Hi from Airley Beach, Whitsundays.

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Hi all
We have enjoyed our 3 days in the Whitsundays, and will move north tomorrow to Bowen, where we plan to catch up with Mardi and Bap (last seen in W.A.)
We explored Gladstone, going up several lookouts, (we counted 27 coal carriers waiting to come in to port to load), and drove around Tannum Sands and Boyne Island, where the aluminium smelter is. We also headed out to Lake Awoonga, where the high dam was full to the top of the spillway. The lake supplies water to Gladstone.
From Gladstone, we headed north to Rockhampton, then out to Yeppoon on the coast. Our campsite was at nearby Mulambin Beach, where we'd got the last powered site when we rang ahead the day before. We drove to Emu Point and walked through the super golf resort at Zilzie Bay (the course was closed for maintainance after heavy rain).
Heading north, we were stopped by an accident on the Bruce Highway (a large truck rolled on a bridge and the road was closed for 12 hours). Luckily there was a one way detour in place down a dirt road for cars only, and they let caravans through too. We decided to stay the night at St Lawrence at a free park at a recreational reserve, 5 km off the highway, and were amazed to find 67 vans there by 4pm! Lucky it was a big area.
Our next night was spent at Mackay. We had trouble finding a place to stay, I rang around the caravan parks with no luck, so we went to the infomation centre. The woman there eventually found us a spot, but we were pleased it was for only one night!
Luckily we had booked ahead for Airlie Beach, and have enjoyed our time here.
A highlight was going out yesterday to explore the Whitsundays in a fast launch. We did the main highlights,Hill Inlet lookout, Whitehaven Beach, where we had a swim and lunch at the beach voted No 1 in the world, and then snorkelled at Hook Island. There are lots more tourists here, especially Europeans and back packers.
We have had to book ahead all our campsites to Cairns. They are all very busy, and are getting booked out days ahead.
We are also reluctantly starting to get organised to sell our rig, in Brisbane in October. If anyone knows of anyone interested, please get them to email us.
Regards
Lynne and Chris

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Photos

Whitehaven Beach
some flew in by floatplanes

stingrays in the shallows
from Hill Inlet lookout

Mackay marina
the poles are high around here as there's a bigger tidal range.

Emu Pt "Singing Ship"
Monument to Captain Cook.

Lake Awoonga high dam
gives Gladstone it's water supply.

Comments

[June Aitken]

Hi Realy enjoying your tour through Aussie. Was that best bathers in the world? Jokes aside, great photos Do take care lov June

[Allen Moore]

We missed the Swim.
Hi guys, What this swimming all about. You didn't organise that for us, shame on you. The weather must be be warmer so great to see you enjoying the sunshine while we poor souls are slogging it out back at work, in the freezing cold. Not at all fair! Cheers,

[Linda and Den]

Warm and wonderful!
Looks absolutely fabulous in your photos, thanks for sharing them all. Lovely to see the beautiful blue skies. Let us know your arrival time so we can pick you up at the airport. Lots of love XX

[Louise]

Oh No just the thought of selling up and heading home must be hard! Or is it time, are you all sight seen out? You make us soo jealous every time we read your blog but soo glad we know someone who is having such a great time. We had a fantastic trip to Broom and have decided to change our thinking and try to go for 3 months in 2 years time we will see. We stayed at eighty mile beach that was my highlight I liked that the most and Pardoo station was nice. I still have trouble believing how many people live in caravans for ever!!! Well we are doing a weekend at Herron Point this weekend, just to get away and still love using Clasy Ldy. Well keep taking care of each other lots of love and good thoughts Steve asnd Lou x

[Linda and Den]

Photography award
Hey congratulations Lynne did you realise you have won a photography award from the TravelBlog people!! Clever girl XX