Wunjunga to Bowen (Horse Shoe Bay)

Left Wunjunga (forgot to  mention the salt pans yesterday.  Here goes, there are extensive salt pans along the road to Wunjunga, we drive across them, it would be interesting to see this country in the wet.

We travelled through enormous sugar cane plantations, the largest we have seen to date.  There is some harvesting going on and the little trains are loaded to the hilt with the cane.  As we approach Bowen we can see in the distance a very large structure, no idea what it is, it seems to  be perched in the middle of nowhere.  Then as we get nearer we see that it is an enormous bridge.  Can’t help wondering why they need such a large structure. we have crossed very large river beds on our journeys and the bridges have been roads that were elevated.  Hehe then as we cross, the reason becomes evident.  This is the Burdekin River.  See the photo for the river bed.and the bridge ‘struts’

 

 

 

 

 

This river must be truly amazing in the ‘wet’.

There are lots of fields of vegetables, strawberries and tomatoes as we come into Bowen. 

Bowen was the main location for the Film “Australia” the one with Nicole Kidman, there are some interesting photos around the town of various scenes from the film and how they were created.

Bowen is quite a nice town and we decide to  try our luck on its coastline.  After visiting 3 caravan parks we settle on one at Horse Shoe Bay.  This caravan park is a bit run down, but the nearby beaches are really nice and within very easy walking distance.  However, it is very WINDY.

Townsville to Wunjunga 3-10-12

Had a nice slow departure from Townsville, we decided to eat breakfast on the way to our new destination – as yet undecided.  We are in the lucky position of being able to travel and stop when we see something we like.  We pulled up to a Coles in Ayr that had a Coffee Club cafe – breakfast!  We were ready for it by now although we are ‘over’ eating out, it seems that almost everything comes with chips and salad. We chatted to the waitress in the Cafe who told us that a place called Wunjunga was wonderful. Sounds like this is our next stop. We did our shopping for provisions for 4 days since we have no idea what facilities will be at our next stop.

We drive out to the Ayr information centre (just outside of town) for some more details on the area.  This is where I took the photo of Gubulla Munda, the giant snake. Two hours later we are still in Ayr so decide to have lunch.  I order a chicken and salad sandwich and they try to give me chips with that.  Oh dear.

Wunjunga was not hard to find, the camping ground (named “Funny Dunny Park) is basic, but the toilet (drop box) is clean and doesn’t smell, the overnight fee is $5, so far so good. But….Oh boy, the WIND!!!  nonstop all afternoon, Michael is eaten alive by midges, no-one else seems to be bitten.  

We went for a walk along the beach, turtles come here to lay their eggs, but according to the volunteer caretaker, we are too early to see them.  Wunjunga was the place where about 79 turtles came up onto the beach and died this year.  I understand that they still do not know what killed them. 

There are a lot of bush turkeys running around the camp ground, hoping that we drop something for them to eat.  We are mean and not prepared to  encourage them. The birdlife is really interesting, I wish I knew more.  I have bought a book, but it seems you have to have an idea as to what you are looking at before you can find it in the book.

By evening the wind had dropped a bit, but cooking on our little butane stove was not very efficient, the wind blew the flames every which way.  We hear that his wind will keep up until the weekend, so we decide to head off in the morning.

TOWNSVILLE - [2 DAYS] 02/10/12 & 03/10/12

TUESDAY
We all had a lazy start to the morning with breakfast at Bistrone, then off to enquire about  and book ferries to Magnetic Island for Wednesday morning.  Following this we all went to the Townsville Tropical Aquarium.  It was very busy with school holidays, but it was a special place enjoyed by all.   The colours of the variety of tropical fish were staggeringly intense.

We wandered across to The Strand where Dot & Michael caught up with David & Lorraine Law [ex Rotary Club of Lilydale] and son Andrew & granddaughter [based in Townsville] Kaitlin for a leisurely lunch on the foreshore. They had been following the blog and saw that we were at Mission Beach last weekend and by chance we were all in Townsville at the same time, after the Qld long weekend.  It was good to catch up with David & Lorraine who were flying back to the Yarra Valley in their Piper plane on Thursday or Friday.

Tony and Jen had a nice lunch elsewhere and went onto to do a few things for themselves, including a nano nap!!

Walking along the Strand foreshore was very pleasant and is  a great place for children with the playground and water playground facilities.  The historical buildings in the area are very pleasing to the eye, along with the massive curtain figs in the gardens & foreshore.

The evening meal for all was at the Townsville Cowboys Leagues Club….mass produced at an economical price…possibly subsidised by the large range of pokies.   Back to Rydges at an early hour.

 

WEDNESDAY
Alarms were set for an assembly of 7:15am to head to the Magnetic Island [MI] ferry terminal for a 7:45am departure.  The 8klm  trip to MI took 20 minutes, and then onto a hop-on/hop-off bus to Horseshoe Bay [ the top part of the island].   We had breakfast at one of the few opened bar/restaurants……the young Irish waitress seemed to be very possessive of her section of the eating area and was very curt and abrupt with another waitress [ in her 50s] over directing us to her area and attempting to take our order.  This other waitress described the place as worse than Faulty Towers, especially in the kitchen area as we waited for our orders.

Tony investigates the island information book and decides on a walk to  Balding Bay of 1.7klm in an estimated time of 1hour.   The walk is up and over the granite strewn steep ridge to a secluded bay.  The out and back walk definitely walked off breakfast.  Upon return to Horseshoe Bay we were back on the bus back to the ferry terminal and swapped to another bus to head to Picnic Bay one of the closest points to Townsville.     The bus trips are not direct to your destination, instead meandering around the normal bus route on the island….. a great way to get an appreciation with what is on the island.

Following lunch, back on the bus for return to the ferry terminal for the 3.00pm ferry back to Townsville.  We all slept on the return trip through the white caps due to the strong constant wind, which had been blowing all day.  Back to Rydges for housekeeping or dozing time till evening dinner.   All of us were looking for something fairly light.

Mission Beach to Townsville - 01/10/12

We pack up this morning with rain threatening, and are ready to leave before 8:00am [ office opening hour for return of Toilet block keys – $20.00 Deposit paid], so off to town for a coffee.

Tony & Michael return after 8:00am to hand over keys and get refund.  They note that the park manager had approx 6 keys returned by early leavers, through the slot, without having to provide refunds…..not a bad cash income lurk.

We head off to Townsville some 3 hours away and pass a cassowary wandering just outside the thick rainforest edge.  Further on we pass the the unique Licuana palms, as we encounter some passing showers.

Tully [Home of the big Gum-Boot]  is by-passed and we come to the town of Cardwell which was close to the centre of Cyclone Yazi’s impact on the coast.  There is BIG Mud Crab on display.  As we head south we turn into the Port of Hinchinbrook…..a suburb of very flash houses backing onto canals, along with expensive boats parked out back or at the marina.  Hinchinbrook Island is just off the coast.

Outside Cardwell the highway passes though some Pine forests remnants on either side of the road……the 30 – 40 feet high trees have either been snapped in half or have been totally shredded of any foliage by Cyclone Yazi.

We stop for a break at Ingham and another coffee……We pass the hotel which had first the poem and then the song …”Pub with no beer” written.   This related to an incident when troops on their way north in WW11, called in on a hot day and drank the pub dry, much to the angst of the locals.

We pass wetlands, with many waterlilies in flower, along with ducks, herons and brolgas outside Ingham.  The countryside is very easy on the eye.

We arrive in Townsville around midday and check in to Rydges or as our GPS has it to Rudges!!!!  Townsville, like all the towns on the way, is rather quite with nothing open due to the Public Holiday in Qld.  We come to understand why the locals up on the Cassowary Coast, where it is so green, call Townsville – “Brownsville”….it is much drier looking as it is in a rain shadow area.

Following this we all wander around the nearby food places in Palmer Street, we find some lunch which in most cases is over filling.  Tony then off for the usual [nano nap] and Dot & Michael take a walk around parts of the nearby entertainment precinct to check out options for the next couple of days.

Very light tea for all then back to rooms by 7:00pm for a cup of tea and some reading and blog work!!

Mission Beach - 30/09/12

Dot is up early to get access to washing machines for another  wash of the shorts/T-shirts & undies – recycling the same 2 – 3 items of each.

Following our early morning breakfast, we all walked off to the Rotary Monster market, some 2.5klm away.  With little cloud cover the sun was starting to have a burning effect.  Michael caught up with a number of the Rotarians managing the market.   They had very stylish yellow & blue shirts, with the word “ROTARY”  printed in a portion of the Rotary wheel, visible front and back.

A variety of stallholders mainly of a craft nature, but some with fresh local produce and some fantastic orchids in flower.  A coconut grower was very popular, cutting the top off to provide coconut milk drinks, as well as the coconut meat.

Tony, at the coffee tent,  caught up with a “local” 80+ year old gentleman [Bob] from Southport Yacht Club who lives up to 7 months at South Mission Beach.  He was a keen fisherman and sailor and was very informative on the local area and of a few must things to do before we leave.

Back to the campground to commence some packing for next day’s departure.   We head the 60 metres back to town for lunch, Tony & Jen at one place, and Dot & Michael to another for barramundi, chips & salad.  The barra fillet was very thin and disappointing compared to Burketown, now some weeks ago.

After lunch Dot & Michael go for a drive to see some sights whilst Tony has his nano nap.  We follow the attractive winding coastal road at the base of rainforest cliffs, adjacent to the beach, to Bingil Bay.  Then onto El-Arish [a small town on the Bruce Highway – named after a battle in Palestine] for a visit to the recommended 1928 built Tavern/Pub.  This Pub has photos all around the walls of pig hunts and the sizes of some of the slaughtered feral pigs is unbelievable – possibly up to 7 feet from snout to backside.

Whilst enjoying a refreshing drink at the bar, they get to talking with a “local”  - Lindsay …an ex Victorian [and a Collingwood supporter]  who has been here for 30+ years, but is getting sick of the heat, humidity, and the cyclones and is thinking of returning to Victoria up near the Murray.  Lindsay [an Army Engineer in Vietnam]  - informs us that El-Arish is a soldier settlement area established after World War 1, with all the streets named after British & Australian Generals.   Monash was the only General who was a winner of any battles.

Dot & Michael leave El-Arish and head back through cane farmland with mountains as a backdrop, then rainforest to Wongaling Beach and South Mission Beach opposite Dunk Island and other small islands.   All of this is very attractive and you can see why people are drawn to to the coastal beaches.   Many houses and apartments on the beachfront and nearby are up for sale….impact of the 2 cyclones over the past 6 years.

Dot & Michael return to the campground for a shower in readiness for heading to Bingil Bay, with Tony & Jen, to meet up with locals David & Christobel at the local Bingil Bay Cafe.  The Cafe is very popular with the locals, being their lifeline following Cyclone Yazi in 2011. With generators it was the only power source for  3-4 weeks in the community, following the cyclone and has now expanded from a very basic fish & chip shop to provide a  good menu of local products.  We have a very nice evening with David & Christobel, learning about their life in Nth Queensland and sharing travel experiences.

Mission Beach - 29/09/12

We all head to town for breakfast around 7:15, only to find one breakfast provider open…the one Tony had eaten at yesterday.

Tony has the Aussie special of bacon, eggs, grilled banana toast and tea…….and receives from Jen the ice cream from her pancakes and fruit salad.  Tony knocks over the ice cream and bananas immediately and then into the toast/bacon & eggs.   This is the followed by a pancake that Jen could not eat.

Following breakfast, it was time to go and get our hats and go for an extended walk along the Ulysses walking Trail to neighbouring Narragon Beach and the Clump Point Jetty [ approx 2+klm].  The walk is not too strenuous and the rainforest canopy was very interesting as well as providing essential shade.  We walked past some mangrove trees and muddy areas and Dot kept on looking for mud crabs.  Sigh, not a one in sight.  The shop just across the road from the beginning of this part of the track sells crab pots.  Hmm. We spend some time out on the jetty talking to those fishing…..very quiet though they had seen large green turtles and stingrays.  This little bay is really beautiful, still no shells though.  I guess the reefs stop much from washing up on the beach.

As we are leaving we meet up with the friendly couple from last night [David & Christobel] and after much discussion they invite us to have dinner with them at the Bingil Bay Cafe tomorrow night.

Back to the campground for some cold drinks and lunch, followed by Tony’s nano nap.  Michael is off to watch the AFL grand final on the campground screen, whilst Dot is off to the Information Centre. Tony & Michael go for a dip in the very flat ocean at half time and then back to the footy for Michael.  Tony shares the footy with domestic chores of clothes washing & shower.  Quite a crowd had gathered for the last half of the footy and cheering for Sydney’s goals was loud and joined in by one of the patron’s pet dog.

For the long weekend, there has been an influx of visitors with no accommodation available in town.  The campground has 3 – 4 cabins taken up by a group of young women [19 –22years] driving flash cars [Lexus sports] and in town for a good time.  Tony encounters the group , as he comes back from the shower block and they are on their way out.     One smarty tells Tony …”to keep up Gramps”!!

We have the usual wander around town & return after tea to see what is happening in town….this covers a distance of probably no greater than 300metres.  The group of girls have hit the bars, but there are no males.

Mission Beach - 28/09/12

Both couples take a walk before breakfast, heading in different directions up the beach.  Dot & Michael come across a number of small blue bottle jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Tony & Jenny arrive back some 2 hours later to advise that they had come across a lady dressed in a wedding dress & veil riding a white Andalusian Stallion [very similar to the Lipposan Dancing horses of Vienna] on the beach for a filming exercise, Time gets away watching the filming including the girl standing on the horse bareback whilst cantering.  Tony and Jen have breakfast in town.

Upon returning and after a coffee, Tony & Michael go for an invigorating dip in the waves, whilst Dot & Jen take in the sun on some chairs left on the beach.

We then continue on and see the white stallion [mentioned above], along with a brown stallion  and they ready for further filming.

We arrive back at the campground just in time for a heavy short rain shower.

Looking around the camp area in our vicinity, there is a lot of dollars in the caravan setups and 80+% of the towing vehicles would be Toyota Prados or Land Cruisers.

Another separate walk in the later part of the afternoon by both Tony & Jen and Dot & Michael.  We come across Stinger treatment stations  every 400-500metres along this beach as well as seeing them at other beaches. The stations at Mission Beach are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mission Beach.  We are coming into the stinger season for the next few months.  We are also seeing hundreds of the Portuguese Man of War [blue-bottles] on the shoreline.

Two blackhawk helicopters, fully armed, fly in formation over the beach heading south.

Dot & Michael conclude their beach walk and pass a local bar……..stopping for a reviver -  cold and pleasant NZ sauvignon blanc. We get into conversation with a friendly local couple – David & Christobel [secondary teachers at Tully] who give us recommendations of places to see and things to do.

Back to the Hideaway Caravan Park for meal and with extensive cloud cover the evening is a lot cooler which will make sleeping easier.