Duaringa Station

All stocked up and off we headed west, first stop was to catch up with Sarah Donovan at Duaringa Station, its been a while but good to see she hasn't changed too much.

The kids were very excited to see the cats and dogs along with any other animals that were there. Within minutes both the kids had a favourite dog and a favourite cat, Emi liked Vivian (schnauzer I think) and Shakey the cat, Charlie quickly liked Eddie the blue heeler and Max the cat.

Sarah had to finish off her feeding for the day before showing us around, all good as we inspected her crop of cotton with her mum,

 

before the kids headed in to the Cottonseed bay to play. Its just like a massive pile of pillows. They ended up back there any chance they had, Charlie even convinced Cindy to climb in.

Sarah managed to find us spreading things about, good to see someone is working hard these days.

All things completed for the day it was time to do a tour of Duaringa Station, have a look around at the crops (looking very good) 

and then the feedlot. A lot of very nice looking steaks standing around in there.

All things seen and done it was time for a few sun downers and a fantastic home cooked meal cooked by Sarah parents, Bruce was in charge of casserole complemented by a great bottle of Sew & Sew Syrah and Beryl followed that up with a great home made apple pie, doesn't get any better than that.

The set up was great and we managed to find some lover green grass to sleep for the night, the full moon made for a great picture. 

Once again Charlie's comments hit a high. Emi: How many cats does Sarah have? Charlie : 50.

Good night sleep and then up at first light to take Charlie to see if we could find a pig or two...

Little late or they were just scared of his PJs, anyway nothing spotted but I am sure there will be more chances.

After breakfast the kids had a good look around and climbed on anything they could.

Thought it was about time to take the drone out for a fly, see if I can work it. Took some good photos 

Even took it down to the crop and did some more low level flying and video shooting for Sarah, although ran it a little close on the battery and had to make an emergency landing about 100 metres short.

Would love to put some of the drone video up but seems that the file is too big.

Thanks again to Sarah, Bruce and Beryl for looking after us all so well, hope to visit again soon.

Bye Duaringa Station, til next time.

Updates:

EEC: nothing new here, have been looking hard but no success, hopefully things will improve as we head further west. EEC stands at 47.

CCC: Not many crocs here in the bush, thought we may have got lucky around Rocky but no luck. CCC stands at 6.

1770 - Magic

Heading further north from Hervey Bay we cut across through Howard and then up in to Bundaberg (home of all things rum) but alas did not stop to restock....it was straight on to the beautiful coastal town of 1770 where we were booked in at the beach camp site for a couple of nights.

Well this place didn't disappoint.

All set up we headed down to the water to watch the sun set. Seems it is a tradition there as everyone was on the beach.

The next morning we were all up early and headed off for a nice walk along the beach before breakie. After this we did the butterfly walk along the headland where you can drop down on the the beach in a few spots. Kids managed to get a little "Crane training in".

 Think Emi mastered it a little better, he has a little work to do.

The Butterfly Walk was nice although limited in butterflies.....even managed to see a couple of butterflies, well its called the Butterfly walk not Butterflies so we should be happy with the ones we saw.

After returning to camp for a little morning tea it was off to the headland for another adventure, the wind was blowing but the views were magnificent, reminded me a little of Straddie (Pt Lookout).

Still with more to see we kept on, stopping at the next area where there was this massive anchor, came off a ship the sunk on the reefer off 1770 in 1854, it turned up after a cyclone a few years ago and was restored.

Next stop was head towards Agnes Waters and see what we could find, after a few dead ends we arrived at Red Rock walk, takes you down along the coast just south of the township of Agnes Waters. There is a good walking track that leads you down on to a great spot, Spring Beach.

Kids had a play and I went about trying to find some pippies for the afternoon fishing expedition that was planned with Charlie. Nothing of any size but there were a couple of young guys trying to catch beach worms......not very successfully though but they did have a few.

With the assistance of their berley and a little bit of pippie I set about catching a few, seems I can still do it. Only needed a few and gave the others to them.

The kids had more fun running a muck as we were trying to get the worms to come up.

Time seems to fly when you are looking for these guys, after getting enough it was time to rush back to the camping ground where Charlie had a 2pm hair cut scheduled. Seems that one of the campers is a hairdresser from Yamba and does a few each day to pay his way, good result for all and Charlie is looking sharp again.

Now fishing was on, Charlie and I headed off with our live worms to catch a feed, there is no better bait only problem was the amount of small stuff out there. They were definitely hungry, nothing really to report on the keeper side but we both managed to catch a few small things and Charlie even got a pike (kept for bait for something bigger).

We headed back to join Cindy and Emi on the beach, here even Cindy caught her first fish of the time, a little small but a fish is a fish.

Fishing done for the day it was time to take up position on the beach and wait for the sun to set, far better than the previous night.

Well that was 1770, could really have spent a few more days but we must push on, not before one last fish just to see if we could catch that big one. Alas the little pecker fish ate all the worms and we were done.

 Next stop Duaringa Station to catch up with Sarah D, quick stop in Rockhampton to pick up some supplies.

Updates: EEC stands at 47

               CCC remains at 6

Hervey Bay and the whales

Well after a well spent couple of weeks we left the farm and headed for the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay in search of all things whale.

Good trip up there and made it by mid afternoon. Our address for the next 3 days was Discovery Holiday Park on Fraser Street. Recommendation from Bill and GG as well as a couple of locals (Brett and Mary).

The guys at the park were great and nice to have staff to help with lining everything up, first site was too small and wrong angle for the camper so they moved us to a far better site.

All set up and bikes off the bikes off the top it was straight to the pool for the kids. Early night as we were off Whale watching first thing in the morning (thanks M & D).

We were very lucky with the weather, the day we went was the best of the 3 days we spent in Hervey Bay, no swell and very sunny.

Hang on to your hats, little windy up on the front deck, lucky I know where I can get some more of those Agracom hats.

Being early in the season the numbers are not as good but we still managed to see 15-20 whales, at this time of the year the whales in the bay are juveniles just swimming around and playing. 

Was good to get up close to them, even managed to see one swim past the underwater viewing area. 

The first pod we came across was very active and one whale breached a few times, interesting that his was the only one for the whole day. Didn't really matter as the others seems to like playing up for the boats.

Managed to get a heap of pics and even Charlie was taking videos and pics with his action camera (he was hanging on to so tightly, not want to drop it overboard.

This one seems to think it was a great place to practice his backstroke, we followed him for a while.

And then they were gone.....

Kids decided that they should brave the wind on the way home, may have been sunny but we were in to a pretty strong breeze.

Was a good trip home along the inside of Fraser Island, water was very clear, a lot better than further up the bay where we had been.

When we got to the wharf after Charlie thought he had another one for the CCC, alas not a real one so doesn't count.

The next day was a lot windier, so happy we weren't going out on the water. Cindy stayed withe kids whilst I went off to play golf with Brett (Small), we worked together in Longreach 26 years ago, where does time go. Played at Hervey Bay Golf Club, great track and in good condition but not as good as The National although sunny, warm and no face masks where a great change. Its a shame about my game though, little rusty.

Was good to get out again though, will not talk about who won but lets say there are some real concerns about the handicap system.

That night we had a great dinner with Brett and Mary (Small), hadn't seen Brett for probably 15 years and been 26 since I last saw Mary. Good feed of homemade pizzas and a few drinks, kids crashed on the couch so was a uninterrupted evening, not to late of a night as we are off in the morning.

We woke to the sound of rain on the roof, just what you really don't want to hear, luckily only a little shower other there was light misty rain most of the morning. We managed to get things packed up in between the showers and all was pretty dry.

The kids made a new friend, Banjo.....well the pressure is clearly back on......

One last walk up the street and along the jetty, was a great place and can see why so many come here every year.

Even the local pelican (Bill) came out to say goodbye

Charlie and Emi tried to master the giant wheel at the park, with no success....

Then it was back in the car and off we went, out wet weather and off to 1770.

Updates:

EEC Nothing to report 

Total EEC stands at 47

CCC (Charlie Croc Count), We must be getting closer although only a false alarm at the boat harbour, count still stands at 6.