HOME HILL-TOWNSVILLE-ROLLINGSTONE

ROLLINGSTONE.

SUNRISE ROLLINGSTONE

TOWNSVILLE

HOME HILL

After leaving Cape Hillsborough Mon.20th July, we travelled north approx. 250klm. for an overnight stop in Home Hill. Right in the middle of town, next to the railway line we found this stop. So did a lot of other travellers, but what a novelty for us. Thought the trains may keep us awake all night, but most of them went through early evening and next morning. Mainly coal and grain carriers. We were able to wave to the train drivers.
Next day was only a short journey of 90klm to Townsville. Where we booked into the Magnetic Gateway Holiday Park. Would really recommend this park as our introduction was, after booking in and arriving at our site, we had the pleasure of meeting Rick who guided us into position. Was very pleasant and helpful. The park is very spacious and the amenities very clean and presentable. Only a short run into the CBD about 6klms. Townsville has grown so much since our last visit here 11yrs. ago during our sailing days. Very impressed with the transformation of the marina complex and The Strand which is 2.2.klms of parkland, walking tracks, rock pool, bbqs, picnic areas, cafes and surf lifesaving club. Of course there are many shopping complexes and services throughout the region. After our 3 night stay we were off again on Frid. 24th July to our next beautiful stop.
We were told about Rollingstone, which is only 60klms. north of Townsville, by some friends we met. Well what an approach to this place. I thought we were driving into a Pacific Is. Resort. Very impressive. This is a Big 4 Park. Site 78 puts us right on the beach front. Approx. 3klms. east of the Bruce H/way there is no shops only minimal supplies at the office. We knew this so are stocked up. D’Arcy tried fishing from the beach last night, although I could see him from our back window I was a little worried as a neighbour told us there is a 4m crocodile in the area. Needless to say, no fish. Except today, Sat. There was a fish supplier came around in the park so I bought some for tonights dinner. No worrying about him fishing tonight. You know those crocs. are creatures of habit. Till next post.....

ARMSTRONG BEACH PHOTOS

Our next to free (not quite) Armstrong Beach site. Refer to Armstrong Beach blog. The view with coconuts from bedroom window.

The local towing vehicle

The Public Amenities.

Waiting for the tide so can do some fishing.

CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

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CAPE HILLSBOROUGH
Have decided to put all the photos together at the beginning. Armstrong Beach photos next post.
After another 3 days staying at Armstrong Beach we headed for Seaforth approx. 50klms. north of Mackay. The Camps 5 #64, describes this as a camping reserve. There is no power, but also generators are not allowed. There is an $18 p/n fee with a $20 deposit for a swipe card to gain entry through the boom gate. After walking around a bit we decided to give this one a miss and booked into Cape Hillsborough Caravan Resort 10klm. S/E in a National Park. It is absolutely beautiful. After settling in and booked for 2 nights we checked out the area and decided on 2 more nights.
Friday, 17th July. I had wanted to get up early and see the sunrise down on the beach. I was just a little late, but managed to get some good photos. The kangaroos gather at one end of the beach and are fed, whereby the tourists can get some really good early morning photos. My shots were during my walk along the opposite end of the beach when I came across 2 kangaroos having a lovely time, as per photos. I felt really privileged to get this opportunity. So, on Sat. I convinced D’Arcy to get down and see the sunrise (before 6.30am.) and how beautiful this part of the coast is. After breakfast headed off on a hike up the mountain track to witness the views from 3 different lookouts. 2.6klm. return where the bush scenery changed quite a lot. Consisting of numerous steps at the beginning of the track, cool, remnant rainforest opened to more exposed eucalypt forest along the top of the ridge. D’Arcy tried fishing from his kayak in the afternoon. Not catching anything of size, although he did land 4 different fish, which went back, he did enjoy being out there and getting the exercise. I decided it was just too cold as it was getting late in the day.
We are still enjoying out ‘sputnik’ fire every night. One night we had roast lamb & veges cooked in the camp oven over the fire. As this type of cooking is experimental for us we didn’t know how long it would take, but was all done beautifully in 1 ½ hrs. We have been visited by different wildlife again here. A possum, curlew birds, bush turkeys and numerous kookaburras. Thismorning I looked out the window and 2 kangaroos were outside. D’Arcy tried kayak fishing again thismorning, but no luck. We are heading off from here tomorrow morning (Mon.20th July). Still heading north. (why not) The weather is a lot warmer, although we did have a couple of cool windy days. Even the locals were complaining. Till next post.....

TANNUM SANDS-ARMSTRONG BEACH

ST. LAWRENCE - QUEENSLAND -8TH/9TH JULY 2009

RORY'S 50TH. 4th JULY 2009

TANNUM SANDS/ARMSTRONG BEACH
After arrival back to Tannum Sands on 1st July we started to prepare for our journey down to Hervey Bay for the weekend. Because the site we had booked was taken they found us a spot, but had to cut a few branches from a tree. They are so accommodating here at Tannum Beach Caravan Park. The next day, we had a special delivery. A few days before we went online to purchase some red wine from an auction site. As it turned out we were successful with 4 boxes. Along with these our friends, Geoff & Robyn Clifford from the Murwillumbah Cellars kindly sent us a mixed box of wine to try. Also as we do like really good coffee beans, daughter Jody & husband Gerard sent us fresh roasted supplies from their cafe, Red Cherry in Cambridge, New Zealand. As per photo of Lester the park groundsman delivering our lot by the golf cart.
The reason for our trip to Hervey Bay was son-in-law, Rory’s 50th birthday celebrations. We booked into a studio unit for 2 nights at Torquay. Son, Darren who drove up from the Gold Coast, picked his grandmother (my mum) up from Bribie Island on the way and she stayed with D’Arcy & I.
Jackie, Paul, Taylor & Chloe also made the trip up and were guests of their friends, Tony & Chantelle from Maryborough. The party went well, but not without a hitch in the preparation of the pig on the spit. D’Arcy was up early and went to help Kellie & Rory prepare the pig and get it going on the spit, before returning for his breakfast. During this time the pig caught alight and being positioned under their upstairs balcony there was panic as the flames nearly took hold of the balcony. While trying to move the spit Kellie cut her head on the stairs and another friend cut his hand badly and had to visit the hospital for a tetanus shot and bandaging. Other than that the day and evening went really well. It was especially good to see all my family together. Mum seemed to enjoy herself also, as per dancing photos.
Sunday and we were on our way back to our van at Tannum Sands where we stayed for another 3 nights. Wednesday and we were heading north on the Bruce Highway to a rest area (camps 5 #88) St. Lawrence, approx. 280klms. As I drove for the final 1 1/2hrs I took the van into our parking spot and received a very nice compliment from a fellow traveller, who said that I brought us in just like a real truckie. After parking up we went for a walk around this small town and came across the local pub where we had a drink and talk to a few locals. We are trying to get as much info on fishing in local areas. The prettiest sight in this town is the entrance across the railway line, a wall of bougainvillea. As this is the main railway line north to Cairns they are in the process of building a new bridge across St. Lawrence Creek. This is where we set ourselves up to do a spot of fishing and I caught my first fish of the trip, an edible whiting. A lovely place to just relax even if we didn’t catch much. We decided to stay at this spot for 2 nights and of course we had our fire going on both nights and cooked using the camp oven. Met some happy travellers as well and exchanged stories.

Friday was only a short trip of approx. 40klms. to Clairview Caravan Park (Camps # 87) where we stayed for 1 night only. As we needed water for the van we had to move on because this park had bore water and advised us not to put

into the van. They had tank water for drinking.
Saturday 11th July we were unable to get into any of the parks around Sarina, but an owner of one said he may be able to help as he had a block of ground at Armstrong Beach, just 7klms east of Sarina. Sounded good to us as there was power & water available. After Dennis gave us instructions on where to go we are parked up on this lovely block of ground with a short walk to the beach. My first job was to do the washing and then go and check out this quaint little village. Although there seems to be a lot of new housing going on. There are no services here. There is one small caravan park. No shops, but we did come across a sign on a fence, “GREEN PRAWNS- $12 PER KG” of course we didn’t hesitate to check these out. Half eaten as entree before dinner as I had my homemade beef & vege. soup thawing out. They were very yummy with a pre-dinner drink.
On waking Sunday I looked out the bedroom window to a lovely sight of a coconut tree full of coconuts and other beautiful shrubs and not even in a caravan park. Then it was time for some exercise so off I went walking along the beach. There are quite big tides in this area so the shoreline was a fair way out with plenty of sand. D’Arcy decided to ride his bike along the beach and as the tide was still way off for coming back in he headed back home to get his yabby pump and get some bait to go fishing later. Unfortunately only managed to get fairly small ones. With no luck fishing from the beach we headed off to find a better spot. D’Arcy was successful catching an edible flathead. While here a few young boys returned in their boat to the ramp and had car troubles so D’Arcy helped them by towing their vehicle and boat from the water. After arriving home it turned out that one of the boys lives next door to where we are staying. In appreciation they gave D’Arcy a six pack of beer. He was really appreciative as he had run out of beer.
Till next time........Still having problems placing photos...very frustrating....Photos of Armstrong Beach later.