We made it up the coast as far as Seaforth, now our third stay at this great little spot. The place was still quiet as it's early in the season and I think the devastation caused by Cyclone Debbie earlier in the year has meant people have left their trips up the coast a bit later. There were signs of the devastation of Cyclone Debbie everywhere but the council were doing a good job of repairing all the damage and removing fallen trees. The only familiar face we saw at the park when we got there was Bob the caretaker, he remembered us and was pleased to see us! We had a great spot right by the beach and met and spent happy hour with a group of Seaforth regulars who we hadn't met before, catching up on all the news of the area and friends who had not arrived yet.
After nearly 4 weeks at Seaforth we then decided to move on and go check out some places that we had heard good things about but never been too. Our first time at Marani Caravan Park where we spent a couple of nights and visited Eungella National Park and Finch Hatten Gorge. We've been to both these places before but always good to visit again, doing the walks and watching the turtles and platapus.
Next stop was out to Lake Elphinstone, a huge big free camp about 140 kms nth west of Mackay. This is another good spot to enjoy the scenery, wildlife and the peace and quiet, especially as there was only a few other campers there with us. We've decided that if we passed that way again it's a great place to stop but for us it's a bit too far out to just go there and then return back to Mackay.
We did a quick stopover at Mackay for shopping etc and then we started our journey back down the coast. We found another spot that we haven't been to at Flaggy Rock. $10 a night with hot showers. The caretakers, John and Kay had only just started there and are settling in well, organising a fire in the evenings and coming to join us for happy hour. Kay, like a lot of people commented on my very short haircut, saying she loved it and wished she had the courage to do the same. I said I would clip it for her if she wanted and as no one knows her here yet, now was the best time. I cut her hair the morning before we moved on and she was still getting used to the very short look as we left!!
Next stop St Lawrence where we have again been before but it's always good to walk out to the wetlands and enjoy the bird life. This place used to be free but there is now a cost of $10 a night but still well worth it!
After St. Lawrence we eventually found another great spot. I say eventually as our GPS took us the wrong way which was a small adventure in itself and another story! We decided to call into Fardooley's Bush Camp for maybe 1 or 2 nights but ended up staying nearly 2 weeks. This is an excellent spot with hot showers, use of a washing machine, book exchange and the best, most sociable happy hours that we've ever come across. The owners, Peter and Robyn are lovely people and do their very best to look after us. All for $12.50 a night!!
We had hoped to catch up with our friends Dennis and Christine somewhere on the road while we were going down and they were coming up the coast so it was decided that they would come and find us at Fardooley's. They also loved the place and stayed a week. This place certainly pulls you in and it's hard to leave.
Chris was anxious to be in TV coverage for the second "State of Origin" match and along with most of the other campers, we had a great night up at Fardooley's bar. We all brought nibbles and/or a hot dish providing everyone with a beautiful feast with very little trouble to anyone. Sadly NSW lost the game but it's one match all and Chris has high hopes for the third and deciding game.
Fardooley's Bush Camp is not far out of Rockhampton and we spent a great week with Dennis and Christine enjoying their company and had some good laughs! We had a day at the Gracemere cattle yards, drove up to Mount Archer, went to the botanical gardens and wandered around the zoo. We went looking for turtles in Lake Mary but didn't see any and enjoyed fish and chips at Yeppoon.
Staying as long as we could before we all had to leave, us to meet Bob and Ellen at Elliott Heads and Dennis and Christine booked in at Black's Beach in Mackay, we dragged ourselves away from Fardooley's vowing to return. It really is a great spot perched high on a hill and with spectacular all round views of the area.
We are now at Elliott Heads Caravan Park with our friends Bob and Ellen, today enjoying a lazy day of domesticity. I've got a date and walnut loaf in the oven for afternoon tea and the boys are listening to the Cronulla/Roosters match on the radio. Good friends and fun times, life doesn't get much better!!