Map of trip October 2011

Departed home about 11.30am. Went via Paradise, Leroyd, Watsons roads via Archerfield Airport, Ipswich road and on to M3, innercity bypass and on to gateway and Bruce Hwy (fairly good run and lucky with most lights - for once). Turned off at Caboolture and followed parallel road to Bruce Hwy. Stopped at Matthew Flinders Park for lunch, nice, smallish park, toilets but on main road. Camps6 says day park only. Continued through Beerwah, waved to Steve as we passed Australia Zoo and stopped just after Landsborough near Bruce Hwy at Jowarra Park (20 hrs max stay). No spots, but motorhome guy says it's tradies taking up all the parking/camping pots and they'll be gone soon. As we were contemplating leaving, someone pulled out so we backed in. Too short, but then someone else pulled out of a long spot so set up van there, all done by about 3.30pm then went for a walk through the rainforest. On Glass House Mountains road near intersection of Bruce Hwy and Caloundra turn-off. Hwy noise. But rainforest backdrop was very nice. It was Friday night and, horror of horrors, Geoff didn't have any potatoes.

Photos 30/9/2011

Had a little rain overnight and woke to a hazy day, but cleared up. Took off and about 10km down the road took a turn-off to Botanical Gardens, but the trail took us back near where we were in the first place, so got back on to the hwy and kept going. BP (with Driver Reviver) at that turn-off had showers (for future reference) (taps available from the office). Dropped into the Ginger Factory at Yandina. A bigger, more commercial operation than the last time we visited some 20 odd years ago. Across the road was NutWorks, so had a look there also. Geoff wanted a drink so, as there was a park on the map, just down the road we headed for it. It was a 48hr free stop. Nice little park, park vans on circular the road with grass and picnic tables in centre and to the side (plenty of grassed space for tents), plenty of shade, drop loos, water taps. Decided to stay the night, so had a chance to read brochures and sit for a while. Walked the perimeter of the park which backs on to Browns Creek. Again had rainforest as a backdrop, but only remnant rainforest in a fast disappearing landscape due to clear-felling for farming and development. The wind started and blew very strongly all day. Smoke haze was present most of the day, but think the fire was a long way away. Not quite as busy as last night. By nightfall there were 3 vans, 2 kombis and a car (owner is a self-confessed pot-smoker, ex-infrantry, immigrant intolerant, tatooed gent who did some running repairs on his front bumper after hitting a pole and a tree). We didn't ask if he had been high at the time. Even though we are on the Old Bruce Hwy right next to the new Bruce Hwy AND the railwayline, I'm sure it will be quieter than last night. At least we can't see traffic lights 20mtrs from our van, but is still safe enough. Our main concern is being under trees with the wind. Fingers crossed.

Photos 1/10/2011

Awoke to a sunny morning and we got through the night unscathed by falling branches. Car was still a bit hard to start, but got started. Wanted to keep off the highway, so headed north via Cooroy and then Pomona. After having stopped and started the car a couple of times we pulled over to get the GPS running in the main street of Pomona. Then the car wouldn't start. The more we tried the weaker it sounded until it was just a click. So what does Geoff do, flag down the local policeman to help us jump start the car. He obliged, but still no luck. So we are now members of the RACQ for the first time in about 40 years so I think we are ahead. We thought the car might have to be towed as we were sure it was the starter motor as the battery had been checked in the last 12 months. However, to our delight the extra booster the RACQ guy gave to the battery started the car so we didn't have to sleep on the main street tonight. (At least Corey [the policeman] said don't worry about taking up 3 parking spaces, you can't help it if you are broken down). He also stopped when we went past later to see how we had got on. RACQ guy thought maybe the van battery may have drained the car battery and suggested we disconnect the Anderson plug until we get to Gympie to see how it went. Anyway got to Gympie and the car started again OK. Dilemma, was it just run down from little travel and lots of on and offs over the last two days? Do we buy a battery anyway? Do we connect the Anderson plug and move on to Maryborough and see if it has drained? In the end we played it safe and bought a battery which is in the boot and we'll experiment tomorrow. But Geoff needed his Aldi yoghurt and fruit, AND potatoes as he missed out again last night.. Decided to go back about 4km to Woolies and Aldi - part of a huge shopping centre - and they are shut on Sundays!!! But did find a small fruit shop. So didn't see anything of Gympie and stopped about 10km north at a place we have seen before. Huge grassed area, wetlands and roost for hundreds of Ibis. Plenty of van spaces and spoke to a couple who had been on the road for 3 years. Used to live in Pakenham and near Westernport. We got some tips on solar power, etc. Best to get it from those who have been there, done that! About 15 vans here tonight. Blew a gale all day and only subsided in the evening.

Photos 2/10/2011

Traffic noise last night was not too bad as we were back a bit from the highway. A nicer day today, still a bit breezy though. Headed towards Maryborough for supplies and fuel. The GPS tracking via Geoff's phone to the computer cut out a few times (much more than the dedicated GPS attached to the computer). Seems modern technology just does what it wants and to hell with the consequences. That's why I hate climate control on cars - if I want it warmer or colder, I adjust it myself!! Anyway, dropped in to Tiaro and had a shower (behind the information centre). Moved on to Maryborough and after taking a few unnecessary twists and turns in Maryborough traffic we found Aldi and all was good with the world. On the way to Bundaberg we decided to stop short at a free stop we found last time - Apple Tree Creek 6km north of Childers on the Bruce Hwy. Flush loos, free BBQ. Staying here tonight. The inner road of the park also seems to be a local road so there is a bit of traffic zooming past the van, as well as trucks pulling in, but we are off the road a bit so all OK. Went for a walk up the road past the Rodeo arena and found a cemetary with some old graves back to late 19th century. Hopefully from tomorrow our next stop will be for a few days in a caravan park near the mouth of the Kolan river.

Photos 3/10/2011

Dropped into Bundaberg and walked around the Botanical Gardens. Beautiful day, no wind. Headed for Miara (via Yandarran). 14kms of scrubby area, nothing else. Arrived at Miara caravan park and there is NOTHING else around. Basic park, but OK, clean, some trees, bbq, laundry, small camp shop ($23pn pwr). It was very windy and lady next camp said this was the best day in a week. Walked along the banks of the Kolan River towards the river mouth, but mangroves stopped us about 2km along. Very peaceful area, looking across a very wide estuary to a conservation area, it is a boaties dream, but not much else to do and no other walks to take. The town of Miara is around the bend back upriver about 3kms away and there doesn't appear to be any walks along the river banks, just scrub and I'm keeping away from the ticks as much as I can. Anyway I suspect there is not much in the 'town' maybe a couple of houses. Not decided if we'll stay another night. A good place to chill out though but a boat would be handy.

Photos 4/10/2011

Woke to no wind and a sunny day. By the time I showered and washed more clothes and had breakfast the clouds had come over. As Mick from the office had confirmed we couldn't get along the river banks because of the mangroves in the opposite direction we had walked yesterday (and the mud, even though the tide was out) he said he would be going out in his boat later to put in some cray pots and he would drop Geoff and I off across estuary at the Conservation Park so we could walk through to the beach. Alas, he pulled up later to say the tide was not right and he needed to get plumbers in for the mens loo, so he wouldn't be going out. So we walked out along the entry road and to the 'town'. The 'town' had one hut and a boat ramp, oh yes and some cows and fields of sugar cane. On the way back we found a back road through the forest strip which eventually led us back to the river, so we had our walk for the day, about 6km. The sun came out a little during the day but was very feint due to the smoke from cane burning inland. Didn't do much else today, just chilled out but I still haven't got the hang of that yet.

Photos 5/10/2011

Today started out a little hazy and then clouded over from there. Headed for Agnes Water and on the way stopped at Rosedale (1km off the main road). On the way out of checking out the caravan park behind the pub, we hit a bump or mound - thud or scraping noise didn't sound good, but all seemed OK until we pulled over some 15km down the road the check our directions and heard a scraping noise under the car. The protective thingy under the car had fallen down at the back (luckily not the front as it would have dug into the road and disintegrated). So after running the car up on wood and jacking it up, Geoff was able to get under the car (another good reason to get a higher 4 or AWD) and could only fix it by tying rope around the transmission to hold it up…..I bet Pa was looking down on us with a smile. Arrived at the Bradley Wolfe Braeve Heart Retreat which is a non-profit organisation and the retreat was designed for those with disabilities and is also open to the public. The couple (Jane and Gary) back at Gympie who had been on the road for three years said they had stayed there. It is on 20 acres of bush and open eucalypt with resident wildlife and is off the road to the Town of 1770 (Murphys Road). $16pn with pwr. Caretaker (Meryl) comes and goes, but she was there when we arrived. Whilst we were cooking dinner in the camp kitchen an older couple arrived, who had booked, but Meryl was no where to be seen. Luckily she had left one of the cabins open and I had noticed earlier today, so I suggested he check it out. Anyway it was left for them and all was fine when she arrived again. The old gent, Kurt was from Eastern Germany and came to Australia just after the war and lost his wife in a car accident many years ago and lives in Bentleigh in Melbourne. The sky started to clear around 4pm so we are hoping for a nice day tomorrow to go to 1770 and Agnes Water. Kurt said they couldn't get a bed in 1770, or in Gladstone because of the mining, etc. Another gent this morning said they had intended to stay at 1770 yesterday but it was packed so they kept going to where we were. I'm glad we just ended up staying here. No stress and we can make a day of it at 1770. Those damn 'grey nomads' taking up all our camping spaces!

Photos 6/10/2011

Got an early start and stopped at Agnes Water. Been a few years since we stayed in a cabin about 10mtrs from the beach and just a small area for vans and a sleepy little town. It and 1770 are now like Noosa. Looked for a picnic area we stayed at once, but found it has disappeared and replaced with exclusive acreage properties, on the hill overlooking the ocean. We did find, however, Workmans Beach picnic area and camping area. We figured we could get the van up the short sandy track and it is a very nice, shady camping area of about 30 sites run by the council ($5.50pp pn) drop loos. The beach and rocky outcrops are beautiful. One for next time perhaps. Arrived at 1770. This is such a beautiful place. Blue water, sandbanks at low tide small bays, mangroves. It was fairly busy though. We went to the lookout, visited Cooks landing place (right where one of the caravan parks is), had lunch and then went back to Agnes Water to get some food. Dropped in at Eurimbula National Park on the way home, travelled 7km on unmade road (but solid) and walked up a hill to another lookout - 800m return trip, very steep. Then went back to our caravan. Two other vans had arrived, how dare they.

Photos 7/10/2011

Woke to threatening rain. It was very black to the south, but we were lucky. Just a short shower. Still windy but not cold, around mid-20's. Headed out to the highway, stopped at Miriam Vale for Tourist Info and then went on to Gladstone. When coming in to Gladstone we stopped at the Botantical Gardens. Quite small, but very nice. Could improve on their signage on plants, but sections were divided into what could be found at different state forests and national parks. The thunder started in a distance but we managed to see what we came to see. Luckily the huge thunderstorm cells were just south of us and extended all the way down to the sunshine coast so again just a few drops. Went into Gladstone for supplies and yet another visit to the top of the hill in town. Still a good view, if you like looking at ports, silos, cranes and miles and miles of industrial development. Drove into the port area and Geoff wanted to go where all the big trucks were going, it was all construction. Maritime Museum was not open today so drove down another road to a dead end and full of trains. Finally found the hill, looked at the view and waited till this coal ship was escorted into port by 3 tugs (it was so windy I think they were keeping the ship from drifting into the port). To drive down the main stree of Gladstone you think, is that all that's here? as it is just one long strip street. However, as we headed out of Gladstone we saw where all the action is. Huge housing development, shopping centres, etc. The CBD of Gladstone seems to be the same, they have just expanded elsewhere. Headed out toward Calliope and found the free camp, just behind the Historical Village. About 20-25 vans on our side of the river and about the same on the other. Beautiful place (Lyn I think I recall you saying that you and Tom stayed there). After pulling up in the van we discovered that I had not locked the fridge and everything was on the floor. I had just bought chicken, sausages and other cold stuff. So to play it safe I cooked most of it, and will have the rest cold over the next day or so. I was so angry with myself for a while - Just as well Geoff hadn't done it, ha ha. We may do a long walk along the river tomorrow and stay another night. The people in the camp next to us (Janet and Michael) have been coming here for 23 years. Watch Night at the Museum 2, again, as Geoff had fallen asleep last night when 'we' watched it. Been getting to sleep not much later than 10pm, most nights, so generally early mornings.

Photos 8/10/2011

Beautiful morning with fairly thick fog on the river rolling in. Went for a walk at 6.30AM!!!! to see the fog. Beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and the wind had quietened down. This is the first day, I think ever since we've had the van, when we could just sit and read and enjoy the weather. It did get hotter and reach about 34 degrees, but quite dry. Had lunch then went for a walk across the river to the other side. It is the Old Bruce Hwy which they don't allow traffic on anymore due to its deterioration from the floods where obviously huge trees and debris have smashed away the edges of the reinforced concrete stauntions. The other side is a much bigger area, but very uneven and sandy in parts but would still be a great place to stop. Only downside to this location was the power boats ALL day (we'd actually prefer peace and quite, but it is a river, with a boat ramp and a Sunday), but this one boat with a V8 engine 'screamed' around ALL DAY constantly and was deafening whereas the other boats were tolerable as was the jet ski which zoomed up and down most of the day doing whirly-gigs. Anyway things are quiet now and it will be another lovely sunset. Not sure where we'll go tomorrow. We had hoped to go on one of the tours of the Alumina smelters back in Gladstone but we think they only run on Fridays….maybe next time. This site is 48hrs max and a ranger patrols. Our side of the river is mostly grassed and along the road way there is no shade, but the huge grassed area has shade and is very nice, but a bit steep to get back up with a 2WD if it rained so we stuck to the road way which overlooks the river. Janet and Michael in the next camp, having been coming here for 23 years know the ropes. The ranger comes in Mon Wed and Fri. They come in on Thursday and stay till Monday, so actually get 4 nights. When we were talking she also asked me if our visitors had arrived. I was a little confused and said no, we are not having visitors for lunch, we are having frankfurts for lunch. She had mis-understood me earlier. I wondered why she thought it was so nice that we were having frankfurts for lunch when we spoke earlier in the morning. Crocodiles inhabit this river and Janet and Michael said they were there one day a few years ago when a ladies dog got taken. Michael had shown her the sign, but she didn't believe it. We are about 20kms from the coast. And we did see the sign, so we only went near the water where it was trickling over the rocks. If anyone has to be taken I hope it is the V8 boat driver mmmmmm.

Photos 9/10/2011

Another beautiful morning, no fog this time and another early rise (5.45am) and departure (around 8am). Went back along the Bruce Hwy to the Calliope turnoff. I think Calliope has been around for a long time, but about 1-2km before the town there is continuous new housing development, you could be in a major city. Even though we are edging Central Queensland, we are only 20km west of Gladstone so I guess it's because of the resources boom. Hate to think what will happen if there is at bust - the development all around the region is unbelievable. Headed down the Boyne Valley road and found another free camp. Wallum Reserve, OK for a late night stop-over (drop loos, not much shade). Got to Boyndale Bush Camp which is run by Gladstone Water. Free camp, max 7 days, drop loos, no water (except in the lake which is Gladstone's water supply), shade around the perimeter only. We found a shady spot under a huge fig tree so had some shade for once - alas I thought I was getting better as finding the 'right' spot, but eventually got the van level, under shade, back door and awning facing away from other vans. It was very warm again, about 30 degrees, then a cell went over, but we missed the rain, just go huge winds for about an hour. The camp next door said there had been about 60 vans here over the week-end, there are about 20 tonight and that is more than enough. Peter in the other camp said to watch out for the Eastern Brown snakes seen near the lake edge. I think we are right with the crocs though, as we are upriver of the dam wall. The wind got up very strongly in the afternoon and we just missed a big rain cell which eventually hit Gladstone. Went for a walk when it was cooler and cloudy. There had been some smoke over the hills which had sprung up a lot with the strong winds. The wind changed slightly, died down and as the smoke sank down on the campsite and we spent most of the might blanketed in smoke.. Being a longer-term camp (7 days) there were more longer stay campers with tents and boats. Boats weren't a problem, but one camper thought the whole camp wanted to hear his/her country music. The lake is lovely, enough submerged trees to keep the high-speed power boats away, but probably not hot enough for a swim just yet.

Photos 10/10/2011

It was relatively clear this morning and the wind was coming from the east where there had also been fires on the other side so fingers crossed the smoke stays over there. As the drop loos are built on a huge sandy gravel mound, it can be a bit slippery walking up and down, but this morning a lady in a scooter (for the disabled) tried to drive up the mound to the loo and Geoff was there so he helped push her up until her back wheels were almost up on the concre slab. He didn't want to be too personal and push her into the loo, so thinking she had put the brakes on he let her go and was about to walk into the loo when the lady started to slide backwards - her brakes didn't work!!. She ended up back at the bottom of the hill safe and sound - I don't know how she didn't fall off - maybe she's done it before. She could have been really hurt, but all I could do (inside the van) was giggle as I watched Geoff look at the lady in amazement, travelling backwards.

As 'Billy Bob' and his country music at one camp site was now competing with 'Elvis' and 'Neil Diamond' in the other camp (the local 'character' who'd been on the road for 4 years [and looked it] and hubby of our daredevil scooter rider), we confirmed we'd do a day trip down the Boyne Valley to the 4 townships on the tourist 'mud' map. We decided a return day trip as we can't get through the mountains with the van - to Miriam Vale or Monto - just over the ranges. The valley was nice and each of the towns being one or two houses at most. Most of the items on the mud map referred to what had been there, but we did see one old cemetary, the railway water tower and where a station had been. We saw an old river crossing made by men during the depression under some scheme and the Gladstone Council worker who was working on the roads (he was filling up his tanker at the river) was very friendly and told us all this smoke was from burn-off and its 'that time of year', so don't come up this way any year at this time. He has lived in the area for about 30 years and the locals are not happy with the coal seam gas fields going in there and they fear it will go the same as the US where the groundwater is easily contaminated in which case the land will be useless. We said goodbye and looked for the old airfield. We found a paddock and a road sign that said Aerodrome Road, so I guess we found it. We couldn't get to the old mine diggings as they are now part of a new mine so there is no access. As we moved along the valley, most of the towns had toilets, usually beind the Community Hall and one had a bbq shelter attached to the hall (marked on the map for use by tourists), but the town was so small I felt like we would be intruding to have a bbq, it was down a little street with some houses next door and behind. Out of a total of 4 towns, there was one general store and a pub which was closed.

On the way back we decided to stop by one of the creek crossings we'd come in on. After sitting for a while on a small piece of grass near the river and had lunch, we packed up and as I put the chairs in the boot I could see the grass move and rustle near the car where I been standing in the grass a few minutes beforehand. It had to be a decent size animal. As I walked forward it I saw my first Eastern Brown snake, slithering away in a good direction. We also heard and saw our first substantial Eucalypt limb crack and fall in the paddock next to us. A not-so gentle reminder not to camp under tall Eucalypts. I guess the snake had been scared our way by the crashing of the limb. As we came back to camp the clouds came over more so it wasn't just the smoke blocking the sun. Later it started to rain very lightly but didn't last.

Photos 11/10/2011

Last night was not so smoky, but we were glad to be moving on to fresher air. 'Billy Bob' and his country music left just before we did and for the first time 'Ma and Pa Kettle' were not sitting on their chairs out the front of their van, nor were they at the toilets - did they actually go for a walk (or a scoot)?? Said good-bye to Peter next to us (he works at Gladstone Alumina - doesn't everybody around here). Went back into 'downtown' Calliope and went to their new shopping centre and IGA. We then headed for the dam wall of Lake Awoonga on the other side of the lake to where we had camped and around a mountain range. Nice picnic areas, beautiful wide lake, wider than Eildon in places, massive, about 6km wide at it's widest point. It is Gladstone's water supply. There is a caravan park, but not a lot of shade and we hadn't travelled very far. On the way out there was an ex-caravan park - more like a long wide strip of grass, trees, caravan slabs and taps - it was obviously the old caravan park and not used any more and a sign that says 'no camping'. So we pulled up for 'lunch' and whilst we were having 'lunch' we filled the van's water tank which had run out this morning. I guess they won't miss a couple of litres considering how much water there is in the lake. Travelled only another 2 or 3kms, got fuel at Benaraby and decided to stop at the Boyne River Rest Area to have lunch. It has cold showers as well. We had seen a sign further around the road which said no camping in a grassed area of the perimeter road, but a sign at the front said 20hrs stay over. Geoff went to have a shower and as I walked to check out the sign again, a guy in a van (a huge 5th-wheeler) was checking out a site and I mentioned the anomaly, so he went over to a house nearby and asked. They said it used to be a road works base with portable huts, but the huts have now gone, but they didn't take down the sign and they said many vans park there each night. So we both pulled our vans in. Lovely grassed area with two water taps. Some shade. Geoff and Tom (from the other van) talked about mobile phone charging and Geoff was helping him out with our lead as Tom had left his charger behind. Anyway, he found a power point on a pole near the loos - two actually, so charged his phone there. When I came back from my shower, they were still talking and discussing horses and cattle (he is from Bowen). Then I heard another voice. Darryl came over and asked if he was buying a car and had missed one payment, could his brother report the car stolen to the police?…what the?…. so another half an hour later and I think Tom and Geoff convinced Darryl that it would be unlikely, given he had receipts for all the payments he had made and the car had already been transferred into Darryl's name, and that the police would probably see it as a civil matter. The story got complicated, but I won't go any further. The only downside of this site is it's on the Bruce Hwy, that's OK we expect the noise but if it were about 2kms further up a lot of the traffic would have diverted off to Gladstone. I'm pleased that Tom is here and then another guy turned up with a campervan and one more van (a slide-on which we have seen in three other places) was on the perimeter road, so again safety in numbers. We walked across the hwy and down a road to the Boyne River (no access from our side - barbded wire). It is a lovely river and the one that is dammed to make Lake Awoonga and the one we had lunch next to when we saw the snake and the same lake we camped next to. Anyway, the river is shallow and rocky and very wide here, but we didn't venture right to the edge as there was another crocodile sign on the access road. Except for the constant hwy noise, all is quiet - is that an oxymoron??

Photos 12/10/2011

The hwy noise last night was as expected, mostly trucks but we still managed to sleep. Weather was a bit cloudy today and we headed off about 8am. There was a lot of roadworks along the Bruce Hwy with constant stopping and one-way traffic. There was also a log of 'wide loads' heading for Gladstone, with police escorts. Two had all the traffic driving on the shoulder as the truck passed, carrying huge, wide structures. We dropped into a few free camps to check them out, Granite Creek, Gin Gin and Sharon Nature Park - all worth stopping at another time. We stopped at Monduran Reservoir (Fred Haigh Dam), went to the lookout, had a hairy u-turn on a boat ramp road (and left a few scrape marks in the tar road - we must get a car with higher clearance) because someone had parked on the road near the turnaround. We also saw an aquarium near the camping area of different fish species with one huge barramundi over 1mtr long - he kept looking at Geoff as Geoff looked through the port hole at him. Back on the road and we saw two council road workers at one of the thousands of roadside white poles with the red reflectors - sweeping it with a brush!!! Could it be work-for-dole gone mad? Arrived at Elliott Heads (18kms east of Bundaberg) about 3.30pm and the wind was blowing a gale. Elliott Heads is basically suburban, but where the river mouth meets the ocean is lovely and we walked about 4km along the estuary, over the rocks and the small beach. The wind was still howling when we went to bed.

Photos 13/10/2011

Woke to a beautiful morning, the wind had died down and the sun was shining. We had some shade from some Golden Cane Palms but the caravan park is fairly open, but worth coming back another day. Even if to get a hamburger or fish 'n chips at the take-away at the park entrance. Stopped at the picnic area just out of the caravan park as the tide was in, so a totally different view from yesterday. I am very impressed with Elliott Heads, too bad it is just Bundaberg suburbia, but it does only have two stores, a general store and the take-away so still have a holiday feel about it. After driving along the Esplanade (which is high about the coast which is mostly rock but still very nice), we then diverted to Riverview (we could see yachts moored just a little up the river yesterday) so zigged and zagged around cane field roads till we got there. This is a very pretty spot, most of the houses look more like a village and some modern, not like some rundown fishing shack places where you feel a bit out of place as if a 'stranger' is coming to town. It is just where the river-proper starts. There is no store, but a boat ramp, picnic area with toilets and a huge foreshore section. The ocean and river today are that beautiful turquoise colour. Too bad there wasn't a caravan park there. Headed back to the main road and there was actually a caravan park on another road back, which I think is used by the intinerant workers - I'm glad we stayed where we did, but of course if we ever do some fruit picking, it would probably be OK. Did a u-turn at a gravel section in front of a house which had a sign “eggs for sale, just beep in the driveway loud enough so I can hear you”, talk about 'just-in-time' customer service, how efficient is that little business. Finally got to our destination, Wallum Rest Area, another free camp about 25kms south of Bundaberg. There will be hwy noise, but it is back a lot from the road, there is a lot of shade, has a made road through the picnic area and out again, drop loos, tank water, 20hrs max stay. Downside, the march flies had been waiting for us. Even the insect repellant wore off very quickly and they were biting through clothing. We found a nice shady spot, so all is good. Going to Hervey Bay tomorrow to catch up with Ra and Joh who are there until Sunday.

Photos 14/10/2011

Not a good night sleep for me (Marg) - heard something go bump in the night on the van, then we chased a mossie, then a series of thunderstorms went through - we could almost see 'lightening crack over cane fields' but we were in bed, not on the 'patio'. Luckily it was only close enough twice to feel the ground shudder. We also missed the heavy rain and it drizzled for a few hours. It cleared up as we moved on, but it was very windy. Arrived in Hervey Bay and were about to check in to a caravan park, when Ra rang Geoff and Joh's dad had kindly let us stay in his backyard. It was very windy by this stage, but the sun was shining. Went for a walk with Ra, had a cuppa with Joh and the family and the 4 of us walked to the boat club for dinner. The clouds got darker and then the storms hit. They went for 2 hours and all the patrons were ooing and ahhing each time a lightening bolt hit nearby. The rain was horizontal for some time. At last the courtesy bus resumed and we got back to Joh's dad's 2-storey house and we sat 'out on the patio watching lightening crack' over the water in all directions as the storm cells went out to sea. Simultaneously, we could see fireworks from a wedding on the beachfront restaurant. A spectacular birthday. I'm pleased we were not staying in a caravan park under a tree - or worse in a free camp 'where nobody can hear you scream'.

Photos 15/10/2011

Photos 15/10/11 Lightening

Woke to a beautiful day (as often happens after a storm). Sun was shining and no wind. Went to the Nikenbah markets with Ra, Joh and Shiela (Joh's dads wife) and Geoff bought an angle-grinder cutting disk for $1.50 and I bought 5 hooks for my garage for $1 - last of the big spenders. Said good-bye to Ra and Joh who were going back to Melbourne in the afternoon. We headed down through Maryborough, dropped in to Maaroom, Boonoroo and Tuan on the coast. Beautiful quiet little towns on the Great Sandy Strait, on pristine river inlets and mangroves - again a boaties dream. Decided to move on and stopped at a rest area next to a store about 24km east of Gympie. Privately owned, they provide a grassed area for overnight stays (a bit slopy so we spent 'some' time trying to get the right spot and level the van). I had the best hamburger I've had for a long time and the people were lovely. There was one combi van when we arrived and then a converted land cruiser arrived later driven by Graham who is a mechanical engineer, aroma therapist and massager from Victoria (Dandenongs) who has been on the road for two years and is on his way home now. The road we are on winds through a very pretty valley, so we have a very green sloping hill behind and around us and chooks pecking around us and ponies in another part of the rest area. The road noise is not too back, at least there is no trucks. (By the way it is Grandma McVeigh's 125th birthday today, Happy Birthday Hilda Jane)

Photos 16/10/2011

Woke to a windy, almost drizzly day and watched the pickers pick beans on the hill behind us and then got a wave good-bye from the store owner as we drove out. It's a bit like all roads lead to Gympie, so back in we go. We even took the battery back to Supercheap which we did not need after all and they refunded. Thanks Supercheap for the peace of mind on our trip. Did a small bit of shopping, missed a turn-off, got fuel and we were on our way down the Mary Valley. I can't imagine them even thinking about daming the Mary to flood the valley, it is such a beautiful place and heaps of communities there. Drove through Amamoor which is tiny with one store and service station and a cute park with the old train station (turns out it is a free stop). Drove through Kandanga and found a lovely overnight spot in the town park, with formed sites and some shady trees - 72hrs max stay. Thought about staying but moved on as it was early, hoping our destination was as nice. Went through Imbil to Borumba Dam for a look and lunch then back on the road. Drove though Brooloo (the whole town knows you are there because a dog barks - it does have a bus stop and a fire station and a few houses and nothing else. On to Kenilworth - a much smaller version of Eumundi, cute, small, a couple of cafes, pub, hippy dress shop, some services and a cheese factory with cheese and yoghurt tastings - and two or three bus-loads of 'oldies' on a day out - the place was jumping - or wiggling at least. Went another 8kms to our destination - Little Yabba Creek camp ground. It is in a lovely spot, next to the Little Yabba creek where it joins the Mary river - access to the creek is across the road in the picnic area. Nearby is the Fig Walk which is a boardwalk through the rainforest. As we arrived I got a flashback of a place I'd seen on our travels where there were tents. As we found the walk, I realised this is the place and that we had done the walk before. The overnight stop area is a larged grassed area with perimeter shade trees and large green grassed area (fairly level - yah). There are about 5 other vans. Drop loos, but no drinking water - one of the best overnight stops so far. It is in a beautiful area and from our van window we can see the fig planted by residents in 1937. It is huge. There is also an old 2-storey house, well kept, which was probably the original homestead which does not seem to be fenced off from the park, so maybe owned by forestry. It has drizzled on and off today so we won't see a sunset tonight.

Photos 17/10/2011

Decided to stay another night and the morning looked hopeful, but cloudy, drizzle and sunny all day. Went for a walk to the house, but it looked lived in (pegs on the line), so kept our distance but have not seen anyone. We still think it is a forestry house and that this whole property was once the property of the original bridge builder and planter of the giant fig tree. All the other vans moved out today and we are the only one. We sat around for most of the day, catching glimpses of sun. Geoff listened to his audio stories on his phone and I read our Camps6 book and my gardening book. A nice relaxing day with a beautiful, quiet outlook. And the gas has still held out. One car came in late in the afternoon and didn't see anyone for hours (no other vans which is unusual) and Geoff thought said it was a guy when he saw the person later that night. Thinking the worst that it maybe he a was a drug dealer on the run, or a homeless gypsie, or like the guy at Browns creek, ex-army drifter, we made sure we locked the van. Of course, during the night I heard noises and was sure someone was lurking around.

Photos 18/10/2011

Another still morning, cloudy with the sun peeking out occasionally and then some drizzle. Time to move on. As we packed up I could see the figure near the car. Of course it was female and she looked to be around 50-60yo, from a distance her shape reminded me of 'Patsy Stone' from 'Absolute Fabulous', tall, with her back slightly rounded, but definitely female and with long hair that was partly-twirled up. (She also reminded me of the wife of a dear work colleague who was tall, with striking features, long twirled up hair, lovely lady whose name was also Pat). Anyway, later I could hear Geoff talking to this lady as she walked over towards the river. She would have been at least 70yo, striking features, long hair twirled-up, ex-opal miner from Lightening Ridge, lives in a unit on the Sunshine Coast and has a posh pommie accent and has been to this site many times as she pans for gold specs in the river - and her name was Pat - not the same person, but how spooky is that. Said good-bye and started our climb toward Maleny, a beautiful town high on top of the Blackall Range. The road was good and better than I expected and the van pulled very well, even up the very steep bits. As we'd been to Maleny before, we turned of early to go to the lookout. One of the best lookouts. Looks out to the GlassHouse Mountains and is even better when there is mist. Then headed down the range, towards Woodford, which is now sealed (we travelled it a few years ago when it was gravel). Stopped to have a looke at Cruice Park, another overnighter and had lunch. Would be fine, flush loos (they were building a new amenities block) a little road noise and shade, not a lot of level ground. We were so close to home and, as Geoff said 'when we get that close to home it is like a magnet', we decided to keep going. Stopped at Woodford, a lovely town and saw the Leopard Tank in the town park and the Railway Museum. Again keeping away from the Bruce Highway, we turned off to the Brisbane road, via Mt. Mee. Again steep going up, but the lookout of the GlassHouse Mountains from the south, was just as spectacular as from Maleny. From there we descended into the outer townships of Brisbane, via Samsonvale, Samford Village, then the suburbs and through almost peek hour traffic just west of Brisbane to get on to the Centenary Highway (I think it's called the Western Highway now). Came home via Forest Lake where we stopped at the supermarket - at that point we were 'home'. Got home about 5pm, just in time to see Kristi before she left for her audition at the Gold Coast uni.

Photos 19/10/2011

Found some good free camps, weather was good overall, only two hot days and a few sunny days, one or two days needed long-sleeves, missed all the rain which had followed us up the coast but the wind blew most of the time. Only encountered one storm and it was a doozy, but we were safe indoors. Still searching for that one spot where you'd stay a week and have plenty to explore and walk. Met some lovely people on the way.