Day 21 Saturday 14th July. Airlie Beach – Townsville

Nanna and the girls fed the rainbow lorikeets in the park this morning  while Jason and Leanne packed up the van and moved it to storage. We then all headed down to the main town centre and had a leisurely walk along the foreshore market. Girls had a short paddle in the lagoon on the foreshore, then we headed back to pick up our van and make our way to Townsville. Finally got a booking at the Big 4, spaces very limited at all of the parks, so booked the last 2 ensuite sites which is all they had (such luxury!!) After set up Leanne went with Keith and Margie while Jason completed the last of set up and took girls for a much needed swim. Humidity +++++

Airley Beach

Airley Beach Lagoon

Girls ready for the trip to Townsville with DVD's on the ready!

Day 20 Friday 13th July Airlie Beach

Up early as bus to take us to Marina for  our Whitsundays’  Boat trip collected us at 7am!! We managed to look around Daydream Island and enjoy some of the activities without it raining before we sat down to our delicious lunch at at Mermaids Restaurant on the Island. Girls then found the only heated spa on the island and had a quick dip!!!! We departed Daydream Island at 1pm and headed over the Whitesands Island where we disembarked the boat for 1 ½ hours on the “whitesand” which is as fine and smooth as powder. Just beautiful… Despite the fine mist which blanketed the Islands, we all managed a nice swim and some fun on the beach. We arrived back at our caravan park at 6.45pm where Margie and Keith (aka Nanna and Pa !) where all set up in our park ready for dinner, what a nice way to end a lovely day!!!

One of the fleet from Cruise Whitsunday's 

Just arrived at Daydream Island

 A couple of the many fish in the Aquariums on Daydream Island. 

    

  

On the way to Whitehaven Beach where the girl were captain and unfortunately it rained for the full time when we were on the beach.

Day 19 Thursday 12th July. Mackay – Airlie Beach

Rain started again last night, so we packed up in the rain with difficulty and left Mackay hoping for some dry weather…. Rain continued for the whole day so we set up in Airlie Beach at our park http://www.airliecove.com.au/    and the  girls and Jason pretended it was sunny and had a swim in the pool and enjoyed the facilities at the park. (At least it’s not cold! ) Dryers at the park were in high demand… We decided to book a cruise around the Whitsunday Islands with a buffet lunch tomorrow as the weather is looking the same way for the next few days LLLLL

Day 18 Wednesday 11th July. Rockhampton - Mackay

Left Rockhampton 7.30am,  headed to Mackay where  we arrived at 12.30pm, at our pre booked caravan park. http://www.bucasiabeach.com.au/

After set up we were off to do some touristy things as this was only an overnight stay. Unfortunately the Bluewater Lagoon Qauy  on the river was closed as of today for 3 months over winter!!! ( could not believe our luck and felt like the Griswalds from National Lampoons Vacation !) We made our way along the river into the main part of town and enjoyed a coffee, then visited the Mackay Marina.

Day 17 Tuesday 10th July Rockhampton

Rain stated after we set up last night  and continued throughout the day without relief, so we took the opportunity to have a lazy morning until cabin fever set in around 11am and we took off in the car to Yeppoon.!!

Looked around the foreshore and sights, and walked up to the lookout overlooking Great Keppel Island( no chance of seeing it due to low visibility with the rain and mist) and Rosslyn Bay. Treated ourselves to lunch at Keppel Bay Marina , then headed to the  Capricorn Caves for a   tour. Girls loved the “Cathedral Cave” that hosts weddings sometimes, decked out with church pews, etc.. Just gorgeous!!. Back to van for an  early night as heading to Mackay tomorrow.

Yeppoon Harbour

Sometimes not the easiest to get the girls out of the car in this weather, however all are dealing with it well.

 Lookout over Yeppoon (This is the Sunshine State!!)

The Alter in the Catherdral Cave

 The caves can accomadate a wedding of upto 80 people.

Just out side the caves

Day 16 Monday 9th July. 1770 - Rockhampton

Left 1770 and after a very difficult 1/5 D class  (very bumpy road!) we arrived for lunch in Gladstone. Visited the Information centre on the marina, then took in a few of the sights of a predominantly   mining town. We then headed for Rockhampton, where Jason set up the van in  our park http://tropical-wanderer-resort.qld.big4.com.au/  and  Leanne stocked our groceries. 

 

 Gladstone Marina

Queensland Alumina Smelter

Day 15 Sunday 8th July. Bundaberg - Seventeen Seventy

Packed up early and left Bundaberg heading for Seventeen Seventy (1770).

Class of 1/5 D was in session once again after a break whilst off road on Fraser.!! Council run caravan park on foreshore was fully booked, which is the first time we have not been able to get into a park where we had planned, so we got into the other one just out of town. http://www.1770holidayvillage.com.au/

Have been told by other campers it’s a good idea to book ahead from here on as weather gets warmer and so does popularity of parks. After setting up  we ventured into town. What we found was a lovely quaint beach village with lots of history (was Captain Cooks 2^nd  landing in Australia – or 1^st in Queensland) and character perched on top and below a cliff face. After a nice afternoon drink at the local pub we had an early night. Jason had no luck with fishing tonight!