Agnes Water, 1770 and Bundaberg

We found yet another gem that Australia has to offer.  The towns of Agnes Waters and 1770 were another highlight of our trip and again a place that made us go WOW.  We were very lucky to get good weather while we were there so that we could make the most of the beach.  The town of 1770 was where Captain Cook made land and had a look around and his crew collected a few more plant species.  The town reminded us a lot of Cooktown, as it was a very picturesque and quiet seaside town.  Agnes Waters was the main town area and where the better swimming beach was.  Haydan did have a little swim but got cold and opted for the sandcastle building instead.  Not far out of town were some National Parks that we went to for a look.  Eurimbla National Park had some great camping spots and what looked like good fishing.  However it was a very rough track to get in so we only went for some day trips.  Glen tried his luck with some fishing but it was not his day.  We also went for a day trip to Deepwater National Park and the kids had a play on the beach and Haydan tried some fishing but he was not successful either.  However fun was had by all.  From Agnes Waters we made our way to Bundaberg and stayed with some friends.  The kids enjoyed playing with some new friends and we enjoyed the kids being contained in a fully fenced backyard!!!!!  We looked into going to the Rum Distillery but it was not a very kid friendly tour so we opted for the Gingerbeer Distillery.  This was an interactive tour that entertained the kids while we learnt all about the process of making the Bundaberg Distilled Drinks.  Haydan liked the taste test at the end the best!!!!!  We also went to Bundy Kegs where you could watch the Coopers make the old rum barrels using the old cooperage techniques.  This was very interesting to see how they are made and to learn about a dying trade.  We also went to the markets and we found DOUGHNUTS!!!!!!  It was a very relaxing break and great to catch up with friends.  We have now made our way to the Sunshine Coast the only problem is we have not seen the sun yet as it is raining.  We will stay here for a few weeks so will let you know what we get up to soon. 

Update on the Trip Map

Beach at 1770

Emmalisa at 1770

Kids at the lookout at 1770

Haydan fishing at Flat Rock in the Deepwater National Park

Emmalisa at Flat Rock Beach

Kids playing at Agnes Waters at sunset

Sunset - Agnes Waters

Haydan at the Turtle Park at Bundaberg

Townsville to Rockhampton

Well we have been busy since we left Townsville checking out the sights down the coast.  Our first stop was Bowen and again our first impression was WOW!  It is nothing like what you saw on the Australia movie.  It is a beautiful seaside town with awesome beaches.  We did the tour of the town and checked out local sights,  the kids enjoyed a morning at Horseshoe Bay playing at the beach and Glen even managed a game of golf.  We then made our way to Airlie Beach.  The weather was not so favourable for us there so we were not able to appreciate the full beauty of the area and go on a cruise to the Islands.  The town of Airlie Beach was a bit too touristy for us but we still enjoyed our time there with the highlight being the bird feeding at the caravan park.  The birds were so friendly they even came and sat on your head and shoulders. We then made our way to a camp at St. Helens Beach.  The kids enjoyed the freedom to run around again and we had a lovely afternoon on the beach.  From there we made our way to Mackay. We found it to be a bit of a service town and not much new for us to see there so we moved on to another camp at Clairview.  It was great here.  We were just meters from the beach and the kids enjoyed breaking sandcastles, digging holes and beach cricket.  We were able to have a camp fire so damper and marshmallows were on the menu again which is always a highlight.  The kids always ensure we are awake well before sunrise, which is a good thing when they are as beautiful as the were at Clairview.  It was a really enjoyable camp.  We then continued on to Rockhampton.  This was another surprise town for us.  We expected it to be another service type mining town but we were pleasantly surprised.  We went to the lookout that over looked Rockhampton and Yeppoon and went on a couple of short walks there.  What the kids really enjoyed was the Zoo.  It was just a little Zoo but we got to see dingoes, monkeys, chimpanzees, crocodiles, koalas, wombats, kangaroos, emus, cassowarys, birds and we got to feed the ducks.  Emmalisa's favourite animal was the koalas and it was very cute watching her try and jump like a kangaroo.  

We will continue down the coast now and our next stop will be Agnes Water and 1770.   

Haydan and Glen at Horseshoe Bay - Bowen

Emmalisa at Horseshoe Bay - Bowen

Glen and Emmalisaat Bird Feeding  -Airlie Beach

Brother and sisterly love at St Helens Beach

Our Camp at Clairview

Sunrise at Clairview

Sunrise over the ocean at Clairview

Sunrise the next morning at Clairview

Glen and Emmalisa having fun at the Zoo - Rockhampton

Feeding the ducks at the Zoo - Rockhampton

Townsville

We had a great time in Townsville, pretty much just taking it easy.  In the end we spent almost a month there and had a good look around and did a few tourist things along the way.  We parked the van in Glen's old next door neighbours carport which made our stay very comfortable.  The kids loved the shed that had a huge TV with plenty of movies and music, a mirror ball with pretty lights, a fridge with a seemingly endless supply of lollies, a popcorn machine and a fairy floss machine!!!!  Yes they were reluctant to leave.  When we could drag the kids out of the shed we would play at the parks down on The Strand.  They would play in either the water park or the play ground and it was even a great spot to watch the sunrise and have a picnic lunch.  We also took the kids to the top of Castle Hill that over looks the City of Townsville and Magnetic Island.  The kids had a great time a Reef HQ looking at all the fish.  This is a large aquarium that is home to many marine animals.  The highlight for them was  the 'Nemo' tank that had lots of Clown Fish.  A great day was also had at the Museum where we saw the movie section that showed how dinosaurs, gorillas and monsters are created and operated in the movies.  We saw the Pandora and learnt all about Pandora's Box and the Mutiny on the Bounty.  We saw the firing of a Cannon as well as other displays about life in the Tropics.  We had lots of fun in the interactive room trying to solve puzzles and brain benders as well as learning how things work.  We also had a rather social time in Townsville as we caught up with families that have moved over this way  from Broome over the years. We spent time with the Wallace Family with a highlight being going to the footy on Saturdays to watch Jake play.  We also had a great day with the Maloney family who came down from Cairns as we missed them when we were there.  However as they say all good things must come to an end so we hit the road again and continue to head down the East Coast for more fun and adventures. 

Haydan at Reef HQ

The 'Nemo' tank at Reef HQ

Playing at the Park

Kids playing at The Strand at Sunrise

Emmalisa at sunrise

Overlooking The Strand at sunrise