Kalpowar to Austinville

Sorry it’s a bit late but here is the final entry for this trip.

Up and off to Cania Gorge on Wednesday morning.  As Gorges go, and we have seen some of the best, this was very mediocre but we had a rather nice walk – getting the ‘boots on’ for the first time this trip. 

Cute!

More Cute!!

Black Falcon

What are you looking at!

Black Falcon

We had lunch and headed off towards Gin Gin.  We spotted what we think was a Black Falcon and I got a great picture of it – very happy.  

Chillin' at Kalpowar

Forest Tracks

Flora

Pale headed Rosella

Cookie!

Barred Finches

Lama - rolling around

   Came across a place called Kalpowar.   It’s in a State Forest with old logging tracks and has been turned into a recreation site.  It’s obvious that it is used a lot by 4WD vehicles and we would have loved to have given it a go but not with the Trailer.  Steve relaxed and read his book and I walked and took more bird photos.

Wallaby Mountain - Best ever breakfast stop!!!

   We got up early next morning not really knowing what to do – head home or go somewhere else.  We stopped for breakfast at a great little pull in – lovely views and very pleasant.  We dithered too much though trying to decide what to do and before we knew what was happening we were on our way home.   Too close to stop anywhere else now so by Thursday (late) evening we were back home.

It’s taken us a couple of days to get sorted again but here are the final few pics!!

Calliope - Yeppoon - Monto

Sunday was lovely – hot and sunny.   We took the bikes out for a run, had ice cream and just chilled for the rest of the day.

Camp at Calliope River

Monday morning we packed up and then got the surf skis out for a trip up the Calliope River before heading for Yeppoon.   It was great – so glad we did it.

Dinner Guest

Nightfall

!

The view at breakfast

Brahminy and Juvenile

Monday arvo we arrived at a rather dull Yeppoon.  Headed out to Byfield National Park and set up camp.   We had only just got the tent up when the rain started.   We had monsoonal rain,were surrounded by croc infested rivers and and their were swarms of Ross River Mossies wanting to get their little stingers into us.  It was a nightmare!!  But hey – we are roughy toughy campers so we just sat under the awning and smiled.  It wouldn’t last after all!!  It was torrential all night and we got wet.  We checked out the forecast on our trustee Laptop and decided to move off straight away – it looked quite foreboding.  It stopped raining long enough for us to pack up and boy were we glad we did.  The heavens opened again and we just headed for Yeppoon and breakfast!!

So, not a good time for us and we were really sorry not to see the Byfield NP under better circumstances – I’m sure we will go back in the future.

After breakfast we found a shower in one of the toilet blocks on the sea front – you have no idea how good those cold showers were!!

We decided to head in land towards Monto to have a look at Cania Gorge and more importantly get away from the rain.  Steve got breathalysed on the way here but as it was only 3 pm he was good to go!!  So, today – Tuesday, we have found a campsite with a cabin – which has a great place to dry the tent out and all our wet gear.  I have done the washing, we’ve had dinner and are now relaxing with a glass o wine.  It’s not the best place in the World.  I wont put anything on the floor and we are using our own utensils but the bed looks ok.  Most of all we have a shower and we are going to make full use of it.  Who knows what is happenng tomorrow.  Oh, Steve says I forgot to mention Rockhampton so now I’ve mentioned it!!!

1770 and the Calliope River

It’s Thursday and it’s weather for ducks!!  1770/Agnes Waters is very wet and looks like it’s going to stay like it for a couple of days – a shame as it has/had great potential.  We are camped at a place called Workman’s Beach, in a lovely bush setting just a minute’s walk to a lovely beach.  Black Cockatoos in abundance but I can’t get the camera out to photograph them – very frustrating!!

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo - bad hair day!

Not much to do on days like this but shop – oh dear what a problem!!!  Good job Agnes Waters has some.

Catching Rainwater off the roof - old habits die hard!!!

Tent holding up well in this wet weather.  Everything pretty dry inside which is the most important thing.  We were advised by some friends to waterproof the four corners just in case which we’re glad we did.

We didn’t venture far and at 7 pm sat down to watch a film on the laptop – turned out to be a good day.

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

What a difference when we got up Friday morning – sunshine, blue skies and everything dry.  We made the most of it and took the surf skis out on river at 1770, took a walk up on to the cliff top, swam in the sea and sunbathed.  Steve had to do a bit of work but I persuaded him to take a break long enough for a swim.  

I took a great photograph of an Osprey – I’m so happy with it.   I just need someone to identify the fish!!

Osprey & fish

Osprey & fish

Osprey & fish

Today, Saturday we decided to move on and have pitched up at a place called Calliope.  We have an elevated spot over looking the river.  Quite lovely.  The best thing of all for me is there are two pairs of Whistling kites here – flying right over us.  I’m in heaven!  Steve says he’s in heaven too because he’s with me J 

Old Bruce Highway crossing the Calliope Rive - view from our camp

Whistling Kite & fish

Oh! … and fish number two is ? ? ? 

On the Road again!

For those of you who were expecting to hear about rough roads, hot sticky temperatures, floods and flies, well you will no doubt be very surprised to hear that we are experiencing something quite different on this trip!

Rescue practice @ Bargara

We had planned another ‘outback’ experience to Lake Eyre and up to Birdsville.  We were mentally ready, clothes selected and gear piled high under the deck.  However, it all changed when Steve was offered another work which he couldn’t refuse.  Unfortunately, the paperwork we received just a couple of days before leaving showed a commencement date of smack bang in the middle of our proposed trip.   We didn’t feel we could do the trip justice in just two weeks so decided to do something different.  ‘Suitcases’ were repacked, boxes re jigged and the fridge re stocked and we headed off up the Coast. That now having been explained you will not be so confused by the photographs!

We knew some of our friends were already in the same area as we were now heading.  Paul and Brenda were on their way home and Dave and George were out to sea in a beautiful pea green boat…… well actually in a beautiful 11.6 metre white Catamaran.

We spent a great two days with P&B in Bargara (near Bundaberg).  Cycled, sunbathed chilled and just drank wine!  It was so good to catch up after their eight months away travelling Oz.  At least we know it won’t be so long before we catch up again. 

Lady Musgrave Island

Catching up with D&G became more of a challenge, trying to get from A to B!!  Paul was so good to drive us to the township of 1770 to get the ferry out to Lady Musgrave Island to meet up with them and I know he would much rather have been catching the ferry than dropping us off.

Turtle

Lady Musgrave Sunset

'Marty'

'Nimrod'

Dave George & Steve

Bird Photography

Sue - Bird Photography

Little Tern

'Harken'

Steve & Dave

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George & Dave

Captain & Admiral 'On the Bridge"

Bird Photography

 Dave picked us up off the floating pontoon and we then commenced a fabulous 2 days anchored up in the lagoon at Lady Musgrave.  We walked on the Island taking 50 million photos.  We tried their inflatable kayak and snorkelled on the reef.  It was just magic.  Another one of those great lifetime experiences!  The trip back to Bargara was choppy and I (Sue) spent more of less the whole 10 hours on deck not daring to venture below!

Camp set up with Gordigear Tent

So back to our campsite for two more nights.  Cycled, had coffee and edited those 50 million photos!!!

The roof top tent set up on the trailer works really well for this kind of trip – it’s a great bit of gear – don’t leave home without one!  Thanks to the boys at Gordigear in Southport for helping us out with it.

 Off to 1770 today for another adventure!!