We collected Gary in Noosa on Saturday morning and after a celebratory let’s-start-the-holiday-right lunch we started the trek north. The 3 of us have been talking about this trip for months and with the car packed to capacity its time to start the long road to Bamaga – the most northern town in Australia.

By the time we get there we will be over 3500km from Sydney!

From the fabulousness of Noosa our next stop was a place close to our heart and home to more family who would cook for us….. Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy on the Discovery Coast of QLD.

Having just been here for Christmas it was familiar territory, and so great to see it through Gary’s eyes for the first time. This special little spot is isolated and pristine and feels like another home away from home, even though there are often years between visits. Tigg, Ang, Cooper and Clarkey (Rhi’s dad) opened their homes and although the visit was short and sweet we had a ball.

The little brother and his beautiful wife

Rhi & Coop

The view from Clarkey’s pool

Lazing in Noosa

Agnes beach exploring

From Agnes to Airlie it was basically 8 hours and 710km of not much, although a surprise lunch at a paleo cafe in Mackay provided a welcome break from the flat, straight road flanked by sugar cane fields.

The reward at the end of the day was sweet though with sunset over Airlie Beach marina, drinks in hand. Up next from here? We are now packing for 6 days of kayaking in the Whitsundays. We have to take everything with us – water, tents, food, snorkelling gear etc etc…….. The plan is to make it back to Airlie Beach by next Monday.

Wish us luck!