Note from the Producer - For the technologically minded please discount date stamp on Dash Cam footage. All footage used in this production is chronologically correct.
While Emus, cattle. insects, hawks and hundreds of birds were seen during this trip no animals were harmed during the making of this movie.
To those who have just joined us we have now been stuck in Rockhampton for over 2 weeks waiting for parts to fix our van. To alleviate the obvious frustration we have been making the best of what Rocky has to offer. We can recommend Rocky for a visit but probably not for 2 weeks :-) A special plug to Gracemere Caravan Park. Great hosts.
If all goes to plan hatches will be fitted tomorrow and we are off... Emerald, Longreach to Mount Isa. Next post will be Mt. Isa Adventures.
Short drive from Rocky is the lookout and walking trails of Mount Archer. Great views and scenic walks for all levels. We did the 5klm one.
For the car enthusiast and, for some of the activities dare I say "Rev Head" or "Hoon". Dates just happened to coincide with our stay but looks like (COVID Dependent) they hold them every year in March/April. The work that some people put into their cars is unbelievable.
We estimated over 900 cars participating in the different categories - Burn Outs, Drag Racing, Drifting and Restorations.
Mount Morgan
The site of one of Australia's oldest and most productive Mines. The mine operated between 1882-1981 yielding a total of 225,000 kilos of Gold, 50,000 kilos of silver and 360,000 tonnes of Copper.
Mount Morgan also has a Railway Museum which sadly is a shadow of it's former self. Most of the operating engines have now gone and only a static display remains. Worth the $5.50 entry fee and I could of bought a hat.
Discovered in 1882 these 390 million year old caves have been hosting visitors and tours for over 100 years. Great guides, great coffee as well.
Best section - Cathedral Cave with a rendition of Hallelujah in total darkness. This cave regularly hosts opera and weddings. Acoustics are stunning. Plus bats - 5 species of micro bat, thousands of them throughout the whole system.
Great little free entry zoo. Highlights are the baby chimpanzees and the meerkats. This Zoo is one of the only zoos in Australia to successfully breed the chimpanzees. It also has the usual crocodiles, emus, kangaroos and birds etc.
Proof that Mr. Darwin was correct....
Emu Park Wind Festival and Lunch at Yeppoon Marina.
45 minutes to the coast is some stunning scenery. Throw in some kites and lunch overlooking the marina and you have the makings of a great day out.
Updated: Mar 31, 2021
Left home this morning at 9.00AM. Stopped to pick up a coffee for the driver at 9.05AM. Can't rush these things.
Instead of a the previously planned S/W direction to Port Augusta in South Australia we have headed Nth to Rockhampton hung a left and are now heading West to Emerald, Longreach, Mount Isa and through to Tennant Creek in the Nth Territory. It's a considerable amount of back tracking but we are then going south to do Uluru before Nth again to take up our original route. The planned stops in NSW we can do another time.
It is our intent to make this trip as interesting as possible, and, why not start on the first day.
On stopping at our accommodation for the night, (a free camp quarry pit 160klm from Emerald) we have found that the outer layer of the sky light in the roof at the front of the van has shattered. At this stage the inner layer is intact so we should still be water proof.
As it is Saturday we cannot speak to the service people till Monday. Looks like we will be heading back to Rockhampton tomorrow until we find out when/where we can get the repairs done. Two steps forward one step back. It is not an option for us to head home, it took too bloody long to get away, we are not going back.
Got to love it when the unexpected pops up just to make your trip even more interesting.
On the plus side of the ledger, the car and van are travelling very well and the beer is cold.
The parts have been ordered and with any luck we should have them the week after Easter. Fingers crossed. We have engaged a reputable local caravan repairer to effect the repairs as soon as the parts arrive.
If the timetable above comes about we will be spending Easter and early next week here in Rockhampton. We are staying at the Gracemere Caravan Park which as you can see below is a great little park and as a bonus one of the quietest we have been in.
Our program of activities for our stay will include but not be restricted to local bush walks (did 5 kilometers today over very rocky terrain in the National Park up and down cliffs, almost abseiling actually), the Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Yeppoon and a day trip to Great Keppel Island. We don't think we will be bored. We will post a Blog on our adventures in Rockhampton after our stay.
If transport of the parts takes longer there is always the option of heading off further north to explore. Proserpine/maybe the Whitsundays.
If all goes according to plan (and it hasn't so far) we should be back on the Mud Map (version II) in 10-14 days.
Have a great Easter everyone.