Have been looking forward to this day for months, just to arrive in Townsville was an exciting event and to get a camping spot at Saunders was the icing to the cake. It is a small camp ground and I had to have a discussion with one camper and suggest that he move his car to the front of his van then talk to another about access to hitch up his van but all went well and whilst I don't have the best spot for Solar at least I will be in the box seat when someone does move.
Everything went well in Townsville where I was able to get the small holder to fix the Coleman Hot Water on Demand. The service lady at B C F removed the part from another unit and gave it to me, how good was that. Then off to Jaycar to buy a replacement solar 20A regulator, I phoned Aussie Batteries in Maroochydore where I had bought the kit a month ago and they said to return it and they would check it out and replaced it if needed. That would have had me without the panels for ages whilst it was sent, examined and returned so I bought another unit for $150 and when the other is returned or replaced I can put it on the other battery bank.
I also bought a U H F unit after getting into trouble with others who insisted that I give it priority especially driving a slow vehicle I should be able to communicate with others. I have managed 2 years without but can see the sense in having a workable unit on board. Tomorrow I will be busy getting my new purchases fitted and after driving from Boulder Creek yesterday my shiny newly painted bus looks decidedly scruffy so a bath is needed. There are a few pics from Saunders on the link above. John
yeoeleven said
10:41 PM Jul 20, 2013
Up early Saturday morning and took a few snaps, then got into the work installing the new U H F and fixing the Coleman Hot Water on Demand but it needed some soldering and without an iron was stumped. Doug phoned to say that he would visit this afternoon and as luck would have it he had the equipment that was needed to get the HWS working again. Doug arrived later with the soldering iron and with his expertise had it working again in no time. All In all another great day I paradise.
My plans are to remain here until Thursday morning just before the ranger comes and then drive the 11kms to Bluewater Park. One of the campers in a fine position moved out and I was quick to change locations and now have plenty of sun on my solar panels and have set up my camping awning and tables. John
Dougwe said
11:26 PM Jul 20, 2013
Good to see you again John and you are more than welcome for the help, it's called 'Team Work' mate. See you again in a few days.
jules47 said
11:53 PM Jul 20, 2013
Looks great John - and good to see Doug this morning - see you through the week Doug!
Dougwe said
12:01 AM Jul 21, 2013
Try and sneak away without seeing me again and look out.
How was your lunch and did you end up where I suggested?
jules47 said
12:28 AM Jul 21, 2013
Sure did Doug - loved it!!! Great food - good prices as well. Great value. Will ring you early in the week, ok?
JulieM said
01:19 AM Jul 21, 2013
That's why I live up there......told Mum I'm never coming south in winter again....until she turns 90 (5 years to go)
I've survived but too many clothes are a nuisance!
GaryKelly said
01:30 AM Jul 21, 2013
You're well organized, John... it's getting better all the time. I noticed your roof rack. Did you have that specially made? I could use something like that for my single cab ute.
Dougwe said
01:46 AM Jul 21, 2013
No problem Jules, when you are ready.
Sorry John, Jules and I have hijacked your thread.
Back to your question now Garry.
jetj said
01:49 AM Jul 21, 2013
What a beautiful spot, I doubt I have seen so many in a small area, I'd hate to have a bad case of wind. I really love seeing campers set ups. Thanks John.
justcruisin01 said
02:35 AM Jul 21, 2013
Loved saunders, great spot but you have to be lucky to get a park.
JC
yeoeleven said
02:47 AM Jul 21, 2013
Yes J C both times I have been here I have had to park for a day to get a good spot but it is well worth it.
Gary the roof rack was in place when I bought the Bus, very convenient and would cost a bit to have it specially made. John.
rockylizard said
07:03 AM Jul 22, 2013
Gday...
I was intrigued with the photo you have shown of Saunders Beach Camp. I assume this is Site 36 in Camps 7 QLD?
If so, it is shown as 24 hours only in Camps 7 ... is that correct?
Also, would I be mistaken suggesting it is more crowded and cramped than one would expect to find in almost any van park?
I guess this site is sort of the "price of freedom"?
Cheers - John
yeoeleven said
07:46 AM Jul 22, 2013
Hi John,
I use Camps6 and have no idea how Camps7 describes it but as far as my understanding goes the ranger comes every Monday and Thursday morning and 48 hours are allowed, once he has your number it would be better to be gone before he checks again. So I arrived on Friday will be checked on Monday and will be gone before mid Thursday morning. The same ranger checks Bluewater Park, Toomulla Beach, Balgal Beach and Bushy Parker Reserve (Rollingstone) on his loop so the same situation exists in each location.
You would not be mistaken about it being crowded, there are many more vans cruise by and are unable to find a park. It is very small and half of the parking is reserved for beach going holiday makers so if that is a concern then it would be better to avoid Saunders and Balgal. Personally enjoy company and if I can find such beautiful free camp sites I am more than pleased to share them with other like minded campers. Crowding is a small price for the freedom to camp here freely and enjoy the beautiful beach.
Just my view of course,
John
Dougwe said
04:29 PM Jul 22, 2013
It's funny how different people see things isn't it. I visited Saunders Beach about 6 weeks ago and was far from impressed, way too crowded for a free camp for me and small as well but if that's your thing go for it. I spose sometimes though you just have to put up with the crowds even in the free camps or even the alternative camps. If I choose a CV Park I expect to be like a sardine, well maybe a Carp in my case.
Enjoy your stay there John as I know you will. See you soon.
Yes Rocky it does say 24 hour in Bible 7.
yeoeleven said
01:05 AM Jul 23, 2013
Monday and another interesting day the morning was spent installing an Anderson plug on my neighbours van, Amanda had a battery charger but it was a real pain to access the terminals with the clips, consequently it never got used when in caravan parks. Now she has an easily accessible Anderson plug and her battery charger has one fitted too.
Doug visited this afternoon and took Steve and myself on his famous Townsville Tour, very enjoyable afternoon with excellent commentary from our guide. The ranger came whilst we were out and took our numbers so the plan of leaving on Thursday morning seems good, unless a better opportunity presents itself.
John
Dougwe said
01:09 AM Jul 23, 2013
Pleasure John, it was good to see you and Steve again. Just a small tour but a tour. Enjoy your stay at Saunders, I know you will.
Did you get a sample of the pancakes?
yeoeleven said
01:19 AM Jul 23, 2013
No Doug by the time I had put the cord and the generator away I missed out.
But I did get a savoury wrap at lunch time.
John
yeoeleven said
12:47 PM Jul 25, 2013
Thursday morning early around 5.30AM will be leaving Saunders today and yesterday took down the awning packed most of my stuff away and moved the bus into the middle of my site to give it a bath. Did the unmade road trip from Boulders Creek and it was filthy but not any more need sunglasses to look at it now. Had a call from Aussie Batteries telling me that they will replace the regulator and send it off to the East Garbut Post Office so I will be able to use it on the other battery bank.
Had a couple of meals with Steve since we have been here the first was fish in foil on the hot plate supplied here together with Ceasers salad (spelling????) very successful but last night I was given a couple of sausages and eggs and as usual with my cooking managed to mess it up. Ended up with a messy plate of scrambled not the fried egg that I planned, not to worry it went down all right. My handed down idea of using baking paper with cooking spray worked well saving a clean up on the hotplate.
Had a good time here staying from Friday until Thursday morning to avoid the ranger catching my number again after seeing me on Monday. So off to do some supermarket shopping and end up at Bluewater Park later. John
http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com/2012/08/saunders-beach-north-of-townsville.html
Have been looking forward to this day for months, just to arrive in Townsville was an exciting event and to get a camping spot at Saunders was the icing to the cake. It is a small camp ground and I had to have a discussion with one camper and suggest that he move his car to the front of his van then talk to another about access to hitch up his van but all went well and whilst I don't have the best spot for Solar at least I will be in the box seat when someone does move.
Everything went well in Townsville where I was able to get the small holder to fix the Coleman Hot Water on Demand. The service lady at B C F removed the part from another unit and gave it to me, how good was that. Then off to Jaycar to buy a replacement solar 20A regulator, I phoned Aussie Batteries in Maroochydore where I had bought the kit a month ago and they said to return it and they would check it out and replaced it if needed. That would have had me without the panels for ages whilst it was sent, examined and returned so I bought another unit for $150 and when the other is returned or replaced I can put it on the other battery bank.
I also bought a U H F unit after getting into trouble with others who insisted that I give it priority especially driving a slow vehicle I should be able to communicate with others. I have managed 2 years without but can see the sense in having a workable unit on board. Tomorrow I will be busy getting my new purchases fitted and after driving from Boulder Creek yesterday my shiny newly painted bus looks decidedly scruffy so a bath is needed. There are a few pics from Saunders on the link above. John
Up early Saturday morning and took a few snaps, then got into the work installing the new U H F and fixing the Coleman Hot Water on Demand but it needed some soldering and without an iron was stumped. Doug phoned to say that he would visit this afternoon and as luck would have it he had the equipment that was needed to get the HWS working again. Doug arrived later with the soldering iron and with his expertise had it working again in no time. All In all another great day I paradise.
My plans are to remain here until Thursday morning just before the ranger comes and then drive the 11kms to Bluewater Park. One of the campers in a fine position moved out and I was quick to change locations and now have plenty of sun on my solar panels and have set up my camping awning and tables. John
How was your lunch and did you end up where I suggested?
That's why I live up there......told Mum I'm never coming south in winter again....until she turns 90 (5 years to go)
I've survived but too many clothes are a nuisance!
Sorry John, Jules and I have hijacked your thread.
Back to your question now Garry.
What a beautiful spot, I doubt I have seen so many in a small area, I'd hate to have a bad case of wind. I really love seeing campers set ups. Thanks John.
Loved saunders, great spot but you have to be lucky to get a park.
JC
Yes J C both times I have been here I have had to park for a day to get a good spot but it is well worth it.
Gary the roof rack was in place when I bought the Bus, very convenient and would cost a bit to have it specially made. John.
Gday...
I was intrigued with the photo you have shown of Saunders Beach Camp. I assume this is Site 36 in Camps 7 QLD?
If so, it is shown as 24 hours only in Camps 7 ... is that correct?
Also, would I be mistaken suggesting it is more crowded and cramped than one would expect to find in almost any van park?
I guess this site is sort of the "price of freedom"?
Cheers - John
Hi John,
I use Camps6 and have no idea how Camps7 describes it but as far as my understanding goes the ranger comes every Monday and Thursday morning and 48 hours are allowed, once he has your number it would be better to be gone before he checks again. So I arrived on Friday will be checked on Monday and will be gone before mid Thursday morning. The same ranger checks Bluewater Park, Toomulla Beach, Balgal Beach and Bushy Parker Reserve (Rollingstone) on his loop so the same situation exists in each location.
You would not be mistaken about it being crowded, there are many more vans cruise by and are unable to find a park. It is very small and half of the parking is reserved for beach going holiday makers so if that is a concern then it would be better to avoid Saunders and Balgal. Personally enjoy company and if I can find such beautiful free camp sites I am more than pleased to share them with other like minded campers. Crowding is a small price for the freedom to camp here freely and enjoy the beautiful beach.
Just my view of course,
John
Enjoy your stay there John as I know you will. See you soon.
Yes Rocky it does say 24 hour in Bible 7.
Monday and another interesting day the morning was spent installing an Anderson plug on my neighbours van, Amanda had a battery charger but it was a real pain to access the terminals with the clips, consequently it never got used when in caravan parks. Now she has an easily accessible Anderson plug and her battery charger has one fitted too.
Doug visited this afternoon and took Steve and myself on his famous Townsville Tour, very enjoyable afternoon with excellent commentary from our guide. The ranger came whilst we were out and took our numbers so the plan of leaving on Thursday morning seems good, unless a better opportunity presents itself.
John
Did you get a sample of the pancakes?
No Doug by the time I had put the cord and the generator away I missed out.
But I did get a savoury wrap at lunch time.
John
Thursday morning early around 5.30AM will be leaving Saunders today and yesterday took down the awning packed most of my stuff away and moved the bus into the middle of my site to give it a bath. Did the unmade road trip from Boulders Creek and it was filthy but not any more need sunglasses to look at it now. Had a call from Aussie Batteries telling me that they will replace the regulator and send it off to the East Garbut Post Office so I will be able to use it on the other battery bank.
Had a couple of meals with Steve since we have been here the first was fish in foil on the hot plate supplied here together with Ceasers salad (spelling????) very successful but last night I was given a couple of sausages and eggs and as usual with my cooking managed to mess it up. Ended up with a messy plate of scrambled not the fried egg that I planned, not to worry it went down all right. My handed down idea of using baking paper with cooking spray worked well saving a clean up on the hotplate.
Had a good time here staying from Friday until Thursday morning to avoid the ranger catching my number again after seeing me on Monday. So off to do some supermarket shopping and end up at Bluewater Park later. John