Big day today, after a rough windy night beside the sea last night, waves crashing against the sea wall, we left camp at 8.00am heading for Townsville. Still not sure if we would stay a night in Townsville city or continue on to Bowen. The start of another windy cloudy day but no rain. It was an hours drive to Townsville so first headed for Castle Rock to see if we could get the van up the hill. We asked advise some said no, some said it should be O K. Other campers we talked to said 'no worries' which is the favour expression here in Oz we would easily get up. After a bit of consideration we took of 🤞and made it to the top. Weather still very overcast which has made the photos dark. The sun would have been great but that didn't happen. After going up the rock, we drove around Townsville, out to the boat harbour, mouth of the river and a drive through the Strand, the foreshore road. Very nice area, beautiful old trees, great big well manicured park, playgrounds and even a little beach. Great area for the kids. It's about 11.30am and headed down to Bowen after deciding we had seen what we came for and didn't need a night there. As soon as we left the city the sun was out and looked magic further south. You will see the contrast by the photos along the way. Probably first real sun in a week. 😊. It lasted right down to Bowen so set up camp and actually sat out and had our coffe outside. It's now 8.00pm while I am writing this and the wind has really got up all blustery again. We are having two nights here so will have a good look round tomorrow. Hopefully in the sun.
Arrived in Townsville and climbed Castle Rock ( in the van not walking) although many people were walking and running to the top and back amazing to see them all. It was still early morning so I suppose thats the time they would do it. The early morning wouldn't have helped with the brightness of the photos.
Looking out to the Port and the CBD
Looking round more to the right at the CBD
The rock above is showing in the photo above. I was standing in one of the lookout platforms.
Looking from left the beaches, in the middle residential area and what they call the Strand along the waterfront. Nice green area. Then to the right the Port, Marina and CBD
We didn't quite get the old girl (the van not me) right to the top as we were not sure re parking up there so left her here and we walked the next 200mtrs up the road.
Now back down at the mouth of the river . Over to our right was the ports and boat marine harbour. We had a good drive round them all.
We stopped by the marina and made a coffee, very pleasant. Castle Rock in the background where we had just come from. It really is a lot higher than it looks from here.
Now back down at the mouth of the river . Over to our right was the ports and boat marine harbour. We had a good drive round them all.
We stopped by the marina and made a coffee, very pleasant. Castle Rock in the background where we had just come from. It really is a lot higher than it looks from here.
Now having a drive down the Strand their waterfront road. These magnificent banyon trees all along the road.
The Strand is divided by this beautiful medium strip.
Just taken out of the window while we are passing.
Look at this very old specimen.
This area is beautifully set out down on the waterfront lots of green area, parks, playgrounds and a small beach
The small beach with a walking path winding along through the area.
Still driving along taking photos in this area.
We have now left Townsville and the clouds are dispersing and a little sun is shining 👏
Look a the sky now this is really looking promising. Note we are still in the sugar cane area which we have been driving through for about the last five days. Looking great further south but when I turned around and looked north it was still very black looking especially around all the hills.
We have now just driven through Ayr and as we were leaving came across this bridge.
As they were doing work on the top of the bridge it was down to one way and luckily we stopped and I managed to get this photo of the dried up river bed below. Couldn't have taken it if we were moving as all the structure of the pillars on the side of the bridge would have blocked the view out as they flashed by.
Getting nearer to Bowen 🌞
We have arrived in Bowen really nice small camping ground. The NRMA Bowen Beachfront Holiday Park. They have cabins in front of us right on the waters edge and a few caravan sites further along on the beach front but unfortunately they were all taken so we are one row back but still very nice. We have decided to have two nights here as there are some nice spots to explore tomorrow.
This is along the front of the camp cabins in on the right. Lovely area no probs re pebbly beach as I wouldn't swim here after all we are still in North Queensland and wouldn't take a chance on the old crocs. A little along on the coast is a sandy beach where we will have a look at tomorrow.
Two highlights of the day were going up Castle Rock in Townsville and arriving in Bowen on a beautiful day. Although that wind is getting very gusty outside at the moment, so I hope that doesn't mean a change in the weather again tomorrow. 🤞
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