30 June 2011 - Central Tourist Park, Mackay, Queensland

Another windy day, with rain about, threatening to spoil the day, but never coming to much. We ventured out twice during the day, the first time to visit Artspace , the council gallery which was mostly closed in anticipation of a new exhibition opening on Friday evening. Bonney Bombach, the artist of this exhibition, saw us studying her one art piece, complete and hung, titled  Memento Mori: Tree of life and came over to speak with us. The work is a collection of her grandfathers’ memorabilia, both of whom emigrated as refugees from Austria in 1938, and both of whom died recently having reached over 100 years of age. For me, with an interest in genealogy, I enjoyed this visual realisation of their stories and lives. She suggested we return to the gallery on Saturday morning to view the rest of her work; we assured her we would if we were still about.

Heritage buildings in Mackay

Leaving the gallery, otherwise disappointed, we walked up and down the main streets, enjoying the palms growing lushly through the middle. One had the feeling that the CBD was just ready and waiting for the sunshine and the tourists to fill the otherwise empty streets, and that business are hurting from the reduced tourist trade through the region.

Bluewater Lagoon

After lunch we drove back into the town, parking beside the Bluewater Lagoon, a wonderful recreational area of pools, and fountains, and weird and wonderful water features. The appeal is mostly to children, however I am sure that anyone would and could have lots of fun here. Sadly apart from us, there was only one very bored life-guard wandering about and a woman sunning her legs on the bank above one of the lagoons. While it is winter, it is also school holidays here in Queensland, but the dismal weather was just too much of a turn off to would be fun-takers. Many millions of rate payers money has been spent on this project and the promenade area all along the Pioneer River. The use of the facility is free; an absolutely wonderful asset for Mackay.

We walked over a kilometre along the river, toward the sea, marvelling at the wonderful seating and picnicking areas along the way. Rain lurked about the city, but never quite arrived. Cautious however, we turned and headed back toward the cruiser. From there we went on over to the Canelands Shopping Centre and wandered about there before coming back to camp. The multitudes missing from the CBD were congregated in the foodhall at Canelands, and we enjoyed some serious people-watching over a couple of Scottish sundaes.

I did make contact with my parents on Skype, but unfortunately the second linkup was marred by the lack of sound their end. We did communicate a few necessary items of news with me asking questions and great shaking or nodding of heads their end for responses. It is frustrating when these technical hitches spoil what would otherwise be a bonus; they make one question the positives of modern communication.