Wow! Last day of the month and finally doing another Blog! At last the wheels of Tiki Tourer are moving!! Feels so good!!
Once again we seemed to be waiting for our awning! After contacting 3 companies we finally found an awesome company in Mackay. Custom Unique Trimming in Shakespear St are a very professional company that actually care about their customers and do an excellent job. We are very pleased. Thank you Paul & Regina! Still to get a photo of the awning out.
Prior to leaving Mackay we had 500mm of rain in 4 days. It was a bit of a worry that when the awning was ready we weren’t going to get Tiki Tourer out! However we had 3 days of no rain prior to taking it to get the awning done! Sweet! Then we parked up at the shed.
Tui had another birthday and it was a very low key affair! Just the two of us, roast chicken and of course a birthday cake.
At last it was time to go!! trailer all packed, hitch up time and out of there! Yippee!
We never got away until lunchtime and we headed to Emerald so that we could catch up with our mates, Don & Sydnie.
We did a few back roads that we hadn’t done before and man these Queensland roads are rough, very bumpy!! Arrived in Emerald after 6pm staying at the free camp by the river and Don & Sydnie came down for a few drinks. Then we got Pizza for tea.
Next morning the 4 of us headed off to spend a bit of time traveling together. Just got the other side of Blackwater, approx 80kms and the trailer came off Tiki Tourer! Very lucky! Thank goodness for strong safety chains & a strong bumper! With the rough roads, the 4 bolts sheared off the Tow coupling on the trailer. Big hole punched in the front of the trailer and a bent bumper. A bit of a quick fix and back to Blackwater to an Engineering company to get better bolts.
Off we set again and made the decision to go to the Neville Hewitt Weir. Beaut spot! Right near the town of Baralaba, this campground is on the Dawson River.The campground is large, level and mainly grass with plenty of shady spots (or sunny ones if you need solar power). There is a boat ramp, and the area is popular for fishing and skiing. Southern Saratoga and Barramundi are popular target species and some decent sized catches can be had near the weir. Golden perch and Yellow Belly are common in the Dawson River.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Don & Sydnie. They were staying at the Weir and we were heading South East to see Mates Gavin & Vanessa. Stopped off at Biloela to see Paul & Christine Ironmonger. They are Kiwi’s too and are working at the Discovery Holiday Park. Biloela, the main town in Banana Shire, is in Central Queensland’s Callide Valley. Providing services to nearby Callide Coal Mines and Power Stations and the Park provides accommodation for the workers. It offers something for everyone, from camp and powered en-suite caravan sites, to self-contained cabins and rooms for corporate clients. We were very tempted to stay! Perhaps next time!! Great to see you guys!!
More bumpy roads and we decided to stay at a free camp, the Ceratodus Rest Area on the Burnett River.
Only 11km from Eidsvold, quite pleasant flat grassy circular rest area, easy access and plenty of room to park. It wasn’t flash but there was covered picnic tables, free Barbecue, flushing toilets and a water tank but a sign says that the water is not suitable for drinking. Rubbish bins are also provided and dogs are welcome too. The sites are suitable for all sized caravans and motorhomes and there is a maximum stay of 20 hours. The site is also home to some historical information and the relocated old Ceratodus railway station.
Next morning it was off to Oakhurst (just out of Maryborough) to stay with Gavin & Vanessa, stopping off at Gayndah which is on the Burnett River and the Burnett Highway 
passes through the town. Gayndah, in the Capricorn region, is one of Queensland’s oldest towns. Founded in 1849, it was once competing with Brisbane and Ipswich to be the state’s capital. Main Street’s heritage buildings and landscaped gardens illustrate the long history of the town, which is now central to a rich citrus-growing industry.
Gavin & Vanessa have a lovely spot of 9 acres we think it is. The GPS tried to send us down some wild roads but after phoning them we finally found our way.
A lovely few days! They took us for a drive around Maryborough the first day. This is a city located on the Mary River, approximately 255 kilometres north of Brisbane. The city is served by the Bruce highway. It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is approximately 30 kilometres northeast. Together they form part of the area known as the Fraser Coast. Tourism plays a significant part in the economy of the city today. Maryborough is the self-styled Heritage City of Queensland and holds heritage markets each Thursday. The city has many preserved 19th and 20th century buildings including the General Post Office and Customs House.
Had tea at the famous Aussie Hotel. Great value! $10 for all you can eat Buffet, huge selection and lovely food. Thanks to the aussiehotel.com.au web site for the photo.
Tui gave Gavin a hand with some fencing. Great job guys! Then it was time to set up the tap on the fridge for the home brew beer. It was great to have a splash in the pool and fresh farm eggs from their chooks a real bonus! Thanks guys!!
Really great to kick back for a couple of days! We are now at the Maryborough Showgrounds. Pretty good deal $18 a night (maximum 2 night stay) with power, water, toilets and showers. Only us and 1 other caravan here tonight. Pretty quiet.
The plan tomorrow is to do a bit of a Tiki Tour in the car around the area. Then head off, to where? We have no idea!!
A bit of a rushed Blog this time but we were determined to finish it by the end of the month.
Until next time “Laugh more, live longer”