Jourama & Wallaman Falls

Jourama Falls

After setting up the bus, we went for the hike to Jourama Falls, the sights were amazing.
Headed off early the next morning, as we planned a big day, first stop Wallaman Falls, then a visit to Lucinda and then stopped the night at Mission Beach

Cassaowary sighting

On our way into Wallaman Falls, we spotted a Cassaowary on the side of the road.

Wallaman Falls is Australia's longest falls at 305 metres long

We went across Lucinda for a look at the town before arriving at Mission Beach. Weather has turned clouding and about 20 degrees.

Townsville

Catching up with Alan & Fred

We knew Alan & Fred were travelling up to Townsville for the V8 Supercar race, so we were in contact with them and met up with them at Ayr. Stopped and chatted before setting up at the Alligator Creek roadhouse for the night.

The next morning before Mark had his oncology appointment, with Allen leading the way around Townsville, we drove up Castle Hill, which overlooks Magnetic Island, the V8 track and all of Townsville, amazing views.

Magnetic Island

The Three Wise Monkeys

After Mark's appointment, we set off north of Townsville and stayed near Bushland Beach, near a boat ramp and on a tidal river.
Mark set up the crab nets, we caught a few but left the nets in over night and the next morning one had come off the peg and was in the middle of river. So Mark went in the river on a kayak, while Alan when over muddy river flats. Mark tied a rope to the net and Alan pulled it in from the bank. Fred offered moral support from the dry bank, whilst I was taking the photos.

Alan & Mark retrieving a crab pot

Mark had treatment in the afternoon and we then went back to the same sight. Fred taught me how to cook an amazing satay sauce. Yum, I can see that will be a regular sauce from now on.

We had two local guys come into our campsite that night, only to tell us that there were croc's in the river and then they gave us two salmon that they had just caught.

Fred, Bling, Alan & Mark

Mark, Alan, Lorelle & Bling

On Thursday 5th July, we said our goodbyes to Alan & Fred, we then drove onto Jourama Falls.

Bowen

We arrived at Bowen Big 4 Caravan Park, only to bump into Keith again in reception. Set up, then went for a bike ride around to Horseshoe Bay, stopped at the boat ramp and at the filleting table were four professional fisherman filleting massive spanish mackerel.

I got up the next day and went to the market which was in the park next door to the caravan park, when I got back we put the kayaks in the water and kayaked across Queens Bay to horseshoe bay, where we saw heaps of coral, just off shore. On the way back Mark was excited as a giant trevally went under his kayak and then one jumped out in front of him.

Bowen Pier

The movie "Australia" was filmed in Bowen, we walked down the pier where they herded the cattle down, in the movie.

Gloucester Island

The view from the lookout was amazing, it overlooked the whole town of Bowen and out overlooking Gloucester Island and the Gloucester Passage, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands.

Weather was beautiful, had a swim in the pool each day and relaxed around the pool reading.

Conway & Airlie Beach

After chemo we drove to Conway Beach, we learnt a lesson - to book ahead, as with school holidays and the migration of the grey nomads, we could only get a sight to one night.
Called ahead to Airlie Beach and got into the Big 4 Airlie Cove for two nights, as we pulled in to the Caravan Park, we saw Keith whom we had met back at the Capricorn Caves.
We went cruising through the Whitsunday Islands, stopping at Daydream Island, Long Island and Hamilton Island

Daydream Island

North of Mackay

Wednesday 27th June - Mark is currently in having his third chemo treatment at Mackay. After he has finished we are driving north, destination maybe Conway Beach near Airlie Beach.

I'll update in a couple of days.

PS Weather is picking up - sunny & currently 25.

Seaforth - Cape Hillsborough

We arrived back into Mackay, staying again at the Premier Caravan Park. Mark had his second chemo treatment at the hospital, before we took off north of Mackay to Seaforth.

Seaforth is a small seaside town, beautiful beach, but once again we hit the coast and the weather is against us. Rain and cloudy, but we were still able to get out on the bikes and a couple of walks. Heaps of birdlife and they knew whose camp to visit. The rainbow lorikeets were all over Mark.

Rainbow Lorrikets

Whistling Ducks

After two nights at Seaforth we went 12 km's down the road to Cape Hillsborough, an absolutely beautiful place, where the mountains met the beach. We stayed here for three nights, still got the rain, but was able to do three out of the four hike available in the area. 

Mangrove Walk at Cape Hillsborough

Beach at Cape Hillsborough

Rainforest walk at Cape Hillsborough

Mark feeding a friendly brush tail possum

Mark didn't read the rules about feeding the wildlife. This possum stayed with us for over an hour, getting a nice feed.

Kinchant Dam

Kinchant Dam

Kinchant Dam is west of Mackay, Diane & Kevin live out there in a full size bus, with amazing views of the Dam. Diane had driven down to Biggeden to pick up Fay, so we could spend more time together.

Mark, Fay & Lorelle

Mark, Fay, Dianne & Bling

Kinchant Dam has an open air pub, with a massive fire pit, which is going 24/7. Drinks are very pricey, at $10 for one can of scotch and cola. There was bands playing throughout the weekends and we were just staying below the pub, so we could enjoy the music from the campsite.

Kinchant Dam Pub

Great spot for a drink

Our campsite at Kinchant Dam

We camped right on the edge of the water and had a friendly duck that would come in for a feed morning and night.

This duck adopted us

Mark at Kinchant Dam

We all went out fishing, Mark & I had no luck with the fishing, but Kevin caught a barra and a sooty grunter. We had the boat and the kayaks in the water the whole time. Weather is fantastic, sunny and about 23 every day.

The Wheeler Family

During our time at the dam, we caught up with Diane & Kevin's family.

We spent 10 nights out on the dam, as Diane lent us her car, so when Mark needed treatment we drove back into Mackay with her car. We certainly had a fantastic time catching up with family.