Thurs, 16th Nov, 2023 Central Station Campground, Fraser Island National Park to 48hr RV Park, Maryborough, Qld

Another warm night and morning though the wind is flowing through the top of the trees.

Loaded the camper back onto the truck and headed back to the west side to wait for our barge at 11.30am. Made it through some softer sand - different to when we had first arrived. Didn’t meet anyone either which was good. Steve pumped up the tyres back up.

Dan and Fran have the keys to their new home in Gordonvale. Looking forward to making it their home and the arrival of their little girl next year. They sent through a photo of them outside the front door.

Very windy still and overcast.

Got a text from Wendy. They are heading to Eurong now then will head down the east side to their barge and back to their camper they left at a van park. Will catch up with them again in a couple of days.

It was a great trip and all the better to share it with David & Wendy but we won’t miss the march flies and the soft sand patches. We have covered 546 km up and down the sandy tracks and beach.

Had a cuppa and waited in the camper as the wind blew.

The barge arrived on time. Some trucks with gas supplies and a few campers came off the barge.

We backed on. We had to wait for one other person but they didn’t arrive to we headed out. The captain turned the barge around in the creek then we headed across to River Head.

We sat in the lounge area as it was too windy to be outside. Steve checked on the camper as the barge rocked and rolled but it was all good. The chap said the captain has been doing this run for 20 odd years as the others don’t like doing this landing spot with its narrow turn around etc.

It is a bit brighter at River Heads though still windy. The chap asked us to get ready as the captain said he won’t be holding the barge on the ramp for too long. We got in the truck then drove off and parked in the car park to make lunch.

Sat in the picnic area again and watched the barge to Kingfisher Bay load up with the wind pushing on the barge. One chap had a small caravan and was having all sorts of trouble trying to get it to back in. It was a full barge too but they got it sorted and headed off.

We drove around through Hervey Bay and filled up with diesel at the cheapest place, $2.095/L. The grey sky has followed us - forecast for a storm this afternoon.

Found a car wash and gave the truck another good clean as it got a bit of sea spray on the way over.

Back to Maryborough for some fruit & vegies. Had a wander for a while. Got our permit to camp from the Info Centre then found the ‘Cistern Chapel’ around the back of the building. We hadn’t seen this and unfortunately we are too late for a guided tour of the toilets! Luckily they have good photos on the sign. Will have to come back and check it out in person.

Walked around the block and found some more info about the church and bell tower.

Across the road was the ‘Mary Ann’ Steam Rail Museum (closed of course) and next to that the old Station Master’s House (est 1878).

Headed to Dave & Amanda’s. Love all the old homes in this area.

Joined them for drinks and catch up on what Ella is doing. She and her best friend are having fun in Brighton, England - trying to find accommodation and a job now.

Back to the RV park for the night. (Forgot to take a photo of camp!)

8pm - heard thunder then Steve saw flashes of lightning through the window. Some big long strikes too. Slowly the storm came over but only a light bit of rain.