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Published: November 3rd 2014
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Airlie Beach
Ceder creek falls and swimming hole Our onward journey toward Bowen makes use of the Bruce highway,notorious for accidents and it's easy to see why.Single lane for most of it's length and in poor condition the need for concentration is very evident.Nevertheless the journey is good with ever changing scenery.We reach Bowen and after inspecting 2 of the caravan parks we decided to keep moving and head for Airlie beach a town which is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands all 74 of them ,this is a place we have visited several times and we are surprised how much it has changed from a small sleepy town to a modern vibrant holiday destination. Boasting new shopping centres to a new marina and transit centre where boats leave for tours of the islands and the great barrier reef.We are told that the town has recently undergone a $23 million facelift and it shows. Memories come flooding back of times we have spent here however it has been 9 years and so much has changed.Whilst here we elect to take a 2 island cruise which takes us to 2 of the nearest islands on a day tour with time allowed for both. Daydream island is a laid back beach
holiday destination owned by the founder of Natures own vitamin company, he has built a state of the art resort on the island but has done nothing to alter it's charm and ambiance. Day visitors like us have full use of all the facilities including water sports.After spending the morning on daydream we head off by boat again to Hamilton Island.This island is much larger and commercialized with high rise apartments and holiday complexes all over the island.After lunch we join one of the free buses that circumnavigate the island for a 1 hour tour.Back on dry land the following day we take a drive to Cedar creek falls with it's falls still flowing into rock pools ideal for swimming on a warm day, the scenery is stunning with high rocky outcrops and rain forest challenging for which has the best photo shots.
Leaving Airlie Beach we head for Cape Hillsbourgh National Park and a caravan park we picked out of the camp 7 book.Well what a delight a camp site nestled right next to the sea and surrounded by bushland. There are 4 walking tracks direct from the park taking in inland forest walks as well as a
walk leading up to the rocky headland overlooking the beach with views over the offshore islands that form some of the Whitsunday Islands. Kangaroos and wallaby's laze around the park while flocks of brightly coloured birds also call this place home along with the ever faithful bush turkey.Our days here are spent walking the designated tracks and taking in some stunning views,swimming in the park pool is also a popular pastime for swimming in the sea is a no no mainly because of crocks and stingers although no crocks have been sighted here for a long time.
Although not pushed for time we decide to move on this time to Mackay spending only 2 days here we did have time to visit Eungella national park situated high above the surrounding plains and offering some stunning views as well as a variety of walking tracks.Finch Hatten gorge is within the park and offers the opportunity to admire the cascading waterfalls and crystal clear rock pools.Stopping at an historic country pub called Eungella chalet high up in the hills we watch a a wood carver at his craft he creates all manner of sculptures out of rough timber and logs including
Airlie Beach
The ferry that will take us to the islands a life size model of a wizard
Yapoon is our next stop where we meet up with good friends we have met on our travels and are invited to stay on their property. A guided tour of Yepoon courtesy of Graham was most welcome taking us to sights we would not have seen otherwise.Catching up with Helen and Graham was exiting as we retold adventures we have had on the road,they are temporally grounded but hope to be back on the road in 2015. Some shopping and more catching up is how we spent our days in Yepoon and it was delightful to be in such good company again.
Saying farewell to our hosts we head for Agnes Water and the town of 1770 two small communities set next to the sea and being the place where Captain Cook landed 24 May 1770, the exact spot is marked with a monument and the local museum is packed with information and artifacts about the local maritime history, including extracts from Captain Cooks diary.The town of 1770 has become a passage of rite to many Australians and overseas visitors simply because it is so unique with it's laid back lifestyle
Leaving the harbourand irresistible scenery.Gateway to the southern great barrier reef tours leave 1770 every day to explore this natural wonder and all manner of water sports can be tasted here with a host of small operators offering hire and tuition of all sorts of water craft.Fishing is also a favored pastime here and small dinghies can be hired also. 1770 is also only one of a handful of places on the east coast where you can see amazing sunsets at which time the beach alongside our caravan park is littered with people, camera in hand waiting to catch that magic photo.Our time here is spent walking the trails,watching the sunsets and relaxing with the odd wine or two.Although we have been here before we have never camped here next to the water and the experience is magical with breathtaking sunsets and inspiring coastal scenery.
We are now making our way slowly to Charleville to meet up with friends and our journey takes us to Bagarra a small town on the coast made famous by it's turtle nesting beaches,we are to early in the year to catch the turtles laying their eggs but nevertheless a pleasant overnight stay before heading for
Our passage through to our destinationKingaroy home of the peanut.Peanuts are grown and processed here and sent all over the world again this is to be an overnight stop but before leaving we stop at the famous peanut van, a brightly coloured van selling all manner of peanuts from roasted to honey glazed and a lot in between.A short drive the next day takes us to a small town called Bell which in the past was the end of the railway line from Toowoomba but alas as with so many of these country towns it has slipped into a sleepy hamlet with only a small population of 500.The town does however offer a gateway into the Bunya Mountains National Park.The drive up the mountain road is steep and twisting offering opportunities at various viewing platforms to gaze at the landscape way in the distance.Our journey up the mountain takes us to Dandabah a small settlement offering accommodation in log cabins and modern wood houses together with a camp site.A popular day trip for visitors where car parking is adjacent to a small restaurant and coffee shop.There are several walks leading from the car park of various lengths and difficulty all are well explained on information
boards surrounding the car park.Our chosen walk takes us even higher up the mountain passing through some spectacular scenery and the famous Bunya pine trees which tower above the canopy, once logged they now stand unmolested and protected from loggers.When we left Bell to make this journey the temperature was beginning to climb but here in the mountain air the the temperature is cool and perfect for walking,returning to Bell we encounter the heat again,as we make our way inland we can expect more heat.Our next overnight stay is Roma as mall city which serves as the central administration centre for much of Queensland's south west, we ventured into town only to fill the car with diesel. Charleville is our next stop and we are to stay at our friends property on the outskirts of the town
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