Seven days away

Agnes and beyond

"To market to market to buy a fat pig 

Home again, home again, jiggity jig"

Such is the nursery rhyme I remember from childhood but no pigs were bought on this trip. A round road trip of seven days earlier in February reminded me of how much one appreciates returning to one's own home wherever that may be.

Home to Agnes Water 370 km

After many months at home we headed north on a very hot day with frozen water bottles, a cold chicken, thermos and coffee plunger, along with quantities of food in eskies and a variety of utensils packed by my very organised husband.

At Childers Historical Village very keen volunteers showed us around. It was their first day open after a Christmas break and covid restrictions. My earlier school days post mentions this visit.

It was a relief to return to the air-conditioned car as we ventured further north. The country was looking splendid after recent rains.

On arrival at Agnes Water, Sandcastles resort, we faced 3 flights of stairs with suitcases, eskies, beach gear and more, but were rewarded with a comfortable fully equipped apartment set back just a short walk through to the beach.

One of 2 small creeks between Sandcastles and the beach
 Quiet before rain from the bridge - Agnes Water

For the next three days, we enjoyed the beach and swimming in a sea that was pleasantly warm. None of that icy water feeling when plunging in. 

Agnes Water beach Feb. 2022

We also drove through new estates of houses and apartments, had a drink in the bar overlooking the water at Seventeen Seventy while watching a rain squall approaching. People were few and far between and in this case we were the only patrons in the bar when we left at 6.30 pm.

Rockhampton and surrounds

On day 5 our drive to Rockhampton took us back out to the A1 through Miriam Vale bypassing Gladstone to Rockhampton. Evidence of floods just a few weeks prior could be seen on the roadside where debris was gathered in creeks and near bridges. Cattle up to their haunches in huge paddocks of grass certainly required no hand feeding at this time of year.

After settling into our comfortable accommodation overlooking the river,  we took a walk along the Quay, viewing some stately buildings from earlier years.

Landmark hotels

Heritage Hotel, Rockhampton

Unfortunately, this magnificent building was not open during our short stay.

Criterion, Rockhampton

The Bush Inn was built on this site in 1856 and the plaque outside this building tells more of its history.

Inside there are wonderful historic photos of owners and events throughout the years. 

In the context of current political times and the Covid pandemic, we enjoyed reading about the two irate State politicians, who were locked up in the hotel for several weeks when a waiter was diagnosed with bubonic plague in 1900. The authorities had placed a quarantine order on the premises. Oh dear, poor pollies!

The Criterion served as the headquarters of General Eichelberger during the Second World War. He commanded over 70 000 American troops stationed in the region. Scroll down on the Criterion's site to read more of Criterion Hotel History

Emu Park, Yeppoon, Mt Archer, and the Botanic Gardens

Emu Park, War Memorial

Our drive the next day was full of surprises. A short distance out to Emu Park on the coast revealed a small community-minded, very well-kept beach town. . An impressive display in the War Memorial pavilion near the memorial, has large posters commemorating those from central Queensland who served in various wars. Large photos and biographies cover the walls. The Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Walk along the cliff edge has posts detailing individual battles. If you visit central Queensland this is well worth a visit.

We travelled on to Yeppoon via the coastal road and popped in to look at the Keppel Bay Marina along the way. The Yeppoon foreshore built with post-cyclone money boasts a wide range of family-friendly facilities including a water park, multiple shaded picnic and play areas.

Many may remember the 1970s debacle of the Iwasaki proposal to establish a private beach. We drove out the 4 lane highway leading to what was once a premier resort, now in a sad state of neglect. Still owned by the family, there are now plans afoot for its refurbishment but we were shepherded away from the boom gate.

Back to Rockhampton and a visit to Mt Archer awaited. After the twists and turns of Pilbeam Drive that took us to the top, 604m above sea level, we were rewarded with magnificent 360-degree views of Rockhampton and its surrounding areas. Phone photos do little justice to the excellent work atop the mountain in Fraser Park and the establishment of this walkway. The Fitzroy River far below shows as a small brown ribbon of water. The walkway took us on a circular path past multiple grass trees and other native fauna and flora in this peaceful setting.

Walkway, Mt Archer, Rockhampton

Grasstrees on Mt Archer, Fitzroy River far below - Rockhampton

Across town, to the Botanic Gardens, we passed the large private boarding schools and their accommodation which have catered to many country families throughout the years. Huge trees planted by early curators can be seen throughout the Botanic gardens, but we took care not to sit under those inhabited by the fruit bats.

Mt Morgan - Munduberra

On leaving Rockhampton the next day we travelled out to Mt Morgan the former gold mining capital. I was glad once more that my husband chose to drive that stretch up the winding mountain road. An excellent history of the town can be found on each of these pages.

We turned down the Burnett Highway and as neither of us had been to Biloela previously we were pleasantly surprised to see the centre of the modern prosperous town which accommodates a variety of very substantial businesses. Huge paddocks and crops of sorghum and mung beans were evident through this region of the Banana Shire.

A detour to Cania Gorge southeast of Biloela revealed spectacular cliffs on either side of the road with some very contented cattle foraging wherever they pleased in spite of the cattle grids along the road.

 

After lunch and refreshments in Monto cafe, we arrived in Munduberra in the late afternoon, about 347 km from Rockhampton. This scenic drive through the fertile farmlands of the Upper Burnett had us puzzled as to some of the crops grown. The area is renowned for its variety of fruits with the area around Munduberra producing citrus fruits, table grapes, avocados, lychees, pecans and some of the largest mango trees I have ever seen. Munduberra is also the home of the Big Mandarin. 

Day 8  Munduberra to home 250 km through Ban Ban Springs, Tansey, Kilkivan and Gympie.

Some one-lane bitumen reminded us of country Queensland roads when we lived here in the 1970s. These are always a challenge when traffic approaches from other direction, and one needs to scoot over  halfway onto the gravel.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

The easy stretch from Gympie to home was mine to drive. Unpack, wash and relax. A pleasant journey of around 1350 km with the best of company. 

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin