28 to 29 January 2014

We checked into The Absolute Waterfront Caravan Park at Bargara.  As the wind was howling we took one of the back sites.  It's an old park but the facilities were clean & it was only about a 10 minute drive to Mon Repos.  The camp located at Mon Repos has closed as the owner is a greeny and doesn't need the money anyway.

A visit to Bundy has to entail some stocking up on the local distillled beverages.  We also bought some fresh prawns and coral trout from the local seafood co-op, they were fantastic.

We arrived 30 minutes early at Mon Repos & were told that a nest of turtles had started hatching so we were let in early & got to see the tiny loggerheads emerge from the sand in day light.  They brought around a few for us to hold & take photos & I was quite amazed at how strong their little flippers were.  After about an hour and a half they had all come out & were being contained in a small mesh barrier.  We were formed into a guard of honour down to the water and they were released en mass. The ranger stood at the waters edge and they all headed towards the light and began their 8 year round the world trip.  It would then be another 18 or so years before it was their turn to lay eggs.  All the shells are then dug up and counted and logged, including about 12 that hadn't developed.  A very special event and well worth the effort.

Bargara Absolute Beachfront Caravan Park

Walking to view turtles hatching at Mon Repos

A quick look before release

30 January to 2 February 2014

Travelled to Lake Monduran & stayed at the caravan park at the dam.  Unfortunately the free camp is no more and we were forced to pay $34 per night for a powered site. The facilities are good but it gets up my nose when they close the free camps & up the caravan park fees.

Laurie & Helen came to spend a few days with us as we were waiting for weather up north to settle from a Cat 2 cyclone.  Laurie had his tinny so we set out to catch some monster barra.  With permits and some fantastic lures we fished & fished & fished, but to no avail.  I don't know what it is but when we fish together we don't catch fish.

After losing a couple of lures to trees over 3 days Laurie decided to pack the boat up.  This was after he somehow dropped his best rod over the back of the boat.  We were in about 30ft of water so not surprisingly his attempts to snag it up were fruitless.  Just the same, there was some beautiful scenery out on the lake & it's a great way to get out & appreciate it.

Look out fish hear we come!

Aaagh, the tranquility

22 January to 28 January 2014

Left Lawnton Showgrounds & went straight through to Laurie & Helen's at Pt Vernon in Hervey Bay. We went fishing one day at Toogoom and unfortunately caught nothing of legal size.  But it was a great day out in the boat just the same.  We rode our pushies to Urangan pier twice which was 25klm return. Had happy hours every day and a BBQ with some fellow Kedronners who were in the area.  We did several drive arounds looking at real estate which only confused us more.

Now we're off to visit some friends in Maryborough then head up to Bundaberg to see the turtles hatching at Mon Repo.

Lawnton Showgrounds by night

Lawnton Showgrounds