Rockhampton to Cairns

Rockhampton to Airlie Beach – Tuesday 12 July 2011

We woke to a very cold 3deg in Rocky, so it was up and on the road by 8:30am for a long trip to Airlie Beach, just over 500k, the weather slowly warmed up and by lunch time it was a nice 20deg.  The road out of Rocky north is one of the roughest we have been in, it is similar to the Pacific Hwy north of Kempsey, we took our time and most things in the van stayed in place.

Stopped for fuel and lunch at Mackay then on the Airlie Beach arriving about 4:00pm. We stayed at the Big 4 Whitsunday Adventure Caravan Park, very nice park, lots of green grass and 2 other ACT cars in the park.  We caught up with one, a couple from Melba, it was nice to chat with somebody from home.

Airlie Beach – Wednesday 13 July 2011

Another warm day ahead and the pleasant surprise was it was a warm night as well, we believed we had finally arrived in the tropics.  The sky was clear and blue, just perfect holiday weather.

We decided to walk the bi-centennial track and boardwalk from Cannonvale to Airlie Beach today, a nice 3.8km each way.   It was a nice walk, it follows the water front past the Marina into Airlie, we stopped for coffee and or course found shops.  Looked through these and also helped out the local economy.  The day in Airlie finished with lunch and beers at the Sailing Club, looking out over the majestic Whitsunday – just perfect.  The day ended with a nice stroll back to the Whitsunday Adventure park

Coffee @ Airlie Cafe

Walking the Boardwalk

Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Cruise – Thursday 14 July 2011

Up and ready to go early as we were being picked up at 7:45 for our trip on the Voyager II around the Whitsunday.  The cruise was to Hook Island, Whitehaven Beach and Day Dream Island, the weather was perfect so a good day was ahead

Hook Island

We cruised out of Airlie Marina about 9 am across to Hook Island, here we had a cruise on a glassed bottom boat to check out the coral and feed the fish, after this we walked across the island to go snorkelling.  After Hook Island we headed for Whitehaven Beach, the last time we were here was 4 year ago when we sailed the Whitsundays, the beach is still as good as ever and a nice place to spend a couple of hours.  The trip back to Airlie was via Day Dream Island, where we had a nice walk around, we arrived back in Airlie about 5pm. 

Relaxed on Hook Island



Voyager II on Whitsunday



Ken & Friend



Airlie Beach to Townsville – Friday 15 July 2011

Time to move on again, setting the GPS for Townsville, a fairly ordinary drive around 350k, with good roads. We detoured into Bowen to have a look at the jetty and town made famous by the movie ‘Australia’. It was interesting to see how they transformed the area into something that looked like Darwin and how different it looks in real life. We arrived in Townsville early afternoon and stayed at the Big 4 Woodlands Caravan Park 14km north of Townsville.  Just as we arrived, a big storm that had been threatening for some time hit just as we were setting up.



Bowen Jetty



Australia Movie & Bowen

After set up we went back into Townsville for a look around.  We visited the Tropics Museum and went for a drive up Castle Hill to look out across to Magnet Island, unfortunately the clouds were low and the wind was blowing a gale so it wasn’t all that pleasant, but worth the drive.  Walking the park we found another ACT car so we had a chat, they were from Dunlop and in the area for a couple of months escaping winter, like many others.

Townsville to Cairns – Saturday 16 July 2011

Up and on the road by 9am heading north to the first of our mile stones Cairns.  The weather was cloudy but warm, as we headed up the road.  We soon reached Cardwell and the devastation from Cyclone Yasi soon came back to remind us what happened just 6 months ago in this area.  There were still a number of homes with no roofs and the vegetation was all over the place.  We decided then to detour out to Mission Beach to see the devastation in the area first hand. 




Mission Beach

 

Mission Beach devastatrion

 

Even though the village is back and running , the beach are is a disaster, it is very sad to see beautiful coastal villages and regional towns in such a mess, we soon realised that they are far from back to normal.  We had lunch here at a great little café then headed back on the road to Cairns.



Best Coffee on the Trip So Far!!

Arrived Cains about 4pm at the Big 4 Coconut Village Holiday Resort, and that is what it is.  It would be by far the best Caravan Park we have ever stayed in, a full blown resort with great sites big and plenty of grass with, great staff and amenities.  We are now here for a few days to see the sights.

Maroochydore to Rockhampton

Maroochydore to Hervey Bay – Friday 8 July 2011

Up and on our way once again, on the road by a very leisurely 10:00am the weather is just perfect warm and sunny.  Today is a nice easy run up to Hervey Bay, we arrived there about 1:00pm and booked into the Top Tourist Australiana Caravan Park.

That afternoon we went for a drive around Hervey Bay taking in the sights of the bay, we came across the new water park that is very environmentally friendly using 90% recycled water then along the Esplanade to the historic 1km Urangan Peir.  Today we just looked at it with plans to walk it tomorrow.  We ended up down at the Marina and booked ourselves on a cruise around the bay, as the Whale season has not started as yet the cruise was the next best option. 

This is what the Peir looked like in its heyday

Hervey Bay – Saturday 9 July 2011

Up and going early, as our Hervey Bay cruise starts at 9am, and we need to be at the Marina by 8:30am.  The cruise was on the Quick Cat II, we headed out from the harbour at 9am, the plan was to head to the north of Fraser Island then track down the coast taking in the sights. 

Just as we left the harbour we came across a pod of dolphins playing around, so that was our first bonus.  Then tracking north we were informed by another tour boat that they had found a couple of whales in the bay, very exciting as the season really hadn’t started.  Full steam ahead for about 2km to find these whales and there they were, carrying on like whales do.  We followed them for about an hour and saw plenty of tail slapping and these great mammals playing around.  We were truly lucky. After this it was a trip along the island and back to the harbour, very satisfied with our morning adventure.

Tail Action

 

More Tail Action

On board the Quick Cat II

A quick but nice lunch at the Yacht Cub then over to the jetty to do the promised walk, it is actually only 864mtrs each way, but it was still a nice walk with plenty of fishermen wetting a line.  I must say I didn’t see one caught fish amongst them.

Urangan Peir Today

Hervey Bay to Rockhampton – Sunday 10 July 2011

With just over 400km to travel today and a lunch appointment at Gladstone we were on the road reasonably early, 8:15am.  It was a cool to cold (for the region) and we actually had the heater on in the car for the first hour, yes we seem to be getting soft!

We had an easy trip up the Bruce Highway, it is really a bit of a goat track.  If you ever thought the NSW Pacific Highway north of Kempsey was bad, well this matches it.  Any rate we survived the trip and arrived in Gladstone to meet up with a Parliament House friend and her family for lunch at the local Sailing Club.

Marlene, Robyn and Family

Lunch was nice and we caught up on all the news from home and Parliament, we were them back on the road by 3:00pm heading for Rockhampton.  It was a nice trip up the highway passing the Gladstone power station and aluminium smelters along the way. Heading north in the afternoon the sun was now warm to hot, we arrived in Rocky (local jargon) at the Big 4 Discovery Caravan Park about 4:30pm, it was now a mad rush to have the van on site and settled so I could watch the last hour of the V8’s in Townsville, Ford came 3^rd so that it was worth the rush.

Rockhampton – Monday 11 July 2011

What a cold morning, only 4deg, I know it is colder at home, but we are now in the tropics (having crossed the Tropic of Capricorn yesterday) and I expected better, mind you we are in shorts and t-shirts so it is bearable. 

Easy start to the day, first job was the domestics then we were off on a nice trip out to the coast visiting Yeppoon and Emu Park.  We had a great day, the coast line is just lovely and the water is a beautiful bluey green, with great views across the water to Greta Keppel Island. 

We had a nice lunch of fresh fish, sitting looking out across the waters and listening to the tunes from the “Singing Sails” at Emu Park on the headland.  It was just perfect sitting in the sun looking out across the water in the sun, what a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Sing Sail Emu Park

Back to reality and Rockhampton to do the grocery shopping to stock up to get us through to Cairns.  We leave Rocky tomorrow for a few days at Airlie Beach and a cruise out to the islands, life is so hard at times.

Narangba to Maroochydore

Narangba – Monday 4 July 2011

We are still in Narangba, I know the itinerary says different, and off to the Australian Zoo today.  What a great day, the zoo is something very special and we were lucky enough to see Terri, Bindi & Bob Irwin do the main display for the day, apparently this is a rare thing. 

Australia Zoo displays mostly Australian animals with lots of active Koloa’s, Kangaroos and of course the fantastic Crocodile.  Charlie the Croc put on a great performance on the day.  Apart from the Australian locals the Zoo has a great display of Asian Elephants and Tigers.



Terri feeding Charlie



Monument of "The Irwin Family"

 If you are in the region the Australian Zoo is well worth the experience.

Back at Narangba we went out to the local Tavern for dinner and had a nice dinner with our Bob, Linda and Emma.

Final Dinner with Bob, Linda & Emma

Narangba to Maroochydore – Tuesday 5 July 2011

Finally left Linda & Bob’s and on the road by 10am, mind you we only went as far as Maroochydore, which is about 1 hour away.  By 11:30am we were at the Cotton Tree Caravan Park and settled in for a couple of days.  

The park has 300+ sites and is full.  It is something very different to see a caravan park near to full in July, the place is packed full of Victorians and NSW, plus the other states, and here for 3 – 4 months.  They bring everything and set their vans up just like home, to the point of planting herb and flower gardens out the front.  Everybody has to outdo the next person. We decided that we are not that old yet!!

Each afternoon everybody goes down to the river each to watch the sunset across the valley, very spectacular.  We went for a great walk along the beach just before sunset, again it is different to see a beach busy in July, we enjoyed a nice 2km walk.

Eumundi & Noosa – Wednesday 6 July 2011

The van stayed at Cotton Tree and we went for a day’s drive out to Eumundi, to visit the markets.  Wow these are big market’s, we had visited them before about 12 year ago, but forgot how big they were.   We helped the out the Eumundi budget that day by spending lots but I have been informed it was all a bargain.

After the markets we headed across the Noosa Heads to walk along Hasting St and had lunch at a very nice café on the beach front.  It was a very pleasant afternoon eating, drinking and looking out across the beach and ocean.

Noosa Beach - July this is supposed to be winter

Sorry, forgot to mention that the weather was a very nice 22deg, I am reminded by Ryan that Canberra was ‘bloody’ cold, -1deg wind chill factor that day.

Home, to the van, to a great evening watching Queensland beat NSW in the state of origin.

Maroochydore – Thursday 7 July 2011

Another lovely day, 22 deg, but it was a cool night, got down to 4 deg, we started the day with the weekly domestics, washing clothes, car and van.

All jobs were done by midday so we went for a run down to Mooloolaba for a look around and lunch.  It was a nice relaxing afternoon.  We were home by early afternoon for a walk along the beach, then drinks on the water edge to watch the sunset over the Maroochydore River.  A nice end to a few very pleasant days in Maroochydore – tomorrow we are off to Hervey Bay for a couple of days.


Ready for the Sunset



First stage of sunset



Sunset reflection across the sand



The perfect Sunset across Maroochydore River

Tweed Heads to Narangba

Tweed Heads

Firstly, many thanks for the great feedback on “The Blog” it is very encouraging.  We will now do our very best to keep the blog newsy and up to date.

Thursday 30 June2011 - Well the 30 June arrived and apart form the end of financial year for all the accountant people it is also special for me, being my 55^th birthday.  This means retirement is now official and the pension should start soon.

We started the day relaxed and doing a few domestics duties before heading out for a nice lunch at a little café in Tweed Heads.  The weather was ordinary, cool, windy with some rain, apart from this I was game enough to wear shorts for the first time.  Lunch was great and very relaxing.

After lunch we headed out to Mudgerabah to start a busy couple of days visiting friends.  We met Barry & Margaret in Port Macquarie caravan park 20 year ago and have stayed in touch.  The afternoon was very enjoyable filling in all the gaps about our respective families. We also talked at length about our up and coming trip, they have travelled around Australia twice, so had plenty of encouraging plans and ideas for us

Barry & Margaret - travelled twice around Australia

That night we headed out to the Tweed Heads Bowling club, yep and oldies club, with two groups of friends to catch up and celebrate the birthday a little more.  Ian, Janet & Emma we met at Umina Ocean Beach Caravan Park 10 year ago and Kerry & Alge are friends from Canberra.  The night was great with lots of laughs and stories.

Kerry, Alge, Marlene, Ian, Janet & Ken @ Tweed heads Bowlo

Friday 1 July 2011 – The weather today is much better, the first day with no rain, we picked up one of Marlene’s work mates, who was also on the Gold Coast holidaying, we travelled up the Coast, spending the day drinking coffee, walking along Surfers Paradise beach, checking out how the rich and famous live on the GC and lunching at Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving club.  The day was great with lots of fine food company and stories.

Tweed Heads to Narangba - 2 July 2011

We packed up and left Tweed Heads about 9:00am, and headed north to visit our friends Bob & Linda at Narangba.  The trip up the coast is easy, with a 3 & 4 lane highway all the way from Tweed through Brisbane to the turn off to Narangba.  For those who are not sure where Narangba is, it is a suburb just south of Caboolture.

We arrived about 11ish to a very friendly welcoming committee, after unhooking the van we sat down in to a cuppa then drinks and the afternoon soon slipped by with plenty of chatter trying to catch up on the past 8 years. 

Our Fantastic Hosts - Bob & Linda

Narangba – 3 July 2011

We were all up and going early ready for a drive up the hinterland to visit Maleny and Montville, we arrived Maleny and had a nice walk through the shops and local markets.  It was all very nice with pleasant views, even though the clouds were low, back across to the coast and the glasshouse mountains.  After a light lunch and cuppa we headed down the track to Montville.   Montville is another very pretty place with large fig trees and beautiful camellia trees everywhere.

Glass House Mountains sign - it was to cloudy for the real thing

Maleny Cows

After leaving Montville we came down the mountains and headed across to Maroochydore, this is where we will be heading on Tuesday, (another change to the itinerary) after a walk around the water edge and a look through the caravan park we headed down the coast to Caloundra then back to Narangba late in the afternoon.  We had such a great day with very good friends, plenty of laughs and stories all the way, you wouldn’t think it was so long since we last saw such our fabulous hosts, we will miss then when we move on, on Tuesday.

Canberra to Tweed Heads

Canberra to Karuah – Monday 27 June 2011

The day to depart had finally arrived, the morning temperature in Canberra was a chilly -5 degrees so we were pleased to be heading north to where we hoped it would be warmer.  After breakfast with the family we headed off at 9:00am, just what we had planned for.  It was a sad time knowing that we wouldn’t see the kids for some time.  Even though they are meeting us in Darwin in 6 weeks.  Poor old Russell was very sad and stayed on his mat pretending it would never happen.

Farewell to the Family

The trip north through Sydney was uneventful, the best thing was it was slowly getting warmer.  Stopped for fuel and lunch on the Newcastle Freeway , then onto Karuah for the night, staying at the Big 4 Karuah Jetty.   

Ken at Karuah Jetty

Marlene at Karuah Jetty

Karuah to Arrawarra – Tuesday 28 June 2011

We woke to an overcast day in Karuah after a fairly cool evening, we had the heater on in the van.  The rain clouds looked threatening and it was not far up the road when the first of many rain scuds came though.  The plan was to move on to Bonny Hills, a nice little place just south of Port Macquarie, as we motored up he highway we looked at the weather and decided to keep moving on up the coast as it was more comfortable in the car than in a caravan park in the rain.

With the change of plans we decided that we should go onto Sawtell for the night, we had stayed here 12 months ago and liked the area. It was early afternoon as we got close so we decided to push onto Arrawarra, and stayed at the NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Park.  A very nice park indeed, it would be 15 years since we had stayed here. As usual the weather was still cool and more rain on the way.

Car & Van at Darlington Beach - plenty of green grass about

Arrawarra – Tweed Heads – Wednesday 29 June 2011

Another day and another overcast, wet and windy day ahead of us. We headed off about 9:30am, as we motored up the coast things got a little brighter with the rain showers starting to get less and less.  We stopped in at the ‘Rod N Reel’ Hotel in Woodburn to catch up with the owner and a friend, unfortunately  he was away for the day, so we had a coffee and headed onto Tweed Heads. 

Arrived at the Big 4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park, South Tweed Heads to warmer but windy conditions.  Set up camp and caught up on the book work and blog for the afternoon.  We are planning on staying at Tweed Heads for a few days to catch up with friends in the area.     

Planning and Packing all Completed

One more sleep before we head off on our trip, the planning is completed and the packing is all but done. Both the caravan and car are ready to leave in the morning, the plan is to have breakfast with the family and head off north to warmer weather. The first days is an easy drive to Karuah, just north of Newcastle.

We have said all our goodbyes to family and friends over the last couple of days, everybody is excited about the journey and adventure we have ahead of us. The only ones not keen to see us go are, Russell and Mia, our Cavalier King Charles, they have watched us pack for the past couple of days and are not happy puppies.