Day 99 -102 – Blacks Beach, Sarina, and Mackay
After another hairy night of wind and some rain, we decided to stay around the park on Monday just to ensure we didn’t have too much trouble coming our way.
As our neighbours for the last few nights, Ian and Leeanne were moving on Tuesday, eight of us went out to dinner to farewell them after having spent the last 7 days together and enjoying everyone’s company. Whilst our dinners left a little be desired, the company was great and hope to catch everyone somewhere on the road.
On Tuesday we headed down to Sarina and did a tour of the Sugar Shed. This was a great tour and the liquor rum and ginger sauce we purchased were to die for. The sugar mill at the rear of the Sugar Shed, is owned, and operated by Wilmar Sugar Australia and is owned by Indonesia. The sugar mill had no wastage and uses every part of the sugar cane harvested for a lot of different products, not just sugar. The sugar shed took us through the process of how the sugar cane is dealt with after it is harvested and arrived at the mill. There was so much we didn’t know about how sugar is milled.
We also took a run out to Sarina Beach and Hays Point. We stayed in Sarina Beach about 30 years ago and did not recognise it at all. On the recommendation of the Tourist Info at Sarina we also took a drive to Hay Point. The port of Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world and is a vital part of the social and economic fabric of Mackay and surrounds.
The last few days in Mackay were spent on maintenance of the car and caravan and just taking a daily stroll on the beach. Such a hard life.
Day 103 – Blacks Beach to Kinka Beach – 372klms
After farewelling Ross and his wife on their way south, we also were farewelled by Judy and Trevor on our way south.
The drive from Mackay to Kinka Beach was very boring and the road left a lot to be desired. All of that was forgotten once we reached Kinka Beach and set up camp opposite the beach.
Probably the only draw back of being so close to the beach at the moment is that the coral on the reef offshore is spawning and the smell is a little off putting but you get use to it.
There are lots of Curlews and a resident peacock in camp.
Day 104 – Yeppoon, The Caves, Rosslyn Bay and Emu Park
Today we jumped back into the car and drove into Yeppoon to enjoy morning tea before heading out to The Caves to take a tour through the Capricorn Caves. Capricorn Caves are located 23 kilometres north of Rockhampton. The limestone “above ground” caves are one of the largest privately owned cave systems. Our tour was very informative and the cathedral cave and micro bats absolutely fascinating. They hold weddings and operas in the Cathedral Cave and the cave in which the bats were living was astounding when you could actually hear the bats communicating which sounded like running water.
After venturing through the caves, we drove back to Yeppoon for a look at the esplanade and sailing club. Again, Queensland Councils are so more advanced than those in NSW. The infrastructure built to accommodate tourists, kids and locals is amazing. Just cannot understand why our Council’s cannot have the same foresight.
We drove to the Marina at Rosslyn Bay via the coast and were treated to more picture perfect scenery. From the lookouts along the coast you could clearly see the coral spawn in the water coming from the reef.
When then drove onto Emu Park, where beside the Avenue of Honour at Yungaburra, the memorial to our diggers was just amazing as too was the tributes to Captain Cook who discovered Emu Park in 1770.
Whilst we didn’t see any “real” emus, we were certainly treated to the wonderful sculptures of emus scattered throughout the town.
Day 106 – Mount Morgan
I treated George this morning to one of my amazing smashed avo, poached egg, tomato, and feta breakfasts before heading up to the historic gold mining town of Mount Morgan in the hinterland above Rockhampton.
Mount Morgan mine commenced operation in 1882 and became one of the richest gold mines in Australia. The area declared a total of 225 tons of gold, 50 tons of silver and 360,000 tons of cooper. We took a tour of the town’s museum which took us for a trip down memory lane over the many years of our own lives as well as years before our existence.
We finished off at the Grand Hotel for lunch and a quick tipple before heading back to Kinka Beach for a walk on the beach.
Thanks to everyone who read my ramblings, I do enjoy writing it and putting the photos together. It is at least a record of our trip for us to retain for future reference. We also thank everyone for your lovely comments, tips and well wishes.
So now that we have dotted our eyes and crossed our t’s, we are able to let everyone know we are pulling up our 12 month trip at 6 months and returning home for my to commence work early January. This is due wholly to the fact that we cannot get into Western Australia and as NSW and Victoria seem to be still having issues with small outbreaks, we cannot see the WA premier changing his mind anytime soon.
So homeward bound we are, very slowly and definitely no rush. I just love this area of our country and am absolutely amazed at Australia’s vast and incredible coastline. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful country.
We will revisit SA and WA probably when a COVID vaccine is found and everything has settled down. So yes, definitely a few years away yet.
Jay is keenly waiting to see what restrictions VIC will relax on the 19th of the month and Ty is in the middle of finishing off his Honours Year and deciding which way of then. He has a plan so hopefully it all works out for him. He has worked hard and deserves the outcome desired
We are still enjoying tripping around and the stress-free lifestyle.
We do miss this little one though.
