South to Rocky

We left Oakey Oasis arund 8.30 am which also made good time to stop at Milanda for coffee and their tasty Vanilla Slices, only to find the Bakery (Organic Cafe) shut on public holidays!!  Continued through Milla Milla then turned off Palmerston Highway approx 8km SW Innisfail and headed to Wangan where we followed the B-Double Route through South Johnson, Broogan (sugar cane country) then turned onto Bruce Highway and headed south to Tully, where we stopped for lunch.

Continued on the Bruce Highway we pulled into Rollingstone Free Camp where we stayed the night.  Certainly not as many people here as we have encountered previous times.  Upon opening up the shower door looked up to the vent and saw daylight - vent lid had blown off somewhere on our travels today!

Next morning we hooked up with water and had showers before departing around 9am.  Called into see Norah & Don for a coffee as they were housesitting south of Townsville. Travelled down through Townsville, Ayr, Home Hill before arriving at Proserpine where we drove out to Lake Proserpine (Peter Faust Dam) and camped in the free camping for the night.

Apparently the French backpackers were partying on into the early hours however we did not hear a thing!  On our way out we noticed a Van parked up in the Visitor car park - the young couple said they could not sleep so packed up and moved around 1 am!

Lake Proserpine, free camp

Sunset

Lake Proserpine, free camp

Lake Proserpine, (Peter Faust Dam)

Back onto Bruce Highway we stopped for coffee and food top up at Sth Mackay, drove through Serina, turned off Highway approx 50 km south and drove to Notch Point.  The road turned into a track and had to maneuver the "Whale" in between trees. Bit disappointed once there as quite a few vans were parked up quite close to one another - some were closer than in a Cavaran Park!  Walked around but could not find a nice spot so travelled back along the track again and pulled into Cape Palmerston Park.  This park is clean and tidy and offered large sites - decided we would spend 2 nights.

Lots of campers and very windy at Notch Point.

Notch Point

Next morning we awoke to showers of rain which was great for the gardens however not good for us with no vent lid on the shower!  I had to patch up the shower hatch which had broken off during the day and probably lying on the road side somewhere!!

Used insertion rubber, tape and zip ties, did the job and no leaks the next day when we drove through some rain.

Hoped all lasts until we reach Rockhampton as storms and rain forecast!!  Had a drive out to Greenhill township which appears to be a fishing village as could not find any shops.  Continued out to Cape Palmerston National Park and drove along the beach, which is very exposed and very windy when we visited. 

Had another few showers this morning before we departed and huge black clouds hung over where we were heading.  Encountered very heavy rain before stopping at Flaggy Rock Cafe for coffee. 

Flaggy Rock Cafe

Stopped for lunch at Yaamba Pub (good old Aussie Pub with friendly Publican) then sat in the Van for an hour or so as had advised the owners of our next house sit we would arrive late afternoon.  Had a thunderstorm with all the noise however very little rain.  Lynn and Tony (house owners) had asked us to bring rain as it was desperately needed (as in a lot of places).  Arrived at Rockyview and parked up van as we will be living in the home for the next 2 months.  Lovely home on a hill with beautiful views albeit overlooking very dry, brown bushland.