Chapter 5 - Yeppoon Part 2

Day 27 – Monday 1 July - Great Keppel Island

The start of a new day, month and financial year presented a cloudy opportunity for a sunrise photo. So I took it. On the beach by 6:25 am. I was the first there. It was worth the effort.

Mulambin Beach at 6:39 am

By 7:30 am I had completed a 2 km walk, taken some sunrise photos, had a shower and updated this blog.

However, the best (for the day) was yet to come.

At 10:30 am the four of us caught the 'Freedom Adventurer' to Great Keppel Island. This was a huge day as Shirley is not a good sailor. The water was glass-like flat and the trip over was fine.

Our ride to and from Great Keppel Island

By 11:10 we had sand under our feet waiting for the glass bottom boat to take us over local reefs. 

Our Glass Bottom Boat
[Photo courtesy of Ray]

That took about an hour as we saw lots of coral and (mostly small) fish. We also saw a Groper and a Sting-ray.

Above & Below - Photos from the glass bottom boat

Click here to see more photos..........

Chris, Shirley & Gill on the glass-bottom boat
[Photo courtesy of Ray]

Around 12:30 we were back on the beach. Shirley and Gill said goodbye to us and headed off to explore the island. Ray and I re-embarked on the Freedom Adventurer ready for a sausage-sizzle lunch and some snorkelling.

Pre-snorkelling lunch

The former was Ok - the latter was superb. We donned wetsuits to keep out the cold and grabbed a 'pool noodle' to manage the flotation. Masks and flippers were donned. Initial entry into the water was a shock, but the 'chill' improved as the wetsuit did its bit. The water temperature was allegedly around 21 degrees.

We did not take any photos from this activity as our under-water cameras were back in Melbourne. However the following (loaned) photos give an example of what we saw.

Above & Below - Photos taken by other snorkelers

The coral and fish on display were mind-boggling - most within one or two metres - many fish seemingly within reach, and seemingly without a care in the world.

While Ray and I snorkelled, Shirley and Gill dined on a fish burger at a local establishment.

Beach on Great Keppel Island
[Gill & Shirley pondering how to get to the ferry] 
[Photo courtesy of Ray]

We met up around 2:45 and headed back to the Freedom Adventurer for the trip home around 3:30. It had been a great day.

A hot soapy shower was a good way to end the day - and remove salt residue from everywhere.

Day 28 – Tuesday 2 July - Yeppoon

The overnight forecast rain did not eventuate, giving departing campers time to pack up and depart with dry equipment. The sunrise was similar to yesterday but that was a guess as I was still in bed. It had been declared a 'slow day'.

A lamb roast was the suggested idea for dinner so we headed into Coles and procured a 2 kg hunk of meat. Around 4pm it was loaded into the Weber, with spuds, onion, sweet potato, carrots and onion added later. Much later cauli and broccoli were prepared on the hotplate. Gravy finished it off. The four of us were pretty happy with the outcome, although the carrots were a bit chewy.

Camping style roast lamb

Life is Ok.....................

Day 29 – Wednesday 3 July - Yeppoon

The first sound that we heard was the phone beeping to advise that the temperature back home was below zero. So we stayed in bed a little longer.

It was probably the most restful day of the trip to date, as the (better than Melbourne) weather was unimpressive. That changed after lunch so we headed to the Marina for a mango smoothie.

Around 5 pm Ray and I headed to the Causeway looking for another decent sunset photo. It was OK, but not spectacular.

Sunset from the Causeway Bridge looking over the Mulambin Creek

Dinner was a repeat of last night - left over roast lamb and freshly cooked veggies.

Day 30 – Thursday 4 July - Yeppoon

The day started breezy and went backwards from there. The wind got stronger and the rain started about 11am. My proposed outdoor birthday lunch was moved to an indoor venue.

Seafood Basket at Spinnaker

Shirley tabled a chocolate (birthday) mud cake for morning tea, which the four of us enjoyed.

We dined at the "Spinnaker" restaurant in Yeppoon and we all agreed that the food was excellent.

The weather centered around wind, rain, overcast - or a combination of all or some. It was an 'inside' day.

Shirley, Gill, Ray and I gathered in our caravan for Happy Hour in lieu of dinner. The wind gradually gathered intensity.

I had had a good birthday.

Day 31 – Friday 5 July - Yeppoon

The strong wind continued all night and into the morning. However the sun forced its way through the clouds and provided optimism.

Shirley decided on a drive to Byfield State Forest, home of the unique Byfield Fern. It was an easy 50 km drive. We checked out a couple of picnic and camping areas - not good places to be after significant rain. Refer to following photos.

Above & Below - Plenty of water in Byfield State Forest

We stopped for a coffee and milkshake at the Byfield General Store. It is the sort of place that you only find off the beaten track. The drinks were excellent and the food looked superb.

Byfield General Store

The strong winds deterred Shirley from a beach walk so some R&R took up most of the afternoon. I did find time to put a new handle in the tomahawk.

The strong wind continued into the evening.

Day 32 – Saturday 6 July - Yeppoon

I had a unique experience at 6:25 am this morning, stepping foot on a pristine beach. Not a footprint on the entire beach. The overnight very high tide had reached the foreshore foliage and everything on the beach had been washed to and above the very high water mark.

Panorama view of pristine Mulambin Beach, around 900 metres from left to right

The angry clouds again thwarted my idea of a good sunrise photo, but I enjoyed the walk and the fresh air.

Angry clouds winning the battle with the rising sun

The clothes were in the washing machine by 7 am. By 8am the clothes were blowing in the breeze, I had showered and had breakfast, and was ready to go to the Farmers Market with Ray. I came home with tomatoes, avocados and mandarins.

Shirley and I headed into town for a bit of shopping and on the way back I was able to get a photo of one of the Eastern Ospreys on its nest. The other parent flew off as I was getting ready for the photo.

Eastern Osprey parent on its nest

Ray wanted a companion for a walk so we drove to the Marina and went exploring. The weather was windy and the site was rugged. We found a nearby walk to 'Fan Rock' - a mere 750 metre return walk - all paved. The views were impressive. I did not wear my cap as I was scared of losing it.

Above - Chris at Fan Rock
Below - The Rosslyn Bay Marina from the Fan Rock lookout

Gill invited us over for Happy Hour, so we sheltered inside their caravan as the winds introduced rain into the equation. A couple of lamb chops became dinner.

Day 33 – Sunday 7 July - Yeppoon

Constant wind gusts over 30 km/h made me happy that I had put more than enough guy ropes and pegs off the awning. An early morning heavy shower added to the 'fun'.

The sun appeared as we wandered over to Gill & Ray's caravan for Sunday breakfast. We feasted on savoury grilled tomatoes, bacon, plus toast topped with a mixture of avocado and goats cheese with a fried/poached egg on top. On top of all that the bacon had a drizzle of maple syrup. Something different. It was superb. Shirley and I skipped lunch.

After breakfast we headed off to the 'Fig Tree Creek' markets. The ladies were more impressed than Ray and I. There was no 'stuff' for men.

After that we did multiple jobs in preparation for a Tuesday departure - in case it rains tomorrow.

The wind gusts all day averaged between 30 and 40 km/h. The temperature was around 20/21 (not counting the wind-chill factor). Shirley and I drove to Emu Park for an ice-cream - just to get out of the wind for a while.

Dinner was a superb meal of corned beef, cabbage, carrots &  mashed spuds. It was a cheap piece of meat and will provide cold meat for lunch for a few days.

Day 34 – Monday 8 July - Yeppoon

The wind dropped around midnight and the rain moved in. By my shower time around 7 am the BOM had apparently recorded 9 mm of rain. The puddles were back. Even though the temperature had dropped slightly, the wind reduction meant that it felt warmer. I was happy that we had done some packing yesterday. 😀

By Shirley's shower time, around 8 am, the rain seemed to have petered out, and the day gradually got better and better.

Just before lunch Shirley and I headed out and bought another $2 pineapple and saw a few Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos. My poor selection of subject stopped me from getting one in flight.

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Our last lunch at the Marina for this trip was then enjoyed with Ray and Gill. Again the food was excellent. We all agreed that the servings were too big.

Above - Shirley, Gill, Ray & Chris at 'Waterline'
Below - Chris's Laksa (King snapper, tiger prawns, yellow paste, coconut milk, fried shallots)

I had to keep moving so it was 'awning cleaning' time and 'final packup time' - to try and help digest my lunch. That all happened with lots of interruptions from family, friends and neighbours.

It was a lovely afternoon.

Ray decided that we needed one last sunset photo so off to the Causeway we went - past a police radar gun at 55 km/h. The following is what we saw.

Firstly a cobweb with the sun shining though it. Then the sunset across the water.

My Last Yeppoon Sunset for 2024

Tomorrow we start the two-day journey to Townsville, but that is another chapter in our adventure.

As we leave Yeppoon:

• We have been away for 34 days
• We have travelled 3385 km
• We are averaging just under 100 km per day
• Our diesel cost per day is $26.45
• Our accommodation cost per day is $43.65

This post is now complete (apart from minor edits).
Last updated at 6 pm on Monday 8 July 2024

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Chapter 4 - Yeppoon Part 1

Day 17 – Friday 21 June - Yeppoon

Day one on the coast meant my first sunrise photo. Sunrise was set for  6:43 am and I was there on time - as were plenty of seagulls. There was not a cloud in the sky.

My first beach sunrise of the trip - they will get better

Two loads of washing were on the line by 7:50 am. A third load happened once Shirley rose and the beds were stripped.

We nipped into Yeppoon to do some basic shopping (milk, bread, beer, wine) and ran into friends David & Wendy at the Information centre.

Not much happened until after lunch when we went for a 3 km walk to the beach and back. We were surprised by the number of crabs that were trying to avoid us. The jeans are now either on the washing line or in the wardrobe (fingers crossed).

Chris, Shirley, Gill & Ray

Little guys about the size of a 20 cent piece
[but great photographers]

I followed a small elusive bird for some time and eventually got a half-decent photo. I believe it to be a Forest Kingfisher, although he was small enough to maybe be a juvenile.

Forest Kingfisher

Not much happened after our beach walk. Shirley and I had a great BBQ porterhouse steak for dinner, with some BBQ veggies & steamed veggies.

The TV is yet to be turned on this trip.

A bit of trivia for you. The 'Tropic of Capricorn' apparently moves north about fifteen metres every year. We are very close to that point at the moment, being just north of that line.

Day 18 – Saturday 22 June - Yeppoon

The weather for day two was a big contrast to the previous day. Overnight low around 18 degrees, 100% cloud coverage, balmy. No sunrise photo.
😞 

The four of us headed into Yeppoon to visit the Farmers Market. It was nowhere as good as the last time we went. Funny how markets are like that. Anyway we bought some goodies.

After lunch I headed to Emu Park Bowls Club and put my name down for a game of bowls tomorrow. I visited the local shopping centre and was amazed at the adjacent sign in the supermarket. Needless to say there are now prawns in our fridge and freezer.

Shirley and I are getting the impression that a lot of money has been spent on improvements in this area since we were last here.

Around 4pm we drove into Yeppoon and had a couple of drinks with friends from home, Wendy & David, at their caravan park.

Day 19 – Sunday 23 June - Yeppoon

There was no cloud so a sleep-in was in order, prior to a shower and BBQ bacon & eggs for breakfast.

I headed to bowls at Emu Park and was a bit concerned when I realised my opponent was nicknamed "Mad Cow". However "Mad Cow" was the 'Life' of the club and a lovely person as well. Her team also beat my team 21-20 on the last end.

'Mad Cow' and Chris

I duly arrived home and Shirley had prepared a prawn salad. It was a good day.

$14 per kg prawns and salad

Day 20 – Monday 24 June - Yeppoon

The day started clear and crisp, without a cloud in sight. By 7:45 a huge cloud front started to move in from the west.

Big cloud front from the west

By 9 am it was overhead. By 11:30 it was gone and we had a clear sky. Shirley and I had a 4 km beach walk to justify lunch.

Ray & I visited Bunnings, because we could.

The first batch of (Weber-cooked) scones for the trip hit the table fashionably late at 3:30. Lamb shanks & mash for dinner.

Day 21 – Tuesday 25 June - Yeppoon

Today was based around trying to finish what was incomplete yesterday - sort of nothing much at all. The day started with no cloud.

Shirley and I had a 3.2 km walk around Kemp beach. 

Kemp Beach

We had lunch, an ice-cream, another stroll. A bit of planning. Nothing much at all.

Around 5:30 we wandered over to the camp kitchen to listen to Bob Pacey - Bush Poet. We have seen & heard Bob before and he trundled out some old and new bush poems. It was an enjoyable 60 minutes.

Feel free to click here to read one of Bob's poems, or do an internet search for "The Entrapment Bill Kearns" for another great bush poem.

Day 22 – Wednesday 26 June - Yeppoon

The gentle rain came and went for most of the night - always very light. After a slow start six friends gathered at the Waterline Restaurant at the Keppel Bay Marina. Four mango smoothies and two banana smoothies were ordered and consumed. Although the weather was poor it was a pleasant get together.

L to R - Chris, Ray, Gill, Shirley, Wendy & David

The Marina

A Blue-Faced Honeyeater 

We pottered around the caravan for a while and then headed to Ray & Gill's caravan for happy hour and dinner. We were fed well, the chop suey was excellent. I later finished another book - maybe my fifth for the trip.

Day 23 – Thursday 27 June - Yeppoon

The rain moved from light to steady around 10 pm last night. By 7:30 am this morning we had had 64 mm in the 24 hour period - 48 mm since 10 pm. Mother nature is messing up my good sunrise photos, either with too many clouds, or none at all. As usual, I hope that the farmers are getting what they need.

Around 8 am I decided to head to the shower - with umbrella. My 35-year-old freebie umbrella (from computer company) decided that it was time to retire. It is now resting comfortably in the skip. The shower was delayed, and breakfast was brought forward.

Ray's Pork Ribs

By 9 am the rainfall had increased to 75 mm in the last 24 hours. Puddles and little creeks were common place around the park. Tents seemed to be less common than they were 24 hours ago. 😟

We decided on a bistro lunch so off to the Railway Hotel we went. Ray come out on top with a superb ribs lunch.

The rain continued until 8 pm topping out at 101 mm in the last 36 hours.

It was a warm and balmy night.

Day 24 – Friday 28 June - Yeppoon

It was overcast and humid - but no more rain - for the moment. A slow start included our exercises that were forgotten over the last two wet days.

A 4 km walk along the 'Yeppoon Pineapple Rail Trail' was our first adventure - so called because, in an earlier life, a railway used to run along the same path, picking up pineapples for market. It was an excellent walk, well paved, reasonably flat, and had plenty of flora - but no fauna.

Below - Views and Flora along the Yeppoon Pineapple Rail Trail

Some period of relaxation came with a roll for lunch, then a drive to Emu Park, a walk, another good sign in the supermarket and then an ice-cream.

The caravan park provided a sausage sizzle as an entree to our dinner. The temperature was still 20 degrees at 7:30 pm.

Day 25 – Saturday 29 June - Yeppoon

The rain restarted about 1 am and was measured at 17 mm when it eased around 6:30 am. The puddles quickly reappeared.

Another slow start, but eventually we headed into Yeppoon for a walk along the foreshore. It was a pleasant stroll. The navigator then suggested that we head north and we ended up with a walk along Bangalee beach, but not before we stopped to make sure that an Echidna got across the road. 

How cute can an Echidna be?

On the way home we were able to catch a couple of black cockatoos on camera - chewing some form of nuts.

Black Cockatoo

After lunch we all went for a 3 km walk along our local beach.

Chris, Gill, Shirley & Ray

Then it was time for a cuppa and a cake and a chat. Around 4:30 Ray and I drove around two km to the Causeway in an attempt to get a sunset photo. We liked what we saw.

Above - Photographers on location
Below - Sunset at the Causeway

Shirley found a recipe that we adapted to be a chorizo and prawn paella. It was superb.

Day 26 – Sunday 30 June - Yeppoon

The day started with a combination of fog and low cloud. I celebrated by heading to the laundry to join the queue. I was soon chatting to a young Dad who has just returned from Great Keppel Island and had to remedy an excess of wet clothes, etc - thanks to the recent rains. The dryers were getting a great work out.

It brought back memories of many years ago when we camped with tent and young children and rain. I wished him well on his journey back to chilly Melbourne. He seemed a nice guy. 

Some time later washing, showering and breakfast were all behind us - ready for the last day of the financial year.

Being the Sabbath (any excuse) we decided on a walk, then lunch. We drove into Yeppoon for a walk along Farnborough Beach. However the fog/low cloud got heavier and heavier as we got closer.

It was weird walking along a beach without being able to see either the trees along the foreshore or the horizon.

Alternative View of Farnborough Beach

Local Sea Fauna

We headed to Waterline Restaurant at the marina and had a magnificent meal, while listening to live music.

Above - Our menu choices
Below - Lunch

The rest of the afternoon was relaxing and chatting to Ray & Gill and watching a big new rig (car & caravan) try to manoeuvre onto a site and setup camp.

This is the end of Chapter 4. 

We have been away for 26 days and so far we have spent $38 per day on accommodation and $33 per day on diesel. We have travelled 3037 km (116 per day) and stayed at 10 different camping sites.

This post is Complete.
Last updated at 7:30 pm on Sunday 30 June 2024

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