Oct 2 ... Mackay/Sarina

We have just finished enjoying three interesting days in Mackay and we were very surprised by how much this city has grown in the four years since Morgan left. There seems to be housing estates and major shopping centres everywhere now. All of the beachside areas/ townships have "linked" up to the main city and it all seems huge.

On our first morning we went out to Andergrove to visit my good friend, Karen (Kitto) Protheroe. It has been more than two years since I last saw her and she now has two delightful little boys. We spent a lovely morning there having a look at her comfortable home and catching up. She is certainly very happily settled now with Don and the boys, and it was nice to see that everything has worked out so well for her.

Karen, Caleb and Jackson Protheroe

Leaving Karen's place we checked in at the Andergrove Van Park. It was in a good position but it was a very hot site and very dark at night. Most of the time we were there it was quite windy and I did not find it relaxing. Following lunch, we drove over to the "caravan shop" to pick up the "rain rafter" we had ordered for the awning ($109). It seems to work well so far in that it stops a lot of the flapping in the wind,  but it is yet to be tested in the rain. We then did some essential shopping (and a little bit of non-essential too) before indulging in home-made hamburgers for tea.

The next day we wanted to be home by about 1 pm as Aust Vs Russia in the Rugby World Cup, and the AFL Grand Final were both on the TV.  So we set out to have a look at the various areas around Mackay, starting with the harbour. All of the sugar from the surrounding area goes out by ship from Mackay, and there is a lot of other industry there too, so it is a very busy port.

Residential Units at the Harbour

The sugar loading docks

There is a huge and long breakwall that has been constructed to protect the harbour area from the rough weather of the open sea. It has a two lane road on it that goes its full length and offers great views of the coastline and sea scape.
Harbour Beach is also beside this wall and given that there is so much industrial activity close by, it is a little surprising that the water and beach are so pristine.

Mackay Harbour

Harbour Beach

From here we drove up to Slade Point, then across the northern suburbs and further north to Bucasia and Shoal Point. From this vantage point, we looked across the bay to Cape Hillsborough and we found it to be a beautiful and relaxing spot.

Shoal Point

We had been to the Eimeo pub a number of times before and knew it to have amazing views so we decided to have lunch there again. Perched right on the cliff edge, most of the hotel tables have 180 degree views and we were lucky enough to get one in the shade. The water was a beautiful aqua and it was a perfect day ... warm, sunny, with a slight breeze. Our meals were also first class. I had Roast Pumpkin Risotto and Garry had Calamari. The desserts were incredible too but common sense prevailed even though the temptation was strong!

Views from the Eimeo Pub

Ordering lunch

The Eimeo Hotel, Mackay

After resettling back in the park we went over to the Camp Kitchen to watch the "footy". The AFL was an excellent game but it took ages and we basically spent the whole afternoon in front of the tele !
Every afternoon in the park they feed the birds and it is quite a cacophony of noise, certainly enough to attract my attention. There are a variety of birds but the main ones are rosellas and ducks.

We had intended to go into the city to check out the River to Reef Festival but we both agreed we could not be bothered and so settled for a movie instead.
This morning we decided to take advantage of it being a Sunday to explore the city. First up, we drove in to East Mackay and Queens Park to see the orchids on display in the Orchid House. It was big, packed with plants, and all were in full flower. Some were over 75 years old and there were more than 600 varieties, even the largest orchid to be found in the world ! They were all gorgeous and I took MANY photos

Mackay also has a number of historic and art deco buildings. It is a beautiful city as the Pioneer River runs through it and the streets are wide with lots of palms everywhere. We just parked and wandered aimlessly, walking up any street that looked interesting. We saw quite a few beautiful buildings and we found some city markets. These were relatively small and quiet but we bought a home-made rhubarb pie, a fruit cake and a red papaya... ALL delicious.

The Police Station

The Court House

The Ambassador Hotel - 1937

Customs House

The Pioneer River is tidal and one of the widest I have seen. At high tide it looks lovely but when the water is out, it is all sand banks, mud flats and mangroves. Some of the old buildings that line its bank looked very picturesque.

One of the two channels of the river

These old buildings could tell a story

We decided on a late lunch at the Mackay Botanical Gardens and, as we have a big travelling day tomorrow, we opted for a head start by driving down to Sarina for the night. Only about 35kms from Mackay, we arrived in plenty of time for Garry to watch the Rugby League Grand Final. This is a nice little park and we have stayed here before. Dotted through it are huge models of African animals. It is quite amusing to come across an elephant when you go to the amenities. They would have cost a fortune but they give Sarina Palms Park a "difference", to say the least.