Day 62: Koumala to Mackay

April 17, 2021

Start: 7:45am
Distance: 65 kms
Ride time: 3:22hrs
Average: 19km/hr
Max: 44km/hr
Finish: 1:30pm

Andrew, Bill, and Cheryl identified my bird from yesterday as a black kite. Thank you guys!

Cane fields and mountains in the morning.

They started in Cairns and were heading to Brisbane. They were both riding Koga belt drive bikes. They were friendly folk.

It's always pleasing to see other cycling tourists. I wonder what it's like in Europe? Is it commonplace and less exciting?

I stopped in Sarina for a substantial breaky. It looks massive yet I ate it quite easily.

I ate it all except for the beans. I only like home made beans. I'm old and am allowed to be fussy.

When I got back on to my bike the weather had improved. It had become overcast and I had a small tailwind!

Fortunately, the road always zigzagged around the hills.

This is the first crocodile warning sign I've seen.

Alligator Creek. I didn't see any alligators or crocodiles.

Today was my fastest average speed day, and I arrived in Mackay about lunchtime.

I stopped at the botanic gardens and got a real coffee milkshake. Yum! I could've drunk two.

This cycad-looking palm had no ID label.

This interesting flowering plant had no label either. It had lots of ants on it eating the nectar.

Edit: Mum and Cheryl later identified this as a ginger plant. Thanks ladies.

Tirumala hamata.

I've seen hundreds of these butterflies during the past few weeks. They have fluttered in and around me often. Ever so lightly crashing into my arms or face. It feels special when they touch me. Like seeing a unicorn.

During the past few weeks I tried several times to get a decent pic without success until today. Wahoo!

I wanted to visit the Mackay Orchid House but sadly it is closed on weekends.

I went to a supermarket and bought some supplies then checked in to the Premier Caravan Park. The owner was friendly and kind.

It's open-air and has a few basic items. I put milk in the fridge and haven't used anything else.

This place has a pool and I sat by it in the shade on a sun lounge chair to write this journal.

Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 2,952 km (1,833 miles)

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Dave ErtelHow about a few photos of the camp kitchens. We've travelled all over the world and only found that NZ reaches the same standard WRT camp kitchens. Many non-Aussie readers would have never heard of them.
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3 years ago

Vince McCarthyHi Dave, thank you. I added a pic to today's blog of a basic camp kitchen.

Can you please tell me what WRT stands for? I googled it without success.
Thanks
Vince
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3 years ago