Mackay

We arrive in Mackay after a long trip, made even longer by the boys who left their drink bottles on the table where we had lunch.  So 30 minutes wasted we were back on the road and arriving in Mackay at about 4.00pm.  6 hours of stuck in the car and the kids were ready to fire up and that's exactly what they did.  Thank goodness there was only a few campers around us otherwise they may have wanted to get out. 

Waiting for lunch at the road house

Look what I can do!

Feeding time at the caravan park

The next day we went to the Blue Lagoon, a free water park in the heart of Mackay.  The water was a little chilly but still Nigel, the kids and I ventured in.  We all had a lovely time there but need to go shopping because the shops were closing at 5pm.  Now that's a shock when your use to shops being opened pretty much anytime you want them in Geelong.   For afternoon tea Kathryn (Tong) Coombes came to visit with her adorable girls Madison and Mackenzie.  They are now living in Mackay and we chatted about their trip away and Geelong in general.  I really enjoyed our time catching up.

In we go!

Out we get!

Run Forest Run

The following day we drove to see many of the sights in Mackay. Firstly we visited the harbour which is right next to the refinery. They really are trying to improve the area but have somehow overlooked the fact that big industry and 4/5 star accommodation really don't mix.

Tugboat at marina

Next we drove out to Hay Point to take in the site of the largest export pier of coal in Australia.  It plant was huge.  The convey belts alone are 50kms long and they load around 100 million tonnes of coal a year.  While there we counted 24 boats in port only to find out that this amount was small.  At one time sitting out waiting there turn to be loaded was 115 ships.  Some waited up to 3 months to get load and the crew had to remain on the ship the entire time.  Imagine that. 

Hay Point Coal Terminal

 

During our trip we passed many Sugarcane trains and bins and saw the mill working.  The smoke billowing out of the stack was just amazing but a little wrong also.  Industry! What more can you say.

Marian Sugar Mill

Once we finished taking in the sights at Hay Point we continued our drive to Finch Hatton Gorge.  We had to make go through a few river crossings and the kids really enjoyed doing this.  We stopped at the designated picnic area to find a family of 6 kookaburras just waiting for us to get our lunch out.  They are very pretty animals.  We decided that it was safer to eat our lunch in the car so we turned back onto the main road and headed for Broken River via Eungella National Park. 

River crossing on way to Gorge

One of the many kookaburras at Finch Hatton Gorge

We took a short stroll on the Sky Window Circuit to come across a most spectacular view back down the valley towards Mackay.  Our journey then took us to the platypus view platform where we stood for ages waiting for the platypus to show themselves.  Many turtles did but finally.............we got bored waiting and left.  Oh well no platypus for us.  Thank goodness we a have all seen them at Healesville Santuary.  LOL not quite the same but that's the luck with kids.  I think with all the noise the kids were making they would not have come out to see us. 

Sky Window from Eungella looking back towards Mackay

It's a ................platypus.......oh no its not its a turtle....darn

I love this lattice work

Wait for the platypus to surface

Our final day in Mackay I was a grumpy pain in the ass with a sore neck and a thumping headache.  Bitching and moaning to anyone within ear shot.  Nigel decided to get the kids out of the caravan and away from me......which was a godsend for all of us.  He went down to the beach at the Marina and the kids played and dived in the waves.  They had a real ball.  Nigel said Kaleb even went under the water and dived which is the first time since we have been on the trip.  Jordan and I went and visited Kathryn and the girls and wished them farewell and goodluck.  It was really nice catching up with them and meeting the girls and Craig for the first time.

Sunset from Forgan Bridge Mackay

Sunset at the caravan park

Off to Airlie Beach next.  This is as far north as I have ever been so I can't wait to see past here.  I think the kids are looking forward to the stop because finally they are at a caravan park full of fun kids things.  Pools, water slides, playgrounds, jumping pillows and kids club.