Wed, 24th Apr, 2024 Calliope River Rest Area, Calliope to Geck's Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

All quiet here except for the birds of course. Clear sky and only 16 degrees so will have to put the flanny sheets on as it is only going to colder as we head south.

Packed up. I took our camp photo this morning as it was too dark last night. The people in front of us have moved on already.

Across the Calliope River.

Stopped for a cuppa at the rest area north of Gin Gin - very nice.

Turned off and headed to Bundaberg. Overcast and a few drops of rain when we arrived.

Popped into the shops for a few things and a hot chook and buns for lunch with Terry. Steve and Terry went to Bunnings to get the pits for the storm water off the shed. We hooked up his van and got his few things then headed down to Woodgate.

A bit choppy today but forecast is for nicer weather this week.

Terry goes Walker St way while Steve takes the Ring Road. We laughed when we pulled in and Terry had arrived just before us - not an old slow poke at all!

Steve had brought some blocks so we could level his van better near the house so they got that sorted first. Then he backed the camper into the carport of the shed and we unloaded the camper. Just the nose sticks out as we needed to leave room at the back to step out onto the concrete. Plenty of room to get along the side too. We will need the truck on Friday to pick up the retaining wall blocks.

Then he backed Terry’s car into the shed. All neat and tidy.

Got things sorted under the house with the fridges etc then headed down the beach for drinks on Erica’s bench. Took a photo with the phone first with Terry.

Then Steve joined us and I took a photo with the camera - a bit dark.

Full moon tonight so I waited patiently for it to rise but a band of cloud was blocking it. Nice sunset colours though.

It was getting very chilly too. I nearly gave up when the moon peeked through the clouds.

Then it started to disappear again.

Back to the house for dinner.

 

Tues, 23rd Apr, 2024 Guthalungra Rest Area, Guthalungra to Calliope River Rest Area, Calliope, Qld

The truck didn’t leave till 5am!! By then the normal road traffic has built up. Joys of free camps by the roadside.

Sent Susan a happy birthday message. They are off travelling again in their van and heading to Lightning Ridge etc which is where we will be heading in June.

Sky is all cloudy this morning and the wind is back and stronger. As we were ready to leave another camper came over to chat with Steve about the truck and camper.

Bleak overcast day as we continued south to Proserpine.

The sky started to clear as we continued on. Stopped in a small pull off area for a cuppa across from a car transport truck in another pull off area. Steve noticed he had engine problems so went over to see if he was ok and whether he wanted a cuppa or anything. He said he was fine - waiting on a new turbo. He has been sitting here since Sunday night. We were the first vehicle to stop and see if he was ok - very sad to think people don’t stop to check.

The grey sky is back all the way to Mackay. Driving through lots of roadworks - one had banked the traffic up a very long way so we had to sit for quite a while. Then when we got going we had to listen to the truckies complaining about a caravan up front who was not doing the right thing. Dual lanes were certainly solve the problem.

Lunch at Sarina - very cool wind and overcast. Roald rang for a chat and advice on his gas hot water system. Will see them soon.

The sky cleared again near Carmilla and the wind dropped off. Clear sky as we neared Rockhampton. Must be low tide as we cross the Fitzroy River - hadn’t noticed these rocks on previous visits.

Rang Jeff to say we wouldn’t be stopping in as it was nearly 5pm and we wanted to keep on to Calliope so we could get into Bundaberg early tomorrow to see Terry and get things from the shops as they will be closed tomorrow with Anzac Day. Jeff and Lyn are good and happy to have had some rain.

As we continued a nearly full moon rose as the sun was setting behind us (full moon tomorrow night). Very pretty.

Pulled off the highway and down the old Bruce Highway to the north side of the Calliope River free camp area on the high bank. Lots of campers here and across the river on the low bank too. Very wet so we pulled up just off the bitumen and set up for the night.

Very windy so closed up and played some cards while we had our drinks. Dinner then read our books. Very quiet here compared to last night.

 

Mon, 22nd Apr, 2024 Rotary Park, Babinda to Guthalungra Rest Area, Guthalungra, Qld

23 degrees min this morning and cloudy.

We chatted with the couple with the 6 wheeler - 6 x 4 like us. They are from Ipswich and have been enjoying a travelling lifestyle for the past 12 years. Our camp site photo this morning as it was too dark last night by the time we pulled up.

Packed up and stopped at the dump point. Good info here for travellers.

Across the fast flowing Babinda Creek.

Onto the Bruce Highway again and headed south.

At Mourilyn the sky has cleared and is all blue ahead - not a cloud in sight for a change.

Stopped for a cuppa at Cardwell overlooking the water - a bit choppy.

Turned off for a look over the Hinchinbrook Channel and island. There is another lookout further around which we have checked out previously. Lots of interesting information here.

Steve is happy with the engine temps coming up the range etc though it is a cool day.

Continued on to Ingham. Michelle sent a text that Ron Knight has passed away on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Sad for all the family.

As we neared Joorama Falls area we noticed a bit waterfall on the mountainside. Then we crossed Waterfall Creek so presuming the water comes from that waterfall we saw.

Lunch at Bluewater Rest Area then we continued on to Ayr to visit Nev and Carol. Nev was home so we chatted over a cuppa. Carol came home with her granddaughter so we chatted a bit more. 

The fuel economy is not going to be good as the wind has come out so we are now pushing into a headwind!

Continued on to Guthalungra and pulled into the rest area there with a few other travellers. Stopped earlier tonight as there aren’t many free camps now till after Mackay. 

We had run out off biscuits so I cooked some Anzac cookies. I heard Steve chatting with someone and it was a couple from Brisbane, Andrew & Jennifer, doing a 6 month lap with their two young sons. We had a lovely afternoon chatting and suggesting different things to see and do. Their sons were well behaved so I said they could come see me after dinner for a couple of Anzac cookies which they thought was wonderful.

There is a bit of road noise but unfortunately a truck with refrigeration has parked nearby and is very noisy. Hopefully he will move on soon.

 

Sun, 21st Apr, 2024 Grant & Tracy’s property, near Davies Creek to Rotary Park, Babinda, Qld (visiting)

Thin clouds across the sky this morning. 

Packed up and then joined the others for a cuppa before heading out. There is an open house for the church area so we wanted to be out before any traffic started heading in as the track is very narrow.

The sky got darker as we got closer to Atherton. Found Ron & John’s place on the other side of Atherton and checked out the motorhome they bought recently. A few repairs underway - joys of buying secondhand. Had lovely time catching up over a cuppa. They are heading to Tassie at the of the year so gave them a list of must-sees for their trip.

Back into Atherton - it’s a bit chilly so decided on a nice warm pie for lunch.

Back to Tolga for cuppa with Grace and Fred. Their daughter Janice lives next door so she and his husband Mick joined us which was lovely to catch up with them again too. Showed off my photos of our adorable grandchildren of course. Got a photo with them too.

Continued on to Yungaburra for a quick visit with Maralyn and Greg.

Misty rain started as we headed off towards the Gillies Range though it stopped when we headed down the rain which was good.

Down to the Bruce Highway and on to Babinda to the free camp area for the night. It was 7pm by the time we pulled up - found a spot and parked up and cooked dinner. Noticed that we parked beside another 6 wheeler.

Sat, 20th Apr, 2024 Grant & Tracy’s property, near Davies Creek, Qld

Katie and Sarah’s birthdays today. Not enough phone signal here so will send them a message tomorrow when we head out.

Cloudy cool morning but the day warmed up quickly. The boys went off wandering again so Tracy and I had a lovely time chatting.

Rick headed back to Cairns in the afternoon. Chris and Marie came across for drinks.

The stars came out which was nice for a change.

 

Fri, 19th Apr, 2024 Jon & Annalise’s place, Cairns to Grant & Tracy’s property, near Davies Creek, Qld (Mum 3 years passed)

Hard to believe it has been 3 years since Mum moved on to her eternal life. Still miss her so much but chat with her about everything and she is lovingly looking down on her two newest great grandchildren.

More rain through the night - not very helpful for our packing up this morning. Got camper loaded back on - not that easy with the slope but we got it straight and onto the truck.

Another cuddle with Beau before we headed off. Will see them in 3 weeks at Byron Bay for Annalise’s brother’s wedding.

Back on the road again. The old Kamerunga bridge is visible now that the water has gone down in the Barron River.

Up the Kuranda Range which is speed limited to 40kph as they are still doing repairs after all the slips etc from the heavy rain earlier this year. Good view here too as the trees got thinned out.

Another fresh slip.

Across the Barron River again at Kuranda.

Continued on, across Davies Creek then we turned off to meet up with Grant and Tracy. They were at their friend’s lychee farm so we met them as well - lovely couple, Chris and Marie. Rick met us there too, Kaylene was not well so she didn’t come up.

I went in the buggy with Tracy and Grant hopped in with Steve. Looks a bit muddy!

The track into their property is still to wet at the moment so we are taking the alternative route. The chap who had owned all this land had let the Catholic Church use a section as a retreat and monks had created a wonderful haven with, house, beautiful gardens, lots of stone masonry and a chapel - Tracy showed me the photos. It is all up for sale now and it would be a great buy for someone with a spare couple of million to make a wedding venue there. There is a huge lake too. This section was narrow bitumen then we cross the dam wall.

We waited for the boys to catch up.

We crossed over - Tracy is a very good driver. Then watched the boys cross and come up. All good.

Meandered our way up and down the hills. First view of their lake.

Across their causeway which was recently running very high - glad it isn’t today!

Over we go - nice view up the lake which goes for a long way apparently.

Around to the flat area they have chosen as their holiday retreat. Perfect. They have done a lot of work clearing it then getting the grass to grow etc. They have their vans set up here. Amazing location and only an hour from Cairns.

We set up camp.

Went for a wander - looking back at camp area.

Down to the other end of the flat where the lake continues. Would be great to have a couple of canoes etc.

Had a great time chatting and hearing about all the work they have done and their future plans. They had rain here last night like we had but today it is just overcast.

There was gold found around the area so the boys went off with the detectors for a look. Not so squeezy in the buggy!

Unfortunately they only found rubbish but they did their bit cleaning up the block!

Their kids and partners arrived too so we had a great afternoon and evening chatting.

Certainly cooler up here.