After an early walk James and I departed Nebo Saturday morning in glorious weather. We weren't traveling far - just 90 km north - but most of it was on dirt road, so a bit of an unknown. Our destination was Eungella Dam, some 100 or so kilometers inland and over the range from Mackay. According to Wikicamps it had only just been opened up again after a Covid closure. The route took me through interesting, undulating private grazing properties. It was a really nice drive on pretty good roads. It felt rather remote with no civilization in sight and no phone signal for over an hour. Fingers crossed that I don't have a breakdown! It was a slow trip, but we eventually arrived at the dam around midday.
I was expecting it to be pretty quiet at the dam given I'd seen no-one else on the road in, but that was not the case. As I drove up over the hill and through the entry point I was surprised to see heaps and heaps of camps spread out over the huge grassy surrounds bordering the water. Wow. There was clearly another road in! As I drove down one of the several rutted tracks to various camping area pockets I kept an eye on my phone signal which was still showing no coverage despite Wikicamps advising otherwise. Eventually I got a signal so pulled up beside the track. I got out of the car and did a recce, considering my options. The signal went in and out a bit as I wandered around so I just opted to set up where I had stopped. It was on a bit of a slope but all the relatively flat ground closer to the water's edge was well and truly full. It took a bit of time and creativity to get the van up on multiple ramps to get it to as close to level as possible - not pretty but it worked ok.
Eungella Dam is a real gem and clearly a very popular spot for Mackay locals. As it turns out the road in from the coast, though very steep as it climbs/descends the range, is largely sealed and the trip takes less than two hours. The other campers were a mix of families and young groups of people in their 20's. There did not appear to be too many oldies. Many of them had water craft - ski boats, kayaks, jet skis, paddle boards and tinnies. They also liked to party judging by the loud music emanating from several camps. Mmmm - I might not get much sleep tonight!
After setting up and building a fire from the wood I had brought with me, James and I went for a walk and discovered that over the hill on which portable toilets, rubbish bins and a dump point were located there was a whole other camping area. I imagine there would be thousands of people here at times like Easter....there is sooo much room for camping, and there's a boat ramp.
As it turned out the noise that night was not too bad and I must admit I loved the people watching, the festive atmosphere and a beautiful big fire.
I ended up staying at Eungella for six nights. By Sunday afternoon all bar a handful of campers had packed up and left, so it was very peaceful and for the next few days l was able to explore. My first priority was fire wood as I had only brought enough with me for a couple of nights. Fortunately I was able to pick up quite a bit left behind by the weekenders....one group had left behind a particularly nice pile....you beauty!
EUNGELLA DAM gets five stars from me. It's a great place to free camp with toilets, dump point, rubbish bins, water (non potable), phone signal and boat ramp. The area is huge, much of it on sloping ground but fine with levellers, lots of trees and grassy options to set up and you can have pets and fires. All sorts of water sports and fishing are allowed. It feels safe, the weather is great and you can stay for as long as you like.
Most days James and I did a big walk in one direction or another around the dam and I did manage to give James a much needed clip....albeit a very crappy one!
On Tuesday we drove to the township of Eungella situated on the top of the range. That gave me the opportunity to look at the road descending back into Mackay. I had spoken to a couple of people with vans like mine who were at the dam and whilst it was very steep and windy, it was doable. It was the shortest way to Townsville where I was catching up with friends, so after reading up on towing down long, steep descents l was confident l could manage my brakes enough to make it work.
By the time we packed up and left Friday morning the crowds were starting to return, so it was probably a timely departure, especially given it was the start of the Queensland school holidays. I had made a booking for Friday night at Youcamp spot called Hold it Flats a couple of hours north. The drive down the range was slow and challenging but worked ok with lots of very slow first gear and just occasional use of brakes.
Hold it Flats at Calen, just off the Bruce Highway, lived up to it's rave reviews and five star rating. It was really pretty with a stream running through the lower levels of the property, lots of flat, grassy spots to set up on and quite shady. But man oh man was it busy! Kids everywhere! It did have a great atmosphere though, everyone was really friendly and with fire pits, wood, showers and toilets the $10 cost was a bargain.
HOLD IT FLATS also scores a five. At $10 per person per night it is a bargain. It has toilets, showers, fire pits, wood ($10 per crate), phone coverage and camp kitchen. It is on a large private property with an upper and lower section and a stream. The ground is grassy and flat with plenty of shady trees, dogs are allowed and the owners are fantastic.
It was a long day Saturday. The Bruce Highway between Bowen and Townsville was very slow in spots due to roadworks, then I stopped at Home Hill to bath James at a dog wash station. He was pretty stinky and we were going to Christine and Bruce's unit for dinner that night. I was buggered by the time I arrived at Coral Coast Tourist Park mid afternoon, and did a shit job backing the van onto my site. After several attempts I had it in position but not without some collateral damage.
I spent a couple of nights at Coral Coast before taking the van and car to Carl and Petra's. They are good friends with Christine and Bruce and had offered their driveway to store my rig while we went over to Magnetic Island for five days. Christine had booked a pet-friendly cottage at Arcadia and had invited me, along with Bruce's brother John and partner Meredith, to join them. Tuesday morning we loaded Sonny and James along with lots of beer, wine and food into the Rav and took the car ferry across to the Island.
Our three bedroom cottage near Geoffrey Bay was very rustic and it was not long before we were enjoying a drink on the old veranda. There was plenty of room for all of us and the dogs settled in quickly enjoying the lovely garden. We took it in turns to do dinner each night, had great conversations and checked out the sights of the Island each day by foot and car. We also did our fair share of contributing to the local economy, ensuring we patronized the local pub as well as the one at Picnic Point. We had a ball.
Saturday morning we took the ferry back to the mainland. James and I stayed at the unit with Christine, Bruce and Sonny over the following days. It was beautiful to have stunning views from their balcony on The Strand and do lots of great walks with the dogs. Townsville is on of my favorite places in Australia. The climate is great, it has a vibrant holiday atmosphere and the scenery is simply gorgeous.
Eungella Dam is a real gem and clearly a very popular spot for Mackay locals. As it turns out the road in from the coast, though very steep as it climbs/descends the range, is largely sealed and the trip takes less than two hours. The other campers were a mix of families and young groups of people in their 20's. There did not appear to be too many oldies. Many of them had water craft - ski boats, kayaks, jet skis, paddle boards and tinnies. They also liked to party judging by the loud music emanating from several camps. Mmmm - I might not get much sleep tonight!
After setting up and building a fire from the wood I had brought with me, James and I went for a walk and discovered that over the hill on which portable toilets, rubbish bins and a dump point were located there was a whole other camping area. I imagine there would be thousands of people here at times like Easter....there is sooo much room for camping, and there's a boat ramp.
As it turned out the noise that night was not too bad and I must admit I loved the people watching, the festive atmosphere and a beautiful big fire.
I ended up staying at Eungella for six nights. By Sunday afternoon all bar a handful of campers had packed up and left, so it was very peaceful and for the next few days l was able to explore. My first priority was fire wood as I had only brought enough with me for a couple of nights. Fortunately I was able to pick up quite a bit left behind by the weekenders....one group had left behind a particularly nice pile....you beauty!
EUNGELLA DAM gets five stars from me. It's a great place to free camp with toilets, dump point, rubbish bins, water (non potable), phone signal and boat ramp. The area is huge, much of it on sloping ground but fine with levellers, lots of trees and grassy options to set up and you can have pets and fires. All sorts of water sports and fishing are allowed. It feels safe, the weather is great and you can stay for as long as you like.
Most days James and I did a big walk in one direction or another around the dam and I did manage to give James a much needed clip....albeit a very crappy one!
On Tuesday we drove to the township of Eungella situated on the top of the range. That gave me the opportunity to look at the road descending back into Mackay. I had spoken to a couple of people with vans like mine who were at the dam and whilst it was very steep and windy, it was doable. It was the shortest way to Townsville where I was catching up with friends, so after reading up on towing down long, steep descents l was confident l could manage my brakes enough to make it work.
By the time we packed up and left Friday morning the crowds were starting to return, so it was probably a timely departure, especially given it was the start of the Queensland school holidays. I had made a booking for Friday night at Youcamp spot called Hold it Flats a couple of hours north. The drive down the range was slow and challenging but worked ok with lots of very slow first gear and just occasional use of brakes.
Hold it Flats at Calen, just off the Bruce Highway, lived up to it's rave reviews and five star rating. It was really pretty with a stream running through the lower levels of the property, lots of flat, grassy spots to set up on and quite shady. But man oh man was it busy! Kids everywhere! It did have a great atmosphere though, everyone was really friendly and with fire pits, wood, showers and toilets the $10 cost was a bargain.
HOLD IT FLATS also scores a five. At $10 per person per night it is a bargain. It has toilets, showers, fire pits, wood ($10 per crate), phone coverage and camp kitchen. It is on a large private property with an upper and lower section and a stream. The ground is grassy and flat with plenty of shady trees, dogs are allowed and the owners are fantastic.
It was a long day Saturday. The Bruce Highway between Bowen and Townsville was very slow in spots due to roadworks, then I stopped at Home Hill to bath James at a dog wash station. He was pretty stinky and we were going to Christine and Bruce's unit for dinner that night. I was buggered by the time I arrived at Coral Coast Tourist Park mid afternoon, and did a shit job backing the van onto my site. After several attempts I had it in position but not without some collateral damage.
I spent a couple of nights at Coral Coast before taking the van and car to Carl and Petra's. They are good friends with Christine and Bruce and had offered their driveway to store my rig while we went over to Magnetic Island for five days. Christine had booked a pet-friendly cottage at Arcadia and had invited me, along with Bruce's brother John and partner Meredith, to join them. Tuesday morning we loaded Sonny and James along with lots of beer, wine and food into the Rav and took the car ferry across to the Island.
Our three bedroom cottage near Geoffrey Bay was very rustic and it was not long before we were enjoying a drink on the old veranda. There was plenty of room for all of us and the dogs settled in quickly enjoying the lovely garden. We took it in turns to do dinner each night, had great conversations and checked out the sights of the Island each day by foot and car. We also did our fair share of contributing to the local economy, ensuring we patronized the local pub as well as the one at Picnic Point. We had a ball.
Magnetic Island is truly stunning. It is quite mountainous with lots of rainforest pockets and beautiful bays. There are rocky outcrops everywhere and lovely beaches. Aside from where the ferry docks at the Peppers Resort the island is largely undeveloped. Many of the houses are old holiday shacks and the three pubs are pretty low key. It's only 8km from the mainland and is serviced by regular passenger and car ferry services. It's an absolute must if in the Townsville area.
Saturday morning we took the ferry back to the mainland. James and I stayed at the unit with Christine, Bruce and Sonny over the following days. It was beautiful to have stunning views from their balcony on The Strand and do lots of great walks with the dogs. Townsville is on of my favorite places in Australia. The climate is great, it has a vibrant holiday atmosphere and the scenery is simply gorgeous.
Thanks guys for your fabulous hospitality!
JUNE 2020 COVID-19 STATISTICS & SITUATION
1/3/20
Global Infections: 86,604 Australian Infections: 25
Global Deaths: 2977 Australian Deaths: 0
1/4/20
Global Infections: 871,371 Australian Infections: 4763
Global Deaths: 42,107 Australian Deaths: 20
1/5/20
Global Infections: 3,322,966 Australian Infections: 6766
Global Deaths: 234,408 Australian Deaths: 93
1/6/20
Global Infections: 6,259,224 Australian Infections: 7,195
Global Deaths: 373,691 Australian Deaths: 103
1/7/20
1/7/20
Global Infections: 10,795,162 Australian Infections: 7,920
Global Deaths: 518,058 Australian Deaths: 104
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