Chris n Shirley's 2023 Winter Trip : Chapter 11 - Hervey Bay

Day 64 – Tuesday 25 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 1

The extended periods of rain yesterday petered out overnight and the main noise was the remnants dripping off our tree onto the roof of the caravan. By the time I headed to the shower around 7:45 the sun was starting to appear.

By the time Shirley headed to the shower the rain had returned. It was then off and on all day - rain, sun, rain, sun.......

Hervey Bay (pop. 55,000) is known for the huge numbers of Humpback Whales that return every year, making it the best whale watching experience anywhere in the world. It is also located right next door to the famous Fraser Island (recently renamed to K'gari).

Shirley and I went for a drive to re-familiarise ourselves with Hervey Bay, as well as visit the tourist information centre to get a stack of brochures.

After lunch I made a batch of plain and date scones. They tasted fine, but with some lack of concentration (on my part) some had burnt bottoms. By the time we ate the scones the rain/sun option had been replaced with wind/sun.

As I write this around 5:30 pm Shirley is into 'research' mode.

Day 65 – Wednesday 26 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 2

The forecast sunny day did not really eventuate. We had heavy showers overnight, that petered out to drizzle until mid-morning. Shirley abandoned the idea of checking out a market - so we made it an 'arts' day. Our focus was the Pialba area of Hervey Bay.

Our first stop was the Stockland Shopping Centre so I found 'Mister Minit' and got a new battery in my car remote. We also admired the 'Reconciliation Mural'.

Reconciliation Mural
(Trimmed because of the escalators)

Next was a visit to the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, where there was a big range of art to be admired.

Abstract Sea Turtle

Platypus

"Nala The Whale" - A Symbol of a Major Attraction at Hervey Bay, dedicated to a female humpback whale who has visited Hervey Bay since 1992.

We wandered inside the gallery, where there was 'Origin' feature - recognition of the significance of the 'State of Origin' football in NSW and Queensland. We wondered why the NSW player had four arms. That question remains unanswered.

NSW & QLD Rugby Players in State of Origin.
(The NSW player has four arms)

It was time for lunch so we found a Bakery with great pies and ate them overlooking Torquay Beach. We also found the statue of Moha M0ha.

Moha Moha (Dangerous Turtle) Structure.

The legend of the Moha Moha is based on an encounter with a legendary sea creature by a schoolteacher in 1890. It was allegedly over 10 metres in length, with glossy skin, long neck and long wedge shaped fish-like tail.

Please click here if you want to see all art photos that were a part of "Art Day 1".

Torquay Beach - Looking East

Back at camp we relaxed for a couple of hours as the weather gradually turned 'nasty' again. Around 4:40 we moved into Kay & Darryl's annex for happy hour and a prawn pasta dish for dinner - as cooked by Sue - a friend of Kay and Darryl's. It was superb.

Day 66 – Thursday 27 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 3

After some overnight showers the day started clear and sunny.

Our first (tourist) activity was to check out the local wetlands and the walking paths therein. Sudden rain thwarted our plans so we went for a drive.

Our first stop was a photo of more art, at Fisherman's Park. It was huge.

Fisherman's Park Mural

We ended up at 'River Heads' about 18 km away, which is one place to catch a ferry to Fraser Island. It is also the mouth of the Mary River.

Fraser Island Ferry
(Fraser Island in the far left background)

I spotted a Grey Butcherbird and a Silver Gull looking for lunch among the mangroves.

Grey Butcherbird and a Silver Gull

We headed back to camp and had lunch. Later we drove to the Botanic Gardens and had a walk around. We were impressed with the orchid house which is 100% staffed by volunteers - with all plants coming from donations and local purchases (not council money).

Click here to see a complete display of orchid photos.

The volunteer also gave us some information on how to build your own 'Green Frog Hotels'. Maybe an opportunity for a cottage industry.....

This concept has been featured on the ABC Gardening program. Click here to see video.

It was the Kelly turn for dinner so BBQ chicken, BBQ chips, coleslaw and Greek salad was delivered - with olive bread on the side. Roughing it again.

Day 67 – Friday 28 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 4

There were more showers early morning, but it seemed to be clearing so the washing hit the machine and was on the line at 7:45 am. The rain stayed away, but the wind was cool.

Shirley and I decided to walk the length of the 800 metre Urangan Pier. We were fascinated by the birds who were fishing. They were diving from maybe 10 to 15 metres and then went under the water for 2 or 3 seconds.

Above Maybe a Petrel or a Booby hunting, then diving
Below: Taking off after a 'catch'

The Pier Looking Seawards

Chris Under the Pier

It was a slow afternoon. I lubricated a window that did not want to open. It now does.

Darryl and I wandered over to the bowls club - about 100 metres - and booked a table for dinner.

The clothes dried and were folded and returned to their relevant home.

Around 5:25 we wandered over to the bowls club, got our table and bought a round of drinks (4 schooners for $18 - two beers and two soft drinks). Our table had a laminated sign with my name on it (within the lamination).

Table Sign

We then ordered our food and nominated a time a bit later, three roast lambs ($20 each) plus fish n chips ($18). Shortly after the "Honey Bees" started to play some great music.

The "Honey Bees"

Our food arrived soon after the music started, and all dishes were excellent. I did not finish my fish n chips.

Roast Lamb

The "Honey Bees" played until just after 9pm - nearly three hours of great music - and excellent guitar music. It was a great night. The cost of the entertainment was a few voluntary and unsuccessful raffle tickets.

Day 68 – Saturday 29 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 5

The start of our fifth morning in Hervey Bay seemed a good time to get a sunrise photo. I donned track suit and beanie and was at the Urangan Marina just in time.

Sunrise over Fraser Island and the Urangan Marina

I moved to another position and scored another photo. Not my best sunrise photos but it was good to be there.

Around 8:40 Shirley, Kay. Darryl and I drove to the 'Pier Market' and wandered around for an hour or so. We stocked up on veggies and fruit that were needed. From there we headed to the Torquay market. It was similar to the Pier market but not as good. So we headed to a coffee shop that overlooked the local beach.

Back to camp and then lunch, then a chill out for a while.

It was our best weather since arriving in Hervey Bay so Shirley and I headed to the nearest beach for a walk. It was magnificent with full sun and no wind - maybe 24 degrees. It was one of our shortest beach walks this trip as the beach had so many shells that walking was hard. Of course I had left my shoes in the car.

Although it was a short walk (2.5 km) a quick team meeting decided that we deserved an ice-cream - so we each had a two-scoop ice-cream and watched the view while we ate it.

The pier is a former deep-water, cargo-handling facility originally built to facilitate the export of sugar, timber and coal. It was used for the transfer of cargo between rail and ships. It was built between 1913 and 1917.

Our view while we ate the ice-cream - the 800 metre pier

We got together for Happy Hour and then Darryl and I met at the park BBQ to cook our respective dinners. We both ate in our own caravans.

Later Day 68 became the first day that Shirley watched a detective show on TV this trip - the third time that the TV had been turned on.

Day 69 – Sunday 30 July 2023 – Hervey Bay Day 6

It was another magnificent start to the day. A sleep in for me - arriving at the shower just before 8 am. The skies were clear and the forecast was excellent.

Just after 9am we headed off to the ' Nikenbah Markets', on the other side of Hervey Bay. Although there were gaps the markets, when full, accommodates 237 stalls.

We wandered for 90 minutes, then had a coffee and a donut. Along the way we admired the 3D printer and the vases being made by the young engineer. He was fascinating to talk to (for a former IT person).

Two different views of a Vase and Rose made by a 3D printer.
Using 2-colour cord.

We chilled out back at camp and did not need lunch, thanks to the donuts.

Soon it was time for another beach walk, this time at Torquay beach. Today we managed 3.5 km - a good effort after our stroll around the market this morning.