Well, here I am, not in Townsville, I hooked up Monday 4th as planned and started my journey south around 9am. I arrived at Boulder Creek, about 70km south of Proserpine QLD and about 17km inland off the Bruce Hwy.
Boulder Creek is a free camp set up by a family on private land in memory of their son who died at that location. They have also provided a flush toilet and kept in good nick by a farmer down the road who calls in to keep an eye on things.
When you first arrive you are greeted by Ranger Rex who checks you and your vehicle out and if he licks you on the leg, yes you heard right, you are allowed to stay. Now Ranger Rex is a little tan DOG. He belongs to the farmer but prefers the company of the the campers. From what I found out he gets picked up from the farmer every now and then but nicks off back to the camp. He is well known to take over your camp too. Lovely camp area with a nice clear creek running alongside and very quiet.
Tuesday saw me arrive at another free camp at St Lawrence QLD although there is a donation box next to the shower block. Speaking of showers $1 for 3 mins, hot water too. I have been here a few times now and was lucky to get along side the cow sheds which has a little privacy on one side of you, well I hope that is not bull or I'm in deep doo doo. There is also a tap with drinking water and a dump point if needed. The area around the toot/shower block is NO generators but if you go another few mts further on there is a really large area for generators. I hang out in that area as it is difficult to find a spot close to the toots. I had enough power in my den battery for a few nights so need for the generator.
One thing I did notice this time was the trains, there is a track just over the other side of the road and although I didn't take any notice during the day it was different at night, very noisy and long, not short trains, takes a good 15 mins to go past. Being at night I am not sure if they are coal or similar or cane trains. There are cane farms everywhere so more than likely cane trains as it is smack bang middle of cane harvesting. One thing for sure though, they are noisy so if you come here at this time of year be prepared. Just to confuse you, I was talking to some GN's the next day and It was thought they would be coal trains so lets just say big trains.
Wednesday was a reasonably long drive, 570km as I wanted to get to Hervey Bay QLD to spend time with GN's "Cruising Cruze" John and Marjolien, they were kind to offer their driveway for the night, great to see them again, thankyou both for the hospitality given.
I left Hervey Bay Thursday and headed for Byron Bay north NSW coast, are you getting the feeling I like Bays? Well I just love being near water really and I tell you that for free. Now if anyone is heading along the Bruce and Pacific Hwy's from Rockhampton to at least Byron Bay there are quite a few sections of road works and you can get held up a bit, the longest I sat in the cue was for 10 minutes so not too bad really, anyway gives the old brain a rest from concentrating on driving. Now not only roadworks there are heaps, now when I say heaps I mean thousands of caravans or similar travelling in both directions. I am also amazed the number of people heading south like me, I know I'm a dill heading from the nice warm tropics but now I know there are others like me, nice to know I'm not alone.
I arrived at my favourite hideaway in Byron Bay mid afternoon and who should be set up, yep, "Plendo" David and Carol so became their neighbour until they moved on early Yesterday, Saturday. I get moving tomorrow, Monday. I stay at Belongil Fields caravan and camping ground just on the northern edge of BB shopping precinct. No bells and whistles and far from flashy, the amenities are dated but clean and why I stay is they charge by the head @ $17 for a power site. It was $15 on the way up so $2 increase is still fine by me. If there is two of you I spose it's starting to get on the exe list. Heaps of room and nice people seem to stay here including backpackers as well but I have found them all very friendly indeed. We are all doing the same thing out here really.
Now even when you are out playing in the playground you have to do work, sorry for using that dirty word but what has to be, has to be, so washing was on the days activities yesterday as the sun decided to join us here in Byron unlike Friday my normal washing day. The rest of the day was spent tidying up a bit and re-arranging the back of the Collie, you think you have things where you want and find yourself looking for something and can't find it. Also did some system updates on my laptop, downloaded a few songs from iTunes then put them on my iPod. Phew! That's enough for one day.
Today, well it's Sunday and is supposed to be rest day so I think I will stick with that tradition, sounds good to me.
That's enough of my dribble for this update so until next time, take it easy in the real world everyone.
A few pics below as usual.
Cruising Cruze said
10:44 AM Aug 10, 2014
Hi Doug
As always a pleasure to read your updates and to see your friendly face again my friend
Cheers John
Glenelg said
10:50 AM Aug 10, 2014
well done, all looking good, nice pic's
rockylizard said
11:34 AM Aug 10, 2014
Gday...
It is always good to "get back into harness" and hit the road Doug.
The new tug looks pretty good and it has already slept in a couple of good looking spots. Make sure you spoil it and don't let it spend too much time in van parks. :biggrins:
Cheers - John
copper1 said
11:41 AM Aug 10, 2014
Gee mate what's going on !! there seems an awful lot of space at these great spots I would have thought they would be packed out? Travel safe and keep up the good work
Vic41 said
03:22 PM Aug 10, 2014
Nice shots Doug, thanks for sharing
Your Avan will be a great buy for someone when you decide to get rid of it, all set up for free camping/solar etc.
If I was in the market and wanted one I would be negotiating by pm now for when the time comes and you upgrade.
Dougwe said
03:29 PM Aug 10, 2014
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
It is always good to "get back into harness" and hit the road Doug.
The new tug looks pretty good and it has already slept in a couple of good looking spots. Make sure you spoil it and don't let it spend too much time in van parks. :biggrins:
Cheers - John
John, it just happens that way sometimes when visiting people but I do prefer the non cvp camping for sure.
Dougwe said
03:38 PM Aug 10, 2014
copper1 wrote:
Gee mate what's going on !! there seems an awful lot of space at these great spots I would have thought they would be packed out? Travel safe and keep up the good work
C1, the people I seem to be chatting to along the way seem to prefer CVP's as they are not set up for otherwise. I have told them how easy is it to set up really and put them on to the forum but they just seem too set in their ways. Long as they are happy I spose is all that matters.
The pics I have posted were taken before too many arrived but by night both camps were near full, including St Lawrence, amazing how quick that filled.
Funny thing is, I am nearly all set up with 12v so the only thing the 240v is doing is charging the battery and running the fridge.
Dougwe said
03:44 PM Aug 10, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Nice shots Doug, thanks for sharing
Your Avan will be a great buy for someone when you decide to get rid of it, all set up for free camping/solar etc.
If I was in the market and wanted one I would be negotiating by pm now for when the time comes and you upgrade.
If anyone is interested in it Vic I would be happy to negotiate off course. It is set up for a one man band though with a small single bed one end and I put a shelf with storage under the other end. It can be put back to original with table and two seats though. It is classed as a two person but I have always said if you headed off with someone you would be single within the month.
I can't sell until I get a new den or I will be den less and can't go away anywhere and I can't have that.
Vic41 said
03:45 PM Aug 10, 2014
Good luck when the time comes Doug, I am sure someone either privately or via a trade in dealer will snap it up.
Even might help if the twins go with it
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 10th of August 2014 03:49:58 PM
Bryan said
03:53 PM Aug 10, 2014
Thanks for the update Doug. It brightens my spirit and brings back the urge to get on the road. End of next year can't come soon enough. The plans are made and in motion and I just need a good dose of patience.
neilnruth said
05:00 PM Aug 10, 2014
We enjoy reading your update but I always wonder why do you put it in bold big type???
Dougwe said
05:15 PM Aug 10, 2014
Hi Ruth, sorry if it annoys you (I'm sure it doesn't and you were just asking) or anyone else but I do it as I go along in "notes" on my iPad and that's how it comes out. I then just copy and paste it to here and I email to friends and family as well. I must admit sometimes I get my self confused because doing it as I go along I need to talk in past tense.
I have actually been told by friends and family they find it easier to read like that though. Interesting.
neilnruth said
05:17 PM Aug 10, 2014
Now that's weird. This identical post was in the thread about 'finding some nomads' started by oldboar. Is there a gremlin Dougwe?? I answered in the other thread. It doesn't annoy me.
Dougwe said
06:06 PM Aug 10, 2014
Sorry Ruth, I am not sure how it happened either but it did and has happened before. Maybe Uncle Al's fault perhaps, that or my good mate wombat.
Glad you enjoy the read though.
I did have a look at the settings in "Notes" after you posted but nothing really much different and I can't change from bold either. I'm not yelling though.
pugs said
06:06 PM Aug 10, 2014
Another great read Doug,and the large type is easy on the eyes,just like those photos.You take care. Pugs
GaryKelly said
06:57 PM Aug 10, 2014
Good stuff, Dpug, and great pics. I enjoy being reminded of what lies in wait for me one day. :)
yeoeleven said
07:08 PM Aug 10, 2014
Well done Doug, another great post and thanks for the pics. John
Dougwe said
07:29 PM Aug 10, 2014
Your expert advice John got me to Boulder Creek and so glad I went there, thanks mate. Although it was a bit sad when I found out a little history of the place. I felt for the parents as I know how they feel.
Hi Doug
As always a pleasure to read your updates and to see your friendly face again my friend
Cheers John
Gday...
It is always good to "get back into harness" and hit the road Doug.
The new tug looks pretty good and it has already slept in a couple of good looking spots. Make sure you spoil it and don't let it spend too much time in van parks. :biggrins:
Cheers - John
Gee mate what's going on !! there seems an awful lot of space at these great spots I would have thought they would be packed out? Travel safe and keep up the good work
Nice shots Doug, thanks for sharing
Your Avan will be a great buy for someone when you decide to get rid of it, all set up for free camping/solar etc.
If I was in the market and wanted one I would be negotiating by pm now for when the time comes and you upgrade.
John, it just happens that way sometimes when visiting people but I do prefer the non cvp camping for sure.
C1, the people I seem to be chatting to along the way seem to prefer CVP's as they are not set up for otherwise. I have told them how easy is it to set up really and put them on to the forum but they just seem too set in their ways. Long as they are happy I spose is all that matters.
The pics I have posted were taken before too many arrived but by night both camps were near full, including St Lawrence, amazing how quick that filled.
Funny thing is, I am nearly all set up with 12v so the only thing the 240v is doing is charging the battery and running the fridge.
If anyone is interested in it Vic I would be happy to negotiate off course. It is set up for a one man band though with a small single bed one end and I put a shelf with storage under the other end. It can be put back to original with table and two seats though. It is classed as a two person but I have always said if you headed off with someone you would be single within the month.
I can't sell until I get a new den or I will be den less and can't go away anywhere and I can't have that.
Good luck when the time comes Doug, I am sure someone either privately or via a trade in dealer will snap it up.
Even might help if the twins go with it
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 10th of August 2014 03:49:58 PM
I have actually been told by friends and family they find it easier to read like that though. Interesting.
Glad you enjoy the read though.
I did have a look at the settings in "Notes" after you posted but nothing really much different and I can't change from bold either. I'm not yelling though.
Well done Doug, another great post and thanks for the pics. John