We left Cairns this morning and, having decided to confront our Flatlander fears, we dragged the vans up to Kuranda via the direct route. Steep and twisty, but much shorter than the long way around that we took last year.
We camped at the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds again. Very very dry at this time of the year. I was surprised and looked up our records to see that we were there in early June last year. Almost 3 and a half months ealrier than this trip. There were relatively few vans there too.
So we all had a good look around the Atherton Tablelands.
One morning we were woken up by a series of regular loud roars and looked out the door and saw some hot air balloons. Robyn and I had a flight on these last year. They landed on the Rodeo Grounds again and this time, out stepped a wedding party. Now that's a wedding with a difference.
23rd September
Leaving Mareeba, we headed south through Milanda and Millaa Millaa (there's that alphabet soup again) to Innisfail. We turned inland at Tully and set up camp at Tully Gorge Campground (QLD24 in CAW6).
This is where Robyn and I spent a couple of hours on a day trip out from Mission Beach a few weeks earlier. Great campsite.... except there was a full blown March Fly epidemic, and it was September. What's going on?? Must be climate change. We killed hundreds of the biting pests and were happy to hit the road the next morning.
24th September
Passing south through Cardwell, we stopped and enjoyed a coffee. Once more, we hope Cardwell gets back on its feet real soon. It's almost there so the locals have really done well since TC Yasi.
We camped overnight at Toomulla Beach (QLD38 in CAW6). This too was very dry. We watched the Eagles capitulate to Geelong.
25th & 26th September
We drove into Townsville. On past trips we have driven past Townsville enroute to other destinations. It's a bustling city. We stayed at the Seventh Day Adventist caravan park (risking a few stray lightning bolts). We met another couple from Mandurah here. They have a distinctive spare wheel cover with photos of their grandchildren which I had seen driving around home before.
This is the view from the top of Castle Hill lookout in Townsville. This city has a lot going going for it.
Ken & Lyn had some family on Magnetic Island so we jumped on the ferry and visited for a day.
This is the ferry terminal at Nellie Bay on Magnetic Island.
And the beach in front of the pub where we had lunch.
The bus trip around the island was a hoot. The driver knew all the locals and kept up a running commentary on local happenings.
27th September
Heading south from Townsville we stopped at Bowen for lunch on the waterfront. Fresh prawns from the Fisherman's Co-op. Yummo.
Seaforth (QLD64 in CAW6) was the campsite for tonight and, with some help from some fellow BT owners (the Cow Cockies) we found the correct way into town. A very popular campsite.
28th September
Tonight we camped on the south bank at Calliope (QLD105 in CAW6). We stayed here on the way up and Ken & Lyn stayed on the north bank during their trip up the coast.
29th September
Today we went into Bundaberg and stayed at the Big 4 Park there. Very nice. I met Peter (Trackor 2), another BT owner who we met 2 years ago in Inverell.
We went over the road to the Brothers Sports Club because their evening meal was a roast for $3.95. !! It almost broke the bank when we had to pay an extra 50cents for a bread roll. Heck, we aren't even on a pension yet, so we have to watch our pennies.
A tour of the Bundaberg distillery was a must do event. It was good too. Both Ken & I bought some of their Bundy coffee and chocolate liqueur (only available at the distillery). Nummo
Also picked up some of their premixed cans of white rum with lemon & lime. Also nummo.
After a short stay in Hervey Bay we went back to Maroochy Palms CP in Maroochydore and Ken & Lyn went down to Caboolture. We both had to have some last minute tweeking done to our vans by our respective manufacturers. Maroochy Palms was almost deserted. It was very strange. It was as if, come the end of September, the tourists abandon Queensland.
While we were in Maroochydore we took a drive down to Mooloolaba. This is one of our favourite places on the Sunshine Coast. A beautiful beach and beachfront restaurants and apartments. We've stayed here a few times in the past and loved it.
The Council operates several caravan parks in the area from here up to Noosa and this one, right on the beach at Mooloolaba, is just excellent. What a location. I guess you would have to book well in advance to get a spot.
Wednesday 5th October.
South via Toowoomba into New South Wales. Now we are really on the way home.
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