Day One – Thursday 5th October 2017
It is 5:30 am – I’m retired so no more early starts for work, so why is the alarm ringing?
Oh that is right it’s time for another caravan holiday. This time we wanted an early start as this trip sees us heading further north than we have been before with the caravan in tow – destination Hervey Bay.
Despite the early alarm call we are still late. The plan was to start this trip on Tuesday not Thursday with a stop-over at Tin Can Bay for two nights; however a large rain event earlier in the week forced us to postpone this part of the trip to a future date – still to be determined.
By 7:30 we had the van and car attached and we heading out on the road once again. The traffic was reasonable for that time of the morning so we travelled through Brendale, crossed the Bald Hills flats and entered the Bruce Highway northbound.
The journey was uneventful and although traffic was heavy on the first section towards the Sunshine Coast we managed to keep reasonable speed. We did travel behind a truck carrying some empty water tanks which kept our speed down to 90 kph, but at that speed the car and caravan run well so it didn’t impede our plans.
Once past the Sunshine Coast turnoffs the traffic thinned out and we continued through the Gympie arriving about 9am. No stop at Gympie McDonalds with the van in tow so we continued north soon passing the turn off to Kilkivan which marked the most northerly point we had travelled on the Bruce Highway. At Gympie we fell in behind a large motor home towing a smaller car. People following us made good use of the overtaking lanes and may have thought we were travelling together.
We reached our destination (Ingenia Holiday Park, Hervey Bay) just after midday and after checking in found our site, lined up the van and started the process of decoupling and securing the caravan.
The rest of the day was taken up with setting up the van and the opportunity for some reading and relaxing. Our first day finished with a walk from the park to Shelly Beach and along the beach to the Torquay Jetty and back. “Lovin’ this lifestyle!!”
Day Two – Friday 6th October 2017
After yesterday’s adventure we felt like a quiet day today so didn’t take the car anywhere. Today we made the most of the lovely sunshine and our shady awning to read books and generally relax.
We did make contact with Beth’s two brothers who live in Hervey Bay. Brian and Jean paid us a visit in the afternoon, staying for tea and a lovely chat into the evening.
Day Three – Saturday 7th October 2017
Caravan house work can be done in an amazingly short time, so with that job attended to we headed out the visit the Urangan Pier markets. The markets mainly consisted of fruit and veg stalls with some clothing so we had a quick browse through before taking a short walk along the Urangan Pier. The weather was threatening to rain so we didn’t complete the full walk on the pier and by the time we returned to the car the drizzle had set in.
There was a break in the showers so we drove along the esplanade and onto Point Vernon before returning to our home away from home and spent the afternoon doing the “Caravaners R&R (reading and relaxing)”.
Beth’s other brother Ross and Meryl planned to visit tonight and as the rain had cleared we were able to sit outside again eating a fish’n’chip dinner.
With us having visitors both nights so far, I wonder if the people on other caravan sites think we are running a restaurant!!
Day Four – Sunday 8th October 2017
Today we were invited to Brian and Jean’s for lunch so met them at Hervey Bay Baptist Church for their service beforehand. It is a relatively new building on the outskirts of Hervey Bay with plenty of land for any future expansion.
We had a lovely lunch with Brian and Jean and before we realised it was mid afternoon. Returning to the caravan we settled in for the rest of the day and evening.
Day Five – Monday 9th October 2017
This morning was clear and sunny so we took the short drive our to explore the nearby area of Toogoom and Dundowran. Toogoom was a sleepy village with a lovely cafe overlooking the water inlet. Due to the full moon the tide was very high this morning so there was no sign of the beach. After a short stop we continued to explore the streets of Toogoom and we were surprised at the number of houses – some permanent and some holiday rentals.
Next stop was Dundowran. We missed the turnoff on the way out so with the help of the GPS we found it on the return journey. It was not very well signed at all so we understood why we didn’t see it on the way to Toogoom.
We returned to the Bay and our caravan for a lunch stop then out again to visit River Heads. The route we took to River Heads was via Ghost Hill. From the top of Ghost Hill the road dropped steeply so we raised our hands above our heads is if we were riding a roller coaster!! The car has good wheel alignment so was OK to let go of the steering wheel for the short time.
At River Heads there is a barge landing point for those wanting to go to Fraser Island. We found the landing point but no sign of any barges so after a quick photo stop we drove around some of the streets of River Heads looking at the new housing developments before returned to Hervey Bay. Not finished for the afternoon yet we stopped at the Urangan Pier and this time there was no sign of rain so we stepped out to walk to the end. The pier is nearly 900 meters in length so the return journey added nearly two kilometres to our walking exercises for today.
As a reward for all that hard effort and the associated weight loss we bought ourselves an icecream from a nearby shop before returning home.
Day Six – Tuesday 10th October 2017
Another clear day today and just the day for some retail therapy. There is a ladies clothes shop (Fire n Ice) nearby and so we paid them a visit – or at least Beth did. I went for a walk along the esplanade, returned to the shop and found a comfortable place to sit in the park opposite and indulge in some people watching.
Following the visit to Fire n Ice we journeyed back into the main CBD of Hervey Bay to visit a new shopping centre that had recently opened. Stocklands Shopping Centre was a large complex with lots of main stream shops as well as some boutiques. We both found some things of interest. Last stop on this retail therapy outing was Pialba Place shopping centre. We had read and been told about a bakery that had recently opened in the centre, so paid them a visit, and paid them for two lovely pies and two butterfly cakes – so that was lunch sorted!!
This afternoon we were drawn to our camping chairs with a book to read and a lovely coffee drink. I know a tough life but someone has to do it!!!
Day Seven – Wednesday 11th October 2017
This morning started overcast but it wasn’t long before the sun and blue skies broke through. More retail therapy this morning but this time it was fuel for the car. This morning we visited the bakery again and the Coles Supermarket to stock up on a few supplies, before calling into the Pialba Caravan Park. We took the opportunity to visit the park as an educational experience looking at the various sites and taking some notes in case we decide to return to this part of the world in the future.
In anticipation of the arrival of Pam and Wayne, this afternoon we stayed at the park in our R&R chairs. Pam and Wayne arrived around 3pm and after helping them set-up we took a stroll to Shelly Beach and along the beach to the jetty once again.
Tonight was spent talking with Pam and Wayne while relaxing under our caravan annex.
Day Eight – Thursday 12th October 2017
Another clear day today although the forecast for the weekend isn’t so good at the moment – but that is a few days away. This morning we returned with Pam and Wayne to Toogoom. This time the tide was out however as we made better use of the cafe seating and menu the tide was coming in over the sand flats.
Returning to the park we enjoyed a restful afternoon before another walk to the beach. The tide was on the way out and the water was a little choppy (rough by Hervey Bay standards) however Wayne and I took the opportunity for a swim in the Coral Sea. We now belong to a special group of people who can say that they have body surfed in the rough conditions at Hervey Bay!!
Day Nine – Friday 13th October 2017
After the expeditions on previous mornings today we took the opportunity for a slower start to the day. Pam and Wayne left first for some “Fire n Ice” therapy, while Beth and I left late morning to visit the Torquay Caravan Park for a similar educational visit, looking for potential future caravan sites.
We had agree to meet at EATs for lunch. You may recognise the venue if I use the full title “Eat at Dan & Stephs”. Dan and Steph were the winner of My Kitchen Rules 2013 and returned to the bay to set up their restaurant. Dan was working in the kitchen when we called and we enjoyed our choice from the menu.
After a lovely lunch it was a relaxing afternoon finishing with a swim in the Caravan Park Pool. The weather was cooling and we could see the clouds becoming darker so we had early showers after the swim. (was actually a relaxing stay in the spa)
Late this afternoon there was a heavy storm which dumped a lot of water on the ground. Pam and Wayne were visiting our caravan and Wayne got soaked through running back to their van to ensure everything was OK. With some help from our neighbour we took down some shade cloth that was blowing in the wind and putting additional pressure on our annex as well as putting some securing ropes around our annex to hold it steady in the wind. Pam was able to get home during a break in the rain. It looks like we may be set for a wet weekend as forecasted.
Day Ten – Saturday 14th October 2017
There hadn’t been too many showers overnight, however as the morning progressed the showers came and went. We stayed in the van this morning and read books or caught up on computer work.
The afternoon was more of the same; the rain eased however it was too wet to do anything so we remained in our van. When we looked back at today we view it as a forced rest day and looking back on the day it was most welcome.
Today Pam and Wayne attended the Pialba Missionary Conference and this evening they visited our van and we caught up on the activities of the day.
Weather Bureau statistics show 43 mm rain recorded in Hervey Bay today.
Day Eleven – Sunday 15th October 2017
Showers overnight and the occasional shower through the early morning, but as the day progressed the blue sky started to return, but then more showers. Today we spent the morning in our van.
This afternoon Glen and Lorraine arrived from Rockhampton so we “helped” them set up their van. It was great to catch up with them again. We will all be together now until we leave on Thursday.
Tonight we were invited to Ross and Meryl’s place for a pizza tea. Brian, Jean and Beth’s mum were also there as well as Cathy and her children so it was nearly a sibling reunion.
Weather Bureau statistics show 26.2 mm rain recorded in Hervey Bay today.
Day Twelve – Monday 16th October 2017
It rained throughout the night so the ground has had a good soaking over the past few days.
Frequent showers again this morning, so we all congregated into Pam and Wayne’s caravan for morning tea and a general catch-up. Lots of talking and laughing.
We returned to our respective vans for lunch and a rest before getting back together to talk about some holiday hopes and dreams that we each have for the coming years.
A few short term plans made for next year and plenty of aspirations for the years to come – God willing.
Back to our vans for tea and the evening as the rain continues to fall. The wind was quite gusty as well so keeping a watchful eye on the awning to see if it needs further adjustment or to be retracted altogether.
Several showers and wind gusts through the night, but everything stood up well except Beth and I – we could stand-up all night so went to bed!!
Weather Bureau statistics show 98.6 mm rain recorded in Hervey Bay today.
Day Thirteen – Tuesday 17th October 2017
Another showery morning today but just as a tease there were some sunny patches in the morning. This allowed the caravans to dry out before the next shower of rain!! We all gathered together in our van this morning and this afternoon for more talking and laughing.
Tonight we all went out for tea to the Boat Club. This is a great venue right on the water, however it was dark by the time we arrived so not too many water views. We have had a lot of water views from our caravan window over the past few days so we didn’t miss not having a water view tonight.
Day Fourteen – Wednesday 18th October 2017
Rain had cleared this morning so a morning trip to the shopping centre was arranged. Visits included the Stocklands Shopping Centre and the Pialba Place shopping centre. The Pialba centre included the Cake Bake and Brew bakery / coffee shop. We saw a write-up in the local paper for this shop and had bought some pies and bread from them earlier in our visit so we became repeat customers.
This afternoon we started the packup process. Our annex had dried enough to allow us to retract it so we packed as much of the outside gear away as we could.
Brian brought Mum Mc over to visit the van sites this afternoon and we had afternoon tea in Stewart’s van. On the way home they visited our site and Mum Mc managed to get up into the van and was very interested in how we had fitted it out.
Day Fifteen – Thursday 19th October 2017
Time for us to head home today and leave Pam, Wayne, Glen and Lorraine together for a few more days. They are having a family gathering with the other siblings in Wayne and Lorraine family so they won’t be too lonely.
Final packing done and caravan hitched to the car we left shortly after 8:15am, driving non-stop and arriving at our place about 12:30pm.
With the caravan parked away we started the jobs of unpacking, washing and getting ready for tomorrow!!! (And planning the next trip)
Richard & Beth Morse 