188-201 - Yeppoon & Rockhampton (3/10 - 15/10)

It's strange that I left the last blog post talking about how it wasn't a "Big 4 with all the bells and whistles" because that's exactly where we ended up next!

With the annual pilgramage not to be denied just simply because I was at the opposite end of the country than usual, we needed a place to set up camp for an extended stay. And to the party came the impressive and usually quite pricey Yeppoon Big 4. Offering a deal of "Stay for 10, pay for 5" it was as if the caravanning gods were looking down on us right when we needed it.

So we locked in the longest period we've staying in one spot for the trip and got up to speed with the Rockingham/Yeppoon area.

As I wasn't really here for most of this stay, I thought I might just let the pictures (and captions I suppose) do the talking...

Found this gem in the Book Swap bookcase. Had a bit of a read through a few pages... Old Mate Kakalios has a different "definition" of "Amazing" than I do.

Now you see, this is what you expect to get paying top dollar for the big chain parks. This park had kids movies every night on the outdoor cinema screen. It's these things that make us happy to pay that little bit extra. As you can see, kids were just checking out what spots might be best...

The BGL's spot for the best part of a fortnight. Great ammenities block right behind although apparently kids liked to use our site as a walk through, a personal pet hate of mine, and apparently Tadcu's. So some well placed tables and chairs ferried them the "long way around".

Did I mention this park had a kick arse water slide. Visited daily without fail.

Mulambin Beach was literally at the end of the road and a short stroll.

Which when you got there you could take a long stroll on!

Another reason to check the toilet seat before sitting down apparently...

Even when Dad was away, school work needed to be done.

One perk about yours truly not being around was the ability to consolidate vehicles. This meant everyone could fit in the Dampervan and the Rock Truck could have an extended break hanging out on the grass at the park. When I returned you could see they had even mowed around it!

A trip to the croc farm was a must to show Nain and Tadcu our giant swimming lizards... 

...and of course there was more croc handling. Moo not even phased by this.

Nain stepped up to the plate also.

And Tadcu not afraid to have a go either.

And naturally, with Nain and Tadcu around, and one less big mouth to feed, there's always a better return for your dollar when eating out!

The amazing singing ship Anzac Memorial at Emu Park. It whistles as the wind passes through it.

Always good to see our ANZAC heritage so well represented in another part of Australia.

A nightly tradition, the kids got in nice and early...

...but to be fair, never really had to fight hard for a spot.

When I look back at this shot it makes me smile. It's fair to say that our kids got used to the climate, and used to a pretty relaxed sort of lifestyle. I mean, how often can you go to school in just your PJ shorts?

Another night, another jam packed movie session.

Nain wondering just how she'll get through a massive mug of coffee.

Like many other places we've been there was a huge investment by local council/government to put in place free water play areas on the main beachfront precinct. Yeppoon was no different and the kids frequented the splash park on a number of occasions. Whilst not up to the Darwin level of free water parks, it was nonetheless pretty impressive.

And by absolute fluke of a chance, my Uncle Vin and Aunty Rhonda were passing through the area and managed to free up time to drop in for a coffee and chat. 

Whilst I was a away, Sam happily picked up the tongs and was a pretty keen chef cooking bacon and eggs on a number of occasions. I don't recall that tradition happening too much on my return, but hey, if it makes Nain smile, then your are playing your cards right young man.

This photo cracked me up when B told me the story behind it. The crew had been down on the beach, having it to themselves for a while when another family decides to spend some time on the sand. Now, up to that point, B and the kids had been the only people on that huge beach. And where does the lady sit? Right in front of her... 

...see... the whole beach to choose from!

Sam found a tree root and decided to excavate, as quite frankly, there wasn't a tree in sight. And that's because it was buried!!

Sizeable effort getting that thing out of the ground!

On Bathurst Weekend the boys found time to get off the waterslide and visit the camp kitchen to check in on Uncle Steve's cars. 

Just a lazy fat wombat sunning itself at one of the nature reserves the crew visited.

And of course, whilst the cats are away... The crew decided that one less adult fare would be an ideal time to catch the boat over to Great Keppell Island, and after seeing the pictures and the weather, who could blame them.

The boys loving the speed of this boat!

Sometimes the planets align and the weather really steps up to the plate. As you can see, this was a great day to go visit a picturesque FNQ island.

No docks or piers here... Straight onto the sand!

Yep... wow.... what a spot. When I looked at the pics and listened to the tales that were being told, I'll be very honest, I was as jealous, even if I was at Bathurst.

What? Milkshakes and Coffees? There's a surprise.

But apparently the best beach required a bit of a trek and effort to get to. 

Where the hell were they going?!?

Oh... here. OK... yeah, that's worth the effort.

I'm not sure where this umbrella came from, was it the one from the Dampervan Tadcu? Either way, great idea and wow... what a spot.

A candidate for the wall at home. Just jaw dropping natural beauty.

But this pic, this pic was the one that really stung. Apparently "the best bloody beer ever Matt". After a day in the sun and the sand, with laughs and not too many cares, I can almost taste them as well.

Memo to self... Visit GKI.

Apparently a little choppy on the way back and Moo revisited her sea legs from the sail we did around the Whitsundays. Definitely a landlubber this one.

Not many other kids homework I'm sure involves so many caravans. But it's a theme and certainly one they can relate to.

So on my triumphant return from The Mountain, I notice this enormous crack on the windscreen.... Now causes for the crack were forthcoming given the car hadn't moved so I've no idea the cause. Either way, our second windscreen of the trip, which all things considered, isn't too bad.

Certainly think the ventilation had improved. But oh... the red dust down under the bonnet... Wow... 

Bathurst 1000 Gift Giving Time....

With a couple of days left in Yeppoon before travelling further, I took the opportunity to engage an enthusiastic James and give the truck a really good clean, in particularly the rear tub. Here's an example of just how much dirt and dust had built up.

Umm... yeah... not sure about the hair tie look Bob.

We took a day trip out to Capricorn Caves which we'd heard some really good things about. Here we were admiring, along with others a fairly sizeable scorpion that had been spotting. You might need to zoom in to see.

The entrance to the cave.... who would have thought, our kids at the front right under the nose of the guide?!? 

Geez kids, give her some space...

The caves were VERY impressive. Immense in parts...

...tight and not suitable for 6ftrs in other parts.

Enormous caverns criss-crossed each other, bridges and steps linking different levels and spots to look at and investigate. It was real Indiana Jones style caving...

Here tree roots from the world above had penetrated down through the soil and rock in search of moisture.

And the jewel in the caves was the "Cathedral Cave" where church pews had been set up and concerts and weddings were held. The lights were turned off and we were left in total darkness (i.e. can't see your hand an inch in front of your face) listening to "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. It was spine tingling awesome. The acoustics, even for this mono-hearing bloke were phenomenal.

Then out of the cave along a really long suspension bridge!

Cave Pano!

We found this sign on the way out... So many other caves we could have visited!!

A quick spin up Mt Archer without Nain and Tadcu on the way back from the Caves gave us a great view over the Rockingham area. I do think they need to consider pruning some trees though! The view is getting more and more obscured!

Still had a moment and the opportunity to send in a word of "Yes" to the government whilst on the road.

And just when you think we couldn't fit in any more highlights into the stay at Yeppoon, James decided it would be an opportune time to have his second major mishap of the trip. And yes, once again, it involved his big sister too. But a jumping pillow rather than a slide this time...

As you can see from this pic, the little toe on James' right foot is a little "skew-if" after becoming dislocated on the pillow. I thought for a second about just smacking it back in but decided we should maybe get an x-ray just to make sure. So off we trekked to the Yeppoon Medical Centre, which as you can imagine on a Sunday afternoon was running on a skeleton staff. Had a great chat with a nurse who wanted to travel Australia too, before she sent us off to Rockingham as their Xray technician doesn't come in on Sundays.

James through this ordeal was far braver and stronger than I ever expected. He's such a tough nugget. Even made friends with a young girl in the waiting room who gave him one of her choc chip biscuits!

But through it, he and his pet dog Ruffy, kept smiling. Not a whinge.

And after 2 or 3 trips to the xray department we could confirm that not only was the toe dislocated, but it also fractured. So yay for not just whacking it back in... The doctors had a couple of goes of straightening it which James took in his stride also (as he'd had his foot jabbed a million times) before they were happy with the alignment.

In between on of the xray sessions we came across this poster which James thought was hilarious as Ruffy and the main character Max looked very similar. Which I'd have to agree with him. Ruffy posed for the shot and we laughed.

Still waiting for final results and splint work. Even Ruffy was getting tired now.

And then we were done. And as is the case with every emergency department I suspect, out came a jar of "medicinal aid sticks", or lollipops as we know them and all was good in the world.

We drove back in the driving rain around midnight, and as such, ended quite the long afternoon and evening. Such a brave young man, I was very proud of his patience and tolerance of a pretty trying situation.

Suffice to say though as the others went off to a street festival in Yeppoon the next day, James and I treated ourselves to a sleep in.

Pinefest was on on the last day we were in Yeppoon. A festival of all things Pineapples apparently. With it came fair rides and attractions. Each kid got one ride to go on, and naturally, Evie chose the most daredevil one she could. Not takers to join her this time....

Mental.

And then on the beachfront they ran kids activities that included pineapple relays...

...pineapple races....

...pineapple throwing

...pineapple tunnelball...

...and more races.

Eventually James awoke from his slumber and he and Hodor ventured down to the beach to join the others.

Where after missing her ride in Broome, Evie finally got to jump on a camel and trek up and down the beach. 

Even managed to convince Nain to have a go.

The festival finished up with a concert which was actually the official opening for the stage I'm lead to believe. Our two big kids found a good spot to watch from.

One of my favourite shots. Even after such long days, still so many smiles!

The Pinefest, and our time in Yeppoon, finished with fireworks as the weather started to turn south. It was so windy I thought they wouldn't fire them off. But nope, they angled them into the wind and shot them off. The curve of some of the projectiles was quite humerous, if a little disconcerting for those living on the beachfront properties.

But time had come to keep travelling. I think people had got so used to being in one spot a few forgot how to do their "pack up" jobs. Still, I think it was great for all and sundry to have an extended stay in such an enjoyable spot, broken toe notwithstanding.

But I for one was very very keen to keep the trip moving. The holiday "vibe" has set in, and I wanted to reignite the "adventure" vibe.

Oh... and didn't I get my wish with out next stop.