The Queensland early sun rise finally worked to our advantage the morning we left 1770 and we were on the road by 8am. We had around 450 km to travel which in the NT and WA would have taken us 4-5 hours but with the poor roads, constant trucks and never-ending roadworks as well as frequent towns, we pulled into Carmila Beach 7 hours later.

Carmila Beach is a free campsite stretching along the beach front, about 6 km off the Bruce Hwy. We found a secluded spot looking out over the water and set up for the night. The tide was out when we arrived and the water seemed miles away but quickly crept back up the sand as the tide came in. While we were having dinner, a small dolphin was fishing for his dinner in the shallows! After another campfire and marshmellows, we had a very good night's sleep listening to the waves. Neve took my phone the next morning and captured some great sunrise shots while I slept!

The next morning we were heading to Mackay to meet up with Mark, Kris and their girls. The original plan was that we would go out fishing on their boat for a few hours then either stay on the boat or at Kris's mums apartment above the marina. However, Kris rang and said seeing as the weather was so good, we could go out on the boat overnight. After a quick repack, we were all set and drove into Mackay. We left the van at their block of land (which is so very pretty with a creek running through it) and headed to the marina.

We knew to expect something big but were still surprised by Wine O'Clock, she was a mighty big boat, complete with 7 beds, 2 tvs and a dishwasher! We motored 2 hours out to sea to our destination, the Beverley Islands. On the way we passed through a strange sight. There were 30 - 40 empty container ships waiting to be loaded up with metallurgic coal and apparently they could be anchored off the coast for up to 2 weeks, waiting for their turn. The merchant sailors (most if whom are Indonesian apparently) rarely leave the ship which made me think, what a horrible job they must have.

It was late afternoon and as we trawled towards our anchor spot for the night, Mark caught a 15 kg spanish mackeral. As we had a wine on the deck and bbq dinner, the kids watched a dvd and the boys continued to fish. It was such a beautiful calm night that I was beginning to think maybe I did like boats after all. Later in the evening, Toby and Mark both caught 2 large lemon sharks, around 7 and then 8 foot. Apparently they're not "good" sharks to catch as they don't put up a fight but it was quite surreal to see their giant shapes gradually appear through the boat's blue underwater lights. They were then cut off and gradually lowered themselves back to the ocean floor.

Toby and I slept in the master bedroom which was still a little too claustrophobic for me. We opened the door and overhead hatch and nodded off to the gentle rocking and sounds of water lapping on the sides of the boat. At some point around sunrise the wind picked up and the rain started coming in through the hatch. The door was banging and the boat was no longer rocking but rolling! We heard Mark moving the boat and had to get out of bed as it was nauseating to lie down. Unfortunately Gem was already awake and had been looking down at the IPad for a while. She was looking very green!
We had breakfast and scooted around the islands looking for a calm spot but poor Gem still vomited twice overboard so Mark decided to trawl back in the direction of land, in the hope Toby could catch something before we returned. Unfortunately this slow going made all the kids feel seasick and Lachie was the next to throw up. After that it was full speed back home! The kids had a swim in the pool at the apartment while the boat was cleaned up then we said our farewells to Mark, Kris, Maddy and Ashleigh.
We then spent the Sunday night back in our van set up on Mark's block, much to Gemma's joy!

On the next morning we drove what should have been a quick 30 km into Cape Hillsborough NP. I stupidly relied on google maps which sent us down a long dirt road then wanted us to turn right and drive along a flowing creek! Luckily it was well worth the effort when we did finally arrive as the camping spots are terrific. They are very secluded and shady, surrounded by tropical plants and palms with a little walking track down to the beach. As I write this evening it's still very warm, I can hear the waves breaking and curlews calling off in the distance. We've had a goanna wandering through our site and at one stage today there were 8 kookaburras all waiting for a chance to eat our lunch! The only downside seems to be the mozzies, sand flies and stingers, oh and apparently the crocs! We did however have a fantastic meal of fresh Spanish mackeral which everyone loved so all is good!!