Week 440 - Bowen, Queensland

At the beginning of the week we spent a couple of days with Rob and Chris Koch on their property in Ingham. Lush green lawn surrounded by encroaching rainforest. The Kangaroos came out as dusk and the Curlews squawked at night. A very peaceful, comfortable spot.

The bus washed down and ready for its trip, we rendezvoused with Judy, Rowan and Sharon for a 6 hour long Mount Isa Fest. I was the driver, Jo, Sharon and Judy drunk copious amounts of wine, got the giggles and continued to talking about Mount Isa for the remaining 2 hours. Me being totally sober, was totally bored. However, a great catch up.

Horseshoe Bay - A trio of beaches on a peninsula at Bowen 

Working boats - The fishing fleet waiting for the outgoing tide. 

We hashed in Townsville on Monday night then headed to Bowen on Tuesday. We stayed at a low cost caravan park. No amenities, no electricity and no water, but just a stone throw from the tourist spots of Bowen. In the past we have always avoided Bowen as they are anti-RV'ers. The cost in the caravan parks in town are astronomical. Bowen has its highlights, magnificent beaches and spectacular scenery but the council is struggling to attract the tourist dollar by scaring the RV'ers and backpackers away. A few of the tourist attractions have become derelict, run down and vandalised, which is such a shame for this part of the region.

Flappers island - The local birds take refuge at Muller's Lagoon. 
Most species are very common. 

Bowen North Head Lighthouse - This lighthouse 
has only recently been restored and looks magnificent
 in the setting sun. 

Off to work - We watched the fishing fleet 
get ready for the night whilst we sat eating their wares.

We waiting in Bowen to catch up with Dotty and George in Strathalbyn. A nice catch up but it put us a day behind schedule so we decided to travel to Rockhampton in one day - all 520 kms. So with piss stops, dog stops, lunch breaks and a coffee, we arrived in Rockhampton 7 hours after leaving Bowen. However, the motorhome performed perfectly, the water temperature, the oil pressure and engine did not waiver. So we arrived in Uncle Brian's at Rockhampton in one piece.