13 - 14 February 2016
We began our journey from Ballina early and intended to find a beachside spot for our overnight stop - maybe on the Sunshine Coast. The weather was against us from the start with dark clouds threatening to burst even as we packed up.
It rained on and off all the way up the highway to Brisbane, with some quite heavy showers. We made our way via the motorways through Brisbane - and the traffic that goes with being in a capital city - and headed for the Sunshine Coast. We had decided to start at Caloundra and see where we ended up. That was our big mistake of the day! The traffic - in the rain - was just horrendous and we were unable to find anywhere to park with the trailer so we ended up just retracing our route back to the motorway.
We decided that we would keep on driving until we left the rain behind us. Second mistake! It just kept on raining. A night or two at the beach was looking less and less likely. We stopped for a coffee at one of the highway service centres - third mistake - the one we chose was under renovation! One crowded coffee spot and no seating, and still raining.
We continued on our way north and stopped for lunch at another highway service centre at Kybong, not far from Gympie. Our luck had changed. The cheapest fuel we had seen in a long time, a very nice cafe for a tasty meal and a Visitor Information Centre. We obtained some information about a possible destination, but given the weather decided to press on.
We had had enough driving when we arrived in Maryborough - and it was still raining - so we checked into a motel. This one was a bit more expensive than others in Maryborough but was an excellent choice. There was ample parking for car and trailer right outside the unit, which had a large lounge, separate bedroom and small kitchen. The motel is part of a shopping/tavern/caravan park complex so we had everything we needed within close proximity.
In the morning we decided to drive down to Hervey Bay to have a look around before continuing on our journey north. The weather had improved (well it wasn't raining, but it was starting to get hot) so we stopped to have a look at the small beachside market and have a coffee. Hervey Bay looks like it would be a very nice place to spend a few days, with a number of caravan parks right on the beach.
Yeppoon
14 - 15 February 2016
After having a look at Hervey Bay, we drove back to the highway and headed for Yeppoon. The weather was heating up so we were looking for somewhere to cool off. We drove down to have a look at Keppel Sands, but decided to continue on to Yeppoon. We found a caravan park a few kilometres from Yeppoon and checked into a cabin - and spent some time in the pool.
In the morning we headed into the shops for some supplies and made a fairly late start back on the highway. As we travelled closer to home the temperature was heading for the mid-thirties so we were again looking for somewhere to cool off.
Airlie Beach
15 - 17 February 2016
We had been told about a nice caravan park at Cape Palmerston, near Ilbilbie so we went to have a look. It did look nice, but without a pool or being able to swim at the beach (it was stinger season) we decided to press on again. We both agreed a couple of days in a cabin at Airlie Beach would suit us nicely to finish our holiday. We returned to a caravan park we had stayed at when our girls were little. Lots of trees (and birds) and a nice cool swimming pool.
We felt a rest day would be a good idea before returning home and tackling all the unpacking and sorting that we knew would take a while - not to mention the heat! We visited the shops in Airlie Beach, swam in the pool and had dinner at the nearby pub. We did drive over to Shute Harbour for a look but were very disappointed to find you have to pay to park - minimum $2.50 (for 2 hours). We only wanted to stay for a few minutes so declined the opportunity to contribute to council revenue. You do have to pay also to park in Airlie Beach, but you get access to all the shops, eateries, beach and swimming lagoon so the $2 fee for 2 hours is much better value.
On Wednesday morning we packed and set off - somewhat reluctantly - on the final leg of our journey.
Townsville - Home
17 February 2016
After a stop for coffee in Home Hill, and op shop in Ayr, we arrived home around lunchtime to 36 degree heat. The unpacking and sorting would have to be done in small stages.
The stats:
- just over 19 weeks on the road (including 7 weeks in Tasmania)
- 5 states - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania
- 1 territory - Australian Capital Territory
- around 19 400 kilometres
- stayed in 11 National (and Conservation) Parks - Cape Hillsborough, Lamington (Qld), Cattai, Capertee, Wollemi, Wombeyan Caves, Ben Boyd (NSW), Hattah-Kulkyne (Vic), Coorong, Coffin Bay (SA), Booderee (ACT)
- we stayed in the camper trailer in caravan parks, National Parks and campgrounds, in cottages, cabins, an apartment and the homes of family and friends
- visited 12 other National (and Conservation) Parks - Tamborine (Qld), Bundjalung, Murray Valley (NSW), Warren (Gorge), Little Dip, Lake Gilles (SA), Grampians (Vic), Bay of Fires, Freycinet, South West, Mount Field Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, Bruny Island (Tas)
- wandered through 3 Botanical Gardens - Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden (Port Augusta - SA), Tasmanian Arboretum (Eugenana - Tas), Booderee Botanic Gardens (Booderee NP - ACT)
- crossed the water on 5 car ferries - Narrung Ferry (The Narrows - where Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert meet - SA), Spirit of Tasmania (Bass Strait, Melbourne (Vic) to Devonport (Tas) and return, Fatman Barge (Pieman River, Corinna - Tas), Bruny Island Ferry (Kettering to Bruny Island and return - Tas), Burns Point Ferry (Richmond River, South Ballina to Ballina, NSW)
- Mick saw 20 new birds and photographed many
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