End of year trip 2017. Day 7

After some brekky we packed up and left Lake Nuga Nuga heading south. Parts of the dirt road were a bit soft and slippery after the storms but we made it through fine. On the way we drove in for a look at the Beilba section of Expedition National Park. We had a little trouble finding our way as the roads were quite different from the map, mainly because of all the gas extraction being done in the area. We ended up exploring some interesting tracks. 

I had forgotten that I had been into Beilba a few years ago until we got to an abandoned house on the way in. 

We continued on to look at the camp ground which seemed not too bad. As there was a line of storms approaching we decided to get out quickly as some of the tracks were already a bit wet and soggy. 

As it was New Years Day the shops in Injune were all closed so we stopped at the sports ground to make a quick lunch before heading onto Roma where we refuelled the cars and had coffee at Maccas as it was about the only place open. The decision was then made to head out to Mitchell and camp at the Fisherman's Rest camp site by the Maranoa River. Great little spot and the river was the perfect temperature for a swim. We set up camp and had a nice relaxing evening.

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End of year trip 2017. Day 5 and 6.

We were up early, packed up and off looking for Leichardt's Dig Tree or what was left of it. It had been moved into the town of Comet a few years ago. After a bit of exploring and bush bashing we ended up finding its original position and the plaque identifying the spot. Then it was off into Comet where we had a look at the main part of the tree and a few other historical points of interest.

After this we headed off to Emerald for morning tea at the bakery before futilely searching for some fossilised wood that was supposed to be on display. We refilled the cars and did a bit of shopping before heading off to have a look at Lake Maraboon which is supposedly 3 times the size of Sydney Harbour. 

Then it was off south through Springsure and Rolleston where we had a late lunch. 

The temperature was up in the high 30's and it was quite draining to be out of the car air-con for too long. Lake Nuga Nuga National Park was our destination for the night and we got there around 3:30'ish and set up camp in a shady area. As it was so hot I rigged up a mozzie net in the camper so that I could leave the doors open while sleeping to cool down. 

After dinner we noticed some lightning off to the south and Shane got some great lightning photos. This went on for more than an hour until we finally heard thunder and then about 30 mins later the storm got to us. 

We were safely ensconced in our campers for the wind and rain but it was bloody hot and sweaty with everything closed up to keep the rain out. After the rain was gone it must have been 10 degrees cooler which made it much easier to sleep.

We had decided on a rest day at Lake Nuga Nuga and didn't end up doing much as it was so damn hot (around 39 degrees). 

I spent most of the day drinking water and reading a book in the shade while Shane took his canoe out for a paddle. Today the storms came in early, around 4 pm and this time we stayed outside to get wet and cool off. After the storms had gone we cooked dinner and Shane started up the camp fire. We didn't quite see the new year in but our equivalent of fireworks was a campfire and a distant lightning show.

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End of year trip 2017, Day 4

We were up nice and early after a good nights sleep and after coffee and a quick pack up we headed of to have a look at the other two campgrounds in the park. We eventually found them but neither was as good as the one we had stayed at the previous night. While the road was rough and gutted in a few places it wasn't really challenging to drive and there were no real sights to be seen, so we decided to head back out of the park.
Shane had realized that he hadn't tied his shovel on properly and it had escaped and run away, so on the way back we had had to keep an eye out for it. We eventually found it about 100 metres from the previous nights camp. Then it was back out through the park and the farm roads to the main Capricorn Highway where we had a quick drinks stop to decide what we would do for the rest of today. We decided to head a bit further inland to have a look at Blacksland Tableland National Park. Unfortunately the parks web site showed no camp sites for the evening but we went for a look anyway.
The tableland is a couple of hundred metres above the surrounding plain and the road was twisty and steep but still a relatively easy drive. We stopped at the first lookout (Horseshoe lookout) for a quick look and had some lunch as well. 

Then it was off into the park for a look at the main campsite, where unsurprisingly, there were quite a few empty sites, although the web site said that it was full. We had a quick look at some nearby rock pools and Shane had a quick swim to cool off, even though it must have been 5 or 6 degrees cooler on the tablelands than Down below.

We continued out to the Rainbow Waters walk were Shane went for a couple of km walk and I stayed in the shade at the car park writing up the day's activities and reading a book. Then it was off for a drive around the 4wd loop which took us to another spectacular lookout. 

As it was getting late we needed to find a camp site, so Wikicamps to the rescue. We found one about 50 Kms away, so headed back down from the Tablelands and drove to the back of Comet and a spot on the MacKensie River. It was a km or two off the road down a pretty rough track but it is not too bad. We set up quickly and had some dinner before sitting around and chatting for awhile and going to bed early when the mozzies arrived.

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End of year trip 2017, Day 3

Up early, had a quick bite to eat and coffee and then packed up and left to go to Yeppoon. Found a nice coffee shop and had an iced coffee before heading off Capricorn Caves (near Mt Etna Caves). We got there just before 9 am and booked on a Geo Tour at 10:15, This gave us heaps of time to refuel with tea and scones and get cameras and walking gear sorted out. It was ok but too much fossils and not enough Caves. 

Then we drove out to Mt Etna Caves and walked around the circuit but you couldn't actually get to the cave part.
We headed south back into Rockhampton to find a tyre Store and a Repco for Shane. Unfortunately, they couldn't fix Shane's tyre so we ended up with KFC for lunch. Shane then headed off to do some shopping while I sat in a park in the shade and worked out where we were going to head for the evening.
After Shane had refueled and done some shopping, we decided to head out along the Capricorn highway and have a look at Goodedulla National Park. It was pretty slow going getting there as a lot of it was over farm roads that were not meant for high speed travel. Then when we got into the park the roads got worse and it was obvious from the branches and trees over the road that the ranger hadn't been in for awhile. The Hema maps didn't show all the roads or campsites while the pdf I downloaded from the parks web page was sorely lacking. Lots of intersections with a small number on a fence post and no signs meant it was a maze. The camp site we had been aiming for didn't seem to exist, so we kept on driving until we came across an old shed which looked like it was still occasionally used when they mustered the cattle that were around. 

It was getting close to sunset and it was near the river which had a little bit of water in it, so we decided to set up camp. Of course we couldn't set up on the nice flat area around the shed we had to bush bash the cars down to a nice little spot closer to the river. 

Shane went for a quick swim in the river and then we lit the fire. We cooked diner and sat around the fire before heading off to bed.

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End of year trip 2017, Day 2

Up relatively early, around 6'ish, had coffee and breakfast. We packed up and left camp a bit after 7 and headed off to explore the Byfield National Park as low tide was around 10:30 am for beach driving. Bit of a rough road into the park and then got to the point where we had to air down, I went to 18 psi at back and 16 psi at the front.
There is quite a long steepish hill of soft sand to get over on the way in and I thought I was going fine until a deep bump took away all my momentum and I couldn't go any further. This was with the stability control turned off but still high range. I had to back up quite a bit and tried a few things , like low range, rear diff lock, but I couldn't get any further. So I let the tyres down to 14 rear 12 front and after a few tries got a couple of metres further but I still couldn't get up the hill. So then it was down to 10 psi rear and 9 psi front and I was able to get enough momentum up to get me past the big bump and I could continue up the hill. Shane of course came up without getting stuck with his tyres at 18 psi, he was in first gear low range however.
We continued out to Stockyard Point for a look and there is quite a few fishermen's shacks there. There was a spectacular view from the point both north and south.

Then it was a quick drive to Five Rock Beach where we had to walk 500 metres or so down lots of steps but it was worth it. The beach is spectacular and there was a little fresh water stream running down the hill. We walked up to the Five Rocks at the north end and then Shane went exploring while I headed back to find some shade and write up this diary. Then started the painful walk back up the hill. We had a quick look at the camp ground and at least half the sites were vacant even though they showed as booked on the web site.

We headed over to the main beach and had a look at a little waterfall before driving down to the south end of the beach and going across to the inland side to have a look at the Corio Bay day use area. Nice spot but a bit swampy. 

Then back up the beach calling in to have a look at some of the camp grounds, they also were not as full as they were supposed to be. We took another narrow soft sandy track back to the main entrance road near the top of Big Sandy and headed down it. Much easier than coming up. We had to wait a bit near the bottom as a couple of cars had got them selves bogged. We found a shady spot on the road and put some air back into the tyres.
We stopped in at WaterPark Creek day use area and had some lunch before going on a loop walk around the area. We thought it was going to lead us to the swimming hole but it was a false promise. So, we ended up walking back along the road and over the causeway and simply jumping in. Very pleasant way to spend 30 or so minutes. Then it was back to camp for a lazy afternoon before dinner another early night in bed.

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End of year trip 2017, Day 1

I was up early and breakfasted at mum and dad's place, before heading north at around 6:45 am. It was a pretty easy drive with not much traffic and very few trucks. Stopped off for an early lunch at Miriamvale a bit after 11 am and continued on into Rockhampton where I refuelled.
Shane was still a while away so I continued onto Yeppoon where I was able to check the bookings for the national park. The only available space for two nights was at Red Rock camp site, so after checking with Shane I booked a spot (trailer or tent) over the internet and then headed out to the camp site. Yeppoon is a nice little town but it was very busy with holiday makers. 

I followed the signs out to Byfield and found the camp site pretty easy. On the way in, there was a beware of crocodiles sign on one of the creeks, so I'm not sure about swimming.
The camp site is nice and big with a table and fire pit also shady and well grassed. You can get to this site with a 2wd no problems. I've got a nice spot down the back and Shane can pick where ever he wants. 

After getting set up I relaxed for awhile and cooled off. Shane arrived just after 4:30 pm with all four wheels still attached.
We sat around and chatted for awhile, had some dinner and a drink but ended up going to bed early as the mossies were vicious.

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Weekend trip to Lamington National Park

Slept in a little on Saturday morning but was up, packed and driving out around 8:30 am. I headed north to Nerang and turned off the highway towards Canungra. A quick stop at the pie shop in Canungra for a sausage roll and iced coffee and then it was off towards Lamington national park and O'Reillys.

There was lots of damage to the road in the aftermath of the latest heavy rain from the remnants of cyclone Debbie. The road is normally pretty narrow and windy but it became even narrower as land slips had taken away bits from each side of the road. No real dramas just a slower than normal trip. Just before O'Reillys I turned off onto Duck Creek road and followed it until the John Shepard Lookout where it was closed, also due to damage from the cyclone. 

However, there is a smallish flat spot to the right just above the lookout and this was where Shane had set up camp. I parked the car and joined Shane around the camp fire which was struggling a bit because the wood was quite wet from rain a couple of days earlier, however a little diesel fixed this. 🔥🔥🔥. After a bit of lunch I got Blute setup on a nice flat spot and we spent the afternoon chatting around the fire. 

Just before sunset Shane got his camera out and got some nice photos as the sun quickly went down behind the hills, although the colour in the sky lasted a almost an hour.

Then it was dinner time followed by more chatting around the fire before finally heading off to bed as the temperature got down below 10 degrees. Although chilly overnight I don't think it got below 5 or 6 degrees. We slept in a bit in the morning before Shane kick started the fire again and we had some coffee to wake up a bit. After breakfast we had a lazy morning around the fire before packing up and heading up to O'Reillys for a quick lunch. The parking up there was crazy. The trip down the hill was a bit more tricky as there was a lot more traffic heading up the hill but I eventually made it back to Canungra and then had a pretty good run back to Nerang and then home at around 2:30.

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