Day Twenty Seven - August 2nd, 2013
Seventeen Seventy to Clairview
Up and ready to go in record time this morning! Whist we let the dew dry off the tent, the couple next door gave us some great pointers about this next part of the coast, and let us use their free camping map. With a handful of campground names jotted down, we were off!
We headed back onto the Bruce Highway in the direction of Rockhampton. We figured we would decide on our next move depending on driving conditions and what time we arrived. Unfortunately, we saw lots of dead roos by the side of the road - so sad and a little scary that we are headed into the kind of territory where they bound out into the road. We made good time, and pulled into the livestock Mecca around 1pm. Everywhere you look are cows and fields; the vastness of it all really puts into perspective the fact we are only scraping the surface of this great country. The town itself feels like something out of the Mid West or Texas! Huge superstores and rows upon rows of fast food eateries. We descended into Subway, our chosen lunch venue!
Over a footlong sandwich, we discussed our options for the day. Press on, or stay in Rockhampton. We were covering good ground, and decided to keep going to Marlborough.
More amazing scenery, despite the never ending plethora of roadworks, and we hit Marlborough before we knew it. We made the decision to head to Clairview - which would put us in a great position for our arrival at Airlie Beach tomorrow. With this in mind, we pulled the little way off the highway and drove past the paid campgrounds, and into a free one for our first night of 'real' camping! A great little spot by the water (but not too close - we're north or Rockhampton now which means we're in Croc Country!) and set up camp. I had a minor freak out over dinner (left over curry done on our gas fire) about sleeping in the tent when we're by the water, so by the light of our head torches, we rearranged everything and popped all of our belongings into the tent, and set up the bed in the car for the first time. It's BOILING but I can definitely put up with that if the other option is being terrified all night long! We had our clothes strung up in the car to give us a little shade for when the sun comes streaming in tomorrow morning. Luckily the bed is rather comfy!
This is definitely the way to go if you have a camper or caravan (which everyone else on the site does) as you can just rock up and park. Some of these beasts have full kitchens and bathrooms on board! The friendly couple next to us have all the mod-cons, and their home on wheels is massive! I think they thought we were crazy when we pitched up with our single skinned tent. I don't think you could say I'm quite a seasoned free camper just yet.