Next stop Raglan Pub. There was free camping next to the pub so we head there for the night. The owners were very Australian, owning a cattle farm 600kms inland from Raglan prior to owning the pub. They use to send there 2 children to boarding school in Rockhamption costing them about $30,000 per child per year. I dont know how much school fees are normally but that seems a little pricey.
It wasnt a good spot to camp, it was right next to the highway but they had clean showers, food, beer and wine. We met a lovely Swiss couple, Lea and .. ive forgotten her partners name (Oopps)who we chatted to for the night.
As we arrived there in the afternoon we chatted to another guy in the pub. He was a truck driver waiting for the “all clear” to drive his oversize truck to Rockhampton as strict weight restrictions over the bypass had come into affect because of the flooding. He had been waiting for 4 days. His truck was loaded with machinery to assist the road works further North.
We had a great night chatting away to the few we met in the pub that day. We woke the next morning to the sun blaring on our tent, it was hot, we were dehydrated, very tired and slightly hungover.
From the pub we head to Rockhampton and sat in McDonalds whilst we made a plan and gained enough energy and consciousness to move. So after only 4 hours and 2 McDonalds meals we were ready to go. Rob had organised us a cabin for the night which had air conditioning, a washing machine, a shower and unlimited drinking water. Heaven.
We both slept like we were floating on clouds, the difference a bed makes is incredible.
We liked Rockhampton but found it a bit too industrial so we head off to Yeppoon about 30minutes away on the coast. It was a beautiful little beach town with a fantastic foreshore and playing area for the kids. We had a great steak/fish and chips for $12 at The Spinnaker which is a part of the sailing club. Its a great lunch deal and super yummy!!
From there we stocked up on supplies and rode into the gorgeous Byfields National park.
There was a few campgrounds at Byfields and due to the floods, 2 were still closed. We found a campsite which was secluded and we were surrounded by tall trees.
We went on a small walk along the boardwalk which had been significantly damaged and had multiple friends visiting the camp including betty the bush turkey and larry the lizard.
Once leaving the campsite we went further down the road spotting to the general store which surprisingly turned out to be a cafe as well. It was like a mirage had popped out of nowhere, we were so hungry!! The owners were amazingly friendly giving us tips and advice on roads in the area and the food was fantastic. It looked like there was a space for yoga to the side of the cafe as well. What an awesome gem hidden away in Byfields National Park.
From Byfields we rode up to Maryborough and it was breath taking. The grass was really green, there was cattle everywhere and we had a mountainous backdrop. Its was so beautiful. Definitely worth the gravel road adventure. Once back on the highway we passed a car and campervan that had sadly burnt to smitherines on the side of the road.
We arrived in Maryborough, grabbed a few supplies from a little grocery shop in the cute town which looked like it consisted of about 10 houses and a bowls club. Adorable.
We then rode up Mount Gardiner past some more cattle, through 4 river crossings, one which i dropped the bike next too. Oopps thick gravel on a hill, lucky Rob was there to help me pick it up. We got to the very top where we camped next to some Germans for the night named Peter and Loti. They are from Cologne and have completely decked out their van with such fantastic wooden workmanship for a bed and draws everywhere. They even have a wooden roof rack which looks really cool. Not sure if its legal but it looks great.
We watched the beautiful sunset, and were out like lights.
2souls2wheels 