Although not in our original plan, we were inspired to visit Hervey Bay to do some whale watching and break the journey on our way to 1770.
The first fabulous thing about it was the weather – wind was low and sun was high. The second fabulous thing about it was that they had space available in a caravan park ON the beachfront. The third fabulous thing about it was that we knew there was a cycling path along a rail trail somewhere near the centre of town.
We were not disappointed.
Our camping spot was just behind those trees! This photo is taken from the pier below.
Boy on Pier (Photo by Spike)
Each time we set up, we try to arrive early enough to get a quick look at where we are before night sets in – so we were stoked to discover an 18km bike path along the beachfront at Hervey Bay – and we promptly rode (part way) along before the sun went down.
The next morning we worked out the we could connect the beachfront cycling to the rail trail and although it didn’t have the same fitness challenges of Bobbin Head – the 12k loop gave us all a great chance to see the town. We discovered that Hervey Bay has the highest number of lovely old piers per capita and at sunset the residents fish off them. In a nod to the Sunday morning riders, we even managed to find a good coffee.
The pier at Urungan. (Photo by Spike!)
Boy on Pier II.
Wide, sealed Rail Trail - even BloggiE made it up the gentle hills.
Best coffee of the trip so far!
Axo1000 found a live starfish on the beach that afternoon!
Looks idyllic doesn’t it?? Well the whales didn’t think so! It is right near the beginning of the breeding season and the boat operators could only find one whale in the vicinity all week! We were advised not to waste our money on a trip out to see them this week. Dang!
Then it rained for 24 hours straight. Towels don’t get so dry and kids get cabin fever in a camper (so do adults it appears!) In a strategic bid to survive past 2 weeks in a van – we all caught up on some popular culture – axo1000 & Kate at HP7.2 and BloggiE & Spike at Kung Fu Panda 2 (she loved it so much the first time!) Packed up in the pouring rain and headed off to 1770 (the town that is!).
A Tale of Ten Cities 
Wheatleys
Just seen the blog – all of us here in the coal mine feel very envious. I want first right to buy the Prado and the van!
Looks like you guys have really relaxed and taken the time off seriously.
fantastic
Rollsy
the weather looks so nice up there
Jealooooos! Love the starfish Eleanor! Did you give it a name? Was it even and it? Maybe it was a he or a she! Here is are the words from an old song I just remembered, maybe your dad is OLD enough to remember some of them:
…We had joy we had fun, we had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach were just starfish on the beach …
Dad can youtube it, look for Seasons in the Sun. Either way, have fun, lotsa fun 🙂
Love
Miss Stella
Oh the photos look glorious, sun, sea and the odd smile.
Yes, movies come in handy on log cabin fever days. You were fortunate you had a choice. Could have been some serious log cabin fever!
Happy days..
Love the photo ‘boy on pier 1’. Good snapping spike.
I love that photo too.
We saw starfish at Elizabeth Beach last week but they were short armed and blue on one side. Really interesting!