Tea stains and rum tales

Still in awe of stunning Lake Mackenzie, on Sunday we decided to check out Poona Lake, also a perched lake but nowhere near as popular as its blue cousin. The explanation is the vegetation that grows around the lake, the tea trees that line its shore deposit tannin in the water giving it a reddish brown tea stained look.

The walk in is about 2.5 km and we were well underway when we realised we may have left the Moho keys in full view on the front seat of the Jimny. Given the many signs about securing your valuables we weren’t game to risk a break in so headed back to hide them. On the way back we passed two young guys hiking in and exchanged pleasantries and then another couple also headed in. Having read that this lake was likely to be less populated (and also that permits aren’t required for drones in Queensland National Parks) I had packed the drone and conditions were perfect for launching today so we were hoping these guys weren’t planning to hang around…….

The walk in to the lake was gently undulating through rainforest until the last section which was a long climb to the crest of the sandhill before dropping down to the lakes edge.

As we cleared the vegetation for our first view of the lake we saw the two guys had claimed the prime sandy peninsula, were stripped to the waist and meditating. The other couple had had a quick look and then left.

Bloody hell. As a responsible and considerate drone operator I wasn’t going to intrude on their communing with nature – let’s make a cup of tea I said to Russell, they will probably go soon…. hopefully.

 

 

We made a cup of tea – quietly – drank it and took in the scenery, all the while keeping a surreptitious eye on the boys who had now stretched out on their towels. So we sat, and sat and sat until at least another hour had gone by. 

Surely they were hungry by now? We decided that we would wait until 1pm and then noisily unpack our lunch, thereby giving a clear indication that we were there for the day ๐Ÿ˜Ž One of them went for a (very quick) swim – would that mean he was cold and they would pack up and leave or would he have to lay in the sun again to warm up???? At this stage I was wishing we had bought our books instead of the drone but when we were just about to give up and break out lunch they started packing up and we (actually just I) breathed a sigh of relief as the beach became ours!

I quickly got the drone in the air before anyone else could rock up.

Poona Lake
Poona Lake

Clearly it lacks the wow factor that Lake Mackenzie’s blue water supplies but actually close up the water was very clear and if it had been a few degrees warmer I may have been tempted to go for a dip. We enjoyed our lunch in solitary splendor and had just packed our bags when several noisy groups rounded the corner and we started the walk back.

The next day we said goodbye to Rainbow Beach and headed north through the Tuan State Forest toward Hervey Bay where I had some imaging to be done at the local Radiology practice.

Noticing the ‘wild horse’ signs I did some googling and was surprised to learn that this area is home to a feral brumby herd that have unfortunately caused several accidents along this road. Apparently they are not an uncommon sight on the local beaches and even in the township of Rainbow Beach. I’m not sure what their origins were but efforts are being made to rehome them and reduce the population.

We were only in Hervey Bay for the one night so after checking in to the very new but a bit utilitarian caravan park we had lunch and then headed out for my scan and some shopping afterwards. We bought a charger for my laptop to charge in the Jimny, its really the only thing we miss 240 v for when free camping but this should solve the problem.

Unfortunately we are a little early for the whale watching tours that may have tempted us but we did manage to photograph one….๐Ÿ˜‰

Tuesday morning we set off for Bundaberg, stopping in the delightful little town of Childers en route. This is another town that has really put some thought into attracting RV ers with a lovely (and packed already at 1030) free camping park one street behind the main street. We had morning tea in the highly recommended Insane Caffeine coffee shop and admired its quirky styling.

As members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) we were going to check out their park in Bundaberg. CMCA members are able to access 10% discount in many privately owned caravan parks but they also have a growing network of their own facilities across most states. They are for self contained motorhomes/caravans only, usually supply water and a dump point but no power for the princely sum of $6 per night. The Bundaberg park is well situated near a large shopping centre and was probably two thirds occupied when we got there, we had to make a decision on space versus full sunshine (for the solar) and ended up with a spot in partial shade but not too close to our neighbours. It turned out to a be a little noisy (road noise and nearby train line) but bearable.

The parks are managed by a ‘custodian’ who gets free power and a site to park their vehicle for as long as they are custodian and ‘Lida’ did a great job of managing things and ringing the bell at 4 pm each day for Happy Hour where we met many of our fellow travellers and exchanged tips.

I had a hair cut (and first colour!) in Bundaberg but the highlight of our stay was the visit to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. With neither of us being rum drinkers we may have passed this by but for the fact that everyone spoke so highly of the tour and we were not disappointed.

The museum was excellent – who knew that the guy responsible for the iconic polar bear was Prime Minister Bill McMahon’s brother Sam?

The tour was just under an hour, informative and enjoyable and culminated with two free (standard drink size) drinks.

It didn’t convert me to being a rum drinker but on the whole was a really interesting afternoon.

One of the other attractions close to Bundaberg is Mon Repos beach and turtle centre.

Mon Repos Turtle Centre supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. Unfortunately it is not the season to see any of the action at present but we had a wander along the beach where it all happens.

Mon Repos beach

Nearby Bargara was a great spot for lunch overlooking rough seas caused by the blustery conditions but we didn’t have a big meal, saving ourselves instead for the seafood platter at another Bundaberg icon, Grunske’s By the River for dinner. I’m ashamed to say we couldn’t quite finish it ๐Ÿ˜œ

Grunske’s Seafood Platter for two

On the way home we came across what seems to be a fairly new light installation under some massive gum trees not far from the CMCA park. We took some photos and then saw later on social media that this is a very recent innovation which I am sure will prove popular.

Tomorrow we will be moving on to Lake Awoonga for a brief overnighter on the way to Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast.

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