Down the Coast

We packed up, said our goodbye to the cat and dogs and started heading south. We are on a mission to be south in the Barrosa Valley, South Australia (some 3,500 km at the other end of Australia), by the end of November for a reunion.

Not far down the track we met up with Brett, Kylie & kids and were able to thank them for the opportunity to house sit. They had a great holiday and were happy to hear there were still 3 dogs and 1 cat at their home!!!!

I had a training course to attend in Cairns on the Monday for a position I was going to fill for a couple of weeks in the lead up to Christmas -  ho, ho ho!! We decided to stay with Rod and Ruth again in the tablelands and I drove down for the training. What was going to be a couple of nights turned out to be a week - not the first time that has happened.  Had a day out driving to Speerwah, Kuranda - up to Wrights Lookout, Barron Falls.  Had lunch in Kuranda which was very busy with visitors from all around the world!  On the way back 'home' we called into Emerald Creek Icecreamery just out of Mareeba - the best tasting ice cream!

Wrights Lookout

Barron Falls

After departing the tablelands our first stop was to catch up with Chris and Mike who were house sitting just out of Yungaburra. The timing worked well as we celebrated Mike's birthday and followed up in a couple of days with Helens.  Was great to catch up again - we may not see them for a while as our travel plans do not look like coinciding in the near future.  From Yungaburra we travelled through Millaa Millaa, Tully, Cardwell.  Was going to stay at CMCA RV Park in Ingham but did not have a grey water tank nor a tap on the outlet so Council Rules we could not stay!!! Drove onto free camp - Rollingstone Bushy Parker Park where we stayed for the night - went to the Pub for tea (very average).

Off again down the Bruce Highway passing through Townsville and Ayr, stopping at Guthalungra Rest Area for lunch.  Stayed night at Gunnago Caravan Park approx 10kms north of Proserpine - nice spot.  Met up with Phil and Rosemary who have been on the road for 18 years!  From here we continued on the Bruce Highway stopping for lunch at Clairview and camping at St Lawrence Campground - plenty of room and clean amenities $10 (no power/water).  Flocks of Magpie Geese in the wetlands and heaps of kangaroos around.

St Lawrence camping area

Kangaroos feeding as the sun sets accompanied by hundreds of Magpie Geese in background 

St Lawrence camp area is also the local rodeo grounds

Drove to Yepoon and stayed a few nights with David & Elaine enjoying the warm weather while we can as have heard down south is still freezing cold!