We camped three days just north of Townsville from where we could explore a few of the inland attractions.
Big Crystal Creek was first on our list. We arrived early in the morning and had the place to ourselves for the first two hours. There are many cascading pools linked with waterfalls and great rock slides to enjoy.
Our next stop was Paradise Pool, just down the road.
We took a small winding road up the mountain to Little Crystal Creek on the Mount Spec Road. The bridge was built between 1930 and 1936 during the depression as a public work employment initiative. The bridge is still in daily use and attracts many visitors.
We spend a day in Townville. Most of the foreshore was cordoned off due a cycling event. We could access Castle Hill with a great view over Townsville, with Magnetic Island in the background.
One of the walking tracks to the top of the Castle Hill was closed by Police due to a casualty on the track.
The next day we headed to Ayr. The road was closed for an abnormal load, transporting a train on a truck.
We crossed the Burdekin River Bridge. The bridge was upgraded to maintain access to the northern parts of Queensland in the wet season.
We camped at Wallace’s Landing. This was a great free camp with endless views and great campfires.
Just north of Wallace’s Landing was Mt Inkerman lookout. This lookout has a great view towards Ayr.
The small town of Home Hill is big on art, murals and riddles. The Big Sardine Can is one of the riddles in the local park and portrays openness to ideas.
This mural by Jon Electros promotes the local produce.
The Big Carpet Snake welcomes you to the Ayr’s Information Centre.
In the middle of Ayr is the Living Lagoon by Stephen Walker displaying some of the local animals and birdlife.
From Ayr we headed south through Bowen to Airlie Beach. We had to stop at the Big Mango in Bowen.
We identified a caravan park close to Airlie Beach to base ourselves for the next few days. After setting up the caravan we did a quick drive to Cedar Creek Waterfall. Unfortunately, the waterfall did not flow.
We visited the central business district of Airlie Beach. The streets are lined with pubs and patrons sipping on colourful cocktails.
Airlie Beach has a relaxed atmosphere and a great esplanade to explore. We were surprised by the number of foreign backpackers in town.
We drove to the Lions Lookout for a walk. From the top we had great views over the aqua coloured water.
From Airlie beach we headed south to Mackay. We stayed at a scout camp just north of the city.
Our first stop was the Mangrove Cap Sculpture by Dr Fiona Foley.
We did a quick walk through the Ken Burgess Orchid House. It must have been the perfect time of the year as most plants were in bloom.
Mackay’s Laneway street is an inner city alley that was converted to a modern walkway with murals on both sides.
The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is on the Pioneer River.
The artwork “Life Forms” by Christopher Trotter welcomes you at the entrance to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.
The gardens extend onto the river with boardwalks to some local aquatic plans.
We followed the Mackay coastline and stopped at a few lookouts. From Lambert’s Beach lookout you can see the mural on the Slade Point Water Tower in the background.
After leaving Mackay, we passed through Sarina and had a quick glimpse of the Big Cane Toad in the main road.
Our next campsite was at the St Lawrence Recreational Reserve. The reserve is home to the local showgrounds and surrounded by lakes boasting with fantastic birdlife.
Our next city was Rockhampton. Rocky is known for beef and barra. It is often referred to as the beef capital of Australia. Six life size bull statutes are scattered throughout the city. The statues represent the most common beef breeds including two Brahmans, Santa Gertrudis, Droughtmaster, Braford and the Romangnola.
Rocky welcomes travellers to a free camp in the middle of town where you can stay for two days. The centre of the city has a few historic buildings like Custom House overlooking the Fitzroy River.
Adjacent to the free camp is the Waterfall Walk in the Kershaw Gardens.
Rockhampton’s zoo is home to many native and a few exotic animals, including the Asian small claw Otters, Chimpanzees, White Cheek Gibbons and even the inquisitive Meerkat.
The Rockhampton Botanical Gardens borders the Murray Lagoon.
We just can’t pass a quiet Japanese Garden…
East from Rocky is Yeppoon. Yeppoon is one of our favourite seaside towns with the esplanade offering lots to do. The “Spirit Stone” attracts attention.
The town has developed the foreshore and built a great infinity pool on the esplanade. We spend a few hours on the esplanade and enjoyed a tranquil lunch.
Adjacent to Yeppoon is Emu Park. Emu Park has a monument dubbed the Singing Ship. The monument commemorate the early explorations of Captain James Cook.
Emu Park has an impressive war memorial with the Memorial Walk linking together different exhibitions.
Leaving Rockhampton we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn at Gracemere.
Just south of the Tropic of Capricorn everything becomes more familiar. We started to recognise some of our favourite local camping spots.