Home at Last

Better late than never - my final blog for 2014.

Friday, 5^th September - Unfortunately the tide was out at Tin Can Bay so a paddle was not possible, but we both enjoyed a great bike ride on the concrete path down to the pelican feeding area, and back up the inlet to the dolphin feeding ramp.    Our timing did not coincide with either feeding, but the pathway did come back on to the main road near the bakery, and then it was a very short ride back to the caravan to enjoy the treats.

We discovered that the plovers were protecting 4 new chicks, and we were entertained for some time as the parents escorted them on their morning outing.     When another bird came too close, one parent would screech loudly and the chicks immediately dropped down and hid in the grass.   

Great spot in the overflow area

Saturday morning we were both awake quite early, so were on the road by 8am.   Gympie was just half an hour away, then we joined the traffic on the Bruce Highway.    Just 10 minutes from home, our first traffic jam in many months - welcome back to the big smoke!

We arrived home at 11 am and the van was reversed into its parking area on the driver’s first attempt – a very fine effort.    Sunday was Fathers’ Day, and we had a great time catching up with family over a bbq lunch, and Sunday night dinner with Mum and Dad.

Our 6 month and 1 week journey has come to an end.    We have travelled around 21,000 km’s and seen so much of this wonderful country.    We hope to have a short trip to the north coast of NSW before December, then the van will be covered until we begin our travels in 2015 (after the birth of our first grandchild in early March).

Almost Home

We left Cairns a week ago and have enjoyed warm, sunny days all the way south.   Our overnight on Thursday was the Big4 at Rollingstone, just north of Townsville.   The park was not as busy as June last year, and luckily there were no midges.

On Friday we took the bypass road around Townsville, which gave a good view of all the new suburbs in that city.   The countryside around Townsville was noticeably greener this year.  Our lunch stop was at Bowen, where the foreshore has been repaired after its destruction during Cyclone Yasi (I think that was the right cyclone).

The Pyramid, south of Cairns

Foreshore at Bowen

Just north of Proserpine we turned off to Hydeaway Bay, which is at the northern end of the Whitsundays.   We were fortunate to find a site there as it was a special local yachting weekend.   The site was challenging as it sloped sharply to the back, and the vans were close enough for us to inhale a neighbour’s cigarette smoke.

Hydeaway Bay

 

On Saturday morning we drove to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.    It is our 38^th wedding anniversary today, so that is how long it is since our last visit to Airlie Beach – on our honeymoon.  It was market day, and on our walk to that area we were lucky enough to see some tandem skydivers “drop in” on the nearby oval.   We had a very pleasant café lunch in the now completed main street, and returned to the van in time to read the Sunday Mail and have a rest.

Shute Harbour

 

Perfect Landing

Airlie Beach accommodation

We were on the road by 8.30 am on Sunday morning (brownie points earned for early starts).  It was a 4 hour drive through Proserpine, Ingham and Sarina to Waverly Creek, just south of St Lawrence, an overnight stopping area purpose built for caravans at one end and trucks the other.   Another 6 vans, 1 tent and a Wicked camper shared the good sized area.

Waverly Creek overnight stop

Another early start on Monday morning, stopping at Rockhampton for fuel.  There was a lot of construction work on the southern entry to Rockhampton, to build a new road over Yeppen Crossing which hopefully will not flood.    The next 100 k’s to the Gladstone turnoff was very familiar – just a couple of new sections of road, otherwise not much has changed in 40 years.

Flood-proofing Yeppen Crossing

Calliope River (can just see the old crossing)

Just north of Benaraby we turned off to Lake Awoonga Caravan Park, just 12 k’s away.  The dam was opened in March 1985, which was during our time in Gladstone, but we have never been in to see it.    There are lots of picnic areas there, and must be a popular spot for locals in summer.  On Tuesday morning I did my last caravan park wash for the trip, and Brian enjoyed a 2 hour paddle on the lake.   The wind had increased for his return – he said it was almost a surf.

Lake Awoonga

Dam wall and spillway to the left

Wednesday was quite cool and windy, but we drove in to Gladstone for a harbour coffee cruise on one of the ferries.   We went past the new coal loading wharves and the 4 LNG plants being constructed on Curtis Island – there must be a lot of money in gas when you see the extent of the construction.   The amount of new industry in the area is incredible.   

Harbour Ferry - Coffee Cruise

Old Auckland Creek Wharf

New coal loading wharf - Mt Larcom in background

Curtis Island LNG plant construction

Auckland Creek - our house has gone - land still for sale

Harbour view from Auckland Point Lookout

Brian's old house

Our drive today to Tin Can Bay was very challenging – many stoppages for road works, lots of traffic and a Bruce Highway in need of lots of work.  We took the back road through Maryborough which passes lots of pine plantations.  We are in an unpowered overflow area at the Top Tourist Park here, close to the water and a walking track back in to the township.   The only drawback is a couple of nesting plovers who are guarding their territory very well, and I think the midges might visit at dusk.

Tomorrow Brian is hopeful the kayak will have its last outing, and maybe the bikes will be in use for what will be the last full day of our amazing 6 month journey.

Sunny Cairns

The weather finally improved for our last 5 days at Lake Tinnaroo.   I enjoyed a couple of bike rides in to Yungaburra and Brian explored more of the lake in his kayak.

Finally, a nice sunset (and I discovered a "Sunset" setting on my new camera)

Off to explore Lake Tinnaroo

On Sunday 17^th August we drove to Mareeba to have lunch with friends John and Heather (Brian and John had worked together in Gladstone in the mid 70’s).  Their beautiful home overlooked Mareeba and the hinterland, and the infinity pool looked very inviting.     The kangaroos came in to graze later in the afternoon and drank from the bird bath which was on a pedestal.

Monday was Vietnam Veterans’ Day (Long Tan).   A gentleman visiting the Afghanistan Memorial opposite the caravan park produced a trumpet and played the last post – very moving.

Memorial to those killed in Afghanistan (opened during our stay last June)

Tuesday morning Brian left for an early morning paddle, then we drove through Malanda and Millaa Millaa to the Mungalli Creek Dairy for a delicious lunch.    Our view from the verandah was directly to the western side of Mt Bartle Frere.   On our return to Lake Tinnaroo we took a detour to the Nerada Tea Plantation where we were told there were tree kangaroos.   Luckily, one hungry fellow was still out late in the afternoon, so I was very pleased to have my first glimpse of one of these creatures.

Mt Bartle Frere

 

Tree kangaroo

Thursday was just a short drive (100 k’s) through Mareeba and down the Kuranda Range to the Crystal Cascades Caravan Park at Redlynch – our third stay at this beautifully kept park.   On Saturday Les and Pauline were kind enough to drive us to lunch at Cazaly’s (Cairns AFL) Club for lunch where I had a chance meeting with Sue, with whom I had worked at ANZ in the late 80’s.    Our children had gone to Woree School together.    After lunch we had a quick stop at Rusty’s Markets for some fresh veg and avocados, then down to the Esplanade where we were introduced to Movenpick icecream – very nice.

Our favourite site at Crystal Cascades

On Monday Pauline and I had a lovely day out at Cairns DFO then in to Cairns Central Shopping Centre.    A few purchases were made, but it was nice to browse the shops, especially those not found in Brisbane.

 

The weather continued to be perfect, so on Tuesday we had a nostalgic drive in to Cairns city, past the old Customs House (which is still a Chinese restaurant), then out to Palm Cove for lunch.  The almond trees at Palm Cover brought back memories of Weipa and the green ants that lived in the trees.   I have ridden the bike a couple of times here as there is a great bike path near the park which follows Freshwater Creek. 

Freshwater Creek

Beach at Palm Cove

Private pools at Peppers Resort, Palm Cove

Almond Trees

Today has been another typical Cairns winter’s day – warm and clear blue sky – but all good things must come to an end.  Tomorrow we head south on the Bruce Highway for our return to Brisbane, due home on 6^th September in time for Father’s Day on the 7^th.