While staying with friends on the cane farm, Kate acted as our tour guide and gave us the benefit of local knowledge. So much so the local volunteers at the Information Centre in Sarina offered me a job saying we'd seen more than them ! We visited local points of interest from Ilbilbie to Eungella and Mackay and were once more thankful to have our 4wd ute!
Our first trip was to Marion Creek and Yarrawonga Reserve on the coast out from Ilbilbie, which required some 4wding. The Marion Creek was a very clear aqua blue and we stopped where there was a free camp to get a closer look, take some photos and chat to some campers/fishers there.
Next stop was Yarrawonga Reserve, what a beautiful spot out on the point ... Perfect for camping but a little difficult to get into for bigger vans and you need 4wd.
This shows the other side of the point at Yarrawonga. You can camp on either side. This one is more formal.
We had a morning in Sarina which included a lovely lunch with Kate at the local football club.
On another day we headed into Mackay taking the opportunity to stop at the markets at Sarina and the Hay Point coal loading facility on the way. Hay point was truly impresssive. The loading jetty went out 1.8 kms into deep water. Every step was mechanised from the coal depository to the conveyor belts that loaded the ships. There was one full size bulk carrier berthed and being loaded while the tug boats returned to sea to bring in another one. Hay point had an information centre at the look out. This gave us an insight into the facility. It was well worth the stop.
In Mackay we did our usual tourist thing and drove around looking at the interesting architecture and buildings, very art deco for the older buildings, and lunch at the beach. We were taken in by the Kite Boarding for the first time and watched for ages. (Since then we have done this quite a few times.)
Our next day trip was quite a distance and hence a long day. We headed up the ranges to Eungella and the National Park. Driving windy, thin, steep mountain road seems to be another habit we've got into ... though thankfully more often than not without our caravan.
The town of Eungella offered beautiful views back to the coast over Pioneer Valley, and the National park was known for its turtles and platypus viewing. Unfortunately we saw none, but have heard others tell of their wonderful luck.
Our last day was spent taking Kate somewhere she hadn't been ... Cape Palmerston. I believe this day was George's and Kate's favourite. George, as he was encouraged by Kate to drive on the beaches, and Kate's as she just loves the beach and beach driving. I'd have to say, for me it was the most challenging as I am not a fan of beach driving ! Cape Palmerston was an amazing day none the less and we had great fun together.
Part of the Cape Palmerston drive is through the bush on the headland which provides access to camping and picnicking areas. You first have to drive along the beach before accessing this area. One of these areas provides access to another small beach area where we had lunch.
At the end of this day Kate also showed us around a few other small towns and Greenhill beach which we also drove out and onto. The photo shows George enjoying himself there.
Thanks to Kate who was a wonderful host and tour guide !
By Lynne
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