Central Coastal Queensland and the Whitsunday Islands

We drove up the north coast of Brisbane called the Sunshine Coast. Much of that area is an extension of Brisbane’s urban sprawl, so although it was pretty we just drove through it. After an overnight stop in the little village of Gympie we found ourselves in the twin hamlets of Agnus Water and 1770. The latter was named a number to commemorate the landing on that spot of Captain Cook in the year 1770. It had lovely inlet and cove, but the main reason for their popularity was for the boatie clan and because they were the ports for the two Coral Cays of the southern Great Barrier Reef.... Lady Musgrove Is and Lady Elliot Is. It was expensive to get to these Islands and it was windy so we only stayed there for 2 days and moved on. We passed a sign for a large Dam on the way called Lake Awoomba where they advertised catching huge Barramundi and other fish. We decided to spend a day or two having a look as it was a pleasant bush camp with views overlooking the pretty lake and surrounding mountains. The fishing unfortunately had been bad since the floods (this dam had risen by 6 meters), so we again decided to move on. So after only 5 days out of Brisbane we found ourselves in Rockhampton and into the Tropic of Capricorn. We found a little park in the centre of the city with large trees and on the banks of the big Fitzroy River..the one that had flooded the whole area only weeks before. There was debris hanging from impossibly high branches in trees, and photos of the caravan park under water! Couldn’t believe how nice and normal everything looked considering. We were amused by the sign on the bank of that river advising that there were crocodiles in that river and not to venture too close to the bank. We laughed at how the council could be so overprotective of tourists; after all, this was the centre of a large town. Then we heard that a croc had taken a man only weeks before...... The tropics are attractive with lots of lush vegetation, palm trees, native Hoop Pines ....large flowers,large butterflies, large mozzies! The main “wet “season is almost over, but the temperature is still warm and humid.
From Rockingham we detoured to the small coastal strip of Yeppoon, Causeway and Emu Park. We tried fishing but the water is so shallow there because of the Barrier Reef that you can walk out many meters in low tide on vast sand flats. The area was pretty but the beaches were on the whole rocky and muddy. So once again after only a day or so we moved on.
Near Mackay we went inland to the Great Dividing Range again, this time to see the Famous Finch Hatton Gorge and Escarpment overlooking the Pioneer Valley. This area is known for its bird life, and for Platypus in the Rivers. The road was flanked with miles of high, green sugar cane, which contrasted with the blue of the surrounding mountains.
We are now at Airlie Beach which is the very touristy gateway to the famous Whitsunday Islands ...a dream area for sailing and boating, and some of the most exclusive resorts in Australia. We decided we would try a boat cruise and see what the Whitsunday Passage was like, and booked on a fast boat which took us to Border Island for some snorkelling, and then to the famous Whitehaven Beach which is the third most photographed place in Australia and voted one of the most pristine beaches in the world. The Whitsunday Islands look just like a submerged mountain range (which of course they are..volcanic mountains which were once part of the mainland) set in the most gorgeous azure sea. The passage between them is perfect for sailing charters and there are thousands of yachts, tall ships and schooners in the many miles between the 74 Islands. Some are high enough to have a cloud cap, others mere rocky outcrops. The day was wonderful..we enjoyed our snorkel for an hour and half and saw many amazing coloured fish. The visit to Whitehaven Beach breathtaking, especially swimming on the beach and walking on the white, icing sugar sands. It was a really great day.We decided not to go to the outer reef from here as it is still 90 miles away so expensive, but will wait until it is closer to shore in Cairns.

Beautiful Brisbane

Crossing the border at the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise we drove through the busy, touristy Miami style beach front as quickly as possible. This is the place of the Great Theme Parks like Sea World and Movie World, and we were glad not to have children with us who would have wanted to do all those gut wrenching rides. Instead we went to Mt Tambourine, a piece of the scenic rim which rises over 1000 meters from the coast and is very scenic and pretty. It is actually flat on top so there is a small, arty town on the top, lots of pretty walks and lookouts, and wonderful patches of rainforest. We did some hikes to waterfalls, visited craft shops and also went to a mine which had “thunder rocks”..those rough egg shaped rocks which reveal wonderful crystals and topaz when cut in half.
From there we went to my brother and his wife who live south of Brisbane. We spent Easter with them and their delightful children, fished in the Logan River, and went on some pretty walks along the creeks. The following week they moved house so we were able to help them pack and then unpack into their lovely new home..busy time! We found Brisbane to be a young, vibrant city and we were very lucky with the weather which was cool and pleasant. My other brother and his wife from the UK were visiting their daughter and stopped over in Brisbane ...we were so lucky to have been able to meet up with them and that our itineries coincided as we had not seen them for over 10 years. It was a great family reunion.
Brisbane itself is not big; the city is built around the winding Logan River with several bridges spanning the two banks. We took a bus into the city and the fare included the very efficient ferry service up and down the river so we took a ride up the river one day and down the next time we went in...that way we got a good view of the houses along the banks. We also managed to see the very good art gallery and Museum, and other sights in the city. One Sunday we met up with some friends of ours from Perth who were visiting their son, and together we went to Mt Coo-tha and Brisbane State Park for a picnic..the former giving views of the whole city and surrounds. A lovely day in very scenic surroundings ..even though it was misty and some of the views were guesswork!
Our stay lasted 3 weeks and it went very quickly..we were sorry to leave the dear family and continue the circumnavigation of Australia again. After hugs and goodbyes we set off for northern Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, and more adventures.
Photos:
Paul on Ferry in Brisbane
Fishing with family
Family reunion
New house
Brisbane Nat Park...Aboriginal Humpy