Tuesday January 5th

 

Agnes Water is the east coast’s most northerly surf beach whilst the tiny Town of 1770 marks Captain Cook’s first landing in the state, and the hamlet is known as the “birthplace of Queensland”. Just south is Deepwater National Park which is a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles.

 

 

Our next destination was Rockhampton the beef capital of Australia. As we drove along the plains widened and were filled with cattle; in a 250km radius of Rockhampton there are over 2.5million cattle. (I love some statistics!) It is the administrative and commercial capital of central Queensland and is a large, sprawling town with many fine Victorian buildings.

 

 

 It became prosperous during the gold and copper mining In the 19^th century.  We picknicked by the  Fitzroy river then went to see the spire which signifies the tropic of Capricorn.

 

 

From Rockhampton we had another long drive (we’ve covered over 2500km in 4 days!) and stopped briefly at Mackay, a typical Queensland coastal town with palm lined streets and art deco buildings.

Leaving Mackay the urban sprawl gave way to  the lush greenness of Pioneer Valley where the scent of sugar cane wafts through the heat and loaded cane trains, over a hundred trucks long rattle along on the track beside us. The fringe of the Clarke range of mountains provides an ideal frame for the expanse of tropical and subtropical vegetation. This area has been isolated from other rainforest areas for thousands of years and now has several unique species, including the Eungella gastric-brooding frog which incubates its eggs in its stomach and then gives birth by spitting out the tadpoles!

 

Just as the sun was beginning to set we arrived at the campsite, which, on a first impression (in the dark) looks awesome. It has by far and away the best campsite kitchen I have ever seen (Though I know it’s a few years since I have been camping.) It is outdoor, has two huge gas barbecues, kettles, toasters, microwave, and a huge fridge/ freezer, plenty of tables and a tv. The site also boasts two pools, both landscaped with waving palms and a “beach”, superb shower block with washing machines and driers and an outside washing line for communal use. And all for £7 per person per night! It doesn’t look very full either, large plots amongst the trees. One drawback—masses of mosquitoes, fortunately I remembered , at the last minute, the repellent! It is incredibly hot and humid; we’re back in Miri…