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Not The Whitsundays, Australia, Part 3 |
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Submitted by Will Donnell
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The Whitsunday region extends South down the coast of Queensland, Australia, as far as Mackay, and North as far as Bowen. The predominant scenery is tree covered hills and miles of canefields.
Mackay, about an hour and a half away, has several beaches, Sarina beach just South of Mackay is particularly attractive, and has places to free park. There are good shopping centres in Mackay, although for the Motorhome traveler, looking for spares, or parts, I would advise looking in Rockhampton, coming from the South, or Townsville from the North.
Inland from Mackay, on the Pioneer River, you can travel the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park. The rainforest has walking trails, with spectacular lookouts, and over 200 species of birds, as well as native animals, especially platypus, at Broken River.
On the way to Eungella, at Finch Hatton, turn off for Finch Hatton Gorge and go bushwalking past freshwater swimming holes and beautiful waterfalls. Stop off at one of the picnic areas - you did bring the picnic?
At nearby Mirani is a museum with the history of the sugar industry in the area, as well as the Illawong Fauna Sanctuary, with a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles. An alternative to the more commercial crocodlile farms around the region.
Between Mackay and Airlie, at Bloomsbury, is a turn-off for Midge point, a small coastal town on Repulse Bay. The beach here is long and wide (but not white!) with good fishing, and no-one around. Coconut palms fringe the beach, and islands and headlands complete the scene. Just up the road is the Laguna Keys resort, for the golfers among us. It's a ten minute drive back to the Bruce Highway.
Another twenty minutes brings you to the turn-off for Airlie, at Proserpine. The main purpose for Whitsunday visitors, the airport, is just outside the town, and has flights to the East Coast capitals. Proserpine itself is a pleasant small country town, with plenty of places to stop for a coffee or tea, with home made cakes, or a meal, to make a pleasant break in your journey.
A few kms out of Proserpine on the Airlie Rd, turn off towards Conway Beach, at the Northern end of Repulse Bay. Worth a detour along this road is the turn-off to the Cedar Creek Falls, especially if it was raining last night (it often does). Conway Beach has a fairly steep approach, affording an attractive view over the bay. Nearby Wilson Beach has a boat launching ramp - and a warning sign about cleaning fish there, due to crocodiles in the area. Another half hour will bring you back to Airlie.
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