Airlie Beach to Townsville, Qld - 282 kms.
- Weather: Sunny.
- Wind: 20 - 33kph South
- Daily distance travelled with fiver: 282kms Total towed this trip: 3,404kms.
- Next G Mobile reception at Townsville: Yes
- Next G Telstra WiFi Modem reception: Yes.
- TV (Antenna or Satellite): Antenna and Satelite - All free to air digital.
We slept well and I awoke and got up about 6:00am, Marg was awake so we watched Ch7 Sunrise. I showered and had brekky and at 7am started packing up. We left at 8:41am and headed into Prosperine and then along the Bruce Highway and headed towards Townsville.
I digress: We have driven the Bruce highway from Brisbane to Townsville and contrary to popular belief, we were NOT hassled by truckies sitting on my bum, and
the road was NOT noticeably bad, BUT there were numerous roadworks.
Our first stop was at Bowen(9:43am) then Home Hill(10:56am) then at 11:09am we stopped for Bridge works on the Burdekin River Bridge, before arriving at The Lakes Holiday Park at 12:42pm. As we are here for a 2 week stay, we did a full setup (power, water, awning with both vinyl ends and the side) plus Marg's room to be used for my bike and the stuff from the back of the mighty Navara. That took nearly 3 hours, I was rooted by the end. Ohhh, did I tell you it was 28° and sunny.
We are surrounded by every take away variety in Townsville, so dinner was easy, Marg had Maccas and I had Subways. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, I am riding along the Ross river, while Marg will do whatever she wants too.
Our route from Airlie Beach to Townsville - 282kms.
Rest stop at Home Hill.
Bridge works on Burdekin River Bridge.
View from Burdekin River Bridge.
The wildlife on the Burdekin River Bridge.
The wildlife on the Burdekin River Bridge.
View from Burdekin River Bridge.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 1.
I slept well but awoke at 5am to find that Marg was up. She was scratching herself senseless, she is the midgies favourite food, they love her. I stayed in bed until 6am ish before getting up and then Marg went back to bed. I changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:00am.
I headed out the park, along 2 back streets to Hugh St, which turned into Gulliver St before changing into O'Reilly St which leads to the Ross River. At the Ross River there is a concrete/bitumen shared path on both sides, similar to the Yarra river paths. I turned left and followed the path plus some quiet back streets into the CBD, then headed back via the V8 race track. There was no security, so I rode a couple of 100 meters along the track, before retracing my route back to Ross River, crossed over to the west side and rode to Mocha Mecca coffee shop, where I spoke to the owner, he remembered me from last year and thanked me for remembering to visit him this year. From there I crossed over to the east side and rode back to our camp. A total of just over 50kms.
It was great to be back on my bike, I hadn't ridden for 12 days and was suffering withdrawals.
Back at camp, Marg is feeling a bit second rate, so to cheer her up, we went to Spotlight to buy some more wool and 'eyes' for her crocheting soft toys. We finished at Castletown Shopping Centre for lunch and a bit of Woollies shopping. The rest of the arvo was spent with Marg having a nanna nap and me on the internet.
Dinner tonight was a scratch meal, we got our own. I had cheese and bikkies and beer, while Marg had a wrap.
Tomorrow, I am riding along the Ross river, while Marg will do whatever she wants too.
My cycling route into CBD and a circuit of the Ross River - just over 50kms.
The Sugar Shaker aka The Holiday Inn.
8:05am Peak hour traffic - I can live with that.
There were no trains at the station.
I managed a few hundred meters around the track.
I didn't see any 'Snapping Lizards'. Thank god.
One of many nice views.
My coffee shop in Douglas.
The view from Mocha Mecca.
The Riverway lagoon - no fences - Weird.
Mt Stuart appears everywhere.
Some of the wildlife.
George flew in to say "Hi".
Hugh St isn't real busy to ride along.
Our Park entrance.
Our site in the middle. Nice view of Mt Stuart.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 2.
Scratchie slept very well last night and so did I. I got up about 6:30am and left Marg watching Sunrise, as I changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:00am.
I rode the similar route as yesterday, but missed a couple of kilometers off the Ross River path. I stopped at Mocha Mecca coffee shop and had a coffee and ate my 2 bananas. A total of just over 45kms.
It is great fun out riding, so relaxing.
Back at camp, Marg is feeling better today, so after lunch, we drove over to
Juliette's Gelateria for an ice cream. I had 4 flavours and Marg was good and had only a coffee. It was windy and after I finished, I grabbed a damp rag andd wiped the table. From there, we stopped at Castletown SC for some Woollies supplies for dinner.
Dinner was chicken with 'sticks up their arses' with salad and potato gems. Definitely, a YUMMA meal.
Tomorrow, this is turning into a 'norm', I ride in the morning, while Marg will do whatever she wants too and then in the arvo we go somewhere.
No wind. Is this photo upside down?
This is where the Lagoons are located.
What did Marg say to our neighbours? They have gone.
The view from Juliette's Gelateria. (That's Maggy Island on the left)
Another view from Juliette's Gelateria.
Another view from Juliette's Gelateria.
Marg with all her friends.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 3.
This is turning into a 'norm' in Townsville. In the morning I ride, Marg does her thing, after lunch, we drive somewhere.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:15am. Marg laid in bed and watched Weekend Sunrise.
I rode the same route as yesterday, stopped at Mocha Mecca for a coffee, and ate my 2 bananas. A total of just over 45kms. In 3 rides I have ridden 140kms. I do love my cycling.
Back at camp, we had lunch, then headed to Chemist Warehouse, so Marg could buy band-aids to cover all her midgie bites, then over to Spotlight to buy some more white wool and return 4 balls, 'she' bought the wrong dye lot. Our last stop was at Stockland Townsville Shopping Centre, had a walk around, a coffee and some food shopping. On the way home, the rains started, currently it has stopped but we have had 9mm.
Dinner was Marg's world famous nachos, they were yumma.
Tomorrow, if it stops raining, we will do a 'norm'.
Townsville's BIG snake. It was pretty harmless.
The view while I had my coffee at Mocha Mecca.
Georges having fun on one of the weir.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 4.
This is our Townsville 'norm'. In the morning I ride, Marg does her thing, after lunch, we drive somewhere.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:15am. Marg laid in bed and watched Weekend Sunrise.
I rode the same route as yesterday, stopped at Mocha Mecca for a coffee, and ate my 2 bananas. A total of just over 45kms. In 4 rides I have ridden 185kms.
I do love my cycling.
Back at camp, we had arranged to see Marg's sister Kitty, who invited us for a 'late' lunch. We arrived at her apartment about 1:15pm, who she shares with Julian
her partner. We walked over the road for some pre-lunch drinks, as the driver I had a beer, Marg was saving herself for her bubbly during lunch. We met our other lunch members (Vern and Sue), after a few drinks we adjourned back to their apartment, Julian was cooking Red Emperor fish with peas, potatoes and a
magnificent homemade sauce. Main course was YUMMA. Not to be outdone, Kitty made the bread and butter pudding for desert, it was also YUMMA. We had a very
pleasant afternoon, before we drove back to camp. Marg is now in bed, she is tired (that bubbly was nice).
Dinner was non existent, as we are still full from our late lunch.
Tomorrow, we will do a 'norm'.
The weir is overflowing.
The Ross River turtles.
The Ross River turtles.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 5.
This is our Townsville 'norm'. In the morning I ride, Marg does her thing, after lunch, we drive somewhere.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:30am. Marg laid in bed and watched Sunrise.
I rode the same route as yesterday, stopped at Mocha Mecca for a coffee. A total of just over 45kms. In 5 rides I have ridden 230kms. I do love my cycling.
Back at camp, we had lunch and then drove to Bunnings for some tape, then about 25kms to Mount Stuart for some photos. Mount Stuart overlooks Townsville better than Capital Hill. On the way home, we stopped at Castletown Shopping Centre for a coffee and some food supplies.
Dinner was McCains frozen pizzas, they were yumma.
Tomorrow, we will do a 'norm'.
Mount Stuart sightseeing.
Entering Mount Stuart carpark.
Mount Stuart map.
Looking towards the East.
Looking towards Townsville - We may have to revisit on a clearer day.
Looking towards Ross River dam.
Some of the various towers.
See the guy, if not, check out the next photo.
Here he is.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 6.
This is our Townsville 'norm'. In the morning I ride, Marg does her thing, after lunch, we drive somewhere.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:30am. Marg laid in bed and watched Sunrise.
I rode the same route as yesterday, BUT on the way to the CBD, I spoke to another rider, who works at Reef HQ, he rides 10kms a day. As I passed a caryard, they had a
HSV_W427 for sale at $94,888, this is one of the rarest HSV cars about, only 137 were made. From there, I made my way to Mocha Mecca for a coffee. A total of just over 45kms. In 6 rides I have ridden 275kms.
Back at camp, Marg wanted to go to the casino, so I dropped her off for 3 hours, while I drove back to Mt Stuart to take more photos, unfortunately, I wasn't happy with them. The reason was, I met a guy there, who was an absolute racist, I couldn't believe the crap he continued with, so I left. I picked Marg up, she lost and we had a quiet arvo.
Dinner was wraps with Marg's special chicken filling, they were yumma.
Tomorrow, we will do a 'norm'.
HSV 427W.
HSV 427W.
HSV 427W.
The stands are taking shape at the V8 Supercar track.
George is always watching me.
Mocha Mecca is in the flight path.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 7.
This is our Townsville 'norm'. In the morning I ride, Marg does her thing, after lunch, we drive somewhere.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:05am. Marg laid in bed and watched Sunrise.
I told Marg that I would be home later, as I felt like including a ride along the Strand and out to Jupiter's casino. This bumped up the mileage to just on 55kms.
The weather was very pleasant (19° - 25°), I rode past the Townsville Golf Club, over the train bridge, past Reef HQ, out to Jupiter's casino, then the full length of The Strand, before riding back through the CBD, past the HSV 427W (shock, horror, it's still for sale), past the V8 track and back onto the Ross River 'shared path', stopped for a coffee at Mocha Mecca, then returned to camp. A total of just over 55kms. In 7 rides I have ridden 330kms.
Back at camp, we had lunch, then drove to Juliette's Gelateria for an ice cream, I had a 4 flavours (double choc mint, honeycomb, caramel something and capaccino)
BLOODY YUMMA. Marg controlled herself and had a water. Crazy woman.
On the way back to camp, we stopped at Castletown SC for some food supplies. Marg managed a nanna nap during the arvo, while I buggered about on the computer.
Dinner was ham steaks and vegies. They were yumma.
Tomorrow is a full day trip to Wallaman Falls (158kms from camp) about 50kms west of Ingham, we are taking Marg's sister Kitty and BIL Jules.
My trusted treadley at Townsville marina.
The Maggie Island ferry approaching the Townsville wharf at 8:15am.
The Strand is beatiful.
Reef HQ.
The view while sitting at Juliette's Gelateria. It's tough but we are doing it for the team.
Even Marg is doing it for the team. She is trying to be relaxed.
Another view from Juliettes.
Yet another view.
Visited Wallaman Falls - Day 8.
We both slept well. I awoke about 6:30am and we laid in bed and watched Sunrise, as we are driving to Wallaman Falls (150kms away) and picking up Marg's sister Kitty at 9:30am, so no rushing this morning. We had brekky, packed the mighty Navara with our chairs and table and picnic basket. We picked Kitty up about 9:35am and headed north to Ingham, where we turn left and drive 50kms into the mountains and viola, a waterfall, well, that's the plan.
We headed north out of Townsville and our first stop was at Frosty Mango(10:38am) where we had a coffee and Marg bought a dress. We arrived at the Wallaman Falls' lookout at 12:20pm, parked the mighty Navara and walked about 300 meters to the Lookout. It was absolutely awesome. As we walked back, it started to rain, then stopped. After checking out the Falls, we drove over to the picnic area, which consisted of a sheltered area, with BBQs and toilet. Marg and Kitty made lunch, which were wraps, they were yumma. After lunch, we headed down the mountain, stopping at roadworks for 5.5 minutes, then it rained again, by the time we arrived at Ingham, the rain had cleared. We had a rest stop at Rollestone (3:15pm) and dropped Kitty off at her house at 4:06pm.
It was a great day, even though, the weather was a bit shabby.
By the time, we got home I was buggered, so I had a lay down for a little while.
Dinner was leftover wraps from lunch, still yumma.
Tomorrow is back to normal.
Today's route to Wallaman Falls about 150kms each way.
Kitty and Marg at Frosty Mango.
We had to slow to a near halt, before these guys parted.
A part of the road approaching the mountains.
The 268 meter waterfall.
Kitty and Marg.
Marg coming back from the Lookout.
Marg and Kitty making lunch.
The Picnic shed was very handy when it rained.
Looking towards Ingham through the rain clouds.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 9.
We both slept well. I awoke about 7:00am, yes I did sleep in. I got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:55am. Marg laid in bed and watched Sunrise.
I did my normal ride to CBD via Ross River 'shared path', back past the V8 track and finally stopped for a coffee at Mocha Mecca, then returned to camp. A total of just over 45kms. In 8 rides I have ridden 375kms.
Back at camp, we had lunch, then drove to Lincraft to buy a leather necklace for me to attached my polished rock, as I broke my last necklace. Bought one, then
headed over to Castletown SC, where I had a haircut (No 4 crewcut), Marg went shopping by herself, she was very happy. In fact, she had finished before I did, as there were 3 others before me. We met at DonutKing for a coffee and some cinnamon donutnuts. The rest of the arvo was spent back at camp with Marg having a short nanna nap, before we walked over to Take Away Central.
For something different, I had 2 ham foot longs from Subway, while Marg had a chicken roll from Reddy Red Rooster. They were yumma.
Tomorrow is back to norm.
Relaxing in Townsville - Day 10.
We both slept well. I awoke about 7:15am, I am sleeping in later. I got up and changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 8:00m. Marg laid in bed and watched
Weekend Sunrise.
I did my normal ride to CBD via Ross River 'shared path', back past the V8 track and finally stopped for a coffee at Mocha Mecca, then returned to camp. A total of just over 45kms. In 9 rides I have ridden 420kms.
Back at camp, we had lunch, then drove to Spotlight, so Marg could buy more wool, BUT just by pure coincidence, there was a carwash in the carpark, SO I washed my trusty treadley and also washed the mighty Navara. We planned to drive straight to Castletown SC, BUT with my trusty treadley in the back it is over 2 meters high, SO we called into camp and unloaded my bike, then went to Castletown SC for a coffee and some food supplies.
Back at camp, I watched the radio controlled yachts racing on the lake beside us. I took my chair and camera and walked over to the cyclone fence, made myself comfy and watched the 8 yachts race, it was very entertaining for an old yachtsman. Even when the helicopters flew overhead.
Dinner: Marg made egg and bacon sangas, they were yumma.
Tomorrow is back to norm.
The six 'bees'.
Chinook.
Chinook.
The guys on shore.
It was mainly a light breeze with some shifty gusts.
Castletown SC in the background.
A quiet, wet day in Townsville - Day 11.
Marg slept well, I slept shithouse, don't know why, probably because it rained during the night, so I slept in and decided NOT to ride today. We laid in bed watching Weekend Sunrise.
During the morning, we were van 'bound' with the rain. About 11am, we drove to Stockland Townsville SC to have lunch at Michel's, Marg had a toasted sanga while I had 2 pies with coffees. On the way back to camp, we stopped at Sam's Warehouse for a browse, before meeting Kitty (Marg's sister) at 3pm for a coffee at C-Bar on the Strand overlooking the water to Maggy Island. You could see the rain squalls coming towards us.
Dinner was curried sausages with rice. It was yumma.
Tomorrow is back to norm.
Another quiet, wet day in Townsville - Day 12.
As compared to last night, even though it rained, we BOTH slept like logs. I awoke about 7:15am, it wasn't raining SO I changed into 'cycleman' and left camp about 7:45am. Marg laid in bed and watched Sunrise.
I did my normal ride, in the reverse direction because Mocha Mecca was closed today being a holiday. I headed to Mocha Mecca then along the Ross River 'shared path', back past the V8 track and into CBD, then returned to camp. A total of just over 45kms. In 10 rides I have ridden 465kms.
After lunch at camp, we went on the hunt for wool for Marg, finished at Castletown SC for a coffee at DonutKing, BUT shock, horror, it was closed. Back at camp, we both had a nanna nap.
Today was cold by our standards, we both wore long pants and tracky tops with shoes and socks, usually it is shorts and polo shirt with thongs.
Dinner was macaroni cheese. It was yumma.
Tomorrow is pack up day.
Last day in Townsville - Day 13.
We BOTH slept very well, it rained all night, hence the 26mm. I awoke about 7:15am, listening to the rain, I decided NOT to ride today, SO we laid in bed and
watched Sunrise.
About 10am, I drove Marg to Jupiters Casino, so she could get her last pokies fix for a month. I went back to camp via Castle Hill to take some photos, but the
rains chased me off the Hill, so back at camp, I very slowly started to pack up. About 12:45pm, I picked up Marg, she broke even, so it was an improvement. We
drove to Castletown SC for some food supplies and had lunch at Donut King, I had 2 hotdogs and Marg had 2 donuts. The rest of the arvo was spend slowly packing up.
Dinner was leftover macaroni cheese from yesterday. It was yumma.
Tomorrow is a big day for us, we drive 500+ kms to Clermont for an overnighter.
Can you see our site? It is there.
Does this help? It's a bit closer.
I see us. Marg has scared another lot of neighbours away.
Can you see my riding route, it's there, just look harder.
There's the V8 track.
The hills were covered in rain clouds.
Maggy Island appearing out of the mire.
A better view of Maggy Island.
The Hornets are still 'playing' at Townsville.
The Hornets are still 'playing' at Townsville.
The Hornets are still 'playing' at Townsville.
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Heading to Clermont.
