1 July 2011 - Central Tourist Park, Mackay, Queensland

Overnight the winds had blown most of the bad weather away and so we woke to a clearer day, looking forward to seeing a sunny Mackay. With lunch packed in the eski, we headed toward the sea, firstly to the port and marina, on the northern side of the river. A line of high-rise apartments in pastel colours stand isolated on the shore line, the busy sugar loading wharf to the north and the sheltered marina on the sea side, packed with motor launches. A few restaurants and cafes are tucked back behind the lovely palms, and promised gourmet delights at gourmet prices. All that was lacking were the people. It was barely ten o’clock but so very quiet. We hoped that the tourists or regulars would turn up for the weekend.

The route to Mackay’s northern beaches is by another route from the city so we had to back track before heading off to see what they had to offer. The wind was still brisk and the sea was still wild and uninviting. At Shoal Point we discovered a more sheltered bay and wandered along the shoreline observing several holidaying families doing the same but not so concerned about getting their feet wet.

Further south Dolphin Heads and Blacks Beach had little to offer the touring public except narrow access ways more suited to the locals. Lunch time arrived and we were at a loss to find a sheltered picnic spot, so returned to the city and found the Botanic Gardens. The 48 hectares of parklands are home to a couple of lagoons that were apparently once the main channel of the mighty Pioneer River. After lunch we wandered along the banks of the lagoons through the beautiful trees, delighting in the birdlife and the sunshine.

After an hour or so, we returned to camp via Coles where we stocked up in readiness for several days away from civilisation.