Day 67 - Wednesday 28th July 2021 – Forrest Beach
Today was the day that we departed the Atherton Tablelands and moved back to the beach - at Forrest Beach - near Ingham.
We slept in and departed around 9am - late for us. The 270 km drive was as picturesque as you could imagine. We travelled through rainforests, rolling hills, down steep grades, up steep grade, round twisting bends, along the ocean, passing km after km of sugar cane.
We stopped for morning coffee - and it was excellent - at a small town called Silkwood. I took a photo of the strangest house we have seen on the trip.
This is a wierd house
Cardwell was the lunch stop, where we ate a sandwich overlooking Hinchinbrook Island. It was 27 degrees.
Lunch time view at CaldwellOur next stop was Ingham were I needed to buy a couple of replacement fuses. Long story. While there we were stopped by a sugar-cane train - the same train three times and three level crossings as we left town. Shirley counted 102 cars behind the loco.
Sugar cane train that held us up 3 times
Forrest Beach Hotel Caravan Park was 18 km away and we checked in just before 3pm. We were given vouchers for two free drinks and advised that the dinner special was $10 Mackerel n Chips.It was the longest time ever to set up camp as the friendly neighbours were all after multiple chats. It all started when they said the site was too tight to get or caravan in - and then I did just that. So we were all mates before we had time for a coffee.After a coffee we went for a walk on the beach. I smiled as I saw the (above) "Warning" sign at the entrance to the beach.
Forrest Beach and a Shirley-Shell-Seeker
Forrest Beach Hotel
After a relaxation period we wandered over to the pub and enjoyed our free drink and an excellent dinner of fish n chips.
Today was the day that we departed the Atherton Tablelands and moved back to the beach - at Forrest Beach - near Ingham.
We slept in and departed around 9am - late for us. The 270 km drive was as picturesque as you could imagine. We travelled through rainforests, rolling hills, down steep grades, up steep grade, round twisting bends, along the ocean, passing km after km of sugar cane.
We stopped for morning coffee - and it was excellent - at a small town called Silkwood. I took a photo of the strangest house we have seen on the trip.
Cardwell was the lunch stop, where we ate a sandwich overlooking Hinchinbrook Island. It was 27 degrees.
Our next stop was Ingham were I needed to buy a couple of replacement fuses. Long story. While there we were stopped by a sugar-cane train - the same train three times and three level crossings as we left town. Shirley counted 102 cars behind the loco.
After a relaxation period we wandered over to the pub and enjoyed our free drink and an excellent dinner of fish n chips.
Day 68 - Thursday 29th July 2021 – Forrest Beach
There was a heavy haze over the ocean when I arrived on the chilly beach at 6:30 am. It was impossible to see where the ocean met the sky.
The sun seemed to struggle through the haze and over the distant 'Palm Islands'. Eventually it appeared over the islands and gave me a view that was worthy of getting out of bed early.
After the usual morning stuff we went for a tourist ride to Ingham, effectively turning a 15 minute trip into a 90 minute trip.
Our first stop was 'Taylors Beach' just north of where we were staying. The town had a great caravan park and a good beach.
Next stop was Lucinda, the location of the longest service jetty in the southern hemisphere. At 5.76 km in length it follows the curvature of the earth.
5.76 km Lucinda Jetty
We smiled at a local fisherman who was accompanied by a pelican waiting for someone to catch his lunch.
Fishy sculpture near the above jetty
We headed into Ingham and looked for a coffee shop. While doing that we visited Tyto's Wetlands, the home of many water birds.
Tyto's Wetlands
We found a great coffee shop and enjoyed its excellent coffee & cake. Next door was Mercer's Lane the site of some great painting and mosaics that depicted local history. The coffee shop also had some great art-work.
There was a heavy haze over the ocean when I arrived on the chilly beach at 6:30 am. It was impossible to see where the ocean met the sky.
The sun seemed to struggle through the haze and over the distant 'Palm Islands'. Eventually it appeared over the islands and gave me a view that was worthy of getting out of bed early.
After the usual morning stuff we went for a tourist ride to Ingham, effectively turning a 15 minute trip into a 90 minute trip.
Our first stop was 'Taylors Beach' just north of where we were staying. The town had a great caravan park and a good beach.
Next stop was Lucinda, the location of the longest service jetty in the southern hemisphere. At 5.76 km in length it follows the curvature of the earth.
We found a great coffee shop and enjoyed its excellent coffee & cake. Next door was Mercer's Lane the site of some great painting and mosaics that depicted local history. The coffee shop also had some great art-work.
Day 69 - Friday 30th July 2021 – Bowen
At 8am we left our 21st home of the trip and headed to our 22nd, at Bowen. Our early departure was partly caused by Shirley sneaking out early and my subsequent need to get another sunrise photo. Today I had time for a shower before sunrise. It was less hazy today. The photo below was taken from the same spot as yesterday.
Yesterday I had the beach to myself. Today I share the beach with 40+ people, many of them primary-age children. The reason why was the Aussie army who were doing 'exercises' in the local area. I could include photos of their amphibious craft but I had to sign a confidentiality document. So you miss out.
We departed Forrest Beach and drove past many soldiers along the road. Again I am not allowed to say how many.
Again, we drove though some scenic country and lots of sugar cane - but not many places to stop for a coffee. Eventually we found a service station that had excellent coffee, a good muffin and (or course) a clean toilet.
The Burdekin Bridge came and went - it was an interesting structure.
Burdekin Bridge
We pressed on and drove through market gardens with vegies like tomatoes, capsicums etc, soon arriving in Bowen - after an extraordinary amount of road work. We set up camp and took a photo of a villian who wanted a bit of biscuit. He missed out.
Crested Pigeon
After coffee we went for a drive around Bowen and took a photo of some great views from Flagstaff Hill.
We visited the Information Centre to get some ideas on places to visit - and tried a mango sorbet. Then we headed to the highest part of Bowen and took photos of the murals on the huge water tanks. They were very impressive.
Like a lot of towns in this part of the world there is some important WW II history. Bowen was home to a Catalina (flying boat) base - the Catalina being the most popular flying boat of WW II. This was a poignant reminder for me as my father worked on Catalinas in WW II in his role with the RAAF.
We relaxed at camp before a fine dinner of rissoles and vegies.
At 8am we left our 21st home of the trip and headed to our 22nd, at Bowen. Our early departure was partly caused by Shirley sneaking out early and my subsequent need to get another sunrise photo. Today I had time for a shower before sunrise. It was less hazy today. The photo below was taken from the same spot as yesterday.
Yesterday I had the beach to myself. Today I share the beach with 40+ people, many of them primary-age children. The reason why was the Aussie army who were doing 'exercises' in the local area. I could include photos of their amphibious craft but I had to sign a confidentiality document. So you miss out.
We departed Forrest Beach and drove past many soldiers along the road. Again I am not allowed to say how many.
Again, we drove though some scenic country and lots of sugar cane - but not many places to stop for a coffee. Eventually we found a service station that had excellent coffee, a good muffin and (or course) a clean toilet.
The Burdekin Bridge came and went - it was an interesting structure.
Like a lot of towns in this part of the world there is some important WW II history. Bowen was home to a Catalina (flying boat) base - the Catalina being the most popular flying boat of WW II. This was a poignant reminder for me as my father worked on Catalinas in WW II in his role with the RAAF.
We relaxed at camp before a fine dinner of rissoles and vegies.
Day 70 - Saturday 31st July 2021 – Bowen
The last day of our tenth week started with a (would you believe) a sunrise photo. Three days in a row. But not tomorrow.
I was on top of Flagstaff Hill at 6:30 am for the photo below............
Although the clouds look a bit ominous the forecast is for a lovely day. And that was how the day panned out.
After breakfast we went for a scenic tourist drive, checking out all of the beaches and making some plans for next time. We went for a walk at each location to verify the quality of the beaches.
At Horseshoe Bay we walked up to the lookout and admired the view - and took a photo.
View from Horseshow Bay Lookout
It was time for coffee so we headed back to the camp for a quick stop. Then it was time for murals. Bowen has followed the 'Silo Art Trail' idea from Victoria and NSW and has many murals on many walks around town, plus the water tank murals mentioned above. Most of the murals depicted a piece of local history.
The following is a sample of what we saw.
If you want to see more art works please click here.
Shirley mentioned that the fish n chip shop near the wharf was supposed to be pretty good, so we headed there for lunch. The Spanish Mackerel was superb.
View while eating fish n chipsWe now needed another walk so we strolled out the 450 metres long wharf. We saw lots of mini fish and one good sized Garfish, and a 'Pied Oystercatcher'.
Pied Oystercatcher
A couple of kites circled overhead as if we had some food for them - which we did not.
After a restful period I got bored an cooked some apple, date & cinnamon muffins. I used dates instead of the recipe-suggestion of raisons. We got talking to a neighbour and they were left in the oven a bit too long. But they tasted great.
We finished the day with a bbq-cooked meal of barramundi and salad. We bought it on the wharf and it was excellent.
The last day of our tenth week started with a (would you believe) a sunrise photo. Three days in a row. But not tomorrow.
I was on top of Flagstaff Hill at 6:30 am for the photo below............
Although the clouds look a bit ominous the forecast is for a lovely day. And that was how the day panned out.
After breakfast we went for a scenic tourist drive, checking out all of the beaches and making some plans for next time. We went for a walk at each location to verify the quality of the beaches.
At Horseshoe Bay we walked up to the lookout and admired the view - and took a photo.
It was time for coffee so we headed back to the camp for a quick stop. Then it was time for murals. Bowen has followed the 'Silo Art Trail' idea from Victoria and NSW and has many murals on many walks around town, plus the water tank murals mentioned above. Most of the murals depicted a piece of local history.
The following is a sample of what we saw.
If you want to see more art works please click here.
Shirley mentioned that the fish n chip shop near the wharf was supposed to be pretty good, so we headed there for lunch. The Spanish Mackerel was superb.
We now needed another walk so we strolled out the 450 metres long wharf. We saw lots of mini fish and one good sized Garfish, and a 'Pied Oystercatcher'.
After a restful period I got bored an cooked some apple, date & cinnamon muffins. I used dates instead of the recipe-suggestion of raisons. We got talking to a neighbour and they were left in the oven a bit too long. But they tasted great.
We finished the day with a bbq-cooked meal of barramundi and salad. We bought it on the wharf and it was excellent.
Day 71 - Sunday 1st August 2021 – Airlie Beach
We had less than 80 to drive for the day so it was a casual start. However, we could not afford to take too much time as the Bowen Sunday market was on. Before we could visit the market we visited the fish shop and bought two one-kg slabs of Barramundi. They just fit in the fridge freezer.
Around 8:30 we found a parking spot for car and caravan close to the market.
Vegetable & fruit supplies were restocked. Clothes were bought. Great live music was enjoyed.
A road side stop was employed just outside Bowen to give us a seat for a thermos coffee and an apple & date muffin.
We were at Airlie Beach by 11am and visited the tourist information centre in town first - before checking in to Site 45. It was a big disappointment.
Darryl found us before we had put the caravan on the site. Camp was established, lunch was had, rest happened.
Sometime mid afternoon David & Bev arrived and set up camp beside us. Lots of stories were swapped over the afternoon.
Shirley and I provided fresh prawns for Happy hour. I shelled them for everyone.
We had less than 80 to drive for the day so it was a casual start. However, we could not afford to take too much time as the Bowen Sunday market was on. Before we could visit the market we visited the fish shop and bought two one-kg slabs of Barramundi. They just fit in the fridge freezer.
Around 8:30 we found a parking spot for car and caravan close to the market.
Vegetable & fruit supplies were restocked. Clothes were bought. Great live music was enjoyed.
A road side stop was employed just outside Bowen to give us a seat for a thermos coffee and an apple & date muffin.
We were at Airlie Beach by 11am and visited the tourist information centre in town first - before checking in to Site 45. It was a big disappointment.
Darryl found us before we had put the caravan on the site. Camp was established, lunch was had, rest happened.
Sometime mid afternoon David & Bev arrived and set up camp beside us. Lots of stories were swapped over the afternoon.
Shirley and I provided fresh prawns for Happy hour. I shelled them for everyone.
Shirley cooked fried rice for dinner.
Shirley cooked fried rice for dinner.
Day 72 - Monday 2nd August 2021 – Airlie Beach
The sunny day started (for me) around 8am. Shirley's start was some time later, closer to 9am.
It was late morning before we got our act together and headed 55 km north to Cape Gloucester Resort for lunch - on Kay and Darryl's recommendation.
We stopped at 'Dingo Beach' and admired the view.
Dingo Beach
We had a quick look at the beach at 'Hydeaway Bay' and headed on to Cape Gloucester Resort, via some gravel road.
The venue for lunch was on a verandah overlooking the beach and the Whitsunday water. The food was superb.
The views here were all impressive, with many distant hills and islands to be seen.
Beach at Cape Gloucester Resort
We stopped at Hydeaway Bay for a look at the beach.
Rocky beach at Hydeaway Bay
We were back at camp by 3:30 where we had coffee and did a few maintenance jobs, such as fixing a loose rear vision mirror and replacing a couple of rivets in the caravan front window shade.
Dinner was a snack after our excellent lunch.
The sunny day started (for me) around 8am. Shirley's start was some time later, closer to 9am.
It was late morning before we got our act together and headed 55 km north to Cape Gloucester Resort for lunch - on Kay and Darryl's recommendation.
We stopped at 'Dingo Beach' and admired the view.
We had a quick look at the beach at 'Hydeaway Bay' and headed on to Cape Gloucester Resort, via some gravel road.
The venue for lunch was on a verandah overlooking the beach and the Whitsunday water. The food was superb.
The views here were all impressive, with many distant hills and islands to be seen.
We stopped at Hydeaway Bay for a look at the beach.
We were back at camp by 3:30 where we had coffee and did a few maintenance jobs, such as fixing a loose rear vision mirror and replacing a couple of rivets in the caravan front window shade.
Dinner was a snack after our excellent lunch.
Day 73 - Tuesday 3rd August 2021 – Airlie Beach
Another slow start for Shirley, while I went for a 4 km walk. The cold showers meant a rescheduling of that activity. However, all went well, breakfast happened and we headed into Airlie Beach township with David & Bev. It is a lovely smallish tourist town to walk around.
We check out the man-made lagoon and the natural harbour. Both were picturesque.
Above: Man-made lagoon Below: Natural harbour
We walked down the street and smiled at the three Aussie-animal floats that chuffed passed while playing Slim Dusty music out loud - promoting a local festival.
David, our chauffer, took us out to Shute Harbour and we loved the view and were impressed at the harbour-works that were in progress.
Another slow start for Shirley, while I went for a 4 km walk. The cold showers meant a rescheduling of that activity. However, all went well, breakfast happened and we headed into Airlie Beach township with David & Bev. It is a lovely smallish tourist town to walk around.
We check out the man-made lagoon and the natural harbour. Both were picturesque.
We walked down the street and smiled at the three Aussie-animal floats that chuffed passed while playing Slim Dusty music out loud - promoting a local festival.
Shute Harbour
Afternoon brought the need for a swim in the superb pool and it was great. Soon it was time to prepare for dinner. Our slabs of Barra were defrosted and had been cut into 8 pieces (two spare). Darryl was the chef and he did a great job. The troops were happy. Wine was involved.
Afternoon brought the need for a swim in the superb pool and it was great. Soon it was time to prepare for dinner. Our slabs of Barra were defrosted and had been cut into 8 pieces (two spare). Darryl was the chef and he did a great job. The troops were happy. Wine was involved.
Day 74 - Wednesday 4th August 2021 – Cape Hillsborough
It was a "no nonsense" day with a casual start, 9am departure, a look around Proserpine, a drive further south and a 1:30 check in at Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort.
It was a slow afternoon, a walk on the beach, a miss on Happy Hour and some snags for dinner.
The local kangaroos were very friendly and are known for pinching food that is left outdoors.
Cape Hillsborough Beach
It was a "no nonsense" day with a casual start, 9am departure, a look around Proserpine, a drive further south and a 1:30 check in at Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort.
It was a slow afternoon, a walk on the beach, a miss on Happy Hour and some snags for dinner.
The local kangaroos were very friendly and are known for pinching food that is left outdoors.
Day 75 - Thursday 5th August 2021 – Cape Hillsborough
My phone advised me that it was 11 degrees C at 6:20 am this morning as I walked on to the beach. There were maybe 20 people taking photos of the (maybe) ten kangaroos, who seemed intent on partaking of some salt moisture.
As the sun rose the kangaroos headed to dryer and cooler places - or maybe they could smell the breakfast coming from caravans.
It was 6:50 am as I reached the caravan and I took the opportunity to slip back into bed for another 90 minutes.
Above & Below: Cape Hillsborough Sunrise
There were maybe 20 people taking photos of the (maybe) ten kangaroos, who seemed intent on partaking of some salt moisture.
As the sun rose the kangaroos headed to dryer and cooler places - or maybe they could smell the breakfast coming from caravans.
It was 6:50 am as I reached the caravan and I took the opportunity to slip back into bed for another 90 minutes.
The day restarted some time later, maybe around 8:30 am. After morning coffee five of us headed off on foot for the "Beachcomber Cove" walk. It ended up being a picturesque walk going out through a dry rainforest, and coming back along the beach.
Having a rest at the half-way mark
Emerging from the rain-forest over pebbles
As we headed home we watched a "sand sailor" do his stuff on the sand. It was impressive.
After lunch Shirley and I went for a drive and checked out a few local spots. On the way back we did the 1.2 km "Diversity Boardwalk" walk. It provided significant information on the role of diversity in coastal regions.
Dry rainforest on the Diversity Boardwalk
A rock of cultural significance by the original people of the area.The white mass around the bottom of the rock is all sea shells.
By the time we gathered for Happy Hour - and discussed the latest COVID lockdown in Melbourne - it was cool enough for track-suits and warmer clothes. No photos were allowed to be included in the blog.
By the time we gathered for Happy Hour - and discussed the latest COVID lockdown in Melbourne - it was cool enough for track-suits and warmer clothes. No photos were allowed to be included in the blog.
Day 76 - Friday 6th August 2021 – Cape Hillsborough
The washing was on the line by 8am and breakfast happened soon after. The tide times decided that afternoon scones became morning scones, as our preferred walk of the day needed to be at low tide (3:30 pm).
As it is now the custom the scones were made outside to avoid caravan mess. This allowed a couple of feathered friends to have a morning tea of a few specs of flour.
Our entertainment during scones was a flock of birds that did some aerobatics for us. We believe them to be 'Woodswallows', maybe 'white breasted woodswallow'. If you know better please let me know.
White breasted Woodswallow
The scones went down well.
I washed the top of the awning 20 minutes before the camp maintenance man cut the grass and used the blower to clean up the mess (and distribute dust). However all was OK.
After lunch Shirley, Darryl, David and I set off for a decent walk. First we walked along the beach, then we crossed the causeway to 'Wedge Island'. It was a rocky walk and ankles were a concern. However we enjoyed the stroll.
Rocky view from Wedge Island
On our return across the causeway I headed up the steep hill onto the 'Andrews Point Track', while the others headed back to camp. The views I saw on my extended walk were impressive, not to mention the giant tortoises (that I did not get on camera). The walk ended up at just over 5 km - most of it across rocks or on a hilly surface.
Wedge Island from high above. Causeway from bottom left.
By the time we packed ready for a 'morrow departure it was time to group for Happy Hour. Most of us were 'rugged up' as the easterly breeze was chilly.
Wedge Island from high above. Causeway from bottom left.By the time we packed ready for a 'morrow departure it was time to group for Happy Hour. Most of us were 'rugged up' as the easterly breeze was chilly.
Day 77 - Saturday 7th August 2021 – St Lawrence
I was up at at 7:15 am but let Shirley snooze until she woke around 8am. We did not have far to go so that seemed fair. We departed around 9am and drifted south.
I stopped to take a photo of a sugar cane harvester and learned a lot from that stoppage. I will add some more details when I get some time.
Sugar cane being harvested into a trailer behind a tractor. The top section is retained, for the making of raw sugar, and the lower section is left behind - often to be collected and sold as cane mulch. Bunnings sell heaps of it.
We used the Mackay bypass and did not see that city. Our first stop was at Sarina for coffee and we enjoyed some of the local art work.
Above & below: Street art in Sarina
As we had plenty of time we detoured and visited Cape Palmerston and walked on their excellent beach.
Cape Palmerston beach
In due course we arrived at our overnight stop in St Lawrence and parked beside our four friends - and paid our $13 for the night.
After a rest and a coffee David and I went for a walk to check out the so-called 'wetlands'. They were short of water but did have enough to keep a selection of water birds happy - as seen below.
Happy Hour was enjoyed until it was time for dinner and we all moved into our respective caravans. Shirley and I were able to master the showers that were $1 for three minutes.
This is the end of chapter 11. After 11 weeks we have travelled 8400 km which is around 109 km per day. It is about to reduce with 3 weeks of more relaxation at Yeppoon. We have moved 25 times.
*** This chapter is NOW Complete - Last updated 3:30 pm 8 August ***
Happy Hour was enjoyed until it was time for dinner and we all moved into our respective caravans. Shirley and I were able to master the showers that were $1 for three minutes.
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