Queensland wandering boots: Day 1 Brisbane to Mackay

 

By the numbers

1 feeling you are missing something, but unsure what

Main bag 10kilos

Backpack 6 kilos

1 book

1 mask

1 plane

18.87 kms walking

24907 steps

 

The day started just before 6am as I wanted to get food and I had breakfast on my tab as part of the deal with the Ibis hotel. I rocked up half asleep downstairs and completely forgot to check the covid checker until the server asked me to and then I was confused about the food. I said I was half asleep, and there were four police officers chatting away having their breakfast too. The coffee machine I thought would dud me out of coffee actually did throw some coffee in the cup. Once fed and waters I walked over the road to the airport putting my mask on right before entering the building. I was worried about using my boarding pass app that I was able to scan to reprint my physical pass and a bag tag, so at least now I know having the app on my phone works.

 

Once I dropped my bag off and with glasses no longer fogging up, I moved through to security where I got an instant call for a bag checker, They took my bag and had it on the otherside of the line without an explanation, nor a discussion over what I wasn’t supposed to have in my bag, but it joined me and I was relieved as I had my wallet and phone in there. I went for a wander looking at what can be seen in the terminal before I caught my flight. There were arcade games of some old games, but they did not seem to work and then there were the pictures of Queensland along the wall to the far end of the Virgin terminal that I followed. They included the visit of Charles and Diana at the Big Pineapple. I ended up back and waiting for the plane to board, which happened on time and we even left on time too. While in the air I gassed myself with a coke by burping and making my eyes water. Mackay airport was small and its more of a blink and miss it case, which was why there were so few bus services there including none on Sundays.

 

I learnt Mackay had been rebuilt after the 1918 cyclone that hit in January of that year causing wide spread damage and deaths. Ships were sunk and there had been little warming. When the city had been rebuilt, it was the reason why there are so many art deco style buildings, which was similar to Napier in New Zealand after the earthquake. I did jump into a taxi that ended up costing me around $20, but the lady was a great tour guide telling me where to go and what there was to look at in the area like I could walk to the beach and look at the coal ships docked at night as the lights were known as diamond necklaces. I could be wrong though and there were heritage walks and I did mention the cemetery that I wanted to visit. Once I got my bags into storage, I took a walk and found the library after stopping for a sandwich. I thought it was a good idea to look for the coach pickups for Greyhound and Premier as I didn’t know where they were. I cannot remember where I stayed or got onto the bus last time I was in Mackay around 18 years ago. Walking past the coach stop, I headed to Queens Park where I wanted to find where the Orchard House was located as I was going to try for a visit the next day. I wandered through the park as I found several memorials including one for the boar war, and wandered to the Orchard House. Some dodgy guy was standing several metres away from the entrance and he spoke to me. He said the house was open and I responded that I thought it was closed. He mentioned it being open for longer on Sundays, and my response was that mum would love me if I went inside. There were plenty of plants and there was information boards inside that spoke of the different types and how to care for them. I looked at the tags on some of the plants and there were not much information on them. Some had longer names and others abbreviations. I spent around 20 mins there though not all the plants were flowering. Would look nice if they were all doing that.

 

After my visit to the Orchard House, I was going to wander back to the hotel slowly, but I somehow ended up walking towards the beach on the path that would take me through the Sandfly Creek walkway that takes me through an environmental reserve that is an area where migratory birds from overseas stop to breed and feed before making the return journey. Besides there are crocs there as well. There are special flood gates to protect the area from floods when the river rises. I ended up walking onto the beach for a quick look down at Iluka Park, but knew time was running out on me. Some random lady tried giving me a pamphlet and I said no thanks, I am right. No idea if she was doing the religious give away, or something else. I followed the path back and found my way to the hotel. They even took a $100 deposit in case of damage and I get that back 5 days later. The room I ended up in was on the farside of the building as it covers the next street, so I am really in the next street, and I have ocean views, if you squint. I filled out a breakfast form and will see if I get something in the morning, or if I am forgotten.

 

After gathering my bags and relaxing in the room for half hour, I wandered out remembering the warning that the cards do not like mobile phones, I headed towards the Canelands shopping centre wondering if it was still open. It was on that walk that I realised, I had forgotten something and that something was the bag I had for my dirty clothes. Somehow I had forgotten it and will find another bag from the supermarket that I can use. Usually I return everything after its been washed or cleaned. The shopping centre was closed, but that was something to do on another day. I headed back to the hotel as I wanted to try the meals at the cafe that was there. The music was live and a little loud, but at least I got some food around 5pm when I had a sandwich around 11am that morning. It was getting dark and I didn’t want to stay out longer than I had to especially with the Origin game on.

 

Spyder Road trip Day 5: Homeward bound

By the numbers

276.7 kms

3.02 hours

 

We actually were on the road by 5am as this was our plan on leaving Gympie and arriving on the Gold Coast well before all the traffic slowed to a halt on the M1 and we didn’t want to get stuck in the heat as we have had been over the last couple of days. Leaving when we did meant I had the sun in my eyes just after leaving Gympie and I could hardly see the road at times, but it was really cool weatherwise. The stop for breakfast was at the truckstop in Caboolture, which was an hour down the road.

 

I knew I would need fuel by then and that was the point on having breakfast with a coffee. We worked out that that was the right time to leave in the mornings for our next destination instead of after 7am and we shouldn’t attempt to go on long journeys in summery weather as we have found its just been a bit too hot. I was going to head all the way to Tweed and Nigel would leave me in Nerang. There were actually no real problems on the road at all apart from the car that had broken down on the Gateway, which meant traffic was slowing to 40kms, but I am unsure if that actually happened. We were going to have another crack at trying to see the Kingsford Smith museum again at the airport, but thought we would waste too much time trying to get to it. That and traffic on a Sunday would have the opportunity to grow and become bumper to bumper if you let it.

I actually made it home without any problems and the next part of the journey happened, which was the washing of smelly clothes and the unpacking. The cleaning of the bike will be left til the next day. This was one trip away that was a learning experience for next time, it just coincided with a period of really hot weather to prove we are only human. I don’t usually book accommodation on the fly the night before, but at least it worked out this time and there will be other lessons to think about.

 

Spyder Road trip Day 4: Bundaberg to Gympie

 

By the numbers

200.8 kms travel

2 hour and 52 mins

10.66 km walking

14,597 steps

 

The day looked really nice by the time we tried to leave. Before leaving we had breakfast at the place across the road and found the eftpos machines were down. Luckily I had some cash money on me and was able to buy the food that would set up us as breakfast for the morning. Nigel needed fuel before leaving and I waited for him to do that little bit as we were leaving early enough that we would not have too much traffic on the road. On the way to Childers we stopped at the Bundaberg cemetery for a little look and were then on our way knowing the day was only just warming up. The road became busier when we entered Childers for a drink at Maccas and a little look around. I was going to get fuel in town as I had ridden further enough that I needed some or else I would never make Gympie.

 

Just outside of Childers I had a little lizard type goanna thing cross in front of me. It did make the other side of the road. The day had really heated up and I was happy to make my way. One stop I was wanting to make was the cemetery in Tiaro. Once I spotted that I pulled over as it was also a rest spot that didn’t have a toilet. I had a look around the cemetery. They had its first burial in 1876 and had been around since then. It was small, but I was happy to have seen it. We were going to have a look around town, but decided that we were going to keep going after a brief pit stop especially looking at the traffic on the main road. Part way to Gympie I had a truck with a wide load behind me and I was about to overtake the caravan in front and in my mirror, I seen truck and just let him past as he just wanted to go. I wasn’t going to stop him and I was able to pass the caravan before the lane ended. I ended up following the truck all the way into Gympie. I have never driven this road before the trip away, so it was interesting.

 

Once in Gympie we stopped for lunch as we had a little bit of time to kill before heading to the motel where we will be staying. We did stay in some shade in the local park, which I thought waws great and then we were off. We did check in and went to the room that was right on the edge of the highway and found it was only one bed, not two. Luckily we were able to sort that out and get the room with two separate beds. Turns out to avoid embarrassment, the lady didn’t ask. That was a first for me and at least it was able to be sorted out. I ended up going for a walk to the nearby cemetery and then into town, which was slightly further as we are not anywhere near the CBD. I found the local Drakes supermarket, where I got a meal for that night. For a Saturday afternoon the town itself was actually really quiet with not very much happening other than a few drunks around.

 

The morning we are planning on leaving early as we want to beat the traffic once we get into Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Clothes are becoming a little on the nose especially as I have been wearing the same trousers on the bike since the beginning. Everything is starting to get on the nose a little bit so that would be a little entertaining when I do arrive home. Just not up or down wind.

 

Spyder Road trip Day 3: 1770 to Bundaberg

 

By the numbers

10.26kms walking

13723 steps

141.4 kms riding

2hrs and 13 mins

 

The sleep in the caravan park was not very bad at all in 1770. With the amounts of children floating around the day before it was very quiet overnight. I found that to be very good as we know it would be a nice place to stay. People were packing up to leave not long after we started packing up to leave. We just were not totally sure about the weather as it was cloudy. The first stop was at the cafe right next door to the Rust Pelican fish and chip shop we had the night before. From there we headed to the end of the road where there were the lookouts and two things I wanted to see. The monument to the landing of James Cook in 1770 and the anchor to Countess Russel, a ship of some sort.

 

We stopped off at Agnes Water where we both got fuel before heading towards Bundaberg. The ride was really good especially for half of it when there was no one behind us on the way back. There were plenty of people coming into the area from the other direction. I was following and happy to do so, although there were several stones that flicked up and hit my helmet and visor, which gave me a little shock. Half way to Bundaberg, we did stop at the town of Rosedale for a quick break, where we had a drink and a wander. I didn’t mind the little wooden bridge we had crossed to get into the town. It was actually pretty dry out here too.

 

By the time we made it to Bundaberg, we still had plenty of time before we could check into the motel. We had a drink from, the servo and headed to the  Bundaberg Rum factory. That was easy to find when we had a GPS and there was an information centre behind it as well. We stopped there for a look and knowing we had to apparently book online for the tour, we just rocked up and asked if there were any afternoon tours available. We were able to get into the 1pm tour and leave our helmet and jacket behind the counter. We walked through the museum before the tour started. We found the factory had burnt to the ground twice and one of them was due to a lightning strike. The rest went through the processes and also showed the different types of rum they made over the years. Once we were sitting at the cinema watching the Mega Factories episode of the Bundy Rum factory, the tour began. They took us through the distillery with the molasses and the fermentation, before going to the sampling. Nigel and I took off before the sampling as we didn’t want to drink and ride especially when the drinks were 1 standard each. I went through the shop.

 

By the time we headed to the motel and could check in, we had a little bit of a rest before I went for a wander. I found a monument to the local aviator, Hinkler. Though I wasn’t able to visit his museum, I was happy to find this one.. I wandered the local streets as I kept finding artwork on street corners and the art deco facades on the buildings. I watched a train cross the river with plenty of carriages, which was at least a kilometre in length. Where I had gotten stuck watching the train was next to a local park that had a zoo, which at that time was closed. There was the next best thing as the park had three colonial guns on display. I walked back to the hotel, where I cleaned up before heading out for a feed just down the road.

Once we were back, we made plans to head to Gympie as our next stop before heading home on Sunday. At least now we know what happens when we are pushed and that the heat doesn’t help either. Learning experiences and all that. We are staying right across the road from a local hostel, so shall see how quiet that is.

Spyder Road trip Day 2: Tin Can Bay to 1770

By the numbers

2 Spyders

393.5kms

5 hours and 37 mins riding time

 

Today I think proved to the both of us that we were pushing our luck especially on the bikes even though we have given them a decent run from the time we left Tweed to now in the town of 1770. It is good having a ride with someone and exploring the country a little bit. We took our time in leaving Tin Can Bay with the weather looking not very nice and we didn’t know if we should have been wearing wet weather gear or not. I opted for not as I was certain, I would dry off after a couple of hours on the road. It did rain, but not for very long at all. We did stop in Gympie for Nigel to get fuel once we made it that far as he would not have enough for the trip to Childers. It had apparently was meant to be a 3 hour journey to 1770, but that didn’t end up being the case at all.

 

The day became sunny and warm as we tootled along with there being quite a few road works after Gympie and very few lanes where you could overtake other cars. There were very thick white lines and I was tempted to see if the ripple strips made a musical noise when you hit them with the tyres. I thought better and was happy to go at my own pace, although I did get passed by vehicles at times who were in a big hurry. A stop at a fuel station near Maryborough told us that we did not have far for Childers and that I could get fuel there before heading to 1770. By the time we reached Childers the day had become pretty hot and we both got fuel. We were going to eat at the servo, but you could not access the seating area and no shade outside either, so we found the local Maccas for lunch, where we found we still had 2 hours at least to ride. At least we had shade from the hot overbearing sun, although we never explored the town at all.

With the path in mind, we took off until we reached some roadworks and I thought we had gone too far out of town to head towards our destination. We turned around and made out way back into town only to find we were going the right way and took off again. We came to an intersection that said Bundaburg to our left and we wanted to head that way and was meant to be on our right. Luckily there was a nearby servo, where we checked the map again and we found it was the correct turn off. The map said we turned off before Bundy and not go through the town. Soon enough the not going through Bundy ended up being heading through the town. We did stop to check the map, and Nigel jumped the chance on asking the local postie who had just gotten off his bike. He gave us the right directions as we had to head just down the road and there would be a sign. The directions were correct and we were soon on our way heading to the town of 1770.

 

There was at this stage around 145 kms at least to where we needed to be going and the heat was getting to me a little bit, but I was happy to be on our way. It just seemed like that day had become a long day. The wind along the way didn’t help matters as it did feel like it was pretty strong and was knocking us around a bit as well, but the heat could have been part of that as well. There did seem to be many people who knew the roads better than us and we let them go on their own way. I was happy to let several pass me. There were road sealing happening in several places along the way and also lanes that were not marked. The roads were long and everything so far away was an understatement, although I was just happy to be able to find the caravan park even though we had to turn around as we went past it. I had to make sure though. The caravan park was interesting and different to the one in Tin Can Bay. There did seem to be many tourists in the area and from our cabin. A random guy came up to us and told us that he owned a BMW. Also he was riding in a group with a Spyder and it handled really well. Somehow I think his group were deliberately trying to lose the spyder, which is the way it sounded. Did I mention the BMW motorbike? We did head into town looking for some food and ended up with the fish and chip shop where we got some food before it got dark.

 

Deciding that in the last two days we had bitten off more than we could chew and it would be a good thing not to make our way north as it would mean another day of long riding. We would instead ride to Bundaberg and go from there. We booked a place to stay for the night and then slowly make our way south back towards home. This is at least a good learning experience for both of us especially if we are wanting to do something like the Great Ocean Road. Not sure how hard we would push ourselves, but at least now we have some idea and learn about the weather too especially this close to summer.