Longreach to the Beach

16 - 19 August

We came across a few towns today which were exactly what we had expected to see the whole trip. Real country towns. Small with just one main street. A few shops a couple of pubs and all with a nice feeling.  First one was Barcaldine where we bought bread. It also has the tree of knowledge which is said to be the starting place of the Labour Government.

 

Then we stopped at Jericho. Where we had a look around as it had some interesting murals on the toilets but were told that the next town had more. There was even a drive in movie theatre.

 
We stopped at Alpha which had a number of  murals. We had lunch in a park on the side of the road. Really beautiful.

 

Then we got to Emerald which has a population of about 12000. We were looking forward to seeing both Emerald and Rockhampton because there were a number of cowboys and cowgirls at the Rodeo who came from these two towns.

We stayed at the showgrounds, $20 with good amenities. We decided to have dinner out at a local Chinese restaurant that had been recommended by the guy at the Information centre. Great choice.

They have the big easel with a recreation of a Van Gogh painting.

 

 Next morning we headed to Rockhampton. This place is big, about 65000 people. A bit scary after all the open land we have seen.  I really am becoming a country boy!!

We stayed at the Riverside caravan park. Nice position on the water. this sign was interesting right next to our site.

 

We went for a walk around town the next day. Lots of historic buildings. Really nice town.

They have a free zoo in town as part of the botanic gardens which was great.

 

 

We have been trying to find somewhere to stay around the Sunshine Coast but the prices are ridiculous. We could literally get a week in a 2 bedroom unit for only a few dollars more a night than what they are asking for a powered site and that is at the parks we can get in. Most of them are full. So we have decided on Harvey Bay.

 

We stopped at Tannum Sands for lunch.

 

We visited here when I was a kid but the only thing I remember is that my Dad was absolutely eaten alive by the sand flies here. Sitting here having lunch although the town is now huge the sand flies are still there.

We free camped south of Miriam Vale.

 

The kids did some school work and it started to rain. We have had a great run of fine weather . This is the first rain since Lincoln's birthday in Fremantle on 25 June.

We arrived in Harvey Bay and spent ages trying to find a caravan park. 11 here but most booked out. One we could have stayed in might as well have had a sign saying no kids wanted as they couldn't ride their bikes or scooters, there was no pool and no playground. But we are staying at a nice park with the best amenities we have seen. Close to shops and only a minutes' drive from the beach .

We think we might stay here for five nights and then head down to Eumundi markets very early Saturday morning. Let's see how we go.

It is getting cold. I don't know if the kids will be swimming here or not. Fingers crossed we get one last taste of Summer before heading home.

What a great caravan park in a great town. Much bigger than we imagined about 65000 people.

Across from the caravan park was a section of a lake that had lots of ducks and lots of turtles. When you threw bread in all these turtles would come swimming over for a feed. We hadn't seen anything like it before and all had heaps of fun feeding them.

We walked on the beach but didn't swim as it was too cold. It actually got down to 2 on one of the nights. However the days were in the low to mid 20's.

Went walking on the beach a couple of times.

This was our caravan park. Peter the owner was great with the kids and even gave them all an ice cream after they helped him out with some chores.



We finally found somewhere to go horse riding. I walked along about half way  as I don't think the back would go to well. then went back and sat in the sun reading my book.

When they got back from their ride they were all really excited and a little tired as it was a two hour ride with a morning tea stop by the river for half an hour in the middle of it. The property was magnificent with about 60 horses on the 1600 hectares. There were only the four Watson's on the ride but three girls took them out so everyone had some help. They all got there horses trotting which was very exciting.

 

 

We only stayed four nights at Hervey Bay as we wanted to get closer to Eumundi for the markets on Saturday for an early start. We really enjoyed our time here. Although it hasn't been warm enough to swim we have spent lots of time outside. We have really slowed down and had a relax with not a lot of sightseeing just a lot of chilling.

 

The kids opened their café and made us coffee and snacks one day and a nice cooked brunch of pancakes on another day. I got to read and kick back for a few minutes. TJ even got to the beautician which she has been trying to do for about 5000 kms.

 

Anyway point is we have had a great time here and are sad to leave.