Back in time

After coming off Fraser island, we had bit of time in 1770 and Agnes Waters, north of Bundaberg and South of Gladstone. Its a classic little coastal town, development is happening but it hasn't taken over yet. Of course with a name like 1770, there is a little bit of history about the place. For me it its not a good history - as the last time I visited was in 1996 as crew on a yacht and it was our last port of call before being shipwrecked on the reef offshore of Gladstone. Not a great memory of the place!
It was great to come in with the family and create some new memories of a really lovely spot on the Queensland Coast.

There was no surf so I thought this was a great chance for the girls to try and catch their first fish. I had just cast Charlottes rod and was getting Aurora sorted when Lisa mentioned she thought Charlotte had become tangled. I went over to check and soon realised that the tangle was actually alive and putting up a bit of a fight. Soon after Charlotte had landed her first fish, a 60 cm Flathead, close to 2kg that fed then entire family!

Charlotte didn't want to do any more fishing after that! Perhaps its knowing it will be hard to beat, or maybe dealing with a large a spiky fish looking at her!
Tastes really good baked in foil with garlic and butter.

We also had a great bush walk out to the headland, and were surprised by the masses of butterflies in the rain forested gullies. An unexpected delight. Like all the Queensland North Facing Points, its also a stunning location at sunset too.

After a few great nights, we continued north, trying to take in some of the big distances, we chose to aim for a free camping site off the Bruce Highway near the town of St Lawrence. This small and struggling rural township has elected to attract some visitation by opening the show grounds to free campers - and they come, in droves! There were close to 50 vans, campers and tents in there and the combined extras probably more than doubled the populations of St Lawrence. Most were were grey nomads enjoying the low-cost lifestyle. It was cold overnight but for some reason we were out of bed before dawn and enjoying the walk to the nearby wetlands.

Another awesome surprise - a mini kakaadu to ourselves at dawn. Thousands of Magpie Geese, Whistling Ducks, Black Swan and Kangaroos frolicking in the wetlands in the dawn mist. Worth the chilled fingers!!