June 11th & 12th, 2012- South Side Caravan Park- Rockhampton

The holiday Monday saw us up early and heading East towards Rockhampton. The Capricorn Highway was somewhat better once we made in back through Emerald and road construction was shut down for the holiday. Traffic was fairly light but a few idiots on the road. Arrived at Rockhampton around lunch time and checked into South Side Caravan Park. Nice clean park with good size sites although the roads are like a maze.

Did some shopping at Woolies and Dan Murphy's after lunch. Did some cleaning and enjoyed an easy afternoon. Evening had Carol joining us to watch the Voice while Stephen found a Pub to watch Monday Night Football.

Tuesday morning we did a drive with the Ransleys out to Yeppoon and Emu Park. Tide was low while we were there so views weren't as good as they could be. Nice beaches and a good view of Great Keppel Island. We had morning tea in a lovely park along the beach in Yeppoon.

We then took a tour of the Marina before heading South towards Emu Park. Emu Park was a nice little community and looked like a good place to stay for future trips. We drove up to the lookout and the Singing Ship Monument before returning to the caravan park via the scenic route.

My shoulder was giving me quite a bit of pain so I spent the afternoon resting in the caravan. Couple of Panadol and a nap helped a bit. Sandra went to the Rockhampton Zoo and Botanical Gardens. They really enjoyed them both and they were both free which is great. Had great tour talks with the Cassowary's and the Chimpanzee's. Thoroughly enjoyed and gave us all a good impression of Rockhampton.

June 9th & 10th, 2102- Blue Gem Caravan Park-Sapphire

Saturday morning we were up early and away from Clermont by 8:30AM. Filled up with diesel on the way out of town before heading South towards Emerald. I know it sounds like a lot of repetition but the road was shocking with lots of road construction. Took us almost 3 hours to travel 160 KM to Sapphire. We don't try to travel that fast when towing the caravans, but this was ridiculous!

Had some interesting rock hills along the way which just sort of jut out of the ground in the middle of nowhere. Also passed through Capella which was a very nice looking little town. We turned West again at Emerald towards Sapphire.

We checked into the Blue Gem Caravan park here just before lunch. We are definitely in fossicking country. I think we are the only two vans here that aren't living here for a few months digging for sapphires, quartz, zircon etc. We need some digging equipment, a few dogs each, and need to take up chain smoking to fit in. We think its a cross between Andamooka, Coober Pedy, and White Cliffs.

The girls did several loads of laundry after lunch before we went for a driving tour of Sapphire and Rubyvale. We all had a good laugh but will most definitely not be moving here. Not a Tidy Town nominee as it would appear you just store everything you ever owned in your front yard. Every second place sells Gems or you can go in and fossick through a bag for your own. Our favourite name of a place was the "Willy Wash" and no it's not what you think it is (as Rans and I found out the hard way)!

Another humorous highlight was the cows walking down the main road. Too top it off we saw a sign that they (as well as camels and goats) have legal right of way on all local streets.

Sunday morning we attended the local markets. Lots of stalls but 80% of them sell sapphires or other gems. If everyone here prospects, polishes, and cuts gemstones we wonder who actually would be at the markets buying them?? The people here are very friendly but it takes a certain type to invest month after month, year after year searching for the big score!

The remainder of the day was taken up cleaning and catching up with our computer work. We are heading East again tomorrow towards Rockhampton.

June 8th, 2012- Clermont Caravan Park-Clermont

Thursday morning we headed West on the Peak Downs Highway towards Clermont and Emerald. We leave the Cane fields after awhile and enter mining country. The roads are very poor with lots of bumps and road construction. Unfortunately much of the work seems to be taking place in the ditches as opposed to the actual road.

We stopped at Moranbah just before lunch as the girls realised, Uncle Ronnie who they haven't seen for over 30 years lives there. We hunt him down at the Bowling Club and have a short visit. The girls were really glad to see him and he reminded us all a lot of the girls Dad, Eddie. A little heavier set but many of the same mannerisms and looks very similar. Exchanged a few stories in a quick visit before we headed out back on the road. Moranbah is bigger than we expected and definitely a mining town.

We continued on towards Clermont. We passed a few mines and some cotton fields on the way there. We had planned to journey to Emerald but when we called, we discovered the caravan parks were booked out for the long weekend. We were tired by this point anyway and decided to stay in Clermont for the night. We got spots in an overflow area at the caravan park there. Fairly basic park with lots of permanents (miners) but friendly, helpful staff. We found out a lot of gem prospectors live in the caravan parks in this area for months at a time as well. Had an early night as we were all tired and the night was cool again.

June 5th-7th, 2012- Seaforth Reserve-Seaforth

Tuesday morning we were up and away from Airlie Beach by 8:30AM. We headed back to Proserpine before turning South on the Bruce Highway towards Mackay. The road was once again busy and several stops for construction. We missed the first turn into Seaforth but found the second entry point. Road was very narrow and winding through Sugar cane fields on either side.

Arrived at Seaforth Reserve where we found ourselves a couple of large sites. Very big nature reserve sponsored by local council. The sites are huge but quite slanted so caravans are parked at numerous different angles. We ended up parked sideways on two adjoining large sites. Located right on the beach and has drinking water, toilets, and showers. Appears to be lots of fisherman staying here for a number of weeks.

After lunch we went for a drive into Mackay as the Ransleys had to pick up a caravan tap from a shop there. We went to the information centre as well to enquire about Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella which are west of Mackay. Stopped at Spotlight on the way home so the girls could investigate their scarf making supplies. Not much luck there so will have to turn to the Internet for suppliers. We had a nice walk along the beach in the afternoon when we returned.

Wednesday we had an easy morning before going for a drive with the Ransleys after lunch. We toured a number of local bays near Seaforth on the way to Cape Hillsborough National Park. We stopped at Ball Bay and Halliday Bay. Both were quite nice secluded beaches although the tide was out so difficult to get a proper idea of what they might look like. We walked along Ball Beach and girls found a few shells.

Next stop was Cape Hillsborough National Park where we did a nice long walk along the beach. Very pretty even though tide was well out. Lots of rugged rocks along the sandy beach. Got some nice photos before returning to the car and caravan park.

Thursday morning we got an early start and headed West towards Eungella. Our first stop was Dame Nellie Melba's homestead in Marian. Unfortunately it was not open when we arrived so we continued West towards Pinnacle, Finch Hatton, and Eungella. The last 5 KM into Eungella is probably the steepest climb we have been on so far on our trip. Very winding, steep, and beautiful. At the top you get a wonderful view back down the valley towards Mackay and the ocean.

We did a short walk at the Sky Window Lookout where you got a great view of the valley before heading to Broken River where we did a short walk along a boardwalk. We were lucky enough to see a number of Platypus on our walk. The area is well known for them but they are best seen early in the morning or late in the afternoon so we were fortunate to see several late in the morning. First ones that Sandra or I have seen in the wild!

Back into the car and off to Pease Lookout on the other side of Eungella. Steep climb and beautiful rainforest but lookout is lacking because of overgrown trees. Quickly back on the road and driving down the steep hill out of Eungella towards Finch Hatton Gorge. We do a 3KM return walk into Araluen Cascades once we reach the gorge. Very nice walk through dense rainforest. Temperature drops considerably as you are completely shaded from the sun. The falls and pool were beautiful and so much green along the walkway. Stephen and I decide to take a swim at Araluen Cascade much to the girl's amusement. Turns out to be freezing cold and you could feel your limbs going numb as soon as you got into the water. I was in first but couldn't lie to Rans as my skin was turning colour and I was gasping for breath. Quickly climbed out and dried off before the return walk to the car. We traversed a few water crossings on our return journey to Finch Hatton.

We stopped at the Pinnacle Pub on the return journey for lunch. Famous homemade meat pies for the boys and the girls had a nice Chicken Salad. Very high on the pie score for our journey! Stopped at the Melba House again on our return trip only to find out it had closed 10 minutes before we got there at 3:10. I guess we weren't meant to tour the Melba House. Headed back home where we prepared for our trip tomorrow. The nights have been very cool and we have become reacquainted with our winter doona. We were treated to lots of bird life at the campground as well with a variety of ducks and Rosella's in abundance.

April 30th-June 4th, 2012- Whitsunday Adventure Big 4- Airlie Beach

Wednesday morning we packed up in Bowen and headed South again along the Bruce Highway. The roads were busy and lots of road construction. We booked into the Adventure Whitsunday Big 4 at Airlie Beach. This is a beautiful large caravan park which is probably the nicest caravan park we have stayed in yet. Lovely green, large private sites with full clean amenities. Mini golf, Swimming Pool, tennis, playgrounds etc. The reception was like a 5 Star resort and we all looked around to make sure we were actually at a caravan park.

After setting up and having lunch we took a drive down town. We parked the car and took a walk along the boardwalk and through the shopping district. Cloudy weather and low tide means the beach didn't look to special. Sandra and I have been here once before but didn't have a car and just experienced the downtown area. Airlie Beach extends to other suburbs like Canonvale which is quite a large area and hosts Woolies, Coles, and other large stores.  We never knew these existed from our previous visits.

We then took a drive out to Shute Harbour where the ferries run to Hamilton Island which is the International Airport. The caravan park was hosting some free entertainment that night and the four of us went down for a listen. We weren't expecting too much given our previous attempts at free entertainment in Western Australia. Much to our pleasant surprise the Father and Son team, Rino and Jade, were excellent playing several old classics. Their Mum and Dad even joined in for a few numbers. A great few hours of entertainment and we ended up buying a few of their Cd's. The park served biscuits and cheese snack as well for the concert. The rain had started to fall again but luckily they were able to move into an inside area.

Weather was forecasted to be poor until Sunday or Monday so we decided to wait it out at Airlie Beach as the park was so beautiful and sheltered from the weather as well. Our week was fairly quiet but we did enjoy some nice drives and some relaxation.

Thursday we visited Conway National Park and Cedar Falls. Lots of road construction again, overcast, with some showers. Stopped first at Cedar Falls which was quite pretty but overcast. Conway Beach was also not bad but was more exposed to the Southerly wind, so colder.

Friday afternoon Sandra and I treated ourselves to a couples Spa/Massage. Very relaxing and something we should treat ourselves more often.

Saturday morning we ventured out to the local markets. Not the best we have seen and a number of merchants didn't turn up because of the poor weather. Carol did run into an old neighbour of theirs from Horsefield Bay. They had a good visit. Girls bought a scarf which they are going to try to duplicate, and sell their own. Saturday afternoon saw a very competitive game of putt putt golf between the Ransleys and the Bewells. The Bewells won by one stroke based on Sandra's low score. Ransleys got to purchase the weekly lottery ticket for the winners.

Sunday the weather finally cleared and we enjoyed a sunny drive into Proserpine and out to the local dam for morning tea. Had picnic lunch in Proserpine before heading back to caravan park. We booked at Whitsunday Cruise for Monday as the weather was predicted to be good.

Sunday afternoon we did a 2 KM walk at Shute Harbour to Coral Beach. The beach was interesting as consisted mainly of shells and coral. The walk up to the lookout was good for us physically but the lookout is overgrown and doesn't offer very good views.

Monday morning saw us picked up at the park and taken to Abel Point Marina to join our Whitsunday Cruise. The boat held about 30 passengers and was very high speed craft called "Big Fury". The skipper "Bluey" and the first mate were very laid back and the safety talk was hilarious. Off we went flying through the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Some of the Islands we passed were: Hayman, Daydream, Hook, South Mole etc.

Our first stop was Broad Island where we had a snorkel for just over an hour. It was very nice with beautiful coloured coral and some very colourful fish. I think the coral is better than Coral Bay but the fish were not as plentiful or large. Sandra and I stayed in for about an hour before the cold finally got to us. We were surprised when we got back on the boat and discovered the majority of passengers had already returned before us. Carol and Stephan were almost the last two out of the water.

Once we were all loaded up and warming up we headed off to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island where we were to have lunch. We enjoyed a walk down the beach after quite a nice lunch supplied by the cruise. Whitehaven Beach is supposed to have some of the whitest, finest, silica sand in the world. Not sure it was as white as some in South West Western Australia but it definitely was fine and hard packed.

We loaded back on the boat for another couple of hours touring through the Whitsundays. Highlight was probably Hamilton Island which is quite developed. We really enjoyed our day and was good value at $99/person including meals and snorkeling equipment. Two crew members were funny and informative. Neither one will be dying of stress for sure!

Topped off the day with a beautiful baked dinner prepared by the Ransleys before the girls and I watched to Voice. Stephen went to the Pub across the road to watch the Football. Great day! Really enjoy Airlie Beach and would visit again. Recommend staying in the outer suburbs if you have a vehicle as more shopping and quieter areas.