Thursday 8th December 2022
Well we are now in the Tropic of Capricorn, and it is 'Tropical' - temperature running comfortably in the mid 30's. good job we have zircon both in the car and the accommodation.
Tuesday 6th December.
We got up early and left the caravan park at Sarina and headed towards Mackay. Incidentally, the caravan park was one of the nicest ones we have stayed in during our trip. We found a lovely spot at Mackay Marina, parked up and had a wander down to the sea - very nice it was too. The morning was spoilt bit by Merle losing on of her favourite ear-rings (a pearl stud) which had been a present from her first husband Peter - not sure where it was lost as we searched all round the vehicle. We drove on to another part of the marina - found another cafe where - guess what - they served really nice 'iced coffee'. We actually drove right out to the end of the new marina breakwater - very impressive. Mackay, like so many of the other towns we have visited in endeared with so many lovely old buildings dating back to the late 1800- early 1900's. The Mackay ones seem to be better cared for than some we have seen.
The new Mackay Marina Breakwater
Having left Mackay, we started out for our next destination which was going to be a the cabins at the Eungella National Park. Along the journey Merle had spotted a good place to divert to - The Finch Hatton-Gorge. Sounds good, so off we went. It was a bit of an interesting drive through bits of forest etc, punctuated by a load of workmen mending the road - in the middle of nowhere. So, stop we did - and waited, and waited. Eventually we got through and arrived at the parking area for the Gorge. Unfortunately the shortest walk to any part of the Gorge was a 1.4km walk - which bearing in mind the temperature at the time we decided was not a particularly good idea.
Some of the 'streams' or gullies we had to cross to and from the Gorge
So, backtrack onto the road to Eungella. Along the way we actually passed through a small township where the famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba was born or lived (just incase you are into a bit of history!).
We approached Eungella - well nearly. It is actually over 2000 feet up a mountainside approached via a long and very twisting road - and guess what - there were workmen cutting the grass halfway up. So, another wait - who's in a hurry. Arriving at the historic Eungella Chalet Hotel - where the cabins are, was worth every second of the climb.
A view looking back and down from where we had just come from.
When we went to book in to the cabin, we discovered that I (Pete) had made it for the previous day - no worry - it was sorted and we got into our lovely cabin/chalet. The lady at the reservation desk also told us about a place - a bridge at Broken River, where you were almost certain to see local wild Duckbillplatypus. It was only about 5kms further, so as the light began to fade we took ourselves to Broken River, and sure enough we saw several wild platypus. Quite a lot of silent waiting - but worth it. They stay around on the surface for not long so you really have to keep very quite and alert.
Decided to have a swim in the pool - it was like getting into a lovely lukewarm bath - but bigger. We also decided to treat ourselves to a 'fish and chip' supper. Merle had Grilled Barramundi and Chips and I had 6 large deep fried Calamari Rings and Chips, plus we both had a beer- and also a coffee at the end. Another lovely day.
Thursday 8th December
Today has been a lazy relaxing - no driving day. spent an hour or so by the pool and just chilled out. Going to the camp kitchen this evening to rustle up fried sausages, eggs and bacon.
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