Chapter 10 - Queensland Coast - Again

Continued - Day 56 – Monday 17 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

We arrived at our destination - Tannum Sands – after a mere 60 km. We were so early that we did a bit of shopping and relaxed over a coffee. I wanted to wash the caravan at a car wash, but the ‘in and out’ turns were too tight – even for me. So the car and caravan are still dirty.

Camp was established before lunch.

Then Shirley converted the dusty caravan inside into something to be proud of, and I converted the messy car into something a bit organised. However, the car and caravan are still dirty – as we are not allowed to wash them within the caravan park.

It was agreed that it would be a restful afternoon, and it was.

Roast chicken and veggies for dinner.

 

Day 57 – Tuesday 18 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

The start of our ninth week started overcast, but the washed clothes were still on the line at 7:45 am. New technology has the 'washer person' using a card to pay the $5. There were some unhappy campers around when they realised that a 30 cent card surcharge was added to the $5. 

Friends that kept on coming

We jointly decided on a quiet day. It was unanimous.

Around mid-afternoon we decided on a stroll to the beach. It was low tide - but enjoyable.

Dinner was BBQ lamb steaks and veggies.

Day 58 – Wednesday 19 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

The folk in the caravan beside us have bacon and eggs for breakfast every day, so today we also went for a BBQ cooked breakfast - although no bacon.

We decided to go for a drive and headed to Lake Awoonga - a mere 25 km. We were soon there and it brought back great memories of camping there six years ago. It is a huge body of water and is popular for fishing.

Note that we were at the northern end of the lake, whereas we were camped at the southern end a few nights ago (refer to the end of Chapter 9).

Lake Awoonga Dam

A couple of friendly residents

We were not far from Gladstone (pop. 35,000), so off we went. The lady at the Tourist Information centre was very helpful and gave us lots of tips.

A visit to 'Spinnaker Park' showed us the toys of rich folk and large tankers being loaded with local produce. Gladstone is a very busy production, distribution and shipping centre. The range of products that are a part of the Gladstone economy and the volumes handled/shipped are mind bogging. Click here to learn more about what industries make Gladstone what it is.

A tanker from Malta being loaded

'Toys' moored at the Marina

The fish market was next for some supplies, namely oysters, prawns and spanish mackerel. More sights followed, including a visit to 'Round Hill Lookout' which provides 360 degree views. The information signs there emphasize the economic importance of what happens in and around Gladstone.

Tondoon botanical gardens in Gladstone is one of the few in Australia that only has indigenous plants, so that was our venue for lunch. Shirley made two chicken & avocado sandwiches and we found a seat to enjoy the surroundings while we ate. I had about three bites to go when a kookaburra stole it out of my hand. I never saw him coming. He landed at my feet and allowed me to take a few photos. He was no more than one metre from the camera.

Kookaburra and the remain of a chicken sandwich

I guess that the kookaburra did not like either/both the chicken or the avocado as he ate very little. It was eventually devoured by a 'pushy' bush turkey. I don't believe in feeding animals in the wild, but it was not my choice.

We survived that experience, although the bush turkey wanted more.

I wanted a photo of the nearby water and lily and counted around 18 turtles, and a couple of eels. According to a nearby sign the turtles were 'Krefft's Freshwater Turtles' and the eels were 'Eels'.

Krefft's Freshwater Turtle

The botanic gardens were very impressive.

One of two sculptured posts that has a plaque for each local who has reached 100

After a walk around the gardens we headed back to camp and relaxed. The spanish mackerel was BBQ'd for dinner and eaten with salad. It was excellent.

Day 59 – Thursday 20 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

Today was an active day. Shirley headed to the hairdresser and I headed to the car wash. Shirley is now much happier with her hair and I am happier with the car. The caravan is still dirty.

We celebrated our morning success with some (shelled by me) prawns for lunch.

Things were going so well we headed to the Tannum beach for a 3 km walk. It was a superb day for a beach stroll.

I took a photo of some alternative speed humps - something that needs to be taken very slowly.

Alternative Speed Humps

Back at camp and we decided that the thick cream needed to be eaten so a batch of scones hit the Weber. They were OK. We tried our free 'paw paw & ginger' jam. It was excellent.

Weber-cooked Plain Scones

There was a short hiatus then I found out (the hard way) that my yeast was out of date and useless. This was during the process to make the pizza base for dinner. Scones mixture was substituted and it worked fine.

The Weber can do one pizza at a time so we had a 15-minute gap between courses - and that was fine.

Kelly Weber Pizza

The caravan park had a movie and sausage sizzle night around 25 metres from the back of the caravan - and Mamma Mia was the movie. So while pizza and then 'rolly-pollies' cooked we listened to great Abba music.

Rolly-Pollies - Left over pastry plastered with jam, rolled, trimmed and baked. Yum.
If you have never had this before - take it up with your Mum.

Dinner was over. Mamma Mia was not - so we just relaxed to great music.

Day 60 – Friday 21 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

Another quiet start to the day, then a drive around Boyne Island. We ended up in the carpark of  Boyne Smelter. It has been operating since 1982 and is Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter. The operation includes manufacturing carbon anodes in the carbon plant, aluminium production (smelting) in reduction lines, and casting of molten metal into aluminium products ready to ship. There was a huge volume of aluminium ingots ready for shipment. Truck after truck headed into the plant.

Left over pizza (from last night) formed our lunch, before we relaxed - again. 

After lunch has settled we went for a 3.5 km walk on the beach - starting just beyond where we finished yesterday. It was great weather for a beach stroll.

More of Tannum Beach

There was time to chill out before I headed to a (west facing) spot called 'Canoe Point', for a sunset photo. For those who know Tannum Sands, 'Canoe Point' is a spot in Tannum Sands close to where the ocean meets the Boyne River.

Sunset at low tide from 'Canoe Point' with the Boyne Smelter in the background

I returned to camp and BBQ'd some chops, spuds and pumpkin. It was good.

Day 61 – Saturday 22 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

Yesterday the fridge was defrosted and had a good clean. Today is fridge restocking day. So we went shopping and bought a few provisions. I found diesel for $1.70 per litre so we made an investment there - the cheapest diesel that I have bought for a long time.

We found a fish man-in-a-truck and made an investment in some prawns and some Goldband Snapper.

Lunch happened. Then relaxation.  Then the daily walk on the beach. Today we covered 4 km from Canoe Point to the mouth of the Boyne River, plus a bit of yesterday's walk.

Mouth of the Boyne River looking south.
Tannum Sands on the left, Boyne Island on the right.

A sample of Boyne Island Homes

We noticed that one of the frequent tankers to visit Gladstone was a bit closer to shore than usual.

A tanker heading to Gladstone

We also commented on the great job that the local council does on parks like the Canoe Point picnic area - and many other public spaces. It is a great spot for a gathering - either on the beach or on the picnic area lawns. We did wonder about the large size of the logs for the wood-BBQs.

Back at camp we lit the Baby Weber Q and added a leg of lamb. Two hours later we were enjoying a lovely dinner.

Weber-cooked Roast Lamb

Day 62 – Sunday 23 July 2023 – Tannum Sands

Today was my last opportunity for a sunrise photo, as tomorrow we head south to Hervey Bay. At 6:13 am I slipped on my tracksuit and headed to the beach. It was a short drive, as I had considered proximity of the surf life saving club to be the preferred spot for a photo. There were five of us on the beach as the phone indicated 11 degrees. I was the only person without a beanie.

I did feel better when a fit looking guy arrived with a towel and headed into the water for a swim.

The following two photos were taken a few seconds apart at 6:32 am, one using zoom - the other not.

Above & Below: Sunrise at Low Tide at Tannum Sands

Eventually Shirley surfaced and cut my hair, which was long overdue. We both did a few jobs preparing the car and caravan for the departure tomorrow.

Prawns were our choice for lunch again. The cost was comparable to a couple of nice pies.

After lunch we repeated our four km stroll along the beach. Guys on 'winged-keel' boards and parachutes were impressive.

While having a healthy day we continued the trend and each had a smoothie on our way back from the beach. They were pretty good.

For dinner, we had a repeat of last night, using the leftover roast lamb.

Day 63 – Monday 24 July 2023 – Tannum Sands to Hervey Bay

The rain started very slowly before sunrise, but (as a local lady had informed us) was measured in drops, not mm.

We were able to hit the road, just before 8am, before the rain got a little more serious. We drove about 350 km to Hervey Bay and the wipers were on for 95% of the time, but intermittent for about 60% of the time.

A stop at the car wash in Bundaberg removed the rest of the dirt from the caravan - although the rain had removed most of the serious stuff. We moved on to Elliot Beach to check out the caravan park before heading south to Hervey Bay.

There was a quick stop for a cheap bag of mandarins and on we pressed.

We checked into the Hervey Bay Caravan Park - right beside the Urangan Bowls Club - at 1:40 pm

Camp was established under a lovely shady tree - although today the tree helped keep the rain off us as we established camp.

Home for 21 Nights

We soon caught up with Kay and Darryl who were parked next to us.

After a break we joined forces for happy hour then Darryl cooked some lovely Spanish Mackerel for dinner. It was excellent. It was after 9 pm before we got back to our caravan.

This chapter is complete. 
Please come back again and check out Chapter 11 and the happenings at Hervey Bay.

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Last updated at 9:45 pm on Monday 24th July 2023.