After 5 days at Carmilla Beach in the rain, we decided to head further south and try our luck near Yeppoon, Byfield State Forest. This time we booked our camp site in advance, and when we arrived it was just as well as there were a lot of people! A really nice spot in a pine forest plantation near a nice swimming hole. It rained a little the next few days, but there were moments of sunshine and we made the most of it, going into Yeppoon, driving along 9 mile beach and 4WDing to remote beaches in Byfield State Forest. We probably should have taken the signs a bit more seriously when we were 4WDing. We thought we would be ok on the tyre pressure we were on, but turns out the sand dunes were very sinky! Luckily, Gav used his skills to manouevre us out, but it could have been another story if I was driving haha. Gav also caught a turtle with his bare hands during our stay at Byfield. Was pretty funny to watch him dive into the water and grab the turtle who was very suprised to be caught in such a fashion! Unfortunately I didn’t get it on camera, but I have the turtle photo so at least there is some evidence.
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| The sand dunes that were very boggy |
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| Gav's turtle catch |
On we drove and headed further south through Rockhampton, stopping for a car wash to get all the sand off. On to Gladstone, which was almost as industrial and ‘tradie’ like as Mackay. About 20 minutes south of Gladstone there was a turn off for Boyne Island and we pulled into a great little Caravan park that was cheap and friendly. Unfortunately we didn’t know that it was a sand island that we were staying on and over the next 2 weeks we got eaten by midgies - over 100 bites on us! Fun fact for everyone... midgies don’t bite, they actually pee on you and that is what stings and itches. Who would have thought?
We visited Tannum Sands and went to the beach - this is the first beach going south in QLD that you can officially swim safely without fear of crocs or marine stingers so we made the most of it. Gav decided to apply for a job at the Tannum Sands Hotel and within minutes we both had jobs as they had fired two people that morning. We were rostered on the next day and over the next two weeks we got involved, working hard and managing to save a little bit of money and make some tips. Worked Melbourne Cup which was a lot of fun and also at a Halloween Party. I have to say though that pubs and bar work isn’t really me. Got a great pick up line... a guy passed me a coaster over the bar which said “I’ve noticed you noticing me... call Ben on 0404... “ It was a bit of a laugh, especially as I was working in the bar with Gav that night! Both of us ended up sick during the two week period, partly because of the crazy hours and partly because we were just exhausted in general. After 2 weeks, Gav got a call from the Bayswater, Hervey Bay offering him a job as a manager for 5 weeks paying good money. As I already had 2 weeks of work lined up in Hervey Bay we decided to make the move, and we packed up one Monday and drove on taking a week off to check out Agnes Water and 1770.
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| 1770 - beautiful place |
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| Gav at 1770 |
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| Gav and I at 1770 |
Stopped in at a campground on Workmans Beach, just south of Agnes Water. This was a little council campground so it was cheap and as it was right on the beach it was ideal. The weather was brilliant and we spent the next few days exploring the beaches, driving through Deepwater National Park and its remote beaches, having coffee at a local cafe, and having a few beverages down at the 1770 Treehouse Bar. It was a really magical spot and somewhere I’d love to invest in a bit of property one day... when I make my millions! Gav and I splurged and decided to go on a cruise to Lady Musgrave Island to do some of the Great Barrier Reef as we hadn’t done any yet. What a magnificent day! The tour left early in the morning and despite a rough journey out to the Island, once we were in the Lagoon it was peaceful and exceptionally blue. Took a smaller boat to the coral based Island and we walked the length - its only about 700m or so and is a large nesting area for migratory birds. The plants on the island have to learn how to survive off the harsh environment where there is no fresh water source. We went snorkelling which was the most amazing experience. Gav and I swam with green sea turtles and patted them as they sat on cleaning stations (coral bays where fish clean them). We saw yellow trumpet fish, angel fish, mowong, trevally and giant long toms. This was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget.
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| Giant clam - snorkelling |
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| Gav and I on Lady Musgrave Island |
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| Green Sea Turtle |
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| Tropical fish |
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| Trumpet/flute fish |
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| Nina with the turtle |
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| Gav with turtle |
The next day we packed up and headed through Bundaberg towards Hervey Bay, which took about 2.5 hours. After scouting around we managed to find a good caravan park at the marina. We set up, got organised and went down to Gav’s new work for a beverage and to meet the managers. It is a really nice establishment and is part of Peppers Resort, so there are really good food and beverage standards. We were both asked to work the next day at a function where Dr. Charlie Teo was to be speaking. We decided that despite it being 11-11-11 and our planned day of relaxation, we would help out for a few hours.
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| Private beach at Workmans Beach camp site |
11-11-11 started with an early 12km bike ride along the bay bike track, followed by breakfast at Salt (next to the Bayswater) where we were seated on table 11 - coincidence much? Can you tell our favourite number is 11 haha. After a great breakie, we went back to the park and had a swim in the pool then headed into work. It was a great function, and Dr. Charlie Teo’s speech was interesting. We also managed to score a free gourmet lunch, and a free dinner and bar tab for helping out so it was well worth it.
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| Our set up at Hervey Bay |
The past few weeks, I have been working in a kiosk selling cheap jewellery at the Stockland Shopping Centre, Hervey Bay. Gav has been working at the Bayswater and we haven’t seen much of each other due to the different hours. Nonetheless we are saving money and we have managed to find some time to go to the boat club for dinner and try our luck at keno. Finished up at my job today and really excited because Amanda is coming to visit on Monday for a whole week and we are going to Fraser Island. Hoping the weather will hold out, but even if it rains I know we will have fun. The plan is to work at the Bayswater for a few weeks when I get back and when Gav finishes his contract we will head to Brizzy for Christmas. I am coming home on the 27th December for a few days, to go to a wedding and to see the fam. If any of you are around, I would love to see you and for those of you who I am seeing, I can’t wait and have really missed you.
Take care and stay safe everyone!
N & G.
After 5 days at Carmilla Beach in the rain, we decided to head further south and try our luck near Yeppoon, Byfield State Forest. This time we booked our camp site in advance, and when we arrived it was just as well as there were a lot of people! A really nice spot in a pine forest plantation near a nice swimming hole. It rained a little the next few days, but there were moments of sunshine and we made the most of it, going into Yeppoon, driving along 9 mile beach and 4WDing to remote beaches in Byfield State Forest. We probably should have taken the signs a bit more seriously when we were 4WDing. We thought we would be ok on the tyre pressure we were on, but turns out the sand dunes were very sinky! Luckily, Gav used his skills to manouevre us out, but it could have been another story if I was driving haha. Gav also caught a turtle with his bare hands during our stay at Byfield. Was pretty funny to watch him dive into the water and grab the turtle who was very suprised to be caught in such a fashion! Unfortunately I didn’t get it on camera, but I have the turtle photo so at least there is some evidence. 
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