Day 20 - 29/07/09
We left Bathurst Heads about 8 am and headed back to civilisation. We stopped at Kalpowar Crossing for morning tea and watched another lot trail bikers having fun riding through the water at the crossing. They were part of an organised tour as all their bikes were the same, including the colour and we ran into them later in the day at the Lions Den where they also stayed the night.
We drove onto Lakelands where we had some lunch and enjoyed the feeling of driving on bitumen for awhile. Then it was onto the Lions Den Hotel where we set camp for the night, although not in the great spot we had camped previously, some bloody tourists had taken it.
After a quick camp set up, it was off for a very relaxing swim in the creek to get rid of the dust of the last couple of days. It was then up to the Pub for a few drinks, followed by dinner. Richard and Ross shared a Pizza (the Special) with all the extras while I went for the Chicken Parma. I had an early night in bed but Richard and Ross got a second wind and continued on for an hour or two.
Day 21 – 30/07/07
We left the Lions Den Hotel just after 8 am and a scenic but uneventful drive back down the Bloomfield track. We had morning tea at Cape Tribulation and then caught the ferry back across the Daintree river
and went for a drive up to Daintree Village. This was a lovely place and we had some lunch, a nice Crocodile burger – I figure eat them before they eat me.
We drove onto Mareeba and stopped for coffee at Coffee World – nothing particularly special, even the coffee wasn't that wonderful. Then it was onto Milla Milla Falls where we took a few photos of a very attractive waterfall.
It was unfortunately a bit cool for a swim. We then drove onto Cowley Beach (just south of Innisfail) where we set up camp for the evening. After dinner we were hoping to catch some of the cricket on the TV but it was the third ashes test so it was all rained out.
Day 22 – 31/07/09
I left Cowley Beach and Richard and Ross at 7 am the next morning to put in a big day of driving on the way home. I fuelled up at Townsville and then had a bit of lunch at Mackay. The roads were pretty busy until after Sarina (apparently there was a rodeo in town) and then it was a nice easy drive to Yaamba (just north of Rockhampton) where I camped the evening at the road side picnic spot with a dozen or so caravans and motorhomes. It was pretty noisy for awhile as the resident Rosellas in the trees were having a screech, when they quieted down the road noise became more noticeable. Even that quieted down after awhile and was way better than risking the square dancers of Rocky on a Friday evening. It got bloody cold overnight with the thermometer on the Paj saying it was 6 deg in the morning.
Day 23 – 01/08/09
I left Yaamba before 7 am and refuelled in Rockhampton and then had some Brekky. I stopped in at Childers for a coffee and a walk around. Drivining was easy until around Mayborough when the traffic picked up (mainly going North) and I got stuck behind some slow stuff. Just south of Tiaro I saw Chopper's P7 Patrol, so I gave him a quick call on the radio and managed to get him. He had noticed the very, very dirty Pajero heading south and after a few minutes chat on the radio we continued in the opposite direction.
I managed to pass the slow stuff after awhile and then had the best run through the Gympie to Cooroy stretch and then it was two lanes each way and highway cruising. I dropped into Mum and Dad's place at Caloundra and had the best hot shower I could remember for a few weeks. Then it was a nice comfy bed for the night.
Day 24 – 02/08/09
I slept in and had a very leisurely morning before heading off to the Gold Coast and home, just after lunch. The trip took just over 2 hours and I fuelled up just around the corner from home. I unloaded the very dirty car
and put everything into the garage. After I finished unloading I needed a shower as I had picked up quite a bit of dust and dirt from the car and the camping gear. Then it was a very good sleep in my own bed for the first time in 3 weeks.
The End.
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