Woodgate Beach

Friday we literally rolled out of Burrum Heads after a fortnight of cream cakes and coffee's, and carrying and extra couple of kilos! We had a very social time in the very friendly park, we certainly were not in a hurry to leave on our last morning, even when there was another caravan waiting to get onto our site and had been there since 8am! We had not planned for an early exit so we did not pull out until 9.30am, they just had to wait we had until 10am to vacate the site. Then we only went a couple of hundred metres to the bakery for our farewell morning tea, finally getting away about 11.15 am to travel the 98klm to Woodgate Beach.

Today is our third day here at Woodgate Beach Caravan Park, we have a very sandy site, the only saving grace is that we have a concrete slab. I think we must be in the most shady part of the park as well as we do not get the sun until around 2pm, so even though we are in QLD it can be quiet cool in the shade. Keeping our fingers crossed for a nice sunny site when we get to Bargara on Monday, as we will be there for a month.

Since being here we have been for a drive to check out the area at the far end of the beach that overlooks the Burrum River and Burrum Heads, we were waving but we were too far away for Maree to see us. Here at Woodgate it is great for cycling with an excellent bike/walking track the length of the beach. Yesterday we rode to the south, stopping in at the local bowls club. The greens looked very fast and we were told they run 17 - 18 there were 90 players registered for Friday afternoon bowls, the start of a full week of a bowls competition. We also saw some of the local wildlife occupying the front lawns helping out with the grass cutting. Later we stopped in at the Serenity Cafe at the park for a bacon and egg burger which we took over to the beach and sat in the sun to enjoy. Today we were once again on our bikes this time heading north along the beach to the boat ramp and the local pub that looked deserted and closed but on closer inspection found that is was open for business. On return to the park we once again visited the Serenity Cafe for our lunch, this time armed with our towels so we could lounge on the sand and soak up some of this gorgeous weather. I did hear a few z's coming from Baz!

Tomorrow we leave for Bargara which is only 67klms away, we need to have an early start as I have a dentist appointment at 9.40am managed to get a cancellation otherwise have to wait until 11th August.

Sunset Burrum Heads

Looking towards Burrum Heads from Woodgate

Enjoying the sun and sand at Woodgate

Preparing for the return to the park

Local lawn mowers

Broken down lawn mower

Burrum Heads

What a busy time we have had since arriving here at Burrum Heads. We have been here a week tomorrow and the time has just flown. Burrum Heads is 32 klms north of Hervey Bay and is a quiet little seaside town unlike Hervey Bay that is developing along the lines of the Gold Coast all hustle and bustle! Since being here in the Beachfront Tourist Park we have had Christmas in July a very enjoyable night that regular park patrons organised each year, they bring in caters even Father Christmas and his Elf. I have even attended an exercise morning, thinking I was meeting up with the ladies to go walking only to find myself in an hour class which was a walking  work out over four miles! We have also been up to the local bowls club for a couple of games of bowls, just checking to see if those new bowls that I had to buy still perform. Last Saturday we went to a market at Howard 23 klms away near the Bruce Hwy, it was a very large market with lovely fresh fruit and vegetables also plenty of craft. Monday we had a trip into Hervey Bay which required a stop at Dan Murphy's as we needed to stock up on our liquid refreshments. The esplanade is very busy with all it's accommodation, eateries and tourist shops, all that much worse due to the school holidays. Today we headed south to Maryborough to check out the street market where once again there was plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to be had.

On arrival here we thought the caravan park to be small and pokey and it was very tight to get into our site, but it has grown on us as we are only three caravans back from the waterfront where many hopefuls spend time trying to catch that elusive fish.  It is quiet relaxing to take your chair down to the waterfront and just sit and watch the Pelicans and fisherman doing their thing. Our friends Maree and Brian are also here along with their friends Christina and Eddie which means we have been enjoying a good fun Happy Hour with plenty of laughs. We are also regular customers at the Bakery that is only two minutes along from the park, morning coffee and cakes. We are also spoilt with a butcher and Foodworks right on our door.

Yesterday we had a visit from Barb and Stan our neighbours from back home, they are currently staying ar Hervey Bay and had spent time here eleven years ago and were surprised at the changes.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July

Hervey Bay

Burrum Heads

Burrum Heads

Wuruma Dam

Wednesday found us at Wuruma Dam after leaving the bumpy gut shaking Burnett Hwy, to travel along a developmental road which was a more even surface.The road would change from double lane to single lane and occasionally we would need to pull over to let an oncoming vehicle pass us, hoping they would stay on the sealed surface but no they all had to go flat chat with one wheel in the gravel even though we had pulled right off. The last kilometer was a good gravel road leading into the campsites that were right down beside the dam. We were lucky that a motor home had left that morning and we were able to get a good foreshore site, with great views of the dam and the entertaining wildlife.

We had a great two days there enjoying the beautiful weather and the appreciating the serenity of the area. It was lovely to lay in bed looking out onto the dam watching the ducks ducking and diving, the pelicans gliding on the water, such majestic birds. Cattle were grazing around the foreshore of the lake and would sometime wonder amoungst the vans.  We were able to put our new fire pot to good use as there was plenty of fire wood to be gathered close by. We learned that our next door neighbours had come in for two nights and were still there a fortnight later. Wuruma Dam is one of those places that once you get there you do not want to leave. We would have loved to stayed longer but had a booking at Burrum Heads so needed to head off this morning. Before we left we gave the neighbours 30litres of water and our remaining bread so they are able to stay on for a few more days.

View looking to the right from the caravan

View looking to the left from the caravan

Our Campsite at Wuruma Dam

Visiting Kookaburra's

Baz enjoying the vista from our campsite

Duaringa - Cania Gorge

Sunday it was another sunny clear day as we headed back out to Clermont, after our four night stop at Theresa Creek Dam. We are heading south east, which means we will be back under the Tropic of Capricorn and the weather will be slightly cooler. It was a fairly uneventful drive south back to Emerald and then southeast on the Capricorn Hwy then stopping mid afternoon at Duaringa at a free camp that the local council has provided for RV travellers.  We decided to set up for the night around the back of the camp area alongside a park and a lovely grassy spot near some Paper Bark Gum Trees. Sometime later I was reading in the Wiki Camps app that it is not wise to camp near the Paper Bark Gum Trees as your car and van will get cover in Bat droppings, oh well will just have to clean it off if that happens.  Later that evening we were startled with a splattering noise on the caravan, thinking that the Bats must have all let go at once and doused our van in dung! Baz went out to investigate only to find out that the sprinkler system had activated and was spraying along the side of the van. Checking the trees the next morning we realised that the council had trimmed the tops which has meant the Bats have relocated elsewhere.

The last couple of days we have been in at Cania Gorge and staying at the Top Tourist Caravan Park so we can catch up with the washing and cleaning. Looking forward to being able to wash the car and caravan at some stage as both are looking very dusty.  The caravan park is relatively busy as it is now school holidays and there are quiet a few camper trailers with young familys who come here to enjoy the wildlife, walking tracks and the relaxed bush camping experience. Today Baz and I thought we would do the 20 minute walk to view Big Foot, returning 2 hours later after deciding to take on one of the longer walks, of course we did not go prepared with water. The days here have been in the low 20’s but the nights drop very low to 1 or 2 degrees.

 We have been cursing that we had not packed our fire pot which Baz had made out of a 9kg gas bottle, as we have been to many camping spots where we could have used it. We had decided when we get home Baz would make another one out of a 4kg gas bottle as it would be much smaller to find a home for, we had seen a couple of designs that would be ideal for our use.  Lucky for Baz when going to the kiosk at Cania Gorge Caravan Park for our ice cream, they had exactly what we wanted, so it ended up being a very expensive ice cream treat. Of course we had to try it out, works very well!

Cania Dam

Big Foot Cania Gorge

Baz out for some exercise

Baz enjoying his new fire pot 

Families playing chess at Cania Gorge Caravan Park

Injune-Springsure-Theresa Creek Dam

Sunday was our last day at Mitchell, which found us getting down in battery power after three days spent in a relatively shady spot. We ran the generator for a few hours on Saturday which gave the battery some kick, but I watched a few hours of TV that night and undid all the good work! We decided the best thing for us was to pack up and move to an open spot so the solar panels could do their job.

Once our relatively quick move was completed we went for our daily soak at the thermal pool spending the rest of the day doing R and R at the caravan, before returning to the thermal pool for our last visit.

We then proceeded to the Coach House Hotel for their Sunday night roast, $20 for a three course meal of home made veggie soup, roast pork and lemon meringue pie.it was a very enjoyable meal all that much better because I didn't have to cook it!

Monday found us on the road again heading further north to Theresa Creek Dam. We passed through Emerald stopping for the night at Injune Racecourse, a budget overnight stop $15 for power and water, with plenty of firewood for a communal fire at happy hour. We had a peaceful nights sleep as it was far enough away from the hwy not to hear the trucks. The next day we proceeded onto Virgin Rock a freebie two klms north of Springsure. Virgin Rock was named after the feature which resembles The Virgin Mary and child, the rock has eroded over time but is still very impressive as it is lit up at night in the middle of nowhere. Once again Baz and I had a good nights sleep only to be told the next day the passing trucks applied their air brakes and tooted their horns when passing, Baz and I must have certainly been sending up the Z's !!!

Wednesday we arrived here at Theresa Creek Dam after stocking up at Clermont. We are here at this stage until Sunday, then we will head south again and out to the coast. We have a booking at Burrum Heads from the 4th July for two,weeks, and hope to catch up with Maree and Brian. They have been delayed getting away because their washing machine flooded the house causing considerable damage. Our campsite is located on the hill overlooking the dam, as we are able to get TV reception from there, but unfortunately no internet or mobile phone coverage. This is unusual as most places have had internet and mobile phone but no TV. The solar panels are doing their job well so I will be able to watch as much TV as I want, this means Baz will not have to play Sequence with me to pass the evenings.

We are currently sitting in the car about 500 mtrs up the road from the van as we can pick up the internet there and also have phone cover. I am quickly posting this blog before I loose it again!!!!!!

Virgin Rock sun rise

Theresa Creek Dam

Sunset Theresa Creek Dam

Mitchell

We left Surat on Thursday and made our way to the Neil Turner Weir at Mitchell. We had a very uneventful trip stopping at Roma to check out the little drapery store next to Mitre 10. This store has so much stock you have to see it to believe it! The shelves reach the ceiling and each shelf is jam packed with reams of material, some have been there so long that they still have pounds shilling and pence on the price tag. I have never seen such a collection of buttons, you name it that store would have it.

 We were pleasantly surprised with the condition of the Warrego Hwy between Roma and Mitchell since we had last travelled this way, a vast improvement from the roller coaster ride three years ago.

We are camped at the Neil Turner Weir that is only a couple of klms from town, it is a large free camp area with many Grey Nomads taking advantage. Friday it was the short trip into town for some supplies and a visit to The Great Artesian Spa. We were very lucky to have the thermal pool to ourselves and the manager very kindly turned the water inlet up so we could enjoy a very therapeutic massage. By putting one leg up against the side of the pool you were able to lean back into the water stream and received a good pounding on you neck and back. We have bought a three day pass so we can go there each day we are here. I went with my shampoo, conditioner and hair dryer, and was able to have a lovely long shower drying my hair, what a luxury. When we are free camping we shower every day but we have to limit the water we use, turning off the tap while you soap yourself then the tap back on for a quick rinse. I am able to dry my hair if Baz fires up the generator, sometimes he is receptive!

There is plenty of fire wood to be gathered in the area so we have been able to enjoy a camp fire and try are skills with the camp oven again. 

Drapery Store Roma one of many isles

Relaxation time in the Thermal Pool Mitchell

Roast beef and veggies

Mitchell campsite

Nindigully-Surat

Woohoo we are back on the road again!

We extended our stay at Moree to 2 1/2 weeks, we still do not know where the time went.  The days passed very quickly as we would start the day with a soak in the pools, then by the time you had your shower it was time for morning tea. A few hours later in was time to hit the pools again before Happy Hour. We also managed to get a few games of bowls in while we were there, with me splurging out for a new set, just could not pass up on the good deal that was on offer from a mobile bowls dealer, I certainly saved Baz some money! hehe!

We parted ways with Alan and Fay yesterday after a very enjoyable three weeks of their company, they are heading towards the coast and we are still heading north to outback Qld,  may cross paths again in a few weeks. They made sure we did not have too much spare time on our hands, with organised bowls games and hanging out at the Service Club enjoying great meals, raffles and a couple a wins on the pokies.

On arrival at Nindigully we found that there had been a few changes along the river since our last stop 3 yrs ago, with a walk way and sections set aside for free camping. After a leisurely afternoon sitting in the sun and catching up on some reading we ventured over to the pub for happy hour, $3 for a pot. When the sun went down it chilled down very quickly but we rugged up and braved the chill to listen to a bush poet (Bushie Thompson)who was entertaining the campers at the fire.  He managed to get quiet a few laughs not only from the poems he recited but also his jokes.

Today we headed a little further north travelling through St George and onto Surat, when we are again free camping along with about 35 caravan, motor homes and buses all enjoying a great spot just out of town on the Balonne River.