Week 11 July 22^nd – 28^th

Tuesday saw us heading for the “Tip of the Continent”. We did about 140km of rough, corrugated, sandy and dirt Development Rd before getting to the Jardine River. This is where a ferryman takes you to the other side for $130.00 return. But this is where the real adventure begins.

The vegetation changed instantly, rainforest, palms and ferns all appear. Nothing like the woodlands, scrubby bush we left behind. We went onto Punsand Bay which is the closest camping ground to the “Tip”. Could not believe our luck, we got a campsite right on the beach of the bay, only 14km from the “Tip” for two nights. The afternoon was taken up setting up camp and taking in the view.

We had always spoken about sitting at the “Tip” and watching the sun go down over the ocean. So we thought we would go and do a reccey. Checkout timing, number of people and where we would sit to take photos etc. As we got to the beach there were 2 cars leaving and another 2 couples already at the “Tip” so that was good.

“You can climb over rocks, or you can walk the beach if the tide is right and then climb rocks to the ‘Tip”. We decided to climb up the rocks and walk the beach on the way back. The views of the outer islands were spectacular late afternoon, it was warm, clear as a bell, with a strong breeze. It took about 15 minutes and the famous sign was in view. We were the only ones there. “We had heard along the way that you had to queue to take your photos”, so this was excellent.

John set up the tripod with the camera to take a couple of trial shots. I stood by the sign and John would setup and come in next to me. The camera flashed to take a photo and the wind blew the tripod and camera into the saltwater. Screams went out, we reached the submerged camera. Out came the memory card but it was too late for the camera, it had saltwater in the lens and the lens would not close.

“Not to worry we have our phone cameras”. “No wait they need charging and we are not on power at camp”. So there will be NO trip to the “Tip” tomorrow.

Wednesday was spent walking the several bays along the beach at the top of Australia. The climate has been unbelievable around 28c daytime 23c night. It is amazing how close the islands are Thursday, Horn, Prince of Wales and Possession, all right there for the touching. “Just a magic spot”.

Thursday we had to move as the campsite was booked, but we stayed until the last possible moment. We moved to Loyalty Beach just around to the next bay. Once again we got a site where we could see the ocean, this beach was different, mud flats, rocks and small waves, but the lure of watching the sunset over the water from our camp lead us to stay 4 nights.

A very popular, friendly place, camps were at a premium. Over the 4 days we were there, wild brumbies, wild turkeys and snakes would pass through the park at all hours of the day and night. Talk of a crocodile on the water’s edge always had you on guard.

The park had a restaurant that we went to Saturday night to celebrate Emma’s birthday, “it was roast night”. It was one of those nights again that can’t be repeated. Everyone mingled and you were encouraged to sit with a stranger. “It was great”. So we went back Sunday night for fish and chips out of the paper. It was the dishwasher’s night off, we had a great sunset over the water and great company.

We had used the park as a base over the 4 days to visit Bamaga Township, Bamaga Airport where WW2 bomber wrecks fill the rainforest, Seisia, Muttee Heads Beach and Somerset Beach there is a lot of history in this area.

Monday came and it was time to head back south on the Development Rd, over the Jardine River and down to Fruit Bat Falls. A very crowded spot we were back in civilisation.

We had booked a couple of nights at Captain Billy Landing with National Parks. Don’t get me started on trying to book a campsite with Qld NPWS when you are in a remote area with no internet or phone service and no self-registration, it’s a joke and embarrassing to call yourself a Queenslander to interstate travellers.

At the turn off to Captain Billy Landing the road narrowed, it took an hour to do 27klm to get in and with our fingers crossed we did not meet anyone coming out as it would have been difficult to pass. But “Wow” it was worth it another pristine beach on the east coast. But as before on the east coast the wind was around 30 knots. So it was a matter of setting the tent up away from the wind with plenty of tie downs.

The Landing, an old wharf has long since decayed, but at low tide makes a great spot for fishing.

Week 10 July 17^th – 21^st

Thursday was not a long trip we were at Coen by about 10.00am, camping was about 3kms out of town so we decided to setup before going into town.  The Coen River was beautiful, fast flowing and an ideal place to camp.  We spent the arvo sitting in the shade of the paperbark trees, that hung over the large boulders in the river.  We went into town around 3.00pm. Coen is a typical town for this area, Hotel, Museum, Post Office and a couple of General Stores.  But it did have phone service, even out at camp so it was one of those magic pitch black, starry nights again where we made contact with family by the banks of the Coen River.

We packed up Friday to move onto Weipa, our next camp would be at Ron (Griz) and Mary’s old friends from our Hymix days.  But first we had to travel the dirt, corrugated and dusty Peninsula Development Rd for 220kms.

Weipa is owned by Rio Tinto Aluminium and bauxite is mined.  Coming into town a set of lights stop traffic to let the huge haul trucks continue on their way. A green light lets you past to the Port area.  Huge bulk carriers that take the mineral around to the Port of Gladstone and then on to Japan.

We spent the next couple of nights with Ron and Mary.  Friday night was pizza night with lots of catching up to do.  Saturday was a town tour while Mary worked.  The Comalco mine is huge with infrastructure that is amazing.  Sunday we went out to Pennyfather a local beach that is unbelievable, pristine white sand, the clearest blue water and she oak trees that shade the campers and day troopers.  “BUT you can’t swim here there are Crocodiles”.  We saw 2 small 4 metre ones.  The men fished, well tried to catch something while the girls chatted.  It was just a perfect day.

Monday saw us moving on, we were hoping to get to Bramwell Station tonight.  “Thanks Ron and Mary for allowing us to stay in your spare room and showing us around and for the laughs”. 

We made it around 3.00pm and spoke to the bar manager Garry, who told us about the history of the place.  Bramwell Station is the most northern cattle station in Australia, established in 1941 and is still working today.  It is 1340 sq kms and runs around 5000 cattle.  We were invited to happy hour and then dinner and for the live entertainment. “It was a good night”.

There are no photos this week the reason will be revealed in next week’s bulletin.

“A BIG HAPPY 40^TH BIRTHDAY TO TIM”

Week 9 July 8^th – 16^th

We had 4 great nights at Mt Carbine Caravan Park. Mt Carbine is about 80km north of Mareeba and 70km west of Mossman on the coast. The park was an old mining town, it has about 10 houses, swimming pool, recreation clubhouse and 3 amenity blocks all as clean as the Hilton Hotel. The park is all setup in a bush setting and a credit to Robert and Jennifer the owners.  This is where we will be leaving the van for a few weeks.

Monday saw us heading to the “Tip of the Continent”.  As it was about 10.30am before we parked the van, canoe and pack rack so decided that today would be a short drive.  Today was going to be a test, we had to put the tent up for the first time in 10 years.  So we needed daylight to get it right. Found a spot on the Laura River that was just ideal. So with John fishing, the sun going down on the river and black cockatoos in the sky, it was a good day.

Tuesday saw us rolling off the airbed onto our knees and up on to our feet to start the day.  Packing up was very leisurely. From our bush camp we drove to Laura and on to the red dirt.

We turned right to Lakefield NP and the landscape changed Eucalyptus, Cabbage Tree and Pandanus Palms and termite nests that stood like tombstones in the paddocks along the way.

We had planned to go to Bathurst Heads on the east coast, but when we spoke to the Ranger at Lakefield Station he explained that the road was closed.  So we headed to Musgrave Station an old property that now caters to travellers.  Fuel, supplies, hot showers and info on road conditions.  We asked if the road to Port Stewart was open and the answer was yes so we were off.  The road deteriorated from here on, corrugations that had our teeth chattering.  Port Stewart is on the east coast and is part of Princess Charlotte Bay. As we turned right to Port Stewart it was 3.30pm so time to look for a campsite for the night.  And once again Ron Moon’s Cape York Adventurers Guide gave us one right beside the Big Stewart River.

Wednesday we could not believe our luck the 60km to Port Stewart was just unexpected.  It was partly bitumen and dirt that was like a good country road.  The road and port area were once the supply route to Coen in its hay day of gold mining. It is a wide spance of water where the Big Stewart River meets the open sea.  The bay area is tidal with lots of hidden gems washing ashore in the mangroves. 

The temperature hit 31c today and an overnight temp of 21c.  The bay is renowned for being a large crocodile habitat, so consequently we camped a bit further inland from the waters edge.

Week 8 July 1^st – 7^th

Another week of sunshine and we are back at Rocky Creek, with a bit of maintenance to be done.

We have the car booked in for a service, hair to be cut, gas bottles to be refilled and of course banking, there are always bills to be paid. So Tuesday was done and dusted.

We went for a drive on Wednesday through the hinterland Yungarburra, Lake Echam and on to the Galleo Cheese and Chocolate factory.  I won’t tell you what we bought.

Thursday we got news that the storage boxes that we have been waiting for, have arrived in Cairns.  So Friday we hired a small trailer and went down to pick them up.  The afternoon was spent installing.  Men came from everywhere, as soon as the drilling started.

Saturday was spent moving camping gear, filling draws and creating a list for Bunnings.  It was fun we are getting close to our adventure now.

A couple of days creating a menu and we should be on our way.   Service will be limited so it may be two – three weeks before we are in touch again.

Week 7 June 24^th – 30^th

With rain and grey cloudy skies still hanging around we had to move to recharge.  We had been at Walkamin for 8 days. We travelled up to the Mareeba Country CP a little out of town across the mighty Barron River.  A little claustrophobic. This was one of those van parks where people come up from the south for months of the year.  Very friendly but to close.

With everything charged and Cairns holding us up for another week, we decided to take time out up in the Cooktown area. With cloud and misty rain on the way up we decided to have a powered site at the must do Lion’s Den Hotel. This would be our base for the next few days.

The sun came out on Friday and we were off to Cape Tribulation via the Bloomfield Track.  “A little disappointed”.  The Cook Shire Council were doing roadwork’s to upgrade the track to bitumen.  So there is only about 40km of adventure left.  A rutted red dirt track that winds through rainforest, fast flowing creek crossings that gladly are not deep and a landscape that is what you see in the brochures with pristine beaches.

We got to Cape Trib and it just blew us away. An open bay with rainforest hills stretching down to the waters edge and about 60 people.  Tourists from nearby resorts, buses, cars and private tours from Port Douglas and beyond, just amazing. It was hard to take a photo without someone else in it.

On our return trip the Bloomfield River was the feature, coming right to the road edge, then concealing its shelf back into the forest, crystal clear water.

Friday night was date night and what better place to go than the Lion’s Den in Far North Qld.  It was great, one of those night where you drink and eat and watch the locals.

Saturday we drove 30 km into Cooktown.  What a great place, lots of history from a long time ago. Captain Cook, gold mining and of cause the people that built the town all very interesting. The museum is excellent and there are great views of the town and Endeavour River from the grassy hill lookout.  We travelled back along the Mulligan Hwy and stopped in at Archer Point.  John read Ron Moon’s book on Cape York and Ron was very impressed with this area and now we can see why.  Archer point is what you would imagine a deserted tropical island to be, a small sandy beach with swaying palm trees and just a light breeze.  There is good fishing here so it is a place we will be back to when we are in the tent.

Sunday we did a round trip to Lakefield NP (over 200km) Mulligan Hwy, Battle Camp Rd and the Peninsula Development Rd. And once again we hit gravel roads, creek crossings and some bitumen.  We stopped in at Trevethan Falls, which was deep in the rainforest, with serious boulders at the bottom of the falls, beautiful clear water.  We visited the old Laura Homestead, just amazing the strength and stamina that people have in such harsh country.

Travelling on we stopped at the Split Rock Art Gallery, climbing the track to the artwork was painful, breath taking and heart pumping but we made it and it really was worth the climb.

Monday has come and we are sad to be leaving our base camp at the Lion’s Den Hotel it has been great, friendly staff, good food and coffee and great atmosphere.  We are heading back to our bush camp at Walkamin.

Week 6 June 18^th – 23^rd

We moved from Lake Tinaroo to Walkamin, a bush camp next door to the Rocky Creek War Memorial.  The Atherton Tablelands became the largest military base and largest field hospital in Australia 1943-1945.  It has a very dedicated group of people and Council that bring the history to us today.  “Well done”   There are about 50 camps and would you believe we meet a couple from Toowoomba.

Tuesday saw us getting out of the van. We took a drive through the Danbulla State Forest. We saw the Cathedral Fig Tree, which just had to be seen to be believed. A 44 metre girth, 500 years old and a hundred metres high, just amazing.

We had lunch a Lake Barrine, an old crater that filled with water hundreds of years ago. Among the rainforest that surrounds the lake are twin Kauri pines that are believed to be over one thousand years old.

After lunch we drove through Yungburra, where we walked Peterson creek hoping to spot the resident platypus, but no luck. On return we had to cross Lloyd’s suspension bridge. It took John back to his childhood days when he would swing the bridge to scare his sisters.

On the outskirts of Yungburra we visited the Afganistan Aveune of Honour. An amazing modern memorial to young Australian all under 40 years of age, that made the ultimate sacrifice, for whatever was asked of them. Through Atherton, Togla and back to the van and another cool night.

June 18^th “State of Origin all the flags are out. “Oops well done Ian and Max”

We are about 70 km from Cairns so Thursday went for a drive to the big smoke. Because we are in the Tableland the drive down was all lush rainforest and single lane so was slow going. We picked up mail, did some washing and shopping, then headed back to the van.

The weekend was spent sitting in the SUN, going through the mail, reading and doing craft.

Week 5 June 10th – 17^th

This week has been a shocker nine days straight of misty rain, humid and then cold weather.

We moved from Ravenshoe to Atherton Caravan Park. We restocked, refuelled and browsed the second hand shops for books to read. We then moved to Lake Tinaroo, “where the Burra are renowned to be that big that it would not fit in the canoe if caught”.  “It was that wet that the African Queen never came off the Cruiser”.

The birdlife at the lake were very interactive, they knew when morning and afternoon tea was on and went to every camp for lunch.

We are going “TRPO” in the van and to fill this page report will have to give you some statistics for the month. We have been away 34 days:

Travelled 2286 km

Cheapest Fuel $1.55 – Charters Towers (cheaper than at home)

Dearest Fuel $1.65 – Atherton

We’ve had –

18 nights at Bush Camps,  7 nights at Caravan Parks, 9 nights at National Parks

We have consumed 103 Red Claw

Visited 4 Dams/Lakes – Waruma Dam, Thresea Creek Dam, Cania Dam, Lake Tinaroo

We have been to some great mining towns and seen some great  old architecture

We’ve been to the highest town in Queensland – Ravenshoe 926m above sea level

Monday: now it is cold and windy, are we in Far North Qld or Far South Tassie?

Week 4 June 3^rd – 9^th

We had a great week, we did absolutely nothing but saw heaps.

We meet people, caught red claw, read our library out and had foggy, sunshine and rainy weather. We toured the Dalrymple National Park and saw nature at its best.

We camped at Fletcher creek just on the outskirts of Charters Towers for the week.  According to the locals (that is anyone that has been camped here longer than two weeks) the area was bequeathed to the Charters Towers Council by “Robert Leach” a farmer that wanted to set the land aside for travellers. The bush camp area had limited facilities but the friendliest people. Some that have been here for weeks others just days, but all with stories to tell and from all different parts of oz.

The creek is spring feed and flows down to the Budekin River. The area is near the Undara larva tubes and with the volcanic like rocks around, you can believe that larva did flow through this area, maybe 2 million years ago.  The day we drove through Dalrymple National Park we were a little disappointed. It is an open woodland area with four campsites that you have to pay for and print out a permit online. “Hello” there is no phone or internet service here.

Wednesday we woke to a morning of fog and 100% humidity. Wow this changed the atmosphere of the place.  Spiders that must have been working all night to create the most amazing webs, the paperbark trees that had been holding flowers all week, just let them go, an explosion of yellow.

We had friendly Brahma steers stroll through the campsite and watched the antics of the squatter pigeons, did lots of reading, crocheting and of course have some great casseroles/red claw dinners by the campfire.

“It was a great week”

Week 3  May 29^th – June 2^nd

Thursday: saw us travelling to Charters Towers. 375km of not much to see along the Gregory Development Road.

The area is renowned for coal mining. Peak mine, Blair Athol and Clermont mines along the way. The overburden stacks are hundreds of metres high and at one point we followed a conveyor belt for about 10km’s, before it curved left into unknown country. We made Charters Towers around 2.00pm, another Top Tourist Park great to plug in for all the mod cons.

Friday: was spent washing, shopping, sightseeing around town and having a pamper day. “Thank goodness for Nana May’s”.

Saturday: was simply a pack up and unpack morning after travelling only 42km for the day. John had read an article on Fletcher Creek just out of town. It looked good so we stayed. The creek is spring feed and flows down to the Budekin River. It is just outside the Dalrymple National Park.

Sunday: saw the red claw traps come out, the reading books and another campfire. I think we are staying a few extra days, John got 9 red claw on his first drop. Once again there is no phone service but with a major town a short distance away we will be in contact over the next week.

Week 2  May 20^th – 28^th

Tuesday 20^th “HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ian”.

We left Wuruma Dam around 9.00am, we had 86km to go to Monto.  We dumped, refuelled, restocked and strolled this great RV friendly town.  From there we travelled 26km to the Top Tourist Caravan Retreat at the entrance of Cania Gorge.  “Wow” manicured lawns, water and electricity.  The only downside was having someone right next to you, but then you all know us we are always up for a chat.

The afternoon was taken up using electricity, John cooked, (sauces, cakes, muffins and more Osso Bucco).  I caught up with the first week of the Blog.  No phone service or NBN here you have to go 10kms to Cania Lake for that.

Cania Gorge National Park is the closest park to the coast in which you can see the sandstone escarpments of Central Qld. There are seven walking tracks ranging in length from 300m to 22km.  Over the next two days we excelled ourselves by walking 14.3km.  “We saw nature at its best”. Stunning rock formations, sandstone colours and hidden beauty.

 The stubbornness of the fig vine to hang on to anything, the elks that grow in the smallest crevice and the flora that produced tiny flowers.

We woke Friday to rain, just when we wanted to pack up.  Heading about 240km today along the Burnett and Capricorn Hwy’s, stopping in at Biloela to restock, our destination was Duaringa a known bush camp.  There were about 30 camps, all very civilized. A lady came around to let everyone know that the local Lioness club in the town, were putting breakfast on the next morning 6am-9.00am.  Another one of those gems you get along the way.  So our Saturday started with an egg and bacon muffin with coffee for $4.00 to support the locals.  It was great talking to the ladies about the town of 200 and their fund raising ideas.

We arrived at Theresa Creek Dam around mid-afternoon and were shocked when we came over the hill.  There must have been 100 camps.  The dam is about 22km from Clermont in the Central Highlands, about 300km west of Mackay. We could not believe all the activity out in the bush.  We found a great camp on the edge of the water.

There is a lot of coal mining out in this area, and being a weekend all the miners bring their families for R-n-R.  Monday we were down to about 40 camps, so things were a lot calmer.

Over the next couple of days John was taught how to catch red claw by a fellow in camp.  By Wednesday “State of Origin” night we were having red claw mornay, salad and a wine by the campfire, listening to the game on the radio.  Another great night under the stars.

“Well done Ian and Max”

Week 1 May 13^th-19^th

We left Toowoomba midmorning. We were in for a big day (just joking) heading to Kinbombi Falls 213 km. Through Yarraman, Nanango and in to Goomeri.  The Falls were 12 km out of town and we were there around 2.00pm.  There were three other camps that joined us for the night.  The falls were not big but were impressive for their size.  It is 228 STEPS, down to the base of the falls to a crystal clear swimming hole “said to be bottomless”. For the return trip we caught the lift out of the gorge, (just kidding) it was another 228 STEPS.

Wednesday: we travelled the Burnett Hwy through Gayndah, Mundubbera, and Eidsvold heading for Wuruma Dam. The Dam was another free camp and it  was our plan to stay about seven days as this was supposed to be a good red claw and fishing spot.  “WRONG” we could not catch bait let a loan red claw or any species of fish.  But the spot was just amazing, where else but Australia can you get over 50 camps around the water’s edge in one spot and still not have anyone on top of you “it was great”.

The days were filled with breakfast’s that went on til 9.30am, the Joy Findlay homemade plum jam was perfect on hot toast.  Reading, canoeing (on fish), crocheting and a two km walk up to the main road to get mobile phone coverage and of course there was morning tea’s, lunch’s, afternoon tea’s and of course dinner, woops I forgot happy hour.  The nights were what bush camping is all about, campfires and watching the night sky. The 7.20pm virgin and Jetstar flights from Cairns and the 7.25 from Darwin.

We had an unforgettable Saturday night, the day had been warm, up in the high 20’s. It was dinner time around 6.00pm. The campfire had been lit, it was a balmy 23.6 c in the van, the USB stick had the Bee Gees playing and there was Osso Bucco  for dinner (one John had prepared earlier) with a glass of wine.  “What more could you ask for”?  Chocolates and port were taken at the campfire after the dishes. When the fire burnt down to coals, the clear night sky revealed a million stars.  The Southern Cross touched the tree tops and we spent the next hour looking for the space station and maybe a falling star, “but nothing”.

We stayed till the water tanks ran dry, the van toilets filled and the computer ran out of battery. After seven days it was time to move.

Cania Gorge near Monto is our next stop.

Home to Kinbombi Falls

                              Kinbombi Falls to Wuruma Dam

Week 7

8^th – 14^th July

This week was what bush camping is all about 3 days on the bank of the Murray River just outside the township of Echuca. This was all that we thought it would be.  Relaxing in the sun while the houseboats motor past. 

Throwing crab pots and fishing lines in the mucky water, but still nothing at the end of the day. 

The river was a perfect flow for canoeing.  While there were no other campers around us, we could imagine the area being very popular in the holiday season.  We had some great warming fires and sunsets that were always a surprise. We will certainly be back to this area.

Thursday we travelled along the Cobb Highway to Hay.  This area is known as the long paddock.  It is where drovers move their cattle and sheep along the side of the Hwy to feed. It is a hard life for them camping on the roadside with their family, dogs, horses and a quad bike to control the stock.

Through Narrandera and onto Grong Grong for the night.  A must stop free camp mark it in your camps book.  Kerbside parking, electricity, BBQs and toilets all spotlessly clean.The pride in this town was just amazing. The town has a population of 392 residents and definitely RV friendly.

Friday was a travelling day, across to Termoa, Young, Cowra, Orange and then on to Lake Burrendong, for another 3 day stop.  A huge camping area with manicured lawns and lots of wildlife. Reading, fishing, canoeing and knitting. Great sunshine we must be getting close to that Qld border.

Back on the road again after 14 days of walks along the beach and streets of McCrae. Sitting for hours over lunch, family nights that included up to 12 people, with lots of chatter and laughs.  “Thanks to my sisters for making that happen”.

We had a great day at Point Nepean Portsea, that is now open to the public.  We walked through areas that in World War 2 had guns setup to protect Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne from enemy ships. We stopped at the Sorrento Pier on the way back to Mc Crae and were lucky enough to see 2 Humpback whales in the bay.

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean National Park

But the highlight of the 2 weeks was Mum’s 90^th birthday.  Mum; her 5 Children and their spouses, 11 Grandchildren and their spouses/partners along with 10 Great grandchildren celebrated the occasion.  The venue was ideal for all, with lots of talk, children running around, laughter, tall tales being told and photos taken. The day was a great time to catch up on recent engagments, wedding photos, holidays, and careers.

Mum on her special day

WEEK 6

1^st -7^th July

We left Rosebud on Monday and while the sun was out, every day that we were there it was “COLD”!

This week would transport us back 32 years.  We had planned with friends to do 5 nights of bush camping at Firth Park in the Wombat State Forest and Mt Franklin which is in an extinct volcano and was a great protected spot. (Yes this is where the bottled water comes from).  This area was our old stomping ground, Ballarat, Daylesford, Castlemaine and Bendigo.

Camping with coats, beanies, thermals, open fires, camp oven cooking, hot casseroles and drinks that would warm you from the inside out.

Firth Park

 

Mt Franklin Campground

Mt Franklin top of the Rim

Mt Franklin

Rustic and charming bluestone/sandstone buildings, wide country roads and deciduous Elm trees. But camping in July, can only be described as right place, wrong time.

Saturday we moved on to Echuca “Wow” has this town grown.  The Port of Echuca is being renovated, but the paddle steamers are still moving up the great Murray River.

Paddle Steamer

Todays Cobb and Co

Wood at the Woodturners

Walking through this historic town we find the everyday things that make caravanning comfortable.  “A gas fire for bush camping”

We wanted to do some bush camping, fishing and canoeing in the area, so Sunday we went  looking for a spot in the sunshine on the bank of the Murray River.

WEEK 3

10^th – 16^th June

Congo Beach “what a great spot”.  An open area with a modern toilet/shower block, a sheltered camp kitchen and at $5.00 a night, a great spot in the Eurobodalla NP.  We camped at the edge of the sand dunes that gave us an ocean view. There was a cool breeze but the sun was out, so we spent the afternoon walking the beach and cliffs.

The Sapphire coastline is rugged; it has some great walks along its cliffs.  We went to Bling Bling Point the next day.  Walking the cliff tops we were amazed to find a rusted boiler from the wreck of the SS Monaro.      

We then moved on to Grey Rock Point, this area is a Marine Park.  There was lots of wildlife in the water, fur seals and dolphins, the binoculars come out to see if we could spot any whales passing by, but not today.    

Wednesday

Ken was leaving today to travel to Melbourne, we were enjoying this spot  and decided to stay one more night.  “Wrong” We woke Thursday to rain which stayed with us all day.

Mallacoota was our next destination.  The area is renowned for its fishing and John was keen to get here.  The Mallacoota Holiday Caravan Park is to be our camp for the next 3 nights. As we hit the divided main road into town we notice that half the shops were closed. Reception at the CP informed us that there was no electricity and that she could not guarantee when it would be back on.  She also informed us that there was a SEVERE WEATHER ALERT issued for the area, heavy rain and strong winds.  We had nowhere else to go so we pulled into our drive through site and battened down.

It would be the first time ever that we left the van attached to the car and the awning closed. The electricity came on around 3 pm and the rain came down for the next 3 days.  We caught up with cooking, washing, reading and knitting and then went “troppo with cabin fever”.

Our next stop was Ninety Mile Beach but the rain never stopped.  The waves were at 5 metres and now the ALERT warnings were for flooding on the roads we were travelling.  We only stayed overnight, our thinking was to keep moving  to Melbourne. 

We stopped at Poowong for lunch a great little town with lots of charm in the hills between Leongatha and Lang Lang. It was misty, raining and cold. The coldest day Melbourne has had this year.

We made Frankston late afternoon and will be with family tomorrow. So as we visit family, friends and celebrate John’s mum’s 90^th birthday over the next few weeks there will be no updates until we are back on the road again.