It is time to get away from the marina for a while and we have managed to book one of the marina rental cars for the afternoon to go for a drive up into the hills. Denise from Top Shelf told us there is a lovely spot called Eungella up the the hinterland behind Mackay, so we are heading there. Steve and Kim are coming with us, whilst Mark and Janet do some shopping for last minute supplies.
First thing in the morning, we went to the marina markets which are held in the car park. There was a very poor selection of fruit and veg, so we will have to find a Woolies this afternoon and buy our supplies there.
The car was picked up at 12 noon and is a Holden Commodore station wagon with 260,000 km on the clock and is a bit worse for wear, but runs OK.
Our car for the afternoon
The drive through the Pioneer Valley is very scenic, with lots of cane farms, before a very steep climb up the escarpment to the settlement of Eungella. A lot of the sugar mills we saw along the way brought back old memories of Central lab as we had analysed sugar from all of them and recognised all of the names.
Once at Eungella, we went to the Eungella Chalet for lunch.
Eungella Chalet
The Chalet is very popular and has stunning views down the valley. It seems a polpular place for Sunday lunch, with a good range of food and live entertainment.
View from the Chalet
They also have a launching platform for hang gliders
The one man band did his best to entertain
Relaxing at the cafe
After lunch we drove another few km along the road towards Broken River, to a lookout called Sky Window. At the end of a short walk through the rainforest was another stunning view of the valley.
The car needs to be returned by 4.15pm, so we headed back towards Mackay, stopping in the town of Marian to do a bit a fresh food shopping at the supermarket.
Back at the marina, we pawed over the weather forecasts for the next few days to work on our departure plan. We also drove out along the breakwall whilst we had the car to have a look at the sea state (still a bit lumpy).
Steve and Denise from Top Shelf dropped by to say farewell as they plan to sail North tomorrow. Going South is a different proposition and we decide we will wait another day. Mark and Janet are now on a deadline to get home, so they may leave tomorrow. We all had drinks together on Mica and ate on board.
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