Heading North again - bound for Cooktown

Day 11 - Sunday 16th September - Leaving Fraser Island and heading North - "by Chris"

We woke up to a wet rainy morning and packed ready for the drive off Fraser Island via the scenic inland route to Dili village. It was sad to leave such a beautiful camping spot. We headed off towards the 3 lower inland lakes some of which are huge which is amazing because they are just rain water fed. On a big sandy hill we got bogged on the way up and had to be snatched out backwards by Clint with the camper trailer on the back. We then deflated the tyres some more and hit the hill with more of a run up and cleared it easily this time. The track to Dili was full of challenges and lots of fun but we didn't get bogged again. From Dili village we drove along the beach again, which is always great fun, and onto the barge to go back to Rainbow Beach. Back in town we rinsed the cars, pumped up tyres, had lunch and said a sad goodbye to the Winter family before we headed north. After numerous stops along the way for roadworks we got to a beautiful free camping spot on the Calliope river at night fall. A quick set up then Trudy made yummy chicken schnitzels for tea and we had a game of yahtzee before bed.
P.S. The latest modification I did was to make an ARB fold out awning from the car to quickly fit the camper trailer which makes a great shelter to the camp kitchen without having to set up the full camper annex. It works a treat, so thanks Sean for you help with this!

The new car awning easily attaches to the camper

Lined up to catch the Mantra Ray barge

Cruising back to the mainland

Ryan and Trudy enjoying the ride and looking for turtles

Day 12 - Monday 17th Sept - Another travelling day - " by Amy" - 9   

As everyone woke in the morning we got up to the sound of birds singing to each other. Dad and mum went on the computer to do some work (blogs) and read the emails people had sent. Soon everyone went out side to have some breakfast. After we had finished my sister Mikayla and I went for a walk to see what the camp spot looked like.  When we were finished packing up we drove down to the exit and my mum jumped  out of the car to grab a quick photo of the Calliope river but as she hopped in the car I saw a kookubara so I took a photo of it. We decided to drive in to Gladstone to have a look at that city. We went to a lookout to see out to the islands and the boats. I saw a power station, refineries, coal shipping, and a heap of army trucks and buggy's all lined up to go on a boat. Mum phoned some friends from Adelaide who were also travelling in Queensland. They were on their way down from Mackay and we were on our way up so we arranged to meet up above Rockhampton. We all stopped in a rest area and the adults talked for about 1 and a half hours! We played with the 2 kids - Rebecca (11) and Thomas (8). We said goodbye to the Fishley family and drove some more. When we got to the camping ground next to Carmila Beach  we set up the camper trailer and and my mum started cooking dinner. Next my brother and sister and I went down to the beach and found some hermit crabs and put them in a circle to see who can get out of the circle first. Mikayla's hermit crab was winning  but we had to go back for dinner. After dinner we did the dishes then Ryan and I made a fire to toast some marshmellows. We didn't have any wood just twigs and leaves so it didn't last long. We brushed our teeth and went to bed after a great day.

Calliope river camping area

Looking out over Gladstone

Roadside catch up with the Fishley family

Camila beach low tide at dusk

Amy and Ryan's 10 minute fire

Day 13 - Tuesday 18th Sept - Carmila Beach to Airlie Beach - "by Mikayla" - 11

We had an early morning start to pack up and get to Mackay so dad could get a part for the car. Along the way we saw alot of sugar cane growing. In Mackay we went for a drive to look at boats in the marina. Us kids were busting to keep travelling to get to a really good caravan park in Airlie Beach that our friends had told us about. I had to be patient with all the stops with road works along the way. We arrived at the big 4 adventure resort in Cannonvale near Airlie Beach before lunch and quickly set up our camper. We quickly had lunch and did a heap of washing then all of us went to the pool for a swim. The pool was very big with two water slides which was lots of fun. We had fun swimming and trying to balance on each others shoulders. After awhile we drove into Airlie Beach and went swimming in the lagoon there. It was like a massive swimming pool with lifeguards in a beautiful spot by the beach. We went for a walk around the beach and into some surf shops and bought some clothes. We all really like Airlie beach. We drove back to the caravan park and us kids went on the jumping pillow and the swimming pool again until it closed. We all enjoyed the nice showers after days of camping. We had a deliscious tea and pavalova for dessert in the camp kitchen then went to bed.

The marina at Mackay

Roadworks! A familiar sight on the Queensland highway

The pool at the "frog" caravan park

3 stack fun - Chris, Ryan and Mikayla

The Airlie Beach lagoon

Again - Take care and stay warm !

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