The Snail 2016 adventure begins

24 MAY 16

Some before and after pics of the van, the results of some months of renovation by us both.

Well, after some delays and finalising details with the van, we finally got away Tue 24 May.

We made it as far as Hervey Bay and set up there for 2 nights, then left the van at the caravan park, made our way to Fraser Island. Had 2 nights at Waddy Point camping area, great spot near Orchid Beach and plenty of beach to walk along. This camp site is one of a few on Fraser which has an enclosed camp site to prevent dingoes accessing the site. The roof top tent worked really well and the site also had hot showers, $1 for 4 mins, and also hot water for washing dishes etc.

Indian Head above, Susie finding her shells to add to the collection!

Then moved further south to an open camp spot just off the beach between the Maheno wreck and Eli Creek, 2 nights there also. Great spot, roughing it a bit, no showers, etc, so had to be self sufficient, water, toileting etc. However, we could walk to Eli Creek as it now has toilets there.

 
Camp on the dunes, no dingo fencing here!



If you look carefully at this photo, you can see the dingo checking the camp. The previous night, as Susan was under a tree, a dingo skulked past just on dusk and Susan wasn't too impressed, so we had to be up in the tent by dark the next night.

Moved to Central Station for another two nights, arrived there mid morning, all rainforest and virtually no sun, so the solar panel wasn’t feeding the battery, so that wasn’t great. The first morning was getting colder as the morning went on, no sun, getting overcast. We made a decision to pack up and head off back to Hervey Bay. Central Station is a great spot, probably better for summer months, but still very nice and history there about the logging which only ceased in 1992.

We made the 1030 barge off Fraser, just as it had started to back off from the ramp, they saw us pull up and came back for us. As it turned out, we made the right move as the weather turned and started to rain as we got back to the van park. Stayed there for the Tue/Wed and headed off Thurs morning, We managed to get to a pub close by for the State of Origin, of course.

The solar panel controller was playing up, so had to have it replaced in Hervey Bay, at least we were somewhere it could be replaced.

We left Hervey Bay and headed north, made our way towards Bundaberg, found a nice free camp/rest area a few k’s out of Bundaberg.  We had received message from our neighbour, Nikki, regarding the weather coming in by Fri/Sat, so continued to 1770 for a look around, beautiful place, right on the water, will head back there for a stay at some time. We headed north and caught up with our rellies in Gladstone, staying with Paul and Michelle for couple of nights, arriving Fri 3 June.  Copped a big storm Sat morning. Left Gladstone Mon morning, headed off towards Rocky. We received message from friends we had made earlier years that they were going to meet up in Emerald, so we detoured towards Emerald and stopped for couple of nights at Duaringa, little town, but with free camp, hot showers and toilets etc. Having couple of nights here then out to Emerald.