TULLY HEADS - POPULATION: 438

MONDAY 15.8 - WEDNESDAY 17.8.2011: Enjoyed Tully Heads so much that we extended the stay. Went fishing each day at Hull Head, but still no keepers! Went for a quick drive through Mission Beach - nice area but the caravan parks were very busy. Madison (we now have a waist and you can almost feel her ribs), continues to enjoy her beach runs and Shayden his ball games.

After reading the sign considered sending Shayden to play on the beach! Naaa, just sorta jokin'!

ACROSS THE ROAD
FROM THE FISHING

When you drive through the area there is still evidence of the cyclone. There are abandoned houses, windows boarded up, rebuilding of homes and roof tarps everywhere. You look in one direction and there is a perfect vista, then turn round and you see the devastation.

FISHING AT HULL HEAD

Imagine miles and miles of sugar cane and bananas and the only shops to be seen are at the caravan park. Then you come across what is the oasis of the Tully Heads Tavern. Great lunch, but we did not have to eat again for another two days - big meal!

TULLY HEADS TAVERN

Saw our first native cassowary strolling along the side of the road on the way to Mission Beach.

GUTHALUNGRA/TOWNSVILLE/INGHAM/CARDWELL/TULLY HEADS

SUNDAY 14.8.2011: Fish and chips lunch at Cardwell - still obvious signs of the Yasi damage. It is amazing how nature can be so random in the damage caused. Travelled to Tully Heads and staying for three nights at Googarra Beach Caravan Park. Hope to do some fishing at Hull Heads.

SATURDAY 13.8.2011: Stayed the night at Frances Creek Freedom Camp 11 klms south of Ingham. Bad news is that yesterday the windscreen wore its' first stone chip. The good news is that Sybil who always purchases everything "just in case" (usually the items are not utilised), had insisted on buying a Do-It-Yourself Windscreen Repair Kit. We spent the morning on the repair and yes it works!

FRIDAY 12.8.2011: Tried our first truck stop at the rear of the Townsville BP Service station. Surprisingly quiet, but as you would imagine - not a great vista!

THURSDAY 11.8.2011: Freedom Camp stay at Guthalungra Rest Area.

AIRLIE BEACH

"FANTASEA REEFWORLD"

WEDNESDAY 10.8.2011: Ventured out to the Great Barrier Reef on the "Fantasea Reefworld". We left from Shute Harbour and took 2 hours travelling via Hamilton Island to reach the reef. Perfect conditions for reef viewing and a day on the water. On arrival at the reef pontoon the day's program was:

Viewing the underwater observatory/semi submarine tour.

Lunch by the reef.

Viewing fish from platforms.

Snorkelling the reef.            Snorkelling Highlights: We were offered all the equipment, stinger suit, wet suit, goggles, snorkel, flippers and flotation jacket - we took the lot! In hindsight, due to Sybil's natural buoyancy she could have foregone the flotation jacket - the continual water rolls from side to side like a beached whale did not present a professional image! 

FETCHING!

The "stinger suits" - what fine figures we cut!




We treated ourselves to a guided snorkelling tour by a marine biologist. Well worth it given the comprehensive information received.

DAY'S HIIGHLIGHTS: 1. Surviving! 2. Feeling as though you were swimming in a giant fish tank. 3. Sighting some 15 whales when travelling to and from the reef. PERFECT DAY!

AIRLIE BEACH

PICTURES OF CONCENTRATION!

TUESDAY 9.8.2011: Airlie Beach offered us the chance to start working on our "bucket list". We went on a half day outing on "The Reel Deal" Fishing Charter. Fortunately there were only 8 participants, unfortunately the fish took the afternoon off - only undersize fish caught!



AIRLIE BEACH - POPULATION: 909

MONDAY 8.8.2011: Stayed at Flametree Tourist Village. What a different experience - beautiful surrounds, plenty of room and the managers not only allowed Madison and Shayden to remain in the motorhome when we were out, they also offered the service of walking and toileting them.

FLAMETREE TOURIST VILLAGE

MACKAY - POPULATION: 3,813

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 6-7.8.2011: Visited sprawling Mackay - certainly has become a little  metropolis! Stayed at Mackay Marine Tourist Park and as the sites were rather c-l-o-s-e we spent a considerable amount of time indoors. The current ethical debate involves the lost income of the parks to the Freedom Camps. When comparing the Clairview Freedom Camp to the experience in this park it is difficult to justify the caravan park's argument.

Saw the sights of Mackay and visited the Orchid House at Queens Park - beautiful!

ST LAWRENCE/CLAIRVIEW

VIEW FROM THE BEDROOM WINDOW

FRIDAY 5.8.2011: We left in the morning discussing the Wall Street dive and Sybil returning to work following the trip. Finished the day at Clairview Freedom Camp:
Enjoying the beautiful vista and a walk on the beach. 

Watching Madison have her first ever off lead run on the beach - wind through her ears!
Receiving a gift of two large trevally from fellow travallers.

Sipping brut and dining on the sweetest tasting local mud crabs.

Cooking toast over the camp fire. Could live at Clairview, one road in and out and even smaller than LTP!

                              

Photo 1 - tide in, photo 2 tide out - very tidal water! The dark line on the horizon is the water line.

TUES 2.8 - THURS 4.8.2011: Three day stay at St Lawrence freedom camp. Whilst the town of St Lawrence is small they are making every effort to entice the caravanning fraternity by beautifying the site and providing water, showers and the all important "dump point".