Xmas 2012–Poona–Bundaberg

One of the reasons for travelling so far up the Queensland coast, besides visiting the Dolphins at Tin Can Bay, was so we could visit the Bundaberg Rum Factory. We needed more of the Royal Liquor you can only buy at the cellar door.
The other reason we were to leave Poona was to head into town to purchase a new spare wheel and replace the last old tyre on the van. We had done a few K’s on these tyres and in hindsight i probably should of got new ones before the trip. We were lucky and lesson learned here. We managed to get both in Maryborough so that was some relief. We also found that Maryborough runs a weekday (Thursday) Mall in the main street. We purchased some fruit and homemade hot Sausage whilst there, as well as having a bite to eat.

After that t was on to Bundaberg. We had hope that we could have a look around after the Rum factory as well but after doing the factory tour and the taste testing at the end we did not have much time before we needed to e heading back to Poona.
One disappointing part of the factory tour was that no photography was allowed so the only photos we have are below.


The next, and last day in Poona was planned to be another “Relax by the pool” day but when we woke it turned out to be a nice, mild for the morning, day with the bay looking very calm. We therefore decided, along with everyone else in the park it seems, to get the Kayak out again and go for a paddle. I took off first for a look around the bay. When i returned, Caitlyn was waiting for her turn and the “beach” was loaded with swimmers and water craft of all sorts. Bianca also got in on the act as can be seen.



Lastly, just a quick pick of our setup here at Poona, before we started packing up. We would love to visit again.

Xmas 2012–Poona Palms, Queensland

We picked Poona Palms out of the Badgers website. When we were looking for a place to stay, near Bundaberg, Tin Can bay was first on our list due to the Dolphins. Caitlyn has a passion for Dolphins at the moment, wanting to be a Marine Biologist when she grows up so as to work with them Nothing at Tin Can bay took our fancy, and Rainbow Beach appeared to expensive.
When we saw Poona Beach, its cost and its location, it seemed a safe bet and fortunately, unlike many of the other things we have had happen to us so far this trip, luck was with us. Poona Palms caravan park is a quiet oasis, away from civilisation, even the internet/phone reception is sketchy.
We have a vast tidal inlet to play in, but no real sandy beaches. so far we have spent many an hour in the pool, taken the kayak out for a paddle, gone fishing, catching nothing as per normal. The kids even love using the yabby pump to catch bait.
On boxing day we got up early and drove around to Tin Can bay to watch the dolphins. The first hour there was a meet and greet and it seems we were lucky. Over the past few days only a single dolphin had come in, where as on the day we went we had 5 plus a 9 month old calf with its mother. we also didn't have the crowds that normally accompany feeding, up to 300 in a session. We probably only had 50-100 people there. Caitlyn was front and center for the meet and greet but the dolphins, pink estuarine dolphins, don't really like contact and did not come close enough for a pat. After meet and greet, Caitlyn was able to purchase a single fish for feeding.
After feeding time we ad breakfast at Barnacles, the cafe attached to the Dolphin center before we continued around to Rainbow Beach. We are glad we did not stay there, heaps of people were around, i suspect on their way over to Fraser Island. We could see heaps of people on the beach with their vehicles too. I would of loved to join them but with no experience beach driving, i did not want to be that person, the one who needed help getting back out

Heading home we did much of the same, sleeping and pool.
Update to Follow
The 27th will see us travel north to Marybourgh and Bundaberg. Our main destination being the Rum Distillery

Port Fairy - Melbourne Cup Weekend 2012

Port Fairy, our home over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. 

As we had not had the van out since the Darwin trip in April we had been looking forward to a good opportunity to get back out on the road and with our planned three week trip at Christmas getting closer it was a good change for a dry run. For this trip we chose the Belfast Cove Holiday Park. It turned out to be a great little park that was nice and quiet. Its only let down, to us, was the size of the sites and the road through the park. The sites are tight to reverse into and there is insufficient room to park your vehicles. This means many cars are protruding onto the road, limiting through traffic. I ended up rating the park a 3 on "Badgers"

As it was a dry run we also took the Kayak. We did not end up using it on this trip but it did travel well on the car. Also on this trip was Mum and Dad (Suprise, Suprise) who were testing out their new Van on its first trip. All went well and overall we only have a small list of things we had forgotten to pack.

As we were there for a few days we had planned to do some travelling to other towns in the region. Our first stop, though, was the Port Fairy show. This just happened to be on when we arrived on Saturday so off we went. It was a typical country show with plenty of farm related animals. There was also rides for the kids and some great stalls/displays. Caityn ended up finding herself nursing a wallaby joey and a blue tongue lizard, which she enjoyed. Sara would of liked to bring home one of the sugar gliders they had as a pet too.

Caitlyn also found herself jumping around in a Giant ball, she is in the Yellow one :)

Sunday saw us drive down to Portland for a look around. A place on our bucket list of places to stay is Narrawong, and looking at the caravan park there, we will most definitely visit there soon.

We had a brief look around Portland, most of the town being out to support a running event that was on. In the evening we all decided to go for a walk out to the Griffiths Island Light house. This was a great walk and we returned to the cars just in time for the sunset.

Monday saw us head east to Warrnambool. We have been here before and spent most of the day walking the main street before heading down to the beach. The weather had turned for the weekend though so it was not as nice a day as the day before. We also drove out to the breakwater wall and the old battery installation for a bit of a look. They really knew how to build structures in the "old days". The breakwater wall has seen better days and must of really looked great in its time.

Our final night in Port Fairy was spent at the Commercial Hotel for a great meal before walking along the old docks in town.