Mackay and hiking

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Rockhampton to Mackay is approximately 6 hours of driving with little to see in between apart from gum trees and plantations of sugar cane but we pulled over for lunch and fortunately were lucky to hit a spot right on the coast to enjoy the view.

We are attempting to use the Camp6 book we have purchased for free camping sites as much as possible but as they are not usually right in the middle of most towns we stayed in a camping ground in the centre of Mackay for the night and made use of the endless hot water to have a wonderful shower seeing as we were paying for it.

Mackay seems a lovely place and has a 19km bike trail passing through all the highlights such as the botanical gardens, marina, environmental mangrove board walk and purposely built swimming pools with slide and man-made beach. We intend to do this before we leave the area but for now we have just spent two days at Cape Hillsborough National Park biking and hiking around the tracks. We were camped right on the beach so at high tide could hear the waves crashing close by in the middle of the night. Very soothing. Pete unfortunately has learnt the hard way that insect repellent must be applied before sitting outside and reading a book. “Stop itch” does not work that effectively. He has a fair few hundred bites! Just looking at natural remedies and toothpaste and mouthwash ate two that have been suggested so he has just tried the toothpaste!

Today we have booked into a campsite in another area close to another national park and are now sitting in the car park in the shade waiting until it is cooler so that we may if we are lucky see the Platypus in the river by the viewing platform here. We just went for a 2 hours hike in the rainforest whilst waiting and guess what? PETE STOOD ON A BLOODY SNAKE!!!!!!!!!! It was on the track and before he could stop himself his foot was on it. He jumped and the snake jumped and thank God it slithered away to the side of the track. It was very scary as I still had to get past where it had hidden itself so I got a stick and dragged it along the ground and then ran like hell when I got past. Not good for the old heart.

We were lucky enough to see the cute little platypus and after a cold beer and wine at the local pub we came back and joined the couple next door for a chin wag and another drink.

More hiking tomorrow but hopefully no more snakes!

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Photos

Mackay
Beautiful flower in park

Cape Hillsborough National Park
Breathtaking views of Southern Great Barrier reef islands

Cape Hillsborough Nat. Park
Our camping neighbours filleting their fish. (Blueys)

Cape Hillsborough
Closer view of fish. We tried some. Delicious!

Eungella Nat. Park
Natural fig tree arch on track in rain forest.

Eungella Nat. Park
Vista of valley below from track.

Broken River
Platypus - so cute

Broken River
Turtles a plenty!

Comments

[Lynley Felts]

Mackay
Hi Suzanne you are certainly having a wonderful time and your journey has just started, poor Pete obviously he is not of royal blood with all the bites he is getting (haha). I can see you running for your life after the snake incident, that is one thing that I think I would be afraid off after mice and rats ugh!!. Keep up the blogging I am enjoying every read. Cheers Lynley

[Wendy]

You are welcome in the Burdekin!
Hi Peter and Suzanne. I love your holiday snaps. If you'd like a photo of a huge snake, make sure you stop at Plantation Park in Ayr. You can sit on this one for a photo and he won't bite. Stop in at the Tourist Information Centre at Home Hill or Ayr to get a brochure. Also, there is free overnight camping in the town centre of Home Hill, with a free ammenities block.

[Kruizing Kiwiz]

Home Hill tip
Thanks for the tip Wendy. All suggestions and advice from fellow travellors always welcome. Still green horns at this stage but learning fast. ie. do not leave empty glasses on bench whilst driving!

[Barb Zahmel]

you went thr Mackay!!!!!
Hey there - just catching up on your blog; you passed through here and we didn't see in time to catch up with you. We live here!!! Never mind - glad you did stay around for a look see and did the Cape Hillsborough and Eungella Nat Park thing.