DALY WATERS - MT ISA - JULIA CREEK - AYR - BLACKS BEACH - MACKAY

Okay, so we didn't quite leave Kakadu when we claimed we would, Bruce made us an offer too good to refuse - free accomodation!
Finally departed, we made a b-line for Daly Waters Pub, as we heard it was a place to "experience", an atmosphere unlike any other and entertainment that would tickle the ol' ribs. Hence we drove all day to arrive at 6pm and setup for our overnight stop, only to learn on arrival that the entertainment quit 2 weeksks ago and we'd have to entertain ourselves!!! Agh! All that driving for nothing, oh well one day closer to our next destination and we don't really like pubs anyway!

Our drive through Mt. Isa consisted of a record 31 laps of the rather icey 50m pool, a search for something vego (without the blank looking faces) for lunch and a spur of the moment adjustment with Dr Ken, then we were on the road again.
There ain't too much to get excited about between Mt.Isa and the coast so we drove pretty much straight through, pulling up at dark in wayside stops, then off again - the Truckies life.

Now we are currently visiting Kerry's friends, Kerrie, Craig and their daughter Amy, who are managing holiday apartments at Blacks Beach, just north of Mackay.
Hence we have enjoyed having a little extra living space these last few days.
Although we haven't quite witnessed sunrise (much to Craig's disgust) we have enjoyed long walks on the beach and even a run!! Not sure if that's gonna occur again anytime soon given delayed soreness, but hey it was fun at the time!
Kerrie generously gave us the guided tour of the Mackay area, stopping at a few lookouts and varying waterways, with a nice Thai lunch at the marina.
We took a day trip out to Eungella National Park, to see if we could spot a platypus in the Broken River. It was a bit hot for these enigmatic creatures, however we did see loads of turtles, swimming and sunning themselves on exposed logs and rocks.
Tomorrow we head further down the coast to rendezvous with friends before our house sitting gig at the end of the month.