![\"\"](\"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Qld-Trip-024.jpg\" "\\"Qld")
<\/a><\/p>\nBy this time the highway had got quite boring and we were looking at other areas to explore along the way. I had on previous trips shown the family along the coast – but I’d never shown them the Byron Bay area. So off we went.<\/p>\n I had a lot of trouble with condensation in the camera during the day. So I’m going to apologise in advance for the quality of these pics.<\/p>\n So anyway, we make our way up to Brisbane. Total casualties at this stage are a couple of tarps that decided they’d rather not take any further part in our journey.<\/p>\n That night we attended the Gold Coast Landrover club function at the Marriott. I think I spent the first hour looking around at more money than I could imagine. Well that and an elevator that was on the outside of a building and built with glass. I mean seriously \u00e2\u20ac\u201c you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sitting on the 21st floor, you get in the elevator and you get to see the ground coming up at you. And never mind if you were wearing a dress \u00e2\u20ac\u201c you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d want to wear some jocks! \ud83d\ude09 <\/p>\n From there we went upstairs to the Japanese Teppenyaki place \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and it was every bit as good as the one down here at Wagga. Just a wee bit bigger and fancier. But quite honestly, both Michelle and I had a great time, great feed and great company \u00e2\u20ac\u201c so thankyou to those guys that invited us and were there. <\/p>\n The next day was kinda lazy due to the rum consumption and the pool.<\/p>\n So far – 5 days, all rain.<\/p>\n The eve of the Fraser journey comes along – and guess what – another storm! \ud83d\ude09 <\/p>\n One good thing was the kiddies slept through it quite well \ud83d\ude2f <\/p>\n So that was the ‘admin’ part of the trip – now to start having some real fun.<\/p>\n Day 6 on the road arrives and we finish of the last bits and pieces and say our farewell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. The first order of the day was to go over to Supercharge and get a new deep cycle to replace my busted one. After some stuffing around with closed roads due to flooding, I finally got there.<\/p>\n The initial battery I was going to use wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work due to size and terminal differences, so I ended up going with an \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAllrounder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. After using this battery for the trip, I like it. If it lasts a decent while and keeps going well, I am going to run both batteries the same.<\/p>\n 825CCA and 120A\/H = $200<\/p>\n So off we head. The tunnel had been closed due to flooding so the only road open was the bridge. And they were doing roadworks on it, so only one lane open. AND to top all of that off a truck lost its load. So practically I did the whole road in second gear low range!!!<\/p>\n By the time I cleared over the bridge it was after midday, and I left Supercharge at 0930\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 So all plans had gone out the window, especially with regards to the tides. We enjoyed the run up to Tewantin (apart from the rain), but looking around that area I felt like a fish out of water \u00e2\u20ac\u201c again. There is a lot of money in that area \u00e2\u20ac\u201c that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for sure.<\/p>\n We showed up to the EPA office and got the required permits for Cooloola and Fraser. Due to the tide, we were going to have to travel along Cooloola Way and then onto Freshwater Road to get into the camping area. So this meant that we missed out on Teewah Beach and the Coloured Sands. I guess it gives me a reason to return though. Word of warning for anyone wanting to travel along Cooloola Way – it is heavily corregated at the moment.<\/p>\n After a very long and frustrating day we arrived at the Freshwater campground and set up for the night. <\/p>\n Seeing as the kiddies had spent so much time in the car, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been promising them the beach all day \u00e2\u20ac\u201c we went down and had some fun.<\/p>\n What a day \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I was really hoping that things would improve just a little.<\/p>\n 6 days on the road = 6 days rain.<\/p>\n Day 7 arrived \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and what a shock. I could hear the wife and kids outside the tent, and I thought I had slept in. I rolled over and looked at my watch \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and it said 0445h!!!! <\/p>\n The bloody sun was up already \u00e2\u20ac\u201c crap. <\/p>\n So I got up and we had a real lazy morning which was great for a change. Showers were $1 for 4 min\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u201c so I helped myself to $2 worth. And it felt great.<\/p>\n So we packed up camp and just as I was tying the last part down the boys came over the UHF to see if I was there \u00e2\u20ac\u201c talk about timing. I went down to the day use area and all the introductions were made. Steve, wife and kids were off of AULRO (Captain Rightfoot), and Adrian, wife and kids were friends of theirs. After some chit chat and some quick comparing of vehicles, we headed off the Rainbow Beach. I considered airing up, but ended up just running the 20 pound on the black top for the short run.<\/p>\n Steve and Adrian headed off to grab some food and to relax \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d left Brisbane at 0400 that morning. We organised to catch up with them on the island. Meanwhile we grabbed some quick supplies, topped up the fuel tank, grabbed our permits and headed down to the barge.<\/p>\n This is where we got our first surprise. We had already booked our tickets as we were departing the opposite side. Unfortunately we didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go with the Australian (Independent) barge operator \u00e2\u20ac\u201c so apologies about that. I was quite ignorant until I got there. But damn it is very commercial there. I also saw an old Landy floating about whilst I was waiting.<\/p>\n The barge trip was short and sweet and the wife and kids were getting excited \u00e2\u20ac\u201c especially the kids. <\/p>\n No-one got bogged which was a bonus and we headed up the beach. Being low tide it was the easiest beach run I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve ever done. And it was very enjoyable as well. The view back over to Teewah was priceless.<\/p>\n The whole plan for today was to make it up to Dundubara, set up camp and relax. And this is pretty much what we did. We potted along nice and easy, without regular stops to have a look and let the kids out. <\/p>\n The weather wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t looking the best though, which had us worrying for a little while.<\/p>\n The camping ground at Dundubara was brilliant. The only slight criticism I could give is a lot of the camping areas had major bull ant problems \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but not my area. Look before touching I reckon \u00e2\u20ac\u201c well something along them lines.<\/p>\n Showers were $1 for 3 mins, and there is a washing up point for your dishes with hot water \u00e2\u20ac\u201c talk about luxury. People were complaining about walking over there. I personally loved it \u00e2\u20ac\u201c as it saved boiling the water and washing them in our container when you have a bloody sink and hot water. Guess they are the type of people that is going to complain even if they won the lottery though.<\/p>\n We went for a wander down to the beach later that afternoon once we had set up camp. The walk is nice and short and it is a pleasant area. <\/p>\n The beauty of it was that vehicles had to slow down for the creek. Well there was a few that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but the result was pretty funny.<\/p>\n After dinner we had a couple of quiet rums and hit the sack. A successful day in all and quite pleasant \u00e2\u20ac\u201c AND NO RAIN!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, all I can really say about this trip is that the theory of Queensland being beautiful one day, perfect the next IS NOTHING BUT BULLXXXX!!! But saying that – the days on Fraser were pretty damn spectacular, and I … Continue reading <\/a>
\nthe road to the farm (between Bowraville and Bellingen)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\na few of the animals floating around the place<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPat Morton Lookout<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nLighthouse<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSelf explanatory I reckon!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nAnd that’s not coffee in that cup \ud83d\ude09 <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFreshwater Camping Ground<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nDinner \ud83d\ude00 <\/p>\n