Sorry to leave Yeppoon but excited to pick up Steph and Kate as we move on to Agnes Waters via Gladstone airport.  Our beachfront destination for the next week is located at the end of heavily vegetated laneway which makes it peacefully secluded right on the beach.  Perfect for walks, early morning swims, lazy afternoon book reads and strolls to the local eatery for sunset drinks.  Agnes Waters proved a sleepy, small delightful surprise merging into an even more picturesque township of 1770, home of the first sighting of Australia by Captain Cook.  Needless to say we did not move far from our beach home over the next few days, thoroughly enjoying the girls company, warm sunshine and even warmer sand as we walked the beachfront.

Dave flew to Melbourne next day for consult and has return to continue travels with a short further trip to Melbourne for specialist review.  Sadly break is right side so all activity is now restricted to left hand...just a bit tedious and slow.  While he puts on his socks I manage to shower, dry hair and knit a new pair of socks....hmmm.  May need to enlist some dedicated helpers for Dave on GF Day I fear.

We have moved on to Cabarita Beach for the last 10 days.  Located 20min south of Tweed Heads we are discovering that the Tweed Valley is a most beautiful location.

We made it to Longreach unscathed although our friends from the GC traveling 2 days behind us managed to run over a dead kangaroo requiring some minor car repairs.  Longreach is a land of large cars and caravans, leaving us feeling a little naked without the house on the back.  Nevertheless our AirBnB proved luxurious, large and welcoming and located well.  First night dinner we walked to the local caravan park...these are like mini cities with endless vans... and had a great meal in the onsite function centre complete with bar and great live entertainment.  We sat with 2 other couples who proved full of conversation and interesting local facts and then we slowly walked home in the balmy evening warmth.

We planned to spend our one day stretched across various local activities but after arriving at the Stockmans Hall of Fame for 9am opening we staggered out at 3:30pm...a mighty tribute to the pioneers and development of this drought and flood prone harsh country.  Too late to include tours of Qantas and Thompson River boat cruises.  But the drive-past the Qantas site confirmed the enormity and oddness of seeing large planes (including a 747) positioned in the middle of outback Australia.  This taste of outback has established the need for a return trip here and on to Mt Isa in the future.

Leaving Longreach we traveled 8 hrs to reach the coast and the small village of Yeppoon.  Another great AirBnB located us in the tiny main road on the beach foreshore with great balcony and well appointed beachhouse.  Great base for visit to Rockhampton, walking, harbour seafood yummies and a surprising visit to the local find...The Capricorn Caves.  First discovered in 1888 they are above ground dry caves with many discovered fossils of prehistoric animals from millions of years ago when this area was under the sea and covered in volcanoes.  Many fossils are still being discovered by the paleontologists currently onsite.  We had a marvellous 1 hr tour through the labyrinth of caves...highlighted by a rest in the "cathedral" area used for wedding ceremonies and opera performances.  Because of the structure of the caves the acoustics are equivalent to the Sydney Opera House.  With lights dimmed and then total blackness a rendition of "Alleluia" made the space almost surreal as we sat and absorbed the surrounds and music.  An absolute highlight for both of us.

Tomorrow we move on to Agnes Waters, picking up Steph and friend Kate to join us.  Still soaking up mid 20 degrees and sunshine...sorry Melbourne people!

We are now 3 weeks into our driving holiday into Qld.  Have been blessed with fantastic weather, making use of the Artesian Springs at Mitchell while it snowed at home

Caught up with friends in Canberra, Lake MacQuarie and then the Gold Coast which has been a bonus as we motored along.

I am astounded at the endless open country we are moving through taking time to stop in small towns flushed with abundant history.  A 2 night farmstay 50 kms west of Mitchell has proven a highlight, staying on a 33,000 acre property called Bonus Downs.  Approaching was reminiscent of Faraway Downs from the movie Australia.  Night time meals with owners Lyle, Madonna and roustabout Charlie were full of stories both past and present.  Amazing photos and history gave us endless hours of reading dating back to the 1860’s.  Currently in its 4th year of drought, the stories constantly related to people reliant on weather, which has seen the oscillation between abundance with rain and ruin with drought for past 200 years.

Leaving Bonus Downs and dodging numerous road kill we have learnt that this area first settled with sheep but now only sustains catlle due to the wild dogs, we know as dingoes.  Charleville was sleepy at the weekend but we managed to see the Flying Doctor Service and a great show of the Bilby reintroduction in our one day here.  Currently heading north to Longreach.  This morning drive requires a driver and scout to avoid kangaroos and emus crossing the roads and navigating the large cattle droves, including their spare horses.