Wednesday 29th May - Departed Theresa Creek and drove the short distance into the town of Clermont - we had been told that the show was on and that Wed was the last day - little did we know that it was also a district public holiday for the show, and that the town would be almost deserted with most shops closed, and everyone out at the showgrounds. After paying our $5 per person at the gate, we ventured in and parked beside some vehicles with working cattle dogs and border collies in the back - soooo cute. The show was a mini version of the Easter Show, with lots of rides, show bags, and animal competitions. There was also cake judging, kids art displays, and woodchopping (which was interesting to see both young and old blokes taking massive chunks out of the lumps of wood). There were also a kids animal petting zoo, camel rides and show jumping in the main arena. A great day and fun to see how the country people celebrate their shows. From here we headed for Moranbah, a town built for the local coal mines simply to house the people about 35 years ago - currently a population of about 7,000.
Thursday - left Moranbah and headed for Sarina back on the coast. On the way, we passed some mountains that were poking up from the plains - obviously volcano plugs that had not been eroded away yet.
Stopped off for a coffe at a very small town of Coulston River, and got talking to the lady who also made leather products, and her husband made carvings in the leather. Di bought a nice belt, and I got a new parrotfish leather wallet - quite unique. From here we drove down the mountain and into Sarina, just south of Mackay and then went out to the coast, and had a quick look around Campwin lookout across to Grasstree Beach.
Had lunch on the grass by the beach,
and then went to Hay Point where the coal is loaded onto the ships at Dalrymple Bay. Did a very steep walk up the hill to the lookout to see the coal loading operations - massive - 85 million tonnes per year gets exported. From here we drove back inland looking for a place to camp - found a good spot behind the General Gordon hotel in Homebush for $10 and had a few drinks with the locals before bed.
Friday - left the hotal and headed to Mackay to have a look around. First stop was the Artspace gallery, which was a bit like the contempary art gallery (weird crazy stuff they call art), and then went to the beaches north of the town, starting at Shoal Point where the tide was out.
Next stop was Bucasia at a park, and then onto Eimeo which had a great pub on a headland. Then down the coast to Dolphin Head for lunch before back to Mackay beach to watch the kitesurfers while we waited for a call to pick-up the trailer. Along the way somewhere, a stone had crashed into one of our solar panels, and while not destroyed, it was not good and would not last long - so another $700 to get it replaced. Picked up the trailer at 4.15pm and raced out to Kinchant Dam west of Mackay. A fantastic campsite with the lake about 20 feet from our doorstep, and the views were picture postcard - really nice after a busy day.
The white peacock was a bonus - never seen one of these before.
Saturday - left the dam and headed for Eungella. How do you think this is pronounced??? We thought "uengela" would be about right, but the locals laughed and told us it was "yungallah" - who would have thought. This is similar to Katoomba, where the locals would go up to the mountains for a weekend away. The views were nice back across the farmland in the valley.
On the way back, we stopped in at Finch Hatton Gorge, and went for a walk to a waterfall - wish I had of taken the swimmers as it looked very inviting
- would recommend it if you are ever in the area. From here we went a bit cross country heading for Proserpine, and then Airlie Beach to see what had changed in the 11.5 years since our honeymoon there.
Booked in for a day snorkelling around the islands for the next day.
Sunday - got picked up by the bus in the morning, and checked in for the day snorkelling. After a fast trip out to the islands on the ocean raft,
we arrived at Bat Cave bay, and hit the water - the QLD'ers said it was cold at about 24 degrees.
Lots of nice fish to see, and some good coral too. Back on the boat to the next spot - Mantaray Bay, which had lots more fish, and they fed them while you were in the water. Some big ones too. Back on the boat, and around to Whitehaven Beach, for a walk to the Hill Inlet lookout - awesome views.
Back down to the water for lunch on the sand, before our trip back to Airlie Beach - a great day on the water.
Monday - left the coast, and headed north, travelling through Bowen, Home Hill after a stop at Inkerman lookout.
Then thru Ayr before arriving in Townsville. Will spend tomorrow exploring Magnetic Island and having a look around town.
More to come soon.
Di and Hammo
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