Day - 9 Georgetown

A disappointing finish to last night with a couple of local lads helping themselves to the contents of my tent. All this while we were not 15mtrs away. Luckily they were disturbed and only took my toiletry bag. Very sad indeed. 

This morning started with a little shower which made the road up to Kuranda very greasy. Halfway up and we came across a ute into the bank, no one hurt. 

Without doubt the best little railway station in Australia. Stopped in the town for breakfast which was an eye opener. Unfortunately the town has become just a FIFO tourist spot. One shop could only do a bagel for breakfast, but no Vegemite or peanut butter and the counter staff had difficulty understanding my English. Since when did a bagel become a common Aussie breakfast? 

Kuranda was the furthest north we're heading, I guess we're heading home now. From Kuranda to Atherton, the highest town in QLD. Onward to MT Garnett where I learnt that MT stands for Mining Town, not Mount. Further west to MT Surprise and the highway reducing to a single lane.

Unfortunately the road into Einasleigh was washed away in parts and closed, so we rode on to Georgetown for the night. Visited the Ted Elliott mineral collection, a must see if you're up this way.

Day 8 - Cairns

After the ferry trip back to Townsville we headed north. Brunch was at Ingham. Another country town in decline. Off the bikes and walked past four empty shops in a row. Coffee while good was dearer than I pay for it in Sydney! $7, did I buy the cup?

Next it was to Mission Beach. Over rated and under delivered. No cassowary to be seen either.
Beautiful views of the mountains as we weaved between the sugar and banana fields to Tully and the Golden Gumboot at 7.9m tall which is amount of rain Tully received in 1950. Had a 30 second shower while we were there. Looked up and the cloud just evaporated. Guess this is what you get in the wettest town in Australia.

Onward to Cairns and overnight in one of the local caravan parks. After cleaning ourselves up we went down to the Esplanade for a feed. 

The Esplanade is looking a million bucks. They've done well.

Day 7 - Nelly Bay

Stayed at the Airlie Beach backpacker park last night. I've never seen so many yippee vans in one place.
I'm sure someone had a little generator running most of the night.
The driest morning so far with no morning dew. Great morning for the washing to dry on the back of the bike as we rode. There's something special about having the wind in your undies at 100kmph.
Normal start today with breakfast at Bowen after visiting Shute Harbour and the BIG mango.
Then it was off to Magnetic Island via the ferry from Townsville.
Stayed with our friend Shane.
Dinner at the Arcadia hotel after a ride around the island.
Great to catch up with a fine red on the deck.

Day 6 - Airlie Beach

Dined last night at the Marlborough Hotel where they also allows Pub camping. Unfortunately we'd already booked into the caravan park. In hindsight this probably saved us.
Slept like a log with our now routine wake at six and depart by 0730.
We had breakfast at Camilla, no sign of Charles. Onto Sarina and a tour of the sugar cane factory. Very interesting.
Then the BIG Toad! Next to the BIG Toad is what looks like disused toilets (which they are), however they were originally the towns WW2 underground bomb shelter!
Onto Mackay for lunch before the final ride into Airlie Beach.
Hells Bells, I've arrived 40 years too late! Not a Grey Nomad to be seen, Rog and I were the only people over 24 and only possessing an Aussie passport!
Set up camp betwee an old Aussie lech and a couple of Swedish ladies.
Shower and down the strip to see the night life.

Day 5 - Marlborough

A beautiful ANZAC morning after last nights downpour. We had to stay in the pub until it stopped!
Loaded up and rode to Gin Gin for breakfast and caught up with Roger's uncle and cousin.
Fuelled up at the big crab in Miriam Vale then onto Mt Larcom for lunch (pea pie!).
Had originally planned on doing Bundaberg but forgot about ANZAC Day. All closed so decided to go through Rocky and onto Yamba to pub camp. But it was closed. So onward to Marlborough. Poor planning on my part saw me run down to a couple of cups of fuel.
A warm day maxing out at 33 with about 440kms put away.
Sitting back now watching Collingwood do Essendon.

Day 4 - Apple Tree Creek

Following Mitch and Belinda's hospitality (and a bottle of fine red for the road) we headed to the Caboolture Warbird Museum and lost a few hours being guided around the hanger and the hanger next door. 

Next it was the Big Pineapple and on to Gympie for lunch and the machine that turns lead into gold.
Rolled into Childers to catch up with Rob and Sue. Great to see them both. 

Pulled into the Apple Tree Creek Hotel to free camp for the night.

Day 3 - Clear Mountain

Left Maclean after a light shower at 0730. In and out of rain to Ballina and the Big Prawn where we stopped for breakfast. Must have had an inch of rain before we left there.

Light showers on and off almost until the Gold Coast.

Through Brisbane and up to Mitch and Belinda's for the night. The heavens opened up five minutes before their place  with sheet water and vision of two metres. 

But all good once arrived, not a bloody drop.

Mitch fed, watered and bed us. Fantastic, but that's another story for another day.

Day 2 - Maclean

A couple of false starts today as I woke Roger at 1:30 and he woke me at 2am. Both in separate tents but the snoring carried!

Up at 0600 and on the road at 0730. Breakfast in Kempsey followed by a quick stop at Bunnings just for a look. Rode into Urunga and on to Coffs Harbour for lunch.

Fuelled up at Grafton and decided to ride on to Maclean. Overnighting in the local showground with courtesy bus to the Bowlo.

It's looking pretty dark outside ATM. Expecting overnight thunderstorms.

Day 1 - Taree

Rode out from home around 0830 after a bacon and egg breakfast with Robyn, Tristan, Kirsten and Erin. M5 to M7 and onto the M1 up the coast.
Called into Newcastle for a look at Stockton Beach followed by Nobby's Beach and the Pasha Bulker sculpture. Then onto Taree for the night.
Met Nicola again who we first met on our ride to Anne's in 2016.

Almost ready to go

Les and Rog left Wonthaggi on Wednesday morning and overnighted at Eden. Thursday saw Les head back home while Rog continued on to Sydney.
Friday saw us catch up with Anne (school friend) and do a run through the Nasho to Bald Hill before parting ways after lunch down at Austie beach.
Great weather and a good ride.
On returning home we loaded up for our departure Saturday morning. On inspecting the tyres there it was, the glint of metal in the centre of my rear tyre. A bloody wire nail. Haven't left home and I've repaired the first puncture of the trip.