Today we travelled to Mission beach. We thought it would  be helpful to stay in the area where Cyclone Yasi did much of its damage. As we drive up the road to Tully we start to see houses that are still collapsed, and many that are missing some bits of roof. Also see a shed that is still wrapped around a tree, just like tinfoil. Hard to believe that the cyclone was in February (4 months ago). 

At Tully we climbed the Big Gumboot. This was over 7 metres tall, which was the amount of rain that Tully received in one year! Tully is another sugar cane town. Many of the small towns up here are based around a sugar mill. And when I say based, the sugar mill is in the middle of town, puffing out smoke and steam, right next to the main street. Also the main way the cane is transported once cut, is by train. So also the railway runs right down the middle of the road and into the middle of town.

Drove out to Mission Beach (as it is a bit off the highway), and started seeing slow down signs, so as not to run over the Cassowary.   For most of us Australians we are used to signs saying watch out for Koala's (don't want to kill an Aussie Icon), Kangaroos (make a mess of the front of the car), but these are big birds, (size of an emu). Also an endangered species with only 1500 left in the world, so don't want to be responsible for killing one! Anyway we did not come across one, but I will post the picture when I get a chance as they were real cool road signs.

At Mission beach the Caravan park was now fairly back to normal, some areas still closed, but we saw some pictures of the damage, and gee what a mess that would have been to clean up.

I heard also that Dunk Island (an Aussie Iconic place to go), is now going to be closed indefinitely as too expensive to clean up and recreate. I do hope this is not true, but only time will tell.

 

Another day in the Sun. First stop for the day was some Office work and homework for the kids. Unfortunately life still goes on!

Then we drove into Townsville to check out Castle hill which  is an isolated pink granite monolith standing in the heart of the  city of Townsville. Fantastic views from the top. Once we had done a short walk around we visited the beach. Well really the man made lagoon (as see earlier point/ post on swimming in the ocean). Kids enjoyed some R&R time and and icecream shop where they could choose not only the icecream but the chocolate additions that got mixed up with it ( like Cold Rock for those in the know).

 

Up the next morning and on the move again. This time to move up to Townsville.

Finally getting a bit warmer, and I can finally remove the winter pj's. Pretty much spent all day driving up to Townsville.

We're staying on the north side of town this time, and all the roads seemed to have changed from the GPS in the car so there were some worrying moments when we thought we'd become lost!

Off the next day to Magnetic Island, so named as Captain Cook thought the Island affected his compass. We caught the car ferry, an experience in itself, over to the Island. Thought it would be better having the car. As it turned out, while not the cheapest option, it was certainly the most sensible, as the island while not too large, was quite hilly. Also, some of the more interesting places were on roads that were not available to be driven on by rental cars.

First stop was a short walk, well we thought a short walk, to the forts. These are fortifications built in the 2nd world war, when the Aussies thought the Japanese were coming. While never used, they were certainly very robust and solid things. Our short walk took a couple of hours, up hill and down dale, but fantastic views, Koalas in the trees, and enough interesting stuff to keep the kids going.

After the walk we drove down to one of the more remote beaches, Florence Bay, for lunch. Beautiful little bay, but from what we could read about it, it was not such a great place when the wind comes up. Good for picnic lunch though.

Back around to Horseshoe bay, which was supposed to be the big centre, supposed to be. Here we did find the icecream shop, the lifeguard, and of course the stinger net. What, may you NZ'ers ask is a stinger net. Well, it seems the more north you go in Australia, the nicer the weather and the beaches. BUT there is a catch. In summer the beaches are unswimmable due to stinging (and some deadly) jelly fish. Who in their right mind has a country where it is damn hot, lovely beach but no swimming allowed in the summer. Of course you can swim in the winter and some do, mainly Poms, NZ'ders and South Australians who think it is warm!

Bit of a drive back to the other side of the island, actually the other end, approx 20km. One thing that did strike me as strange was the island was very rocky, not what I was expecting at all.

Finally back on the late ferry and back to the van park for some R&R! 

 

 

 

 

Travelled up to the Whitsundays via the Bruce Highway, arriving Wednesday afternoon (20th). Was a fairly uneventful trip.

Booked into the Big4 Adventure park, bit costly for our budget but a fantastic park to stay at. Great pool for the kids with water slides, mini golf, movies on an out door movie screen, and of course a fab playground and bouncy pillow.

Decided to do a trip to Day Dream island on Thursday, which we got all prepared for, only to arrive at the ferry terminal to be told the boat had broken down, so moved to Saturday ...

Spend rest of the day at the lagoon in town, man made as in the summer you can not swim in the ocean due to stingers (Stinging Jellyfish). Bit of mucking around, a swim and mini golf finished the day off nicely.

Friday we went to the Reef for the day. Em and Tony got a bit unwell (just feeling unwell) on the way out, be all good once we reached the reef. Of course took the glass bottomed boat, the semi sub, for the kids. Also went for a snorkel, which Charlotte was a star at. She loved it and loved seeing all the reef and various fish. Harry drunk half the ocean in his attempt, and Emily enjoyed the first 5 minutes and then wanted to get out!

Long day but smiles all round.

Today, got to do our trip to Day Dream Island. Due to the stuff up with the boat , Josie had negotiated free luch which was very pleasent having Saturday luch of fresh Ocean Trout, Yummy.

Had a swim and checked out the man made reef and the Mini golf course. They had 19 holes of Australian things, eg the Opera House, Ned Kelly, The Whitsundays, etc all made into models and humps for the mini golf.

BAck home for a movie at the park and then off to bed.

 

Monday (18th July)

Pack up and head north to Seventy Seventy after a quick visit to the food and drink store.  Cool name aye? According to the Lonely Planet book this was just a small local town.  Shame now this is a tourist mecca with a large number of apartments etc. 1770 was not quite so bad as the town itself is very small, but next to it or very close is the Town of Angnes Waters and it was very  busy and touristy.

Oh, the town is called 1770 as it is when Captain Cook arrived in Queensland for the first time. Spent the total of one night there (well he left 4:30 am the next morning ...).

We had a walk on the headland overlooking Bustard Bay, and then a quick drink at the Pub which overlooked the bay and the setting sun. Wonder what the other half were doing today??

Back to our cheap camp site ($21 for the night) in the middle of nowhere. But lovely spot with only 2 other neighbours. Got the kids to do some more homework (or school work), yes this still does exist, before dinner and settling down for the night. Only issue with this place was the kids did not like the pit toilets. Think they are being a bit soft, I remember dealing with much smellier ones in my time ( but as Josie reminds me I was most likely a bit older). Still cheap and all good.

Up the next day to travel to Whitsundays with a stop along the way as too far for one day. Josie found some very cool caves to visit (Olsen caves), on the way. Guide books are good for something after all.

One of the caves they called the Cathedral Cavern. Apparently they have weddings here, but more importantly the cave had near perfect acoustics (apparently the same, or better than the Sydney Opera House). This soulds like a bold claim but they played some music and I would have to agree they were pretty good.

Back on the road and we travelled to our first night free camping near St Lawrence. Had a slight issue as we missed the turn off and had to back track 20km or so. Were a bit worried as were told not to stay anywhere there was no one else by 4pm and we were arriving just on dark. Got there though and there were approx 30-40 other Vans, Cars, trucks and even a boat. So first night of free camping turned out to be a sucess. (oh yes free camping means just that no cost or very small ,minmal donation/ charge). All very good and clean, showers only $1 for hot water!

 

 

Saturday... Visit the Eumundi Market in the morning for Josie to do some purchasing. Found a cool wind decoration that should look good on the front porch ! Markets were bigger than I expected but as we needed to head north, and the rain was still falling we headed back to the van to pack up and head north to Bundaberg.

Bit of a drive but arrived in time to drop the Van at the Big 4 Caravan park and scoot down to the Bundaberg Ginger Beer factory for a tour (and you all thought I'd go straight to the Rum factory!). The Ginger Beer factory was an interesting visit. I learnt that the Ginger Beer (and the othe r 20 or so drinks they make) is not related at all to the famous Bundabeerg Rum. Also did you know that, the Bundaberg ginger Beer is one of the few that is still brewed naturally. Most softdrinks are just water, sugar, flavour and colour, but not at this place. Alll natural ingredients. At one stage I thought they must be crazy as the brewing process actually makes alcohol, which they remove. But on trying the finished products, all was OK.  

after, we drove down to the beach (if you could call it that as very rocky with admittadly some small sandy patches), and then over and checked out the local port. The was one huge shed that was full of sugar. We saw a truck doing some deliveries and it looked like a little toy beside the size of the shed. Every thing is big in Australia.

Next morning, we did go to the Rum factory (well what would a visit to Bundaberg be with out a visit). Did the factory tour which was very interesting to most, but a bit too long for Emily (45 minutes was her limit). Got to see the bond store with thousands of litres of Rum (and hundreds of Millions of Dollars worth). Interestinging no photos allowed, or batteries near the store as they were a bit concerned about the place going boom with all the alcohol in the air. Of course got to do the obligitory 2 drinks after the tour (11am and we are already on the drink).

Funny, after starting the day with a couplpe of rums, the the rest of the day will filled very easily with some shopping, a swim, and dinner.

Finally it looks like the rain has left us with a dry day, but still rather cold in the evenings.

We spent most of Wednesday travelling from Coffs to Noosa. Thought it was a smart idea to stay a bit further north, but it was a long drive up the coast. My lack of navigation skills in Brisbane did not help. Thought I knew where I was going but we ended up missing the Gateway bridge turn off and then ended up in the middle of Brisbane with the Van on the back. Not to worry, 10 K or so of start stop traffic and we were back on the M1 (motorway). I said to Josie how strange it was the trucks all seemed to have disappeared. Obviously they knew where they were going!

We drove past the Ettamogah Pub, which apparently is the most photographed pub in Australia. We did not bother with the attached fun park, just a quick photo shoot.

Arrived in Noosa about 6:30, just on dark. No issues.

Noosa ... spent Thursday looking around Noosa and doing some shopping. the kids even got a quick swim in. Bit warmer here than Lochinvar. But not as warm as I thought, especially at night. Still really jeans weather, but the locals say this is the coldest weather in a number of years (sounds like the story I hear each time we go to NZ!). Also went for a visit to the National park, which had excellent walking tracks in the rain forest and also along the coast.

Stopped by an Ice cream shop (recommended by Scott A) and enjoyed the fab food. I am begining  to wonder if this trip is going to be a childs holiday by ice cream shops!

Lucky us, for the park had special visit of a Pizza shop that evening so easy dinner.

Today, Friday,there was a bit of rain happening. We went and checked out the local boat Marina and shops, and then the local Ginger Factory. Had a ride on the Ginger train (yes a real old train), and did the touristy find the Gingerbread man ride. Best part was the rugby game with the Kiwis, vs the Gingeroos! Of course ate Ginger icecream!

 

Well here we are then, finally managed to get away on day 1. The was a definate moment there were it all became too hard and we nearly postponed till tomorrow. Drove up to Coffs harbour via fares (approx 400kms). Managed to steal some of Margarets baking on the way past. Fantastic As she gave some pasta sauce which made a great dinner . Tomorrow of to Noosa hopefully a bit warmer as it is dam cold here in coffs, I think colder than home! Posted by phone.

While since update but we are still working on the preparations.

Have updated the car with some new toys, the roof tent, the Roof Pod, the extra Battery - starting to look like a car fit for the trip.

Good news on Harrys Arm, sounds like all is going well and the plaster should be coming off in a couple of weeks, just in time to start travelling. But Gee there is still an awful lot to organise.

Also working on tidying up the house in prep for the party, no peace for the wicked as they say.