13 - Hervey Bay QLD.

Entry 13 – Travelling north through South Burnett Region to Hervey Bay. – 20/7/18 – 1/8/18

Travelling north from our previous stop at Wooroolin, near the 20 kilometres mark we propped at the town of Wondai, initially established as a pastural region, refocusing on the timber industry in the early 19^th century. We walked a bit around the town, enjoyed the information centre timber history display and talking with some of the men in the “men’s shed next door.” The men’s shed manufactured most of the items available for sale in the information centre, all one offs, including the below picture of various drinking goblets.

A few more kilometres along the road we stopped for the night (about 40 minutes driving for the day) at Murgon staying in the towns free camp with hot showers and water. The free camp was the towns caravan park no longer being run as such. It was a great environment with very late happy hour gatherings and one night with a mix of country music songs provided by one of the cheery nomads.

About 25 kilometres further along the road we next set camp in a bush environment at Kinbombi Falls. Another nice location with only a trickle of water flowing over the falls. It was 380 steps mixed with some scrambling down to the creek bed with an energy sapping tough return trip back up the 380 steps. A timely reminder to consider our current fitness levels. Late afternoon both our bodies were in shut down, recovery mode and we were in bed by 6 pm, instantly asleep.

We had been travelling through the South Burnett region over the last week & half, enjoying our time spent in this area. With diminishing options alluring to us along our route we decided to refocus and head to our planned destination of Hervey Bay, still about 150 kilometres up the road.

Talking with fellow travellers along our route we had been hearing stories they had been unable to secure locations to stay at Hervey Bay due to it being booked out by a large influx of tourists. We propped about 35 kilometres shy of Hervey Bay at the town of Maryborough whose information centre reaffirmed Hervey Bay was the busiest they could remember with people seeking caravan accommodation being turned away. We set camp for the night at the Maryborough sports grounds next to the airport thinking we may need to travel each day from Maryborough to Hervey Bay to view the highlights of the region. We decided to utilize the phone, ringing a few of the caravan parks at Hervey Bay ourselves. We started with the location with the least attractive sounding reviews and managed to secure a site for a week.

The next morning, we relocated to Hervey Bay. The park only had a few sites available for nomads like us, with the rest occupied by permanent residents. Yes, there were a number of interesting characters wandering about and we were super polite with all of them. The amenities were old but clean and at $20 a night with rates at $50 - $60 a night at most of the other town caravan parks we were happy. Even the person managing the park advised there were a few oddball residents about but if someone entered the park whom didn’t belong the oddballs were onto them, providing the “oddballs security gang.” The picture below shows some of the odd balls art works.

2 years prior retirement (2011) whilst tinkering with the thought of some outback travel as a retirement activity we met a lovely couple (Mike & Bev,) at a bush camp near Quilpie, outback Queensland. The chatter from our first meeting around mid-day, lasted many hours, onto a shared tea, well into the evening. We had become aware Bev & Mike were currently staying at Hervey Bay and as it transpired were about 10 minutes’ drive away. By 2 pm on the day of our arrival at Hervey Bay we were reacquainted at their place, onto tea, finally getting back to our caravan near 10 pm. Nothing had changed other than we were now more senior, experiencing a bit more “dropsies,” at that stage of life where we needed to acknowledge the aging factor of life!

We spent 8 days at Hervey Bay spending 6 of those days in company with Mike & Bev, the briefest period together about 4 hours with many days double that. They took us on some beautiful walks along the coast from the main boat harbour along the coastal trail overlooking Fraser Island to areas further north with Bev providing a regular supply of nibbles and a hot cuppa. And naturally there was the constant chatter.

There was a road trip exploring the outer regions of Hervey Bay where Bev & Mike shared some of their favourite locations, with an initial stop at Dundowran Beach for a cuppa and hot scones. We eventually stopped at Burrum Heads where Burrum River blocks passage by road any further north. We enjoyed viewing plenty of beautiful coastal scenery and some of the local real estate offerings stopping to inspect a few locations.

Day 4 (Saturday) we operated solo, where we kept busy participating in some house open inspection viewings. Nothing jumped at us and it was a good chance to explore some of the residential areas getting a feel for Hervey Bay. What do you think of us in a house like the one below?

Another day we travelled by barge to the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island for the day, another recommendation from Mike & Bev. We participated in a ranger guided bush tucker walk, explored several of the resorts island walking tracks, had lunch at one of the resort restaurants, lounged about at the pool, (we did have our bathers, but the water and air temperature weren’t inviting enough for us,) had a beer at the sunset bar overlooking the ocean and just enjoyed a resort experience.

The resort was enclosed by a dingo proof fence to prevent the dingo population on Fraser Island from entering the resort area and for the safety of occupants.

We returned back to the mainland at sunset with one of the below pictures showing the sunset and burning sugar cane being readied for harvest.

We spent a whole day out on the water in company with Bev & Mike for a whale spotting cruise, another special day. Or should we say we had an absolutely awesome day. Plenty of inquisitive whales coming up for a look at us and happy to put on a performance.

Steve the photographer

Mary getting the attention of a hump back whale

A special note to Judy and Jim. You may need to get a good caravan to get out here????

Our last day at Hervey Bay we spent with Mike & Bev viewing one another’s photographs taken during our time at Hervey Bay and some other show and tell photos from every one’s travels. Another day accompanied by delightful chatter immensely enjoying one anothers company.

We explored the coast line from Urangan to Burrum Heads, travelled to Fraser Island from River Heads to Kingfisher Bay and spent the day on the waters of Platypus Bay whale watching.

During our time at Hervey Bay most nights had temperatures of about 14 C degrees with day time temperatures about 23 degrees. Very pleasant living conditions. We did endure the requirement to wash the tow tug and caravan each morning due to many hundreds of Rainbow Lorikeets nesting in the overhead trees each night. Some mornings it was hard to see through the tow tug’s windscreen due to so much bird poo.