Free camped tonight at the 615 camp which is 41kms south of Blackall. Gathered some wood and got a great fire going so I cooked roast lamb with garlic, honey, rosemary & mustard………
MAGNIFICENT. Baked veggies topped of a great meal. Nice spot beside the river, not noisy and not too cold. Sat around the fire until about 10.30 before making sure the fire was out before heading for bed. Tomorrow we are off to Blackall to have a look around.

Day 6 (12th July 2007)
Up & away around 8.30am after having a beaut brekkie of porridge. Did a tour around Blackall. Had a look at the Wool Scourer which was very interesting then had a wander around the town before heading to Barcaldine. Took pictures of the Tree of Knowledge then took off to find somewhere to stay for the night. Found a free camp at Newstead Creek Rest area which is 32km from Longreach. Another great free night camping – Bar B Q and fantastic open fire. 500metres from the highway so very quiet. Not cold at all during the night so slowly stripping down to warmer clothes.

Day 7 (13th July 2007)
Stopped at Winton to look at the Banjo Paterson memorabilia in the main street. Also stopped at Longreach to look at the 747 & the 708 in the main street – impressive. Ran into Sue from the Bistro at work in the Tourist Information Centre at Winton (what a small world). Overnight stop at Kynuna Roadhouse tonight and had a counter tea at the famous Blue Heeler Pub. Good value at the roadhouse $8 for a hot shower and power, cant complain about that.

Day 8 (14th July 2007)
8.30 start and heading for McKinley to have a look at the Walkabout Creek Hotel. This is the hotel where Crocodile Dundee was filmed. Too early for a drink (it was closed or we would have tried.) Took a couple of photos. When we left a huge grader towing a caravan, trailer as well as a car pulled out in front of us. It was huge, thank goodness it only went about 2 kms up the highway before it pulled off onto another road. Apparently they grade 100kms of road then sleep in the caravan they are towing, sounds like a very lonely life to me. Tonight we are staying in the caravan park at Cloncurry and then went to have a look at a Camp Drafting, Rodeo that was going on in the showgrounds. Lots of beautiful horses. Maree has fallen in love with the bramha bulls and at the Rodeo they were “cutting” them out.

Day 9 (15th July 2007)
Left Cloncurry about 9.00am on the way to Gregory Downs via Burke & Wills Roadhouse. The trip to Burke & Wills is fairly ordinary but when you turn off to Gregory Downs the road narrows quite considerably and you need to be very aware of roadtrains. The road isn’t wide enough for 2 cars so when a roadtrain comes you have to get off the road and stop and wait for it to pass before you start again. Used the CB a lot talking to the truckies as well as Maree to make sure we are safe travelling. Gregory Downs camp spot is absolutely magnificent…..It is a free camp right on the Gregory River. The back of the Caravan was nearly in the water and the sound of the water was very soothing. Absolutely beautiful…stayed for 2 nights. Tomorrow we are going to leave the vans here and travel 100kms into Lawn Hill to have a look. Apparently the road is not very good and is also used by roadtrains going to a zinc mine.

Day 10 (16th July 2007)
Headed out to Lawn Hill for a walk, did about 3kms up to the lookout then back to where the cars were parked for lunch. On the way back to Gregory Downs we stopped at Adels Grove to have a look and an ice cream. Very nice, but still glad we are staying at Gregory Downs – not much to do once you have had a walk around!!! Barry not 100% today (a dose of the trots) got him on rations to see how he goes. I drove the 100kms back so Barry could have a break. Last night at Gregory Downs we watched the eagles that the lady in the next van were feeding with scraps of Barramundi. It was fantastic watching then swoop down and snatch up the tiniest piece of fish before heading for the nest in the nearby tree. We also had a free “concert” tonight. One of the other vans had a guy that was singing. He had a Casio keyboard and was really, really good. Left him a donation and he was heading to Lawn Hill to stay for a few days.



Day 11 (17th July 2007)
Had to drive all the way back to Burke & Wills Roadhouse before heading up to Normanton. We are going to leave the vans in the Caravan Park and drive up to Karumba to get some Prawns & Barramundi. Had lunch at a great Hotel overlooking the Gulf of Carpentaria. People there said the sunset was worth seeing, so after we took the fish back to the van we headed back to Karumba with cooked prawns & Champagne to watch the sunset over the Gulf. Thank goodness we did….it was truly spectacular. I took over 30 photos, and am so glad we made the effort to drive the 150kms round trip to do it.

Day 12 (18th July 2007)
Drove from Lawn Hill to Normanton

Day 13 (19th July 2007)
Georgetown Gold Fields Caravan Park
On the way from Normanton to Georgetown we stopped at Blackxxx and met up with the Gulf Lander Train that was at the siding for a ½ hour stop. Took lots of pictures. It wasn’t really convenient for us to have a ride in the train otherwise we would have. Cute little train with lots of history attached to it. Arrived at the Caravan Park reasonably early and the guys got to wash the cars. Lots of red dust, hopefully not too many stone chips!! Nice quiet Caravan Park and tomorrow heading towards Mareeba or Arthurton

Day 14 (20th July 2007)
Free Camp at the War Memorial @ Rocky Creek Tolga.
Horrible trip today. I think it is a long weekend in Qld this weekend (Union Day Holiday) and there were lots of absolute idiots in 4WD’s in a huge rush to get somewhere. Sprayed us with dirt & dust as the sped along a one lane road……so stupid. I was really angry and let them know via the CB. Tomorrow we are going to head off early and have breakfast on the way to the Caravan Park at Wonga Beach where we will be staying for a week. Not much here……just somewhere to sleep.

Day 15 (21st July 2007)

Thursday 19th July 2007

Thanks to everyone for the posts. we will be updating the blog on Saturday or Sunday if we can get internet access.

Sunday 1st July - Monegetta

On Friday 6th July we will be meeting at the Clarkefield Hotel for a farewell counter tea with Barry's daughter, son in law and grand daughters Chelsea & Katelyn. Our van has been stored at their house for the past few weeks and we are now anxious to hit the road. Maree & Paul will brave the cold on Friday to stay in their van instead of staying home nice and warm!!! Saturday morning we will be heading off bright and early for our first overnight stop at Griffith. We will be staying at the Griffith Tourist Caravan Park. The attached photo shows the vans & cars at Danny & Rochelle's the previous Sunday (1st July) when we were doing our last preparations.