Day 106 to 109 – Kinka Beach to Agnes Waters/1770
After enjoying the magnificent views around Yeppoon and surrounds, time to continue our crawl south to Agnes Waters and 1770.
Our stay here is just outside of Agnes Waters at 1770 Southern Cross Travellers Retreat. What a great spot. Private property with its own dam and pool with the powered camp site around the dam.
We spent a lot of time during these few days driving in and out of bush tracks, walking along tracks to lookouts and beaches, enjoying the layback lifestyle (a very busy but beachy atmosphere).
The highlight of our stay was the LARC (Light Amphibian Resupply Cargo) tour into Bustard Bay and up to the beach. We enjoyed seeing the migrating birds who have just started to arrive from the northern hemisphere to breed in the warmth of the beaches of 1770. The turtles are also about the come into shore to nest and a lot of the remote beaches have been closed to protect the turtle and bird nesting areas. Unfortunately, we are just a little early in the season and did not see any turtles.
Whilst at camp the owners horse “Strawberry” paid us a visit more than once. The first morning he just waltzed under our annexe and helped himself to the toast which just popped up. I was laughing so much about him just wandering in I did not realise he had pinched my toast until I looked up over the camera.
So far, I have encountered, cows, horses, peacocks and dogs just wandering in under our awning to see what we have on offer. The 2am call from the cow at Ungara Lava Tubes was not really a treat though.
Day 110 and 111– Agnes Waters to Bundabery – 122klm
During our trip George has been quite impressed by my choice of tours and campsites. I try to cater to his needs, so not so much free camping but a lot of cheap camping.
Well I absolutely blew any kudos I may have had in Bundaberg. The first place I had picked was on the banks of the Burnett River. After pulling into reception I just got the worst feeling. No shade, barren ground with multiple “trailers”. Something I have learnt over the years is that if it doesn’t feel right then trust the gut, so we pulled out much relieved and headed to our next stop. On checking in I also started to get that uneasy feeling. Whilst not quite so bad as the first stop, it was definitely running a close 2nd. I quickly changed our stay from 3 days to 2 days and after proceeding to our site I started to regret my one night.
The staff were wonderful but the further we went into the park we realised this was a permanents park which catered for the odd traveller. Now I know what you are all thinking but believe me you would have had the same thoughts. It was one of those places where you see nothing, know nothing and say nothing!!! George’s observation was that we were completely out of place as we had our own teeth and no tats!
We did enjoy our drives around the beaches to the east of Bundaberg, Mon Repos, Bargara, Port Elliot and Burnett Heads. Unfortunately, the turtles were not coming in yet and the turtle conservation area was closed.
Whilst in Bundaberg we did do the Bundaberg Rum tour which was probably a highlight for George but one which I really enjoyed. The history of Bundaberg is steeped heavily in the rum trade and of course, sugar cane. I was fascinated to learn that the Bundy Bear was developed in the 1960’s by Samuel McMahon (Prime Minister William McMahon’s) brother who developed the label and the bear. “McMahon” in Ireland means “son of bear” and they say he created the label with the bear so that a little bit of him was in every bottle of rum.
We also went to the Bert Hinkler Flight museum and enjoyed learning about Bert Hinkler and his sad demise in Italy. He was truly an incredible pilot and engineer.
Day 112 – Bundaberg to Maryborough – 109klms.
There is nothing I can say about today other than “Bathurst” car race. Anyone that knows me will know I would not miss this race. So, after bidding our “dodgy” accommodation farewell it was a bolt down the highway, quick stop at Childers (wished we had stayed here pretty town) and then onto Maryborough for a quick set up. First time TV has been on before the car engine had even stopped!!
We are enjoying the race, a little downtime and losing that uneasy feeling that has been sitting at the bottom of my stomach for the last two days.
Another week down and we are slowly crawling our way south.
I would have gladly come home anytime during the last two days but have regained the love of being on the road again.
I am starting to look like a pumpkin again so its about time to get back into my weight loss program and exercise. So that is my promise to myself between now and getting home. Of course, George is fully behind my exercise regime, he agreed that he was starting to worry about our GVM. He will be bloody lucky to get back in one piece if he keeps that up.
Saw this sign this morning at Childers and had to laugh. Think that has been my mantra for the last 16 weeks.
Loving your comments, thought of you guys during the Race, I thought it was pretty dull, not like the good old days. ,
Having a good time and George is being as silly as ever.
Love your blogs. Feel like I am with you. Keep them coming. Don’t worry too much about your diet. Just try and be a little sensible now and then. This trip is about enjoyment – each other, food, drink, experiences, beautiful places and people. Keep safe.
Thanks Sylvia. Great advice. My son said the same thing