Wednesday 10th June Travel from Blacks Beach to Bowen.
Another chilly morning, we were showered, breakfasted, packed up and moving out by 9.10am bound for Bowen via Airlie Beach. Beautiful countryside outside of Mackay, small treed hills, green cane fields and properties dotted on the hill tops. The cane stopped just outside of Airlie which is a massive area covered by the cane growers. However we have been told that this is even less than it used to be as many cane growers have turned their property over to companies which have paid big money for their land so than grow trees for carbon credits, or they are growing other products like peanuts, which is more profitable.
Drove into Airlie beach and passed the crocodile club where we stayed next door to about 15 years ago? Big shopping centre now next door to it and many housing developments. Drove down to the lagoon and parked so we could look around. Called Danielle at work for a chat. Met Heather and Graham who live in Sutherland and are on their way back home after visiting their daughter and son in law in Darwin. We exchanged travel tips; they have been away since 1st April and are using a trailer tent set up. They have had a great time and are sorry they have to get back, however they have to dog sit their other daughter’s dog so she can visit her sister in Darwin.
Drove on to Bowen, some camels in the fields and other live stock. Not much cane now and the landscape much drier. Much less water up here than in the Mackay region which was very green.
Couldn’t get into our first choice of Caravan Park, which was full and the cheapest. Found a space hard to come by so we had to go up market and stay in a Top 4 site, which we don’t like, as it’s as though we are living in a new housing estate, all concrete and very little grass. It is on the beach front though so is unfortunately more expensive. Set up, had lunch and then drove into Bowen for a look and see. It’s just like an old country town with its wide streets but is located on the coast. Saw the locations where the film Australia was filmed and had a walk around the town looking at some of the 24 murals painted on the sides of the buildings, depicting the diverse history of the town from its early settlement to the present day. http://www.tourismbowen.com.au/. Drove back and went for a walk along the beach side and then dinner and an early night. Tomorrow we will do some of the walks they recommend.
Another chilly morning, we were showered, breakfasted, packed up and moving out by 9.10am bound for Bowen via Airlie Beach. Beautiful countryside outside of Mackay, small treed hills, green cane fields and properties dotted on the hill tops. The cane stopped just outside of Airlie which is a massive area covered by the cane growers. However we have been told that this is even less than it used to be as many cane growers have turned their property over to companies which have paid big money for their land so than grow trees for carbon credits, or they are growing other products like peanuts, which is more profitable.
Drove into Airlie beach and passed the crocodile club where we stayed next door to about 15 years ago? Big shopping centre now next door to it and many housing developments. Drove down to the lagoon and parked so we could look around. Called Danielle at work for a chat. Met Heather and Graham who live in Sutherland and are on their way back home after visiting their daughter and son in law in Darwin. We exchanged travel tips; they have been away since 1st April and are using a trailer tent set up. They have had a great time and are sorry they have to get back, however they have to dog sit their other daughter’s dog so she can visit her sister in Darwin.
Drove on to Bowen, some camels in the fields and other live stock. Not much cane now and the landscape much drier. Much less water up here than in the Mackay region which was very green.
Couldn’t get into our first choice of Caravan Park, which was full and the cheapest. Found a space hard to come by so we had to go up market and stay in a Top 4 site, which we don’t like, as it’s as though we are living in a new housing estate, all concrete and very little grass. It is on the beach front though so is unfortunately more expensive. Set up, had lunch and then drove into Bowen for a look and see. It’s just like an old country town with its wide streets but is located on the coast. Saw the locations where the film Australia was filmed and had a walk around the town looking at some of the 24 murals painted on the sides of the buildings, depicting the diverse history of the town from its early settlement to the present day. http://www.tourismbowen.com.au/. Drove back and went for a walk along the beach side and then dinner and an early night. Tomorrow we will do some of the walks they recommend.
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