Yesterday we left Bundaberg (far too late!) and was trying to get as far as possible. David wanted to stay at Calliope Free Camping Area but as it was before 4.00pm as we were passing there, I suggested that we tried to make it to Rockhampton.
Free Camping In Rockhampton
Life on the Road is exciting. I must have been a gypsy in a previous life because I could have kept on driving for ever. David was keen to stop before it got dark so that he did not have to find somewhere to park without seeing what he was doing.
As we passed Calliope, and had a look at the River Bank camp sites (over the bridge) I was keen to stop as it looked so good….yet also keen to keep going. One of these days we will have to try Calliope Free Camping spot.
Last time we went to Rockhampton (when our older son had his first lot of Navy Interviews) we had spent time in one of the park/playground areas – where there is a water fall near the playground. I thought that there might be a car parking area where we could park the bus.
Our First Free Camping Night ~
Life on the Road is so much fun!
Kershaw Gardens Rockhampton
Parking at Kershaw Gardens was near the same playground, and is perfect because they have Hungry Jacks across the road….for a toilet stop. They also had a big shopping center where we went to get a few supplies for dinner – they had Woolworths, Coles, K-mart etc.
*** IMPORTANT UPDATE :: We do have a Porta Potti in our Motorhome, but only use it for number ones. That was a personal family choice that we all made.
If and when our boys are desperate for a Toilet and we do happen to use Hungry Jacks/McDonalds because its handy and we don’t want accidents to happen we ALWAYS buy a Ice-Cream or Coffee or both !!! Normally we stop and use Free Camping Spots for toilet breaks, or even Playgrounds. Or normally we park and stay in Caravan Parks! ***
After walking through the shopping center David was keen to move on. I was keen to feed our four boys an easy dinner- froggie on lillypads – have showers and get into bed.
Kershaw Gardens ~
Rockhampton…is where I was born many years ago!!
While I was cooking dinner, cleaning the kitchen and David was helping shower the younger two – I was thinking about how David didnt want to move on in the dark….and soon suggested that we were fine staying in the Gardens CarPark.
So that is where we stayed – Free Camping for the very first time.
Free Camping in Rockhampton ~
Stayed safe over night!
David has sorted out how to have power without plugging in. Will have to ask him how it works – so that I can describe all the different boxes!
We had water in our Tanks so we had showers.
And we got to jump into our Beds in a Car Park of a Garden Area – much to the horror of our son Zachery. He was so upset that we were parking in a car parking area over night. At first I thought it was because we were not in an area that was set aside for free camping, but it was soon obvious it was because he didn’t like that we kept changing our plans as we were driving…he likes to know what we are doing and sticking to a plan!
Awake Early This Morning To Get Back on the Road
We woke up so early this morning – way before we normally wake up! Had an easy Breakfast – french toast – and was on the road. Along the way we had many toilet stops – saw some fantastic signs and even pulled into St Lawrence Camping Ground. So wished we had time to stay there over night – it looks amazing.
They even have stables for those that are travelling with horses, clean toilets, hot showers and walking tracks. Wished there was many more Life on the Road Free Camping areas like St Lawrence…would make travelling easier for families!
Welcome to St Lawrence ~
Great Free Camping Area.
Late this afternoon we arrived in Mackay. Back to where we used to live over 13 years ago. We even had Zachery and Nicholas at Mackay Base Hospital….16 and 13 years ago! Gosh time sure fly by.
Saw all of these great signs on the side of the road ~
Another one said “Still A Long Way To Go Kids” !!
David has already got worked sorted out – starts in a great dream job on Monday or Tuesday ~ now we need to find a farm to park our bus on. We have thought about what we want to do…to be able to travel more than we have in the last 8 months…we would like to find a farm where I can work with horses/park our Motorhome and travel around on weekends.
We would like to explore the outer areas of Mackay with Tents/or other ways.
The idea of the farm is also so that we can paint the outside of our Motorhome. It so needs a good paint job, and we have to be somewhere/anywhere that no-one is going to be around. Cant go painting our Motorhome in a Caravan Park!
Staying On The Beach
For the moment we are staying at a Beach Side Caravan Park but because its way more than we were paying at Yandina Caravan Park, we hope to find either a Farm or cheaper place to stay…do you know that we could rent a house cheaper (In Mackay) than what we are paying per week to see this amazing view…..
Beach Front Caravan Park ~
Staying in Mackay!
Travelling On The Road Today
Today was good – there was hardly any traffic. Until we reached Sarina/almost Mackay. Then it was a bit busy…actually in some spots it was bumper to bumper and waiting. A lot has changed since we lived here – more houses, more developments, more road works.
Meeting The Law
We did get pulled up by the Police. Actually David got pulled up! Or I should say our Motorhome got pulled up. He was keen to book us for something.
David was able to provide our moving permit, and his Heavy Rigid Licence (he only needs a Medium rigid licence to drive our bus). Then the police man asked for the Motorhome “Log Book” – which put David into a “What Do You Mean” conversation…we thought that we did not need a log book because we owned a Motorhome.
A few minutes of conversations between the Police Man and David – to work out the weight of our bus – and to determine that it was actually a Motorhome – and all was good.
One of our many toilet stops ~
Have you seen this shop before? It has the most amazing birds!
Not sure exactly how much more our bus had to be in weight – but do know that we are not classed as a Heavy Truck (bus) so the police let us go….he actually was shaking his head as he walked back to his un-marked police car!! He was so keen to book the Motorhome for something – I even think that he had his book out ready 🙂
All in All We had a Great Two Days With Life On the Road Free Camping and Smooth Travelling.
Will be sharing more of Mackay as we explore the area ~
What Would You Like To See From Mackay?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road.
I used to camp at the Calliope camping area as a teenager. It is a great little spot and you just reminded me how great it is. I think we will have to plan a camping trip there with the kids soon.
Good luck finding somewhere in Mackay. A farm sounds like a good idea. I have heard that housing is hard to find in Mackay…
There is a great little fish and chip shop down at the marina, I think it is called the lighthouse or something. We always go there when we are in Mackay.
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Hi Amy,
I cant wait to camp at Calliope one day soon 🙂
I cant believe how expensive caravan parks are in Mackay compared to where we stayed in the Sunshine Coast area! Oh I so love Fish/Chips stores – will have to check it out!
Cheers
Lisa
What an adventure being pulled over ! We used lots of free camping areas in Western Australia and across the Nullabor. Some had nothing at all but that was ok , we did a little of both caravan parks and free areas.
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Hi Trish,
I reckon that free camping rocks! Its a great way to stop for a few nights before heading back on the road. At the moment we are in a Caravan Park in Mackay but would love to be able to work out how to free camp more often 🙂
Cant wait to see WA – and all of the places before we get there!
Cheers
Lisa
So interesting to see how life pans out for you when you’re in the process of travelling around! Do you get pulled over a lot by the police? What are froggie on lilypads?
Little Gumnut recently posted..Loving
It was our first time (being pulled over!) but all is fine as it looks like we dont have to have a log book 🙂
A froggie on lillypad is a piece of bread with an egg in the middle…more well known as “Toad in a Hole”!
It was great reading about your adventures.
I hope Zachery is able to get used to the ‘fluid’ nature of travelling. When we first started, we thought we needed a plan but soon found out that it was much more fun to just ‘go with the flow’ and see where we ended up when we got tired of driving.
Hope you get to stop at Calliope free camp one day, I’m sure the boys would love the museum there.
Sharon
Sharon | Caravanning Around Australia recently posted..Caravanning On A Budget
Hi Sharon,
We cant wait to find more “Free camping spots” as we travel around Australia.
Zachery so does not like not knowing where we are going to be and what we are going to be doing next!! So hope that he gets more used to our way of living 🙂
One of these days we will get to Calliope for a least one night of free camping!
Cheers
Lisa
What an experience to be pulled over! I love the signs on the way, how funny!
Kym – Mumma’s Mini Mes recently posted..Winners….
The signs were so good 🙂 And the police was an experience for sure!
Great reading your adventure! Sorry the law tried to give you trouble … we got told that it depends on the number of seats for a bus (if you have more than 11 seats then you are a bus and need a log book).
Calliope and St Lawrence are both great places – we’ve stayed at both!
Hope you find a great place to park up to explore Mackay!
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Hi Sarah,
Interesting about the seats – with more than 11 seats its considered a bus even though its a Motorhome (where people sleep?) ?? Interesting – we are looking at having 7 seat belts in the bus so we still do not need a log book. I think the police man was just out on a hunt to book people…as soon as he finished with our boys he took off down the road. He sure was sneaky in an un-marked police car!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa,very strange how you say your a gypsy,gypsy’s never settle also we have traveled right Australia and done thousands of km’s
Yet you have only gone A b to cd and back to A ,
And give travelers tips now that’s just too funny …
Hi Gina,
I am a gypsy at heart 🙂
We are getting our motorhome ready to head to WA asap! Life is really weird how we have travelled. When David and I first met we lived in Sydney. Then we moved to Moranbah (2 hours from Mackay), had two boys, moved to Mackay, had our third son, then moved to Clontarf (Brisbane area).
Then we lived in D’aguilar, Glass House Mountains, Bundaberg, now back in Mackay! Its almost like we have come full circle.
Very soon we are heading to Sydney to see family, Canberra and then South Australia – on our way to Western Australia. Sorry if you dont think thats enough travelling, but we travel slowly!!
OH and we went to Melbourne a few times last year/as well as January this year!
Guess you could say we will never settle down as our Motorhome is our home on wheels.
Cheers
Lisa
We are leaving in a week to do our trip around the big block, we have dome quite a bit of research and found the “MAPS6” to be a travellers bible ,it contains all the free camps basically all around Australia, another great site is ozcamps.net, it’s the sam e principle but online so you can look as you are driving, can even zoom in on satellite photo for a good look .
Hi Warren,
Great to hear about your adventures coming up! Congratulations on your tour of Australia, and amazing research. Sounds like you are all set. All the best with what ever road you take.
Cheers
Lisa