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Published: August 9th 2007
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Having thoroughly enjoyed the joys of the Whitsundays it was time to go budget for a night or two in order to eek out the funds. So we find ourselves in Cape Hillsborough national park campground just North of Mackay. This turned out to be a cracking little spot right on the beach. The one draw back with these cheap and cheerful campsites is that they attract a random set of customers. Quite often these include lone middle-aged men with no apparent reason to be camping. This night proved to be no exception with one such character telling us about a black snake he'd seen that he had attempted to throw stones at, we naturally backed away smiling and made sure that the van doors were locked that night.
Cracked on the next day, bypassing Mackay, to a place imaginatively named ' The caves' due to the caves that were there. A very intense Dutch man I got talking to in Airlie, who was entranced by the Kangaroos there, had recommended this. True to his word the place did indeed have resident kangaroos and they are always a joy to see, tame or not. The caves themselves are well worth
Kangaroo
a look. A wily character discovered them in the late 1800's who, for 2 years, explored the cave system extensively using only a rope tied to a tree and a candle. Brilliantly he told no one what he was up to, " Yes dear I'm just heading out for another 8 hour walk." Finally he staked his claim for the land as farming pastures making sure the caves were in the furthest corner of the site. As predicted, the land inspectors didn't bother looking too hard and for the princely sum of 10 dollars the man got himself some caves and immediately set about showing rich folk around them for a fee. Nowadays they are much swisher with wheel chair access and even a red carpet into the main chamber if you choose to get hitched there (amongst the cave spiders, snakes and bat pooh).
Continuing the theme of skipping the main towns we head straight for Yepoon on the coast outside Rockhampton. This is a typical seaside town meaning it is all promise and no soul. Even the van disapproved. Whilst driving through the main street we heard an almighty crack, like the report of a high
velocity
Colourful kayaks
rifle, which sent people scurrying for cover. Only an instant later when I noticed we had stalled did I realise that this alarming noise had come form Irvine's exhaust. Just like clearing his throat really and he's been fine since. Our reason for being in Yepoon was to revisit Great Keppel Island. This is a fantastic little island just off the coast with all the usual trappings. We pushed the boat out and stayed in the resort having blagged a locals discount. Emma particularly enjoyed walking into areas labelled 'resort guests only' and speculating what the poor people might be doing right now. Our glory was short lived having only one night on the island but we did get full use of the facilities for our entire stay. This included free catamaran sailing from the beach. Having spent some days on board a yacht with Em using nautical terms, saying things like sheets instead of ropes and stern instead of back, I was expecting big things on the sailing front. Unfortunately it turned out that Em could talk the talk but the sailing had been left largely to her Dad! So we find ourselves off shore with
precisely no experience.
Em getting physical
Thankfully we figured it out and soon were tacking and jibing like Ellen whatserface. I must admit I did get the bug and can see myself in deck shoes with a pastel sweater draped rakishly around my shoulders in the not too distant future.
Back on the mainland and we head to the Northern most surf beach on the East coast bordering a town called Agnes water. The surf can get through here due to that pesky barrier reef finishing just North of here. We stayed in the adjoining town of '1770'. It really is called that and it was supposedly where captain Cook had first sighted the Queensland coast. Not brilliantly named though, I can picture a very weary Cook fed up of sea travel and coming up with interesting names, such as Cape Tribulation and Doubtful Sound being bothered in his cabin,
"Cap'n , the cartographer wants to know what be the new name of this land sir,"
" Oh for gods sake, erm what bloody year is it?"
"1770 cap'n"
"Right, that'll do - call it 1770 and bring me some more rum…"
Sadly this is not how it got
Catamarans
My first sailing vessl, mercifully just about impossible to tip over. named at all. Em told me
Catamarans
My first sailing vessl, mercifully just about impossible to tip over.that it was re named in 1926 and then added - " It must have been an anniversary or something," well that'll be the 156th anniversary, not a typical landmark. Thankfully she laughed as she said it proving not to be completely blonde!
Our next stop will be Fraser Island. Last time we were there it rained for 3 days straight so we are keen to see it in the sunshine and hopefully we'll get lucky this time.
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annie
non-member comment
sounds fab!
Hi folks, just caught up on yur blog and its brought back some happy memories. It sounds like you're having a great time and we've enjoyed reading your escapades! I hope you enjoy Fraser and have some sunshine this time, i had a great time there, razzing about in a 4x4 on the beaches and truly roughing it for 3 days. Reading your blog has made us smile! We look forward to your next update! Tons of love Annie and Si xxxxxx