The big drive...

The day I had been dreading finally arrived - our longest drive of the tour, almost 600kms from Mackay to Cania Gorge.

We rose early and left Mackay in drizzling rain, after preparing as much as we could after Happy Hour the night before.

A stop at Kalarka for breakfast and another at Rockhampton for Happy Hour supplies was a welcome break from the highway.

A fellow traveller recommended that we travel via Calliope to avoid the Razorback at Mt Morgan, so we took his advice and continued on the highway towards Gladstone.

Turning off the highway, we soon found the Gladstone - Monto Road. We also found a sign advising that the road was not suitable for caravans! This meant a deviation to Biloela adding another 100 or so km's to the journey. Many of the creeks were swollen and running and there was water over the road indicating that the area had received heavy rain so we called Margaret at Cania Gorge Tourist retreat to check that the road was open. Assured that the roads were ok we continued on, arriving late in the afternoon. We had been traveling for 10 hours and it were so glad to finally arrive!

The park itself is as welcoming as the owners, Gerard and Margaret. "Find a site you like and settle in", we were told. As we drove into the park, all the guests waved hello and we knew we would enjoy our stay here.

At the entrance to Cania Gorge National Park, the caravan park is enclosed by high, craggy cliffs and is very relaxing, with lawns for games, a pool and even a big chess set. There is a communal fireplace which is lit nightly as well as a number of designated fireplaces in the unpowered section of the caravan park for which firewood can be purchased.

There are a number of bushwalks of varying lengths and degree of difficulty and the start of the walking trails for many of the walks are adjacent to the caravan park, so you can leave the car.

After a good night's sleep we walked to Two Story Cave and we impressed by the high sandstone walls which have weathered into unusual formations. Some massive sections of rock have moved, leaving deep clefts suitable for exploring. Cania Dam is 9kms further along the road and is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts. Unfortunately our short time here precludes us from visiting.

We are looking forward to Happy Hour this afternoon by the campfire, with a bush poet joining at the conclusion to entertain.