As lovely as the Mackay bnb was ( a whole flat to ourselves) we managed to have quite a poor nights sleep. Every place has a different air con unit, and we just can't figure them out! This time we were too hot...

Checking out at around 11.00, we had terrible coffee in a place recommended by the air bnb brochure. Next time it's Trip Advisor only!

We then popped into Artspace Mackay for a bit of much needed culture. The main exhibition was all about the Bimblebox Nature Refuge nearby. A place where local artists camped together in order to bond and find inspiration for art to oppose the imminent China First coal mining scheme in the QLD region.

Briefly, we chilled in Makay's own stinger free lagoon. Looks like every town has one of these mini paradises! Before heading to Woolworths for a quick, cheap DIY luncheon. The pasta was foul... Woolworths' pasta = Tesco pasta. You have been warned.

Jump into Kuga for our 4 hour drive to Rockhampton. The drive is really quite dull. Very straight, and very empty. We try and discover why it's called to Bruce highway. We fail. However we do learn that Bruce as a name was at its most prevalent just before Monty Python did a Bruce sketch... I'm guessing the Aussies didn't like the joke, so it dropped off after?

Back to the Bruce...with many 'survive this drive' signs, we swap driving duties halfway thru. At one point they even have 'trivia' signs. For example, 'what's the highest mountain in QLD'... And 2km later you get the answer. Alice loves this. I'm perplexed why.

Close to Rockhampton we drive through a mini bush fire, where there were Fire Engines ensuring ppl slowed down through the mild smoke. It smelt lovely truth be told!

Arriving at our new air bnb in Rockhampton, Greg welcomed us with quiet awkwardness, but gave us milk for our earl grey. All is good with the world.

Then out for dins. And as Rockhampton is the self proclaimed 'beef capital' of Australia, we bagged Steak and chips for £6. Wowza. It was well tasty.

A quick drink at the Great Western Hotel. (Hotel = pub in Aus), which has a rodeo arena out back. Unfortunately we missed the rodeo for the evening, however watching the recorded action from last sat on their tv screens was fascinating enough for us.

Finally we wandered down to the Criterion pub, another grand old girl of a building that has been there since the 1860s?, and walked back along the riverbank to our bnb. Thus endeth steak night.

...

AF