Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia’s cane sugar. However, in recent years, the mining industry has become the mainstay of the local economy. It is the single largest coal reserve in Australia, with 34 operational coal mines extracting more than 100 million tonnes annually. We have been here now for 3 weeks and have had rain nearly every day. I guess it is the wet season but we are “over it” really! The site we had at the Caravan Park had no concrete slab so we were ankle deep in mud. Luckily we were able to move yesterday and now have a concrete slab. Just after moving we had 187.2mm of rain!
The driveway was like a river! Tui cleaning our very muddy mat in the flood water.
Tui had been told that Greyhound Australia, a bus company that transports Miners to the Mines and also does other tours and destinations, were always looking for drivers. After visiting them he was told to get his Queensland License and Passenger License and go back to see them. This turned out to be a bit of a paper war and a bit of a mission but finally after 2 weeks of medicals, police clearance etc. he is now all legal.
Back to Greyhound to be told that there was nothing at the moment and that they would contact him when something came up. Hopefully soon!!
There are a lot of people staying here on a permanent basis and either work in the Mines or in industry in MacKay. We have made friends with quite a few and have some very happy “Happy Hours” Whoever gets to sit in Mick’s chair is the king. It was Steve’s turn this night!
Once again lots of rain so Tui got the Kayak off the trailer. Jen had a bit of a paddle and then it was shots time!!.
Every single person you talk to have leaks in their vans. It was time to fix Steve & Karen’s front window.
Steve sticking the cloth to Tui’s leg! Not easy stuff to get off. Jase & Carol, both working in the mines, are parked close to us in this big Bus & Trailer which they are considering selling. Anyone interested leave a comment and we will put you in touch with them.
We haven’t ventured far since we have been here, mainly because of the weather and getting Tui’s license organised, but we did go for a drive in the Suzuki to Sarina. It is 34 kilometres south of MacKay. Industries include Sugar Cane growing and milling, cattle grazing and agriculture. It is a major supplier of Ethanol through the CSR Limited distillery attached to the CSR’s Plane Creek sugar mill.
Sarina lies just inland of the coast on the Bruce Highway. We drove on out to Sarina Beach & Grasstree Beach. Had the nicest fish & chips for lunch at Grasstree Beach!
We had intended to drive out to Hay Point which is the one of the largest coal ports in the world. However the weather took a turn for the worse so we decided to head back. We will have to visit another time. The large Coal Ships were just visible through the mist from Sarina Beach.
Well that is about all from us for now! Until next time “Laugh more, live longer”.
However the weather took a turn for the worse so we decided to head back. We will have to visit another time